FINAL SCORE
Monmouth (15-13, 10-7 CAA) – 82
Towson (9-19, 7-10 CAA) – 56
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University Women's Basketball Team put together a dominant second half to cruise past Towson, 82-56, on Thursday night at OceanFirst Bank Center. After tonight's results around the CAA, the Hawks have clinched either fifth or sixth place in the upcoming CAA Tournament in Washington, D.C.
 
Taisha Exanor led the charge with a career-high 29 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 12-for-18 from the field, including three three-pointers. Divine Dibula was nearly flawless, going 6-for-6 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line for 17 points, while adding four rebounds and an assist. Damaris Rodriguez contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists, helping Monmouth pull away in the second half. Belle Kranbuhl finished in double figures with 11 points and added two blocks.
 
After a tightly contested first half, Monmouth took a 35-33 lead into the break. The Hawks exploded in the third quarter, outscoring Towson 28-13 behind suffocating defense and efficient shooting. Monmouth shot 52.6% from the field in the quarter while holding Towson to just 23.5%. Exanor dominated inside, scoring eight points in the frame, while Dibula and Rodriguez added key baskets to extend the lead.
 
Monmouth continued to roll in the fourth quarter, shooting 57.1% from the field and holding Towson to just 26.7% shooting. The Hawks finished the game with a 44-16 scoring advantage in the paint and dominated the glass, outrebounding the Tigers 39-32.
 
The Hawks' 82 points marked their highest total in a game this season, and their 26-point margin of victory was their most dominant conference win.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I am really proud of this team win. I thought we came out in the second half and elevated our defense, and that got us going offensively. We had a lot of players step up, really showcasing how dynamic we can be. It was a great team win." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
"Attacking the basket really helped me today. Getting a career high feels amazing, especially towards the end of my collegiate career. I mean, wow. It is something really great to go off on, but there's still more to do." – Fifth year forward Taisha Exanor on her career-high 29 points
 
"Our starting five does a great job helping me be prepared whenever I go in the game. It helps to watch how the game is playing out before I go in to see what is working, what is not working, and what I can do to help." – Sophomore forward Divine Dibula on being productive off the bench
 
- Monmouth takes the season series, 2-0.
- Exanor scored a career high 29 points and finished in double figures for the 10^th consecutive game.
- Exanor's 29 points is the most by a Hawk this season.
- Dibula was a game-high +23.
- Kemari Reynolds made her second straight start.
- Monmouth improves to 10-7 in CAA contests and 10-3 at home.
- Monmouth leads the all-time series, 5-1.
- Monmouth has clinched either the fifth or sixth seed in the CAA Tournament. A Hawks win OR Delaware loss on Saturday clinches fifth, while a Hawks loss AND Delaware win will land Monmouth in the sixth seed.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured three lead changes and five ties.
- The Hawks led for 28:47, while the Tigers led for 8:26.
- Monmouth made 53.4% of its field goals to Towson's 33.9%.
- MU won the rebounding battle, 39-32.
- Towson outscored Monmouth, 16-15, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 44-16.
- MU had more second chance points, 12-8.
- MU had more fastbreak points, 12-0.
- Towson had more bench points, 34-20.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks play their final game of the regular season on Saturday, March 8. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege and SNY at 2 p.m. Nine seniors will be honored postgame during for Monmouth's Senior Day.