Final Score
#4 Stony Brook (18-14, 12-6 CAA) – 51
#5 Monmouth (20-11, 12-6 CAA) – 45
 
WASHINGTON – The Monmouth University women's basketball team saw its CAA Championship run come to a close Friday afternoon, falling 51-45 to Stony Brook in the quarterfinal round at CareFirst Arena.
 
In a defensive battle, the Hawks held a lead through the first three quarters before the Seawolves used a late push in the fourth to secure the win. Junior forward Divine Dibula fueled the early Monmouth surge, scoring 10 first-quarter points to give her team a 16-11 lead after one.
 
After being held scoreless despite the Hawks leading 23-22 at the half, Gigi Gamble began to find her rhythm offensively in the second half. The junior guard knocked down all six of her made field goals in the final two quarters, including two threes to finish with a game-high 15 points. Her late third quarter bucket gave the Hawks a 38-37 lead heading into the final frame.
 
Stony Brook's defense proved tough in the final stretch, keeping Monmouth to just three made field goals and 21.4% shooting in the quarter. Gamble made a layup with 3:33 remaining to cut the Seawolves lead down to one at 46-45. The Hawks would struggle, however, the rest of the way to generate clean looks at the basket and were held scoreless while the Seawolves hit a few key free throws to close the game out.
 
Quotes
"Disappointed by the result. They hurt us on the offensive glass today, and it hurt us down the stretch. Today didn't go the way we had hoped, but overall, I'm proud of the group and their body of work this season." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
"The CAA is a really fun conference because we play in so many close games. On any night, every team is capable of winning. You have to stay ready and can't take anyone for granted.
 
It's been a really fun experience throughout my career, especially this season. It's what makes the game super exciting. I think the CAA is a great reflection of how competitive women's basketball is." – Senior forward Ella Farrelly
 
Notes & Numbers Crunch
- Monmouth falls to 6-3 all-time in the CAA Tournament.
- Monmouth recorded its seventh 20-win season in program history.
- Gamble (14.8), Dibula (13.3) and Alexis Andrews (10.5) are the first Hawk trio to average double digits in scoring in 24 seasons.
- Dibula had a career-best five blocks.
- The Seawolves lead the all-time series, 8-5.
- The game featured seven lead changes and nine ties.
- The Hawks led for 20:56, while the Seawolves led for 10:45.
- Monmouth made 30.9% of its field goals to Stony Brook's 32.8%.
- Stony Brook won the rebounding battle, 41-35.
- MU outscored SBU, 13-5, off turnovers.
- The Seawolves had more points in the paint, 26-24.
- SBU had more second chance points, 12-9.
- Monmouth had more fast break points, 11-5.
- Stony Brook had more bench points, 11-0.
 
Wrap
The Hawks conclude their CAA Championship run with a 20-11 overall record, notching the program's seventh ever 20-win season.