Final Score
Monmouth (21-11, 12-6 CAA) – 72
Lehigh (17-15, 11-7 Patriot) – 62
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University advanced to the Second Round of the 2026 WNIT with a 72-62 win over Lehigh on Thursday night at the OceanFirst Bank Center. The Hawks improved to 21-11 overall, marking just the fifth 21-win season in program history while capturing their second WNIT win in the last three seasons.
 
Monmouth's offensive efficiency set the tone throughout, as the Hawks shot 55.8% (29-for-52) from the field, tying a season high. The balanced scoring attack was led by Divine Dibula, Gigi Gamble and Alexis Andrews, who combined for 56 of the team's 72 points on the night. Dibula paced the group with 20 points, notching her seventh 20-point game of the season, while Gamble added 19 and Andrews chipped in with 17 including three made three-pointers.
 
The Hawks jumped out to a 16-9 lead after the first quarter, and despite a bounce-back quarter from the Mountain Hawks, Monmouth lead 29-28 at halftime. Dibula led all scorers at the break with 14 points, while Madalena Amaro dished out a pair of assists. Amaro remained unselfish and finished with five helpers on the evening, marking her 10^th game this season with five or more assists.
 
Defensively, Monmouth delivered a complete effort, controlling the glass and holding Lehigh to just 23 total rebounds – the lowest mark by any Monmouth opponent this year. The defense sparked the offense which scored 43 total points in the second half.
 
Monmouth reached the 70-point mark for the 10^th time this year, maintaining its perfect record of 10-0 in games scoring at least 70. The win also secured the program's 11^th home victory of the season, which is the most since the 2011-12 campaign.
 
Quotes
"Really proud of the way we defended. We entered today with ab it of a different gameplan, but I thought we did a good job handling a new look. I thought we had laser focus tonight." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
"The mindset was 'win or go home', so we wanted our potential last game in the OceanFirst Bank Center to be one to remember. We didn't know if we would have another chance to play together again after the loss last week, and I'm so glad I get to play another game with my best friends this season. It means everything." – Junior forward Divine Dibula
 
Notes & Numbers Crunch
- Monmouth improved to 2-2 all-time in WNIT games.
- Monmouth improves to 7-5 all-time versus Lehigh.
- MU is in the WNIT Second Round for the second time in three seasons.
- It is only the fifth time in school history the Hawks have hit the 21-win mark in a single season.
- The Hawks are 10-0 this season when scoring 70 or more points.
- The Hawks allowed only 23 Lehigh rebounds, the fewest by an opponent this year.
- Monmouth's 11 home wins are the most in a season for the program since 2011-12.
- Dibula has seven 20-point efforts this year.
- Dibula (20), Gamble (19) and Andrews (17) combined for 56 of Monmouth's 72 points.
- Amaro notched her 10^th game this season with five or more assists.
- The game featured two lead changes and three ties.
- The Hawks led for 32:39, while the Mountain Hawks led for 3:35.
- Monmouth made 55.8% of its field goals to Lehigh's 44.3%.
- Monmouth won the rebounding battle, 33-23.
- MU outscored Lehigh, 14-8, off turnovers.
- The Hawks had more points in the paint, 42-40.
- Monmouth had more second chance points, 2-0.
- Monmouth had more fast break points, 14-6.
- Lehigh had more bench points, 13-5.
 
Next Up
The Hawks continue their 2026 WNIT run at Cleveland State in the Second Round. The date and time are set to be announced over the weekend.