Final Score
Cleveland State (25-9, 13-7 Horizon) – 74
Monmouth (21-12, 12-6 CAA) – 68
 
CLEVELAND – Monmouth University saw its 2025-26 season come to a close in the Second Round of the WNIT, falling 74-68 Monday night at the hands of Cleveland State. The Hawks finished the year at 21-12, capping one of the most successful campaigns in program history with a WNIT appearance and a 20-win season.
 
Despite the result, Monmouth turned in a strong offensive showing, led by a career night from junior forward Divine Dibula. The Ottawa native poured in a career-high 26 points while adding 11 rebounds to record her sixth double-double of the season.
 
Gigi Gamble added 23 points, closing her season with a 15.2-points-per-game average – the highest by a Monmouth player in 14 seasons. Gamble also finished the year with 10 games of 20 or more points, serving as the Hawks' primary offensive catalyst throughout the campaign in just her first year at the Division I level. Alexis Andrews contributed 12 points, rounding out a trio that made program history as the first group of Hawks to each average double figures in scoring in 24 seasons.
 
Monmouth controlled stretches of the game behind efficient ball movement and balanced scoring. Madalena Amaro facilitated the offense with precision, tying her career high with eight assists.
 
The Vikings led the Hawks at the conclusion of all four quarters, but never by more than eight points at any moment throughout the contest – a tightly contested battle from start to finish. Monmouth entered the fourth quarter down only one and took a 61-59 lead with 3:55 remaining. After trading a few buckets, the Vikings led 66-65 entering the final two minutes. Cleveland State tightened up their defensive pressure, forcing multiple key Monmouth misses, and closed out the Hawks with solid free throw shooting.
 
Notes & Numbers Crunch
- Monmouth improved to 2-3 all-time in WNIT games.
- Monmouth falls to 0-3 all-time versus Cleveland State.
- 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.
- Dibula had eight 20-point efforts this year and six double-doubles.
- Amaro tied her career high with eight assists.
- The game featured 12 lead changes and six ties.
- The Hawks led for 11:04, while the Vikings led for 26:14.
- Monmouth made 44.3% of its field goals to Cleveland State's 43.3%.
- Cleveland State won the rebounding battle, 38-36.
- Both teams had 10 points off turnovers.
- The Vikings had more points in the paint, 38-30.
- Monmouth had more second chance points, 9-2.
- Cleveland State had more fast break points, 12-10.
- Monmouth had more bench points, 7-5.
 
Wrap Up
The Hawks conclude their 2025-26 season with a 21-12 overall record. The win total marked the fifth time in program history hitting 21 wins, while they appeared in their second WNIT Second Round in the last three seasons.