This past week, the Hawks split their home stand with a win over Sacred Heart but a loss to Farleigh Dickinson. The Hawks are now have a 13-11 record while being 8-5 in the NEC bringing them to a tie for third place with Saint Francis College. With the playoffs approaching, Coach Jenny Palmateer does not believe it matters whether you face first or last place, it just matters if you win. “Right now every game is just important as the next,” Coach Palmateer states, “All the teams in conference are jockeying for position as the regular season winds down.”
Opening up the home stand was a win over first place in the NEC, Sacred Heart University. Star of the game was, as usual, Alysha Womack who scored a career high 27 points. Alexis Canady also put up impressive stats with 13 points, four rebounds, and three steals. The game started with a three-pointer from Sacred Heart followed by four more points from the opponent. MU quickly recuperated, and within six minutes of the first half, the score was tied 11-11.
The Hawks were able to pull ahead creating the first lead change of the game with a score of 16-13. The second lead change of the game occurred when Sacred Heart pulled ahead by two points bringing the game to a score of 18-16. Then MU’s Gabby Singer sunk a three-point shot giving the Hawks a one point advantage. Sacred Heart did not fall far behind and was able to steal the lead with a three-point shot.
The Hawks did not give up and with eight minutes left on the court, they were able to create a slim advantage over Sacred Heart at 24-23. Sacred Heart then hit another three-point shot bringing the game to 26-24 in their favor. Monmouth was able to recapture the lead via Womack and at 3:50, the game was 29-28. But Sacred Heart managed to go on a four point streak making the game 32-29 in their favor.
The last minute of play usually provides a cooling period for both teams but in this game’s case, the last minute of play became the most intense part of the first half. With 53 seconds left, Monmouth’s Gena Broadus was able to steal the ball and make a basket bringing the game to a mere one point difference at 32-31. With 35 seconds left on the clock, Sacred Heart attempted to take the lead with a three-pointer but fortunately for the Hawks, the shot went wide.
The scoreboard dwindled down to nine seconds when Monmouth’s Canady was fouled and therefore got a chance for two three-throws. Sinking them both, it appeared as if the ladies would go into halftime with a 33-32 lead. But at the one second mark, a Sacred Heart’s player put one in the basket taking the half-time advantage from Monmouth and making the score 34-33. The most interesting fact of the first half would be how the lead changed 10 times, a number which is usually for the whole game, not just a half.
The second half was played much differently than the first for Sacred Heart. Within the first five minutes, Monmouth created a nine point lead with a 43-34 score. Sacred Heart just could not get back on their feet the second half and with 10 minutes left to play, the Hawks created a ten point lead at a score of 48-38. As the scoreboard showed 1:45 left in the game, Monmouth created a sound 20 point lead at 68-48 essentially securing their victory. The final score of the game was 70-50 with MU picking up the victory.
Coach Palmateer explains why Sacred Heart was unable to succeed in taking the lead during the second half. “I think our defense was amazing. It was one of the best halves of basketball our team has played all season, especially on the defensive end,” Palmateer claims, “It was suffocating. We were able to force turnovers, shot clock violations, etc. It was a tremendous team effort.”
Gaining confidence from this game, the ladies were prepared to take on the 11-13 Farleigh Dickinson Knights. Within the first five minutes of play, the lead changed four times. This game showcased to equally talented teams making it difficult for one to gain a vast advantage over the next. Having a two point lead was a common theme in the first half. The biggest gap between scores was a six point difference with Monmouth always on the losing end.
The game was a constant back and forth close battle and by the time the first half was over, Farleigh Dickinson was ahead by four points, 30-26. Monmouth began to look much like the second half Sacred Heart team once play resumed. At 14:31, the Knights created the biggest lead of the game with a 43-28 score in their favor. It looked like the Hawks were going to comeback around the ten minute mark since they were only suffering a deficit of seven points but the ladies just could not keep up with the Knights. The final score of the game was 72-64 Farleigh Dickinson.
Betsy Gadziala scored a career high 18 points for the Hawks but this stat was not nearly the most impressive of the game. Knights senior guard, Mariyah Laury, scored a career high 42 points making that over half of Farleigh Dickinson’s total points. Freshman Danica Dragicevic believes she knows why the team was weakened during the second half. “It is easier to play against teams when they are not united,” Dragicevic continues, “And at that point, we were not united. No. 12 (Laury) on Farleigh Dickinson was a very good leader and she was able to keep her teammates together.”
The Hawks have five games left until the post-season. The next will travel to Farleigh Dickinson University on Wednesday February 15 and then will go to Staten Island, NY, to take on Wagner this Saturday.
PHOTO COURTESY of MU Photography
