The women’s basketball team fell to Providence this past Saturday afternoon at Alumni Hall to a tune of 71-59. Junior guard Tyese Purvis and sophomore forward Dana Carbone netted a collective 24 points for MU. Senior guard Jasmine Walker earned 10 points and 10 rebounds on the night while seniors Jamiyah Bethune and Sarah Olson each tabbed eight. The loss puts the Blue and White at 1-3 so far this season.
“We have been in some tough games, two going to overtime, and each one has helped us prepare for what we will face in conference play,” said Head Coach Jenny Palmateer. “Our record reflects a challenging non-conference schedule that is designed to help us achieve our season goals.”
The Hawks opened up scoring, snagging six of the first eight points scored. MU held its lead until the eighth minute of play, when the Friars broke the tie, making it 13-10. Providence’s Jovana ‘Yoyo’ Nogic and Erica Meyer contributed to the Friar lead until Olsen added a three-pointer for the Hawks. The first quarter ended in favor of the Friars, 16-13.
Walker was put on the line in the first minute of the second quarter, finishing both shots for MU. But Providence responded with the next seven points. With just over seven minutes left in the half the Hawks were down 15-23. Sarah Beal put in a layup and a pair of foul shots to cushion the Friars’ lead. The clock dropped under a minute and MU was trailing 25-34 when Purvis brought some life back to the Hawks. Her three-pointer closed the gap and the half, making it 34-28.
In the first half, Providence capitalized on all 12 of MU’s turnovers, while the Hawks could seal only four of the Friars’ nine. The Friars outshot the Hawks, maintaining 41.9 (close range) and 57.1 (three-point) shot percentages to MU’s 22.2 and 25.0 percent.
Aliyah Miller stole the show in the third quarter for the Friars, putting up four field-goal attempts as well as an offensive rebound. Providence drew out a 44-33 lead three minutes in, forcing MU to call a timeout. MU answered with four points from Purvis and junior forward Christina Mitchell. At the four-minute mark the scoreboard read 46-42 and the Friars still had the lead. Carbone and freshman guard Mckinzee Barker netted four points for the Hawks but the third quarter closed at 52-45 in favor of Providence.
MU relentlessly opened the fourth and final quarter with five points, attributed to Purvis and Bethune. But in time, Providence’s Evi Liskola, Nogic, Miller and Beal would close out the game with 11 more points, damage MU could not recover from.
Overall, the Hawks hit 80.0 percent of their free throws to the Friars’ 57.1 percent. From the floor, Providence outshot MU, 45.2 percent to 29.0 percent. The Friars also disadvantaged the Hawks from long range, 58.3 percent to 25.0 percent. However, MU had fewer turnovers in the second half (2-7) and outscored Providence in bench points (26-10).
“We use every game and practice as learning tools. And it’s really the most effective way to learn, by making the mistakes and gaining the experience. Moving forward, we just want to perfect the little things and iron out the kinks in our game,” said Olsen. “We’re sticking to our run and gun and system and working on being a better run and gun team.”
The Hawks begin their conference quest on Friday at 7pm when they take on the Siena College Saints at the Multipurpose Activity Center in West Long Branch.
Siena is currently 1-5 so far this season after loss at the hands of St. Bonaventure, Northeastern, Southern Illinois, Alabama State and Navy. Their lone win came against Morgan State during a road trip in Annapolis, M.D.
The game will be aired live on ESPN3 by the Monmouth Digital Network.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
