As Monmouth’s Women’s Basketball team season kicks into gear, Monmouth has gone up against some challenging competitors. Winning two home games as well as losing two home and away games, the Women’s Basketball team has surely kept fans on their toes thus far. From their quick and smart passes to their equally powerful teamwork on and off the court, many look forward to what the season has in store.
On Nov. 22, the Hawks flew into action when they faced Providence on their home court. The first quarter featured a back-and-forth battle between the Hawks and the Friars. Providence took the lead with a 9-3 advantage with about six minutes left to go in the quarter, which Monmouth answered with a 7-2 run cutting the Friars’ advantage to one and making the score 11-10 with only four minutes on the clock.
Senior and forward #2 Taisha Exanor scored four points in this stretch. Providence had the final points as they led the end of the first period 15-10. The Friars had done the same in the second period outscoring the Hawks 13-4 and making the score 28-14 at the half.
As the third quarter started, the Hawks continued to soar going into a 13-6 run after Providence scored the first bucket. With this run, the Hawks were able to cut Providence’s lead to 10 with a score of 37-27 and about three minutes left in the period. Senior Guard #4 Kaci Donovan had five during that stretch, while senior guard #20 Jania Hall had four. With a three-pointer coming from Senior Guard #22 Jaye Haynes, the score was now 42-32 with Providence having a 10-point advantage going into the fourth period. The lead was cut by Monmouth to seven, 44-37, on a three-pointer from senior guard #1 Ariana Vanderhoop. This game was intense with great plays from Donovan, Hall, Center #24 Belle Kranbuhl, freshman guard #0 Diamond Wiggins, and many more but, unfortunately, Providence finished with a 57-40 win. During this game, Vanderhoop scored a team-high 10 points.
The Hawks ran back into battle again on Nov. 26 when they versed Brown University on the Hawks’ home court. The first quarter was a continuous battle that showcased a couple of ties. Monmouth took the advantage when they scored three points in the final minute of the first period. They entered the second period with an 11-8 advantage which soon went up after Monmouth went on an 8-3 run and caused a 19-11 advantage. Exanor earned five points in this stretch. As the period continued, Brown and
Monmouth exchanged points for several minutes when Vanderhoop bucketed a three-pointer in the last two minutes and gave Monmouth a 29-19 lead. At the half, Monmouth took the lead of 36-22.
To start the third quarter, Donovan shot a three-pointer and gave the Hawks the biggest lead of the game, 39-22. As the clock cut down, so did Brown as they cut the lead to eight points with a score of 43-35. Monmouth was able to bring the lead back to ten, 45-35. A three-pointer from Haynes with only six seconds left helped Monmouth take the advantage, 49-41, going into the fourth quarter.
As Monmouth entered the fourth quarter, they scored the opening basket. It was after this that Brown went on a 16-2 run, now making the score 57-53. At around the two-minute mark, Brown had a four-point advantage. With less than two minutes left in the quarter, a three-pointer shot scored by Donovan and a two-pointer from Vanderhoop helped Monmouth retain the lead with 58-57. Brown then scored with 43 seconds left on the clock, which gave Brown the lead, 59-58. With an epic last play, Monmouth was able to get a couple of shots off but unfortunately none of which went in. Brown claimed their victory with a score of 59-58.
Although these two games have been a small defeat this season, there is no doubt that the Women’s Basketball team is just getting started. The Hawks will fly back into action on Dec. 2 at Rider where they will compete at 2 p.m.
