The Monmouth Hawks women’s basketball team finished its second-to-last game of its regular season with a tough 45-44 loss to the Hofstra Pride on Senior Day Sunday afternoon at the OceanFirst Bank Center.
In front of 811 fans, the Hawks battled in a defensive, back-and-forth game that featured 10 lead changes and four ties. Despite holding a late lead in the fourth quarter, Monmouth was unable to make the final plays needed to secure the win. The Hawks finished the regular season 18-10 overall and 11-6 in CAA play, while Hofstra improved to 7-20 with a 5-11 record in CAA play.
Both teams struggled to find rhythm offensively. Monmouth shot just 28.8 percent from the field (17-for-59) and 2-for-17 from three-point range. The Hawks also went 8-for-15 from the free-throw line. Hofstra did not shoot much better, finishing at 34 percent overall, but made timely baskets in the closing minutes and held Monmouth scoreless over the final stretch.
Junior forward Divine Dibula led the Hawks with 10 points and seven rebounds, shooting an efficient 5-for-8 from the field. Senior guard Alexis Andrews added nine points, although she shot 3-for-14 from the floor. Junior forward Alexis Davis gave Monmouth valuable minutes off the bench, scoring seven points and grabbing five rebounds while going 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. Senior forward Ella Farrelly made a major impact on the boards, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds to help Monmouth outrebound Hofstra 40-34.
The game opened as a defensive battle. Hofstra took an 11-8 lead after the first quarter as both teams struggled to score. A three-pointer from junior guard Micaela Carter and a jumper by senior forward Ayen Angoi helped push Hofstra ahead 21-12 midway through the quarter.
However, Monmouth responded with a strong close to the half, cutting the deficit to just 21-19 at the break. The Hawks ability to stay within reach kept the pressure on Hofstra heading into the second half.
Monmouth had their most efficient stretch in the third quarter. Monmouth shot 53.8 percent during the period despite Hofstra extending its lead to as many as seven points. Back-to-back three-pointers from senior guard Alarice Gooden and senior guard Nevaeh Brown helped Hofstra cling on to a 37-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter proved to be the difference. Monmouth regained the lead early with a three-pointer and a layup, swinging momentum in its favor. Hofstra answered behind senior guard Emma Von Essen, who hit two clutch three-pointers in the final five minutes. Her shot with 1:53 remaining gave the Pride a 45-44 lead and put Hofstra in position to close out the game.
Unfortunately, that basket would be the last of the afternoon. Hofstra then tightened up defensively, as the Hawks missed their final three field-goal attempts and committed key turnovers in the closing minutes.
Monmouth had one final chance after securing a defensive rebound with just seconds remaining, but the Hawks were unable to get a clean look before time expired. The Pride escaped with the one-point victory in a game that could have gone either way.
Despite the loss, Monmouth showed strong defensive effort, forcing 20 Hofstra turnovers and scoring 19 points off those mistakes. The Hawks also scored 28 points in the paint and received 17 points from the bench, highlighting balanced contributions throughout the lineup.
Senior Day added extra emotion to the afternoon, as Monmouth honored its graduating players before tipoff. While the result was not what the team hoped for, the Hawks now turn their focus to the CAA Tournament. With an 18-win season and solid conference record, Monmouth remains in position to make noise in postseason play if it can clean up offensive struggles and build on its defensive intensity. Their last game of the regular season will take place on Thursday, Mar. 5 at home where they will take on the Towson Tigers at 7 p.m.
