Monmouth University roundup

After almost the entire team competed at the Great Dane Classic on Friday night, Monmouth University'swomen's track and field team sent a small group of athletes to compete at Saturday's Princeton Relays.

Kelly Dantley placed in three events, including a fifth-place finish in the high jump (5-1) and a sixth-place finish in the shot put with her throw of 37-10¾. Dantley and Laura Ankrom (Prospect, Pa./Butler) placed seventh and eighth for MU in the weight throw with distances of 39-8 and 37- 3¾, respectively.

Senior Ed Skowronski took first in the weight throw for the Hawks with his toss of 61-10 ½. His throw of 50-4 was good enough for a third-place finish in the shot put. TheHawks are back on the track Friday at the 101st Milrose Games at the historic 168th St. Armory in New York City.

Monmouth University's women's basketball team overcame a late secondhalf deficit to come away with a 72-66 overtime victory over in-state rival Fairleigh Dickinson at home on Monday night.

The Hawks, winner of five straight, were led by forward Jennifer Bender, who tied a career high with 24 points and established a new career high with 15 rebounds. Monmouth improves to 7-12 overall and evens its Northeast Conference record at 4-4 with the win. FDU drops to 8- 12 overall and 4-5 in conference play.

FDUtook a two-point lead early in overtime

to earn a 61-59 lead on the first possession, but BrookeMcElroy nailed a threepointer to give the Hawks a one-point lead. Nyaimah Ware fired one from long range after theHawk defense came away with another stop, and Monmouth led 65-61 with 2:00 showing on the board. The Knights would not go away without a fight, converting a traditional three-point play to get to within a bucket. Senior Brianne Edwards hit four straight free throws to close out the scoring as Monmouth clinched the 72-66 victory.

Back by three to start the final regulation frame, Monmouth was able to get to within one, but FDU tallied five consecutive points to give themselves a bit of a cushion. A pair of Bender layups cut the lead to 35-33 as the Hawks continued to turn up the defensive intensity. After a forced turnover, Marisa Jimenez earned a pair of foul shots after being hacked on a drive, sinking both to knot the game with 15:30 left. After yet another defensive stop, McElroy hit a three-pointer from the wing to give the Hawks their first lead since early in the first half. Jennifer Walkling converted a three-point play on the next Knight possession to regain the lead for the visitors.

Monmouth's defense forced 21 turnovers in the game as the Hawks outrebounded the Knights to the tune of 49-43. MU also earned 11 steals.

Monmouth will look for its sixth straight victory on Saturday when they travel to play Long Island for a 2 p.m. game.