WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Feb. 16, 2025) … Damaris Rodriguez scored the last six points for Monmouth including a free throw with 23 seconds left as the host Hawks held off a last second shot from Hampton in a 62-60 Coastal Athletic Association women's basketball matchup on Sunday.

Jasha Clinton started the fourth with another pick-and-pay layup to put Hampton up 49-48 to start a final quarter that saw six ties and three lead changes. Consecutive three-pointers from Tyra Kennedy and Arlisha Boston put Hampton ahead 57-56 with 4:09 on the clock.

Monmouth began its run as Rodriguez started off with a driving layup with 3:38 left to lead 58-57. Boston went 1-of-2 from the line at the 3:11 mark to tie the game. Clinton hit a driving layup with 2:16 left to go up 60-58.

Rodriguez converted a three-point play with 36 seconds left to lead 61-60 and then hit her free throw for the eventual final score. A last second shot by Hampton went long as the Pirates fell.

Hampton (6-18, 2-11) came out of the gates blazing to start the game as they hit their first 10 shots. Arina Nikishina hit all four of her shots and a turnaround jumper with 2:45 left put Hampton up 23-12.

In the opening stanza, Hampton hit 11-of-13 from the field (84.6%) and held a 25-17 lead after one.

Monmouth (13-11, 8-5) opened the second quarter holding Hampton scoreless for the first five minutes and 34 seconds. Clinton hit a pair of free throws with 4:26 left to break the drought and also give her 1,000 points for her collegiate career for a 35-27 deficit. Aisha Dabo pullup jumper from a Clinton feed was the lone field goal for Hampton in the second quarter with 76 seconds left to trail 37-29.

The Hawks pushed the lead to 10 points twice as a Taisha Exanor driving layup with 50 seconds left gave the hosts a 39-29 lead. Casey Miller nailed a pair of free throws as Hampton trailed 39-31 at intermission.

Hampton started the third like they did the first and hit their first three shots as a Dabo 3-pointer, layup from Kennedy and Clinton with a pick-and-pay layup pulled Hampton to trail 39-38 at the 7:53 mark.

Monmouth regained a little control of the game and used an Exanor free throw at the 4:01 point of the third to lead 46-40. Hampton made a flurry to end the third as Dabo beat the third quarter buzzer with a 10-foot jumper to trail 48-47 after three.

The Pirates did have four in double figures topped by a career-high 15 points from Kennedy. Clinton and Dabo had 13 each, while Nikishina matched her career-high with 11 points.

Hampton returns home to close its home slate starting Friday, February 21 as the Pirates entertain College of Charleston at 7 p.m.