WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by critical fourth-quarter stops, the Stony Brook Seawolves weathered a second-half surge from the Monmouth Hawks to secure a 68-60 victory in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at the Multipurpose Activity Center.

The win, played before an announced crowd of 648, completed a regular-season sweep for Stony Brook over Monmouth, having also defeated the Hawks 61-51 just 12 days prior. It improved the Seawolves to 14-10 overall, while Monmouth fell to 16-8.

The contest’s pivotal sequence unfolded late in the final period. After Monmouth’s GiGi Gamble connected on a 3-pointer with 40 seconds remaining to cut Stony Brook’s lead to 66-60, the Hawks desperately needed a stop. On the ensuing inbound, the Seawolves worked the ball to Sandra Frau-Garcia, who was fouled. The senior guard from Spain calmly sank both free throws with 40.4 seconds left, pushing the lead back to eight points and effectively sealing the outcome. Monmouth missed its final three field goal attempts as time expired.

The game was a tale of contrasting halves and offensive rhythms. Stony Brook established early control, leveraging a 17-point first quarter to build a 32-30 halftime advantage despite Monmouth’s 19-point second period. The Seawolves’ backcourt duo of Janay Brantley and Diaka Berete provided the early offensive spark. Brantley, a junior from Catskill, New York, finished with a game-high 21 points, while Berete, a guard from Toronto, added 17, including three first-half 3-pointers.

Monmouth emerged from the locker room with renewed vigor, dominating the third quarter 21-16 to briefly seize momentum and a 51-48 lead heading into the final frame. The Hawks’ interior presence was felt, outscoring Stony Brook 30-22 in the paint, led by Ella Farrelly’s 10 points and the defensive efforts of Divine Dibula. Gamble, a local product from Somerset, New Jersey, led Monmouth with 15 points, and Kathy Kersaint-Pierre of Repentigny, Canada, chipped in 13.

However, the fourth quarter belonged to Stony Brook’s defense and composure. The Seawolves held Monmouth to just nine points on 3-of-13 shooting in the final 10 minutes, forcing five turnovers. Offensively, Stony Brook methodically rebuilt its lead, scoring 20 points in the quarter. Frau-Garcia was instrumental throughout, logging 36 minutes and contributing 15 points, four assists, and several key defensive rebounds down the stretch.

The victory was particularly significant against the projections, as statistical models heavily favored Monmouth to win on its home floor. Stony Brook’s ability to win consecutive games against a team with a superior record underscores its late-season form, having now won four of its last five contests.

For Monmouth, the loss snapped a two-game winning streak and highlighted recurring offensive challenges against Stony Brook’s defensive scheme, having scored 51 and 60 points in their two meetings this season.

Stony Brook looks to continue its momentum on the road against Northeastern on Sunday. Monmouth aims to rebound at home the same day against College of Charleston.