TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed shots than made ones, the Monmouth Hawks escaped SECU Arena with a 56-53 victory over the Towson Tigers in a Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball game Friday night.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 616, was a testament to tenacity over talent, as both teams combined to shoot a frigid 29.8% from the field. Monmouth (11-5, 3-2 CAA) secured the win despite making only one three-pointer and committing 10 turnovers, while Towson (10-6, 3-2) squandered numerous second-chance opportunities generated by 18 offensive rebounds.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final chaotic 33 seconds. Holding a precarious 54-53 lead after Towson’s Semaya Turner connected on a three-pointer with 3:19 remaining—only the Tigers’ second of the game—Monmouth’s offense stalled. The Hawks missed their final four field goal attempts, allowing Towson a chance to win or tie on the final possession.

After Monmouth’s Alexis Andrews split a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 55-53 with 27 seconds left, Towson called timeout. Following another Monmouth free throw by Madalena Amaro that made it 56-53, the Tigers had one final opportunity with 14 seconds remaining.

The possession descended into desperation. India Johnston, who led Towson with 16 points, missed a three-pointer. Thalia Shepard secured the offensive rebound but missed a tip-in. Johnston grabbed another offensive board and attempted a putback, which was blocked by Monmouth’s Ella Farrelly. The loose ball found its way to Zoli Khalil, whose last-second three-point attempt from the wing missed everything as time expired, sealing Monmouth’s narrow victory.

The game’s tone was set from the outset. Monmouth built an early 15-8 lead after the first quarter, fueled by the interior play of Divine Dibula. The Hawks maintained control for most of the night, though Towson chipped away, using a 19-point third quarter to close the gap. The Tigers finally drew even at 43-43 on a Johnston stepback jumper at the end of the third period and took their first lead since 2-0 early in the fourth.

Monmouth’s response was led by guard GiGi Gamble, who scored a game-high 22 points and played all but 20 seconds. Her driving layup with 6:03 left put the Hawks back ahead for good at 48-46, part of a 7-0 run that gave Monmouth a cushion it would never fully relinquish.

Dibula, a 6-foot-1 forward from Ottawa, complemented Gamble with 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting, adding two blocks. Their production was vital on a night where Monmouth’s offense often sputtered, managing an offensive rating of just 80.6 points per 100 possessions.

For Towson, the loss was a product of profound shooting woes. The Tigers shot 25.4% overall and were 2 of 22 from beyond the arc. Despite a significant 45-37 rebounding advantage and a 19-of-22 performance from the free-throw line, they could not overcome 14 turnovers and their inability to convert from the field, finishing with an offensive rating of 76.3.

Johnston’s 16 points came on 5-of-15 shooting. Turner added nine points, and Khalil finished with eight points and two assists. Towson’s defense was formidable, recording four blocks and three steals, but its offense could not find a consistent rhythm.

Monmouth, which entered as underdogs according to Interstat’s ELO projection, has now won three of its last four conference games. Towson sees a two-game winning streak snapped as it prepares for a quick turnaround on the road.

The Hawks will host Campbell on Sunday, while the Tigers travel to face Stony Brook.