WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and resilience, the Monmouth Hawks used a dominant third-quarter surge to overcome a persistent Lehigh squad and secure a 72-62 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at the Multipurpose Activity Center.

A modest crowd of 277 saw the home Hawks improve to 22-11 overall, while the visiting Mountain Hawks of Lehigh fell to 17-15.

The contest’s pivotal shift came after halftime. Lehigh, trailing 29-28 at the break, had weathered Monmouth’s early energy and even built a brief lead in the second quarter behind the scoring of Belle Bramer. The junior guard from Los Gatos, California, was a constant threat, finishing with a team-high 19 points. Her backcourt mate, Australian sophomore Alana Reddy, orchestrated the offense with four assists over 34 minutes.

Monmouth, however, emerged from the locker room with renewed defensive intensity and offensive purpose. The Hawks opened the third quarter on a 13-4 run, transforming a one-point deficit into a 42-32 advantage. The spurt was fueled by the inside-outside combination of Divine Dibula and GiGi Gamble. Dibula, a 6-foot-1 forward from Ottawa, Canada, was a force in the paint, scoring a game-high 20 points in just 26 minutes, including several key baskets during the decisive run. Gamble, a local product from Somerset, New Jersey, complemented her with 19 points and three assists, hitting timely perimeter shots to stretch the Lehigh defense.

Lehigh refused to capitulate. A three-pointer from Whitney Lind of Florence, Kentucky, and a driving layup from Gracyn Lovette cut the Monmouth lead to 45-42 midway through the period. But every time the Mountain Hawks drew close, Monmouth had an answer, often from senior guard Alexis Andrews. The Montgomery, Alabama native delivered a steady all-around performance with 17 points, two assists, and relentless on-ball pressure that contributed to 17 Lehigh turnovers.

The Hawks closed the third quarter strong, taking a 50-46 lead into the final frame, and then methodically extended their advantage in the fourth. Monmouth’s ball movement and decision-making down the stretch proved superior, as they committed only two turnovers in the final quarter while consistently finding high-percentage shots. Point guard Maria Amaro of Faro, Portugal, was central to this composure, dishing out five assists and controlling the tempo.

Lehigh’s effort was typified by forward Lily Fandre. The 6-1 sophomore from Eagan, Minnesota, battled for 34 minutes, contributing nine points, five assists, and winning the game’s opening tip. Her frontcourt partner, London native Leia Edwards, added nine points and four rebounds. But the Mountain Hawks struggled to find consistent scoring outside of Bramer, and their 9-point first quarter ultimately proved too deep a hole from which to fully climb.

Monmouth’s defense was particularly effective in containing Lehigh’s attempts to rally in the fourth quarter, forcing several contested shots as the shot clock wound down. The Hawks also capitalized at the free-throw line in the game’s final minute to seal the victory, a testament to their experience in close games, as evidenced by their season that includes multiple overtime wins.

The most critical phase of the game was undoubtedly the opening minutes of the third quarter. With the outcome still very much in doubt, Monmouth elevated its play on both ends of the floor. Their defensive pressure disrupted Lehigh’s offensive sets, leading to transition opportunities. Offensively, they efficiently executed their half-court sets, with Dibula establishing position inside and guards like Gamble and Andrews knocking down shots. This 10-point swing in a matter of four minutes provided Monmouth a cushion it would not relinquish, as Lehigh spent the remainder of the game fighting uphill against a more confident and cohesive opponent.

The game served as a final tune-up for Lehigh before a road contest at Cleveland State on Sunday. Monmouth, with its winning record secured, now looks ahead to potential postseason opportunities.