WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. — Stony Brook women's basketball picked up a big road win on Friday night in New Jersey, with key contributions from Janay Brantley, Diaka Berete, and Sandra Frau Garcia leading the Seawolves to a 68-60 win over Monmouth.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a slow start in the first few minutes of play, Berete got the Stony Brook offense going, drilling a pair of makes from deep to even things at 6-6 with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter. The Seawolves ended the first in strong fashion, closing things out on a 7-0 run, capped off by another three-pointer by Berete, giving Stony Brook a 17-11 advantage going into the second. 

The Seawolves carried this momentum into the opening moments of the second quarter, scoring five quick points in the first 55 seconds and taking a 22-13 lead with 9:05 remaining in the period. Stony Brook's lead was short-lived as the Hawks answered back with a 13-3 run, giving them a 26-25 lead with 2:30 left to play in the first half. The Seawolves retook the lead in the final moments as Janay Brantley closed out the second with a three at the buzzer, giving Stony Brook a 32-30 lead heading into the break.

In the third, things remained close as both Monmouth and the Seawolves traded baskets and free throws back and forth throughout the quarter. A late make in the closing seconds of the quarter helped give Monmouth a 51-48 lead going into the final quarter of play.

Stony Brook came out of the third quarter break firing on all cylinders, going on a 7-0 run, finished off by a Berete layup, to seize a 55-51 lead with 6:30 to go in the contest. The Hawks kept things close but couldn't slow the Seawolf offense, as clutch makes in the final minutes helped the Seawolves secure the 68-60 win in West Long Branch.

STATS AND NOTES

• Brantley led the Seawolves with a game-high 21 points.
• Berate poured in 17 points of her own and shot 5-of-6 from deep.
• Frau Garcia stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
• The Seawolves shot well from three-point range, knocking down nine of their 22 long-range attempts.
• Stony Brook held Monmouth to just nine points on 3-of-14 shooting in the fourth.
• The Seawolves bench outscored the Hawks 27-17 in the win.
• On the defensive end, Stony Brook forced 17 Monmouth turnovers.

UP NEXT 
Stony Brook will stay on the road when it travels to Boston for a matchup on Sunday, February 15, against Northeastern. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm from Boston and will stream live on FloCollege.

For an inside look at the Seawolves women's basketball program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, X, and Instagram.