CAA Women’s Basketball Recap – Jan. 2
Ben Kane
RICHMOND, Va. (January 2, 2025) – A 30-point performance from Monmouth’s Gigi Gamble headlined an action-packed first day of conference play.
Monmouth 77, Elon 62
Box Score
In her first CAA game, Gigi Gamble showed out for Monmouth, delivering a season-high 30 points in a 77-62 victory over Elon. The junior guard got it going early, with 15 first-half points, including 10 in the second quarter, to send the Hawks into halftime with a 34-28 lead. The Hawks rallied around Gamble’s strong play, pouring in 23 points in the third to build up an 11-point lead and close out the game. The third-year guard set season-highs in minutes (38), field-goals made (11), 3-pointers made (6), and steals (2), amongst others. Elon was led by 15-point performances from La’Nae Corbett and Ashlee Shaw.
Towson 57, Campbell 54
Box Score
In a rematch of last season’s CAA Quarterfinals, Towson got its revenge to win 57-54 against Campbell. Towson led by as much as nine in the second quarter, but it wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Tigers were able to secure the win. Jasmine Nivar gave Campbell a 43-42 lead with 6:39 on the clock, kicking off a five-minute stretch where both squads traded baskets. Viki Matulevicius put the Tigers up five with three minutes on the clock, and the team never looked back. India Johnston led the field with 19 points, including 13 in a dominant second quarter. For Campbell, Nivar dominated with 16 points and five rebounds.
William & Mary 60, N.C. A&T 49
Backed by a 36-16 first-half lead, William & Mary defeated N.C. A&T 60-49. Last season’s champs sprinted out to a 14-5 advantage early in the first quarter and never looked back. Offensively, the Tribe’s scoring was spread throughout the squad with Dynasti Pierce scoring 10 of her 14 in the first 20 minutes. On the defensive side of the ball, William & Mary held the Aggies to just four makes from the field in the first half on a .143 scoring clip. D'Mya Tucker was Tarrell Robinson’s leading scorer with 14.
Charleston 72, Hofstra 55
Box Score
Down 11 early in the second half, Charleston overcame the deficit to defeat Hofstra 72-55. After allowing an 11-0 Pride run to begin the second half, Charleston battled to pull the game level with 8:22 to go. After Deivejon Harris gave Hofstra a 51-50 lead, Taryn Barbot got hot, drilling eight of the Cougars’ 12 points during a four-minute run to make it 61-55. The CAA Preseason Player of the Year ultimately sealed the win on an and-one layup with less than two minutes on the clock. Ema Karim had a career day for Hofstra, scoring 17 points in the result.
Hampton 63, Stony Brook 54
Box Score
A dominant showing from Aaryn Battle and Kayla Lezama led Hampton to a 63-54 win over Stony Brook. Two of the program’s most productive scorers combined for 41 on the day, with Battle’s 23 leading the floor. The Pirates had their most efficient scoring nights from the floor in almost a month, finding the cup on a 44.1% clip. Defensively restricting the Seawolves to 54 points, Hampton allowed its opponents their second-lowest scoring tally of the season. Johann Potter was one of three players for Stony Brook to break through a persistent Pirate defense, charting 16.
UNCW 69, Northeastern 67
Box Score
Double-digit scoring performances from five players saw UNCW outdo Northeastern 69-67. Paige Smith showed out in her CAA debut with 15 points, her fifth double-digit performance of the season. After the third-year guard drained two jumpers to make it 65-54 at the start of the fourth quarter, Northeastern got hot. Eight straight points brought the Huskies within three, however buckets from Rori Cox and Icyss Smith with 3:30 remaining closed out the game. Justice Tramble led Northeastern with a season-high 18 points.