BUFFALO, N.Y. – Despite scoring 43 points in the final two quarters, the Canisius Women's basketball team was bested by Monmouth on Sunday afternoon at the Koessler Athletic Center. The Hawks spoiled what was a special day for the Blue and Gold, as the squad honored three members of its senior class prior to the tip. With the loss the Griffs dropped to 12-14 overall and 7-10 in the MAAC, while Monmouth improved to 11-16 and 9-9 in conference play.

Before the start of the game Canisius honored Tiahana Mills, Crystal Porter and Jasmine Mungo in a pregame ceremony, as head coach Terry Zeh spoke about how each senior has left a positive impression on the team and spoke of their individual successes as a member of the Blue and Gold.

In the game however it wasn't a senior but a freshman, that was the most impressive, as Maria Welch set a new career-high in points, shooting 9-of-16 from the field, including a pair of treys, notching 23 points.

While Welch sparked the offense, the Griffs had three other players reach double figures. Porter nearly had a historic senior day as she was one assist and one rebound shy of a triple-double, recording 13 points, nine assists and nine boards. Meanwhile Sara Hinriskdottir scored 11 points and Margret Halfdanardottir notched 10, making it three-straight contests with a quartet of Griffs reaching double-digits.

The Hawks also had four players hit double-figures with Tyese Purvis' 21 points leading the way. Purvis was deadly from beyond the arc hitting 5-of-12. Sarah Olson chipped in 16 points, Jasmine McCall scored 14 and Christina Mitchell notched 12 to round out the top four scorers.

Turnovers, which plagued the Griffs in their first meeting, didn't appear to be too much of an issue in this game, as the Blue and Gold turned it over just one more time thatn Monmouth, 15-14. The Hawks also outrebounded Canisius 38-34.

In the first quarter the Griffs dug themselves a hole it never got out of, getting out scored 25-11 in the opening frame. Canisius did turn the tide and cut the lead to just 10 headed to halftime but it wasn't until the third quarter before Canisius started a serious comeback bid.

The Hawks began the third frame with a 13 point advantage as Olson opened up with a long-distant bucket to make it 41-28. The lead was pushed to its largest at the five-minute mark of the quarter as Jasmine Walker hit a pair of free throws to make it 51-31. However in the span of nearly five minutes the Griffs clawed back to within seven, going on a 19-6 run to end the third quarter down 57-50.

A Porter layup at the 9:10 mark of the fourth quarter got things down to five points but that's as close as the Blue and Gold got, falling 81-71.

Canisius wraps up its five-game homestand on Thursday, completing the Battle of the Bridge series against Niagara on Thursday evening. Game time is set for 5 p.m. The game is part of a double-header with the men's basketball team who is also playing Niagara at 8 p.m.