WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Senior Crystal Porter celebrated her birthday with a new career-high of 24 points, but the party was spoiled by Monmouth women's basketball, who defeatd the Canisius, 79-75 in West Long Branch, N.J. on Sunday. With the loss the Blue and Gold dropped to 9-14 overall and 4-10 in conference, while Monmouth improved to 10-13 and 5-9 in MAAC play.

Porter appeared locked in on her special day, recording 24 points, including a 17 point first half as she also came close to the double-double, recording nine rebounds and 5 assists.   

Likewise freshman Maria Welch also recorded a new-career high in points in her new starting role, scoring 20 points to go along with seven rebounds.

Aside from the pair of 20-point performers, Margret Halfdanardottir was the only other Griffs member to hit double-figures scoring 12 points, and recording one rebound and two assists.

Four players reached double-figures for the Hawks as Sarah Olson led the way with 24 points. Jamiyah Bethune nearly notched 20 points, scoring 19 and brought down 11 boards for the double-double. Jasmine Walker (12 points) and Tyese Pervis also reached double-figures.

For the second straight game, turnvoers were a area of concern for the Blue and Gold, recording 23, while Monmouth notched 11 steals. The Hawks also won the battle of glass, outrebounding the Griffs 41-36.

Monmouth opened up the game on a 14-2 run with turnovers playing a key role in the deficit. Because of the large lead, the Griffs called a pair of timeouts during the run, with the second coming at the 6:25 mark.

Out of the break the Griffs managed to get its offensive game going in the right direction, outscoring the Hawks 14-11 in the final six minutes, as Monmouth led 25-16, at the end of the first quarter.

In the second frame the Blue and Gold kept chiseling away at the Monmouth lead, going on a 13-8 run into media timeout, trailing by just four, 33-29. Porter was responsible for seven points on the run, with Welch and Saliah Serrette adding a trey apiece. The Griffs finished the quarter on a 29-15 run with Porter sparking the quarter with 11 points, as the squad went to halftime up 45-40.

The Griffs managed to maintain its advantage despite being outscored by a slim 18-15 margin in the third quarter before heading to the final frame with 60-58 lead.

Monmouth gained the advantage early in the quarter, going up 65-61, but the Griffs once again battled back, going on a 10-4 run, highlighted by a Sarah Cooley 3-pointer to take a 71-69 lead into the final media timeout with 3:46 left in the frame.

However Monmouth turned the tide for a final time, and used a 10-4 run in the final three minutes to edge the Griffs 79-76.

Canisius now settles in for five straight home games at the Koessler Athletic Center, beginning with Rider on Friday and Marist on Sunday. Game times are set for 7 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.