Bender had a breakout week for Monmouth, earning her first two career starts and averaging 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in a two-game span. In only 11 minutes against Fairleigh Dickinson (L, 61-57), the rookie forward shot 2-for-3 from the field and 1-for-2 from the free throw line to net five points and also grabbed five rebounds on the day. In a 58-46 win over St. Francis (NY), Bender had career-highs in points (14), rebounds (7), steals (2) and blocks (2). She converted 6-of-10 shots from the floor and was a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line. With her limited playing time coming in conference action, Bender is averaging 4.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 56.6% (13-for-23) from the field and 83.3% (10-for-12) from the charity stripe.