NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., November 16, 2017 – The Monroe Express men's basketball team fell in a closely contested battle with Queensborough Community College, 84-72, Thursday at the Monroe Athletic Complex.
 
Queensborough took an early 10-6 lead with 15:25 to play in the first quarter, but the Express rallied to take the lead with a 14-4 run. The teams traded buckets the rest of the half, with the Tigers maintaining a slight edge, and taking a one-point, 33-32 lead into halftime.
 
The Express quickly took the lead to start the second half, but the Tigers took it right back just a few minutes later. Again, Monroe tied the game and retook the lead, this time with 11:00 to play in the second half, but just under a minute later, Barry Bennett's three gave Queensborough the lead right back.
 
After the fourth lead change of the half, Queensborough began to pull away withstanding a late Express run to pull out an 84-72 victory over the Express.
 
With the loss, the Express drop to 0-5 on the season. Gian Batista led the way for the Express, tallying his second-straight 20-point performance with 24, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
 
Khalik Johnson and Jessy Jimenez joined Batista in double-figures, with 14 and 11 points, respectively, while four Mustangs: Batista, Jimenez, Jovan Bellamy and Ghetty Allui tallied five boards.
 
The Express shot 51.9 percent from the floor, but just 26.7 percent from three, compared to 34.6 percent from beyond the arc for Queensborough. Monroe was also outrebounded, 42-30, but outscored Queensborough in the paint, 44-32.
 
Still searching for their first win, the Monroe Express head to Suffern, N.Y. to take on Rockland Community College on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, will have six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level beginning in the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter (@MonroeExpress) and Instagram (@MonroeExpress).