NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., January 22, 2019 – The Monroe Express men's basketball team held on late to upset the fourth-ranked Borough of Manhattan Community College Panthers, 81-79, on Tuesday at the Monroe Athletic Complex.
 
Behind a full-court press, the Express opened the game against the Panthers on a 9-0 run, scoring fourth-straight buckets over the first 2:47 before BMCC got on the scoreboard with Quran Dublin's layup.
 
The Express, extended their lead out to 19-9, before the Panthers closed the gap to just three, 29-26, with just under seven minutes remaining in the half. However, the Express responded with another run, outscoring the Panthers, 10-2, over the next 2:31 to take a 39-28 lead into the final four minutes of the first half.
 
BMCC against closed the gap to single digits, 39-33, with 2:53 remaining, but Monroe closed the half on an 8-2 run to take a 12-point, 47-35 lead into the half.
 
Both sides started slow in the second half, before the Express opened up a 14-point advantage with 15:57 to play.
 
However, a 14-2 run from the Panthers closed the gap to just two, and BMCC threatened to take the lead with 11 minutes to play. The Express, though, weathered the run and extended their lead to eight on Christopher Davis' and-one with 8:51 to play.
 
Four minutes later, the Express lead was down to seven, but both teams went into a three-minute scoring drought, and Monroe still led by seven heading into the final two minutes.
 
Four free throws by Quran Dubin cut it to a one-possession game, but the Express held on, preventing the Panthers from taking the lead down the stretch to seal the upset victory.
 
With the win, the Express move back to .500 on the season, sitting at 9-9 (5-7 Region XV), while BMCC drops to 17-2 (9-2 Region XV) with the loss.
 
Four Express players tallied double-figures, led by Gian Batista, who scored 26 points and eight rebounds. Tyhj Peterson added a season-high 18 points, while Christopher Davis scored 15 and Ghetty Allui totaled 14.
 
The Express scored 29 points off 23 Panther turnovers, outrebounded BMCC, 38-30, and never trailed the fourth-ranked Panthers, leading by as many as 14.
 
The Express return to action on Thursday, Jan. 24 when they take on the Hostos Community College Caimans at 8 p.m. at the Monroe Athletic Complex in New Rochelle, N.Y.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 27 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus as of the fall of 2017, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
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).