New Rochelle, N.Y., November 19, 2019 –The Monroe College Express men's basketball team's second-half comeback fell short as they lost to Region XV opponent Hostos Community College, 101-98.

The Express drop to 2-3 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.

Hostos started out the game on a 10-5 run, connecting on five of their first seven shots. The Express responded with a 6-2 run, cutting Hostos' lead to one-point (12-11) with 14:38 to play in the first half. Over a stretch of nearly five minutes, the Caimans built up a 14-point lead, outscoring the Express 17-2, to hold a 29- 13 lead with 9:12 left in the half. Hostos closed out the first half with 50-31 lead heading into halftime.
 
In the second half, the Express slowly chipped away at the Caimans lead. Trailing by 18 points with 16:19 left in regulations, the Express sparked a 15-6 run to cut the deficit to single digits (64-56).
 
Monroe continued to cut into Hostos' lead as two pair of successful free throw attempts from Kevin Austion and Loquan Deloatch brought the game with one-point (76-75) with under four minutes left in the second half. The Express gained their first lead of the game thanks to basket from Deloatch, 77-76 with 3:17 remaining.
 
Holding onto a two-point lead with six seconds left to play, Hostos tied the game as Kory Williams netted a shot to send the game to overtime.
 
Hostos scored the first four points of the overtime period to build up four-point cushion (93-89). A three-pointer from Monroe's Derek Smith made it a one-point game, 93-92 with 3:20 remaining After the Caimans made two successful free throw attempts, Monroe's Loquan Deloatch knocked down a trifecta of his own to tie the contest at 95-95. With under a minute left in the overtime period, Hostos outscored Monroe 6-3 in the final stretch of the game to escape with 101-98 win.
 
Sophomore Kevin Austion led the Express with a season-high 23 points, nine rebounds, and two steals in 32 minutes of action. Freshman Adonis Robinson posted a season-high 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Sophomore Loquan Deloatch recorded his first double-double of the season, notching 18 points and 11 rebounds, along with five assists. Rookie Derek Smith totaled 11 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
 
Sophomore Eric Goodman had eight points, eight rebounds, and a block. Freshman Leonardo Rodriguez scored seven points while Isiah Ryan and Ismael Canales each netted four points.

Up next, Monroe Express men's basketball team travels to take on the Borough of Manhattan Community College on Thursday, Nov. 21.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 30 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 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 11 varsity and junior varsity 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).