New Rochelle, N.Y., November 7, 2019 – The Monroe College Express women's basketball team suffered its first loss Thursday evening in an inta-campus matchup against the Monroe Mustangs, 53-47.
 
"It was a great game to be a part of, our team worked very hard to prepare themselves and it showed on the court," said Head Coach Jeremy Thompson. "Anytime you have to compete with your campus counterpart you want to represent your program. These girls came out tonight, left it all on the floor and showed that they can compete with composure and toughness in any environment."
 
Two Express players finished in double-figures, highlighted by sophomore Julie Trowers' double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds along with two blocks and a pair of steals and assists. Freshman Quanisha Griffin added 10 points and four assists while Imoni Beauvais secured seven points off the bench.
 
Freshman Arianna Wilder collected six points and four rebounds while Monae Laing registered four points and five rebounds and Desteny Arzu tallied four points and three rebounds.
 
After a scoreless two minutes to start the first quarter, the Mustangs jumped out to a 7-2 lead. The Express answered back with a 5-4 run, trailing 11-7 to end the quarter.
 
In the second frame, a quick three-pointer from Griffin and a basket from Arzu gave the Express their first lead of the contest (12-11). A bucket by Trowers with 4:39 left in the quarter gave the Express its largest lead of the game (19-13). The Express entered halftime holding a 23-19 lead.
 
The Mustangs regained the lead to start off the third period, connecting on a pair of back-to-back shots to take a three-point advantage (26-23). The Express responded quickly with 8-4 run to jump back out in front, 31-30, with 4:27 remaining in the period. Six straight points from Trowers helped the Express close out the quarter leading the Mustangs, 37-31.
 
In the final period, the Mustangs forced two turnovers to spark a 7-1 run, tying the game the game at 38-38. After back and forth shots, a trifecta from Beauvais gave the Express a one-point lead (43-42) with 3:36 to go in the contest. A layup and a free throw by Devon Adams aided the Mustangs to a 47-44 advantage with 1:33 left.
 
A pair of free throws by Wilder helped the Express cut the lead down to two (48-46) with under 40 seconds on the clock. The Mustangs made six of it's their seven free throws in the final stretch of the game to pull out a 53-47 victory.
 
The Express held the Mustangs to just 16-of-51 shooting (31.4 percent) in the game. The Mustangs slightly outrebounded the Express, holding a 46-38 advantage. The Mustangs' Cheyenne Talbot had a game-high 30 point.
 
The Express women's basketball program returns to the court next on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at home in their Region XV opener against Bronx Community College.

 
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).