Selden, N.Y., December 12, 2019 – On Thursday night, the Monroe College Express women's basketball team picked up a conference win on the road, defeating the Suffolk County Community College Sharks, 59-49.
 
The team improves to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in Region XV play.
 
Freshman Barbara Valentin posted an all-around performance for the Express with a new career-high 25 points, 12 rebounds, and seven steals in full 40 minutes of play. Sophomore Monae Laing totaled 17 points, seven rebounds, and four steals in the win. Freshman Quanisha Griffin had an impressive outing, adding eight points, seven assists, nine steals, and four rebounds. Rookie Desteny Arzu finished with eight rebounds.
 
The Sharks were led by Lindsey Devine's 14 points and nine rebounds and a 15 point outing from Tatianna Harris.
 
Both teams traded shots to open the game. A three-pointer from Valentin with 15 seconds left in quarter gave the Express a 16-13 advantage.
 
The Express used a 7-2 run to start out the second quarter to build up an eight point lead (23-15) with 4:17 left in the half.  The Express held the Sharks to only two made field goals in the quarter. Monroe closed out the period with a 25-18 lead heading into halftime.
 
The Express never trailed in the third quarter, closing out the period leading Suffolk 40-33. A 12-2 scoring run to open the fourth put the Express ahead by 17 points (50-35) for their largest lead of the game.
 
Defensively, the Express forced 33 turnovers in the contest and notched 24 steals. Monroe outrebounded the Sharks 39-37, collecting nine second chance points.
 
The Express women's basketball program returns to their home court on Saturday, Dec. 14 when they welcome Rockland Community College to the Monroe Athletic Complex.
 

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).