North East, MD, December 19, 2019 – Behind a late-game surge, the Monroe College Express women's basketball team wrapped up the calendar year with victory on the road over Cecil College, 57-55.
 
The Express move to 9-5 overall on the season and carry a four-game winning streak into the New Year.

"I am so proud of these girls for what they accomplished tonight," said Head Coach Jeremy Thompson. "We game planned and practiced hard all week. With all that effort we executed on both ends of the floor tonight and were able to get a big win"
 
Freshman guard Quanisha Griffin had a game-high 22 points, five rebounds, four steals, and two assists to lead the Express. Sophomore Monae Laing added 13 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Freshman Barbara Valentin grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds and scored eight points.
 
Freshman Desteny Arzu contributed eight points and six rebounds while classmate Imoni Beauvais notched six points and four rebounds.
 
Cecil built up an early lead to start off the game, outscoring Monroe 9-5 over the first half of the quarter. A quick 6-0 run by Monroe gave the Express a one-point lead (10-9) with 3:28 left in the frame. The Express trailed by three (15-12) after the Seahawks closed out the period on 6-2 run.
 
Both teams played a tight second quarter as the Express cut Cecil's lead down to one-point on three occasions. A 6-3 push late in the quarter helped give the Seahawks a four-point advantage, 25-21, heading into halftime.
 
Trailing by seven (32-25) under two minutes into the second half, Monroe used a 7-0 burst to tie the contest at 32-32 with 6:30 to go in the frame. Cecil countered with 6-2 push, ending the quarter with a 38-34 lead.
 
A three-pointer from Valentin to start off the fourth quarter helped the Express spark an 8-3 run, taking their first lead since the first quarter, 42-41, with 7:10 in remaining in regulation. A trey from Cecil's Haley Krone allowed the Seahawks to retake the lead (46-45) with 5:18 on the clock.
 
Trailing by two, 48-46, Griffin stepped up big, nailing a trio free throws to give the Express a one-point lead with 3:34 remaining. On the next possession, Griffin came up huge again, draining a three-pointer to give the Express a four-point cushion, 52-48, with 3:13 left. The Express held off Cecil in the final stretch of the game, sealing a 57-55 victory.

"There is a long road ahead of us, this is only the halfway point," Thompson continued. "But finishing first semester like this, it just shows how competitive and how much heart these girls have."
 
Up next, the Express women's basketball program kick off the New Year on Tuesday, Jan. 7, returning to conference play against Queensborough Community College on the road at 6:00 p.m.
 
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).