NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 21, 2019 – The Monroe Express men's basketball team edged the Rocktop Academy Rock Climbers, 95-87 on Sophomore Night at the Monroe Athletic Complex on Thursday.
 
After the Rock Climbers opened an early 15-9 lead, the Express stormed back with a 12-2 run over the next 1:29 to take a 21-17 lead.
 
Rocktop Academy tied the score at 21 with two quick buckets and 9:30 to play in the first half, but the Express responded again, this time with a 17-3 run to take a 14-point, 38-24 lead.
 
Monroe extended their lead out to 16, their largest of the first half, with 2:51 left in the first, but the Rock Climbers ended the half on a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to just nine, 47-38, heading into the locker room.
 
Gian Batista led all scorers with 19 points at the half, while Loquan Deloatch added 10 points.
 
In the second half, the Express extended their lead out to double-digits, 56-46, with 16:56 to play, before the Rock Climbers made a run of their own. Behind a 13-8 run, Rocktop Academy climbed back into the game, cutting the Express' lead down to just four with 10:38 play.
 
Over the next 3:19 though, the Express took their largest lead of the game, using a 16-2 run to pull ahead with a 19-point, 80-61 advantage.
 
Rocktop closed the gap to nine just over a minute later, but the Express again extended their lead out to double-digits, this time 15 with 2:00 remaining.
 
And while the Rock Climbers ended the game on a 10-3 run, Monroe held off their late charge to earn the 95-87 victory.
 
Batista led the Express with 35 points and nine rebounds, putting himself 11 points shy of the 1,000-point mark for his career.
 
Loquan Deloatch added 14 points for the Express, and Luis Aviles tallied 13.
 
The Express shot 46.3 percent, while out-rebounding the Rock Climbers, 51-47.
 
The Express wrap up the 2018-19 regular season when they host Kingsborough Community College on Saturday, Feb. 23 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 29 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 nine 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).