NEW YORK, N.Y., March 2, 2019 – Down by 17 at the half, Monroe Express men's basketball made a valiant comeback attempt against the Nassau Community College Lions, but fell just short in the Region XV Semifinals at BMCC Gymnasium by the final score of 92-84.
 
After both teams got off to a slow start, the Express and Lions sat tied at 5-5 with 16:49 left in the first half. But after Jordan Lee's fast break dunk, the Lions outscored the Express, 18-5, over the next five minutes of play to take a 25-10 lead.
 
Over the next four minutes, the Express cut the Lions' lead to just 11, and trailed 34-23 with 4:45 to go in the first following Loquan Deloatch's two free throws. But Cheyenne Nettleton caught fire, knocking down two threes and scoring nine points over the next four minutes for Nassau to give the Lions their largest lead of the first half, 49-28 with 25 seconds left in the half.
 
Dashawn Hines scored the final two baskets of the first half to cut the deficit to 17, and the Express headed into the locker room down 49-32.
 
Though the Express cut the deficit down to 12 midway through the second half, Nassau maintained their double-digit lead, controlling much of the second half.
 
But down 15 with 9:30 to play, the Express upped their defensive pressure and went on a run. Over the next 5:15, the Express held Nettleton without a bucket, and the Lions to just nine points, as Monroe went on a 22-9 run to cut Nassau's lead to just four.
 
A couple free throws and a layup from the Lions brought the deficit back out to eight, but the Express had answer, hitting seven free throws over a minute stretch to bring Nassau's lead back to four, 82-78, with a minute to play.
 
However, the Express would get no closer, as the Lions hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the 92-84 victory, and advance to the Region XV Championship on Sunday.
 
Hines led the Express with 21 points, adding nine rebounds and an assist, while Christopher Davis recorded his eight double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Gian Batista and Taffari Jarvis also scored in double-figures for the Express, with 17 and 12 points apiece.
 
With the loss, the Express wrap up their 2018-19 season at 16-14, a five-win improvement upon their 2017-18 inaugural season.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 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 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).