Bayside, N.Y., January 7, 2020 – The Monroe Express women's basketball team opened the new year on Tuesday evening, overcoming a slow start to defeat Queensborough Community College on the road, 56-46, running their winning streak to five consecutive games.
 
The win extends the best start in program history, as the Express improve to 10-5 overall and 6-2 in Region XV play.
 
"After a long break between games, it was good to see them fight through some adversity early and get back into their usual rhythm," said Head Coach Jeremy Thompson. "Although it was a good win, the season is back in full swing and we need to turn our attention to preparing correctly for some very challenging opponents."
 
Rookie Quanisha Griffin netted a game-high 19 points to lead the Express while adding four assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Freshman Barbara Valentin finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Sophomore Monae Laing grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and five steals while scoring eight points.
 
Freshman Desteny Arzu finished the evening tallying six points and seven rebounds. Ramatoulaye Diallo scored four points while Aissata Diallo registered three rebounds and one block.
 
The Express had a slow start to begin the contest. After Queensborough tied the contest, 6-6, the Tigers used a 9-2 run to end the quarter on a 15-8 advantage.     
 
The Express opened up the second frame on a 12-4 scoring run, jumping out to a one-point lead (20-19) under four minutes into the quarter. The Express kept their foot on the gas, putting together a 12-0 run while connecting on their next five shots to boost a 13-point lead (32-19) with 2:33 left in the first half.
 
The Tigers started out second half on a 6-2, shaving Monroe's lead to six-points nearly two minutes into the third quarter. After a pair of free throws from Desteny Arzu lifted the Express's lead to eight points, Queensborough cut Monroe lead margin to three points (37-34), scoring five unanswered points.
 
In the fourth period, a 6-0 run helped extend Monroe's lead to 47-38 with 6:30 remaining. The Express followed up with 8-4 run to push their lead to 13 points, 55-42, en-route to sealing the game with a 56-46 victory over the Tigers.
 
The Express return home for their first game of the New Year at the Monroe Athletic Complex on Thursday, Jan. 9, hosting Lackawanna College at 5:00 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).