New Rochelle, N.Y., February 11, 2020 – The Monroe Express Women's Basketball team fell to Suffolk County Community College in a NJCAA Region XV match-up on Tuesday evening, 46-41. With the loss, the Express drop to 16-11 overall and 9-4 in conference play while the Sharks improve to 11-8 overall and 8-5 in the Region XV.
 
Freshman Quanisha Griffin played a complete 40 minutes, dropping in a game-high 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a game-high six steals. Freshman Imoni Beauvais finished with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Sophomore Monae Laing added a near double-double, tallying nine points and 10 rebounds.
 
Freshman Aissata Diallo grabbed new career-high 11 rebounds while Desteny Arzu ended with eight rebounds and three points. Freshman Anya Shepherd had five points and four rebounds while Ramatoulaye Diallo picked up three rebounds and three steals.
 
The Sharks led by as much as five in opening period after a three-pointer from Latavia Stevens gave the visitors an 8-4 lead with under three minutes left in the quarter. The Express answered back with a 4-0 run to trail Suffolk by one-point, 8-7, heading into the second quarter.
 
A three-pointer from Griffin to start off the second frame helped the Express ignite a 12-4 run to hold a 19-12 advantage over Suffolk with 4:48 left. Monroe closed out the first half leading the Sharks by 10 points, 24-10.
 
In the third quarter, a trifecta by Laing boosted the Express to a 13 point lead, 27-14, their largest margin of the game. The Sharks responded going on a 17-4 run to tie the contest at 31-31 with 28 second left in the third.
 
A quick three-pointer 13 seconds into the fourth period by the Sharks gave Suffolk a three-point cushion, 34-31. The Express answered back as Beauvais drained a three-pointer of her own to knot the contest, 34-34. Three straight baskets from Suffolk helped them buildup a six-point lead with 2:16 to go in the game. Trailing with a 1:13 remaining, Shepherd knocked down two straight baskets and a free throw to bring the Express within one-point, 42-41 with 54 seconds left.
 
Suffolk would take advantage of fouls with under 20 seconds left, draining two pair of free attempts to escape with a 46-41 victory.
 
Up next, the Express women's basketball program play their final regular-season home game on Thursday, Feb. 13, playing host to Kingsborough Community College. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at the College of New Rochelle Gymnasium in New Rochelle, N.Y.
 
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