New Rochelle, N.Y., January, 16, 2021 – Facing an 18-point halftime deficit, the Monroe Express women's basketball team fought until the final buzzer. Still, their second-half surge fell short in a 70-59 loss to Harcum College on Sunday afternoon on Day 2 of the Monroe College Martin Luther King Classic at Monroe Atheltic Complex. For the first time this season, the Express have dropped back-to-back contests as their record drops to 11-3, while Harcum College improves to 7-8 with the victory.
 
Three Express players finished the afternoon in double figures, with two setting new career marks in scoring. Freshman Crystal Traverso (Bronx, New York) drained a career and game-best 15 points, while classmate Taina Maldonado (New York, New York) also recorded a career-high with 13 points. Traverso also tied for a team-high with sophomore Tariah Bryant (Brooklyn, New York) four assists and snatched three steals, also a team-high. Freshman Nyeira Spady (New Rochelle, New York) also chipped in with 13 points and grabbed eight boards and two steals.

Turnovers hurt the Express as they committed 30 on the afternoon despite outshooting Harcum with a 40.4% field goal percentage (23-for-57) and 38.5% three-point percentage (5-for-13).
 
The Bears came out of the gate, firing in the first half, shooting 46.2% in the first quarter and 42.1% in the second quarter while forcing 14 turnovers. After scoring eight of the first 12 points of the first quarter, a Spady jumper at the 4:37 mark cut the deficit to two before Harcum went on a 12-4 run to close the opening stanza with a 20-10 lead. Then, the Bears exploded for a 12-0 run and held the Express scoreless through the first five and a half of the second quarter before Monroe-Bronx outscored them 10-6 to cut the deficit down to 18, 38-20 going into halftime.
 
The Express were a different team in the second half, outscoring Harcum 20-15 in the third quarter to bring the deficit down to 53-40 going into the final quarter. Monroe-Bronx found their shooting touch in the fourth shooting 50% from the field in the period getting the Bear lead down to as much as eight, 60-52 at 4:17 when Traverso converted on a four-point play. However, Harcum stopped the Express from coming any closer from then on, coming away with a 70-59 win as time expired.
 
For Harcum College, Karrin Purchas and Macy Brackett dropped a team-high 13 points, while Courtney Turner finished with a double-double taking down a game-high 11 rebounds and scoring 12 points. Purchas also grabbed a game-best nine steals and tied for a team-best with Brackett and Jasmyn Jefferies with two assists. Sara Aumer also turned away a game-high three shots in the contest.
 
The Express women's basketball team will look to rediscover their winning ways in a vital Region 15 road contest against rival Hostos Community College on January 20 at 6 p.m. from the Swamp in Bronx, New York. For more information, visit the Monroe Express Women's Basketball Schedule Page.

 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 36 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports program, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 17 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).