VALHALLA, NY – Monroe-Bronx Express men's basketball won their second consecutive game Saturday afternoon after an 86-77 victory over the Westchester Community College Vikings in Viking Gymnasium. The Express move to 5-1 (2-0 Region 15) with the win, and the Vikings fall to 2-5 with the loss.

Abubakar Kromah got the ball rolling with a mid-range jumper only 11 seconds into the contest to give the Express an early 2-0 lead . After trading baskets, a Monroe miscue led to a Yave Cruz 3-pointer from Kishaun Cole that began to create separation for the Vikings. Shortly after, Cole knocked down a 3-point field goal of his own to put the score at 16-24, pushing the lead to eight points. WCC would keep their foot on the gas, eventually ballooning the lead to 12 points at the 7:47 mark after an Edward Beqiri layup, which would be their largest lead of the game. 

After two made free throws by Andrew Molina, the Express began to chip away at the lead, going on a 13-2 run capped off by a Vashaun Wallace trip to the free throw line, cutting the lead to one point. The Vikings responded with a Chase Woney 3-pointer, which was immediately answered by Jasigha Barnes from downtown, followed by an Anthony Bannister free throw that tied the game at 37 all. Monroe rode the momentum into the intermission, leading by three points after 20 minutes of action.

WCC came out the break with an early five point scoring burst to take a 43-44 lead at the 19 minute mark. The Express answered with two 3-pointers to raise their lead to five points, which was the catalyst for a 13-4 run over the next four minutes of action. At the 5 minute mark, Wallace picked off a Viking turnover for the score to raise the lead by 16 points, their biggest advantage of the contest, which ultimately led to the 86-77 final. Monroe improved their first half field goal percentage from 43.6 percent to 55.6 percent in the second, which was a stimulant for their performance in the latter period. 

Five Express players scored double-digit figures, leading with Barnes that registered 18 points with five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Kromah followed with 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal. Quame' Smith added 12 points, Wallace with 11 and six rebounds, and Jaream Eason with 10.

For the Vikings, Beqiri led all scorers with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and one block. Omar Nkonde added 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal. 

Monroe owned the advantage in field goal percentage (48.5 to 45), points in the paint (40-30), rebounds (38-35), bench points (29-18), points off turnovers (19-11), and steals (10-8). WCC led the contest in assists (17-13), blocks (4-3) and fast break points (2-0).

The Express remain on the road Tuesday (Nov. 22) for a Region 15 contest against the Dutchess Community College Falcons in Poughkeepsie, NY. 

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 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 and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 14 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).