NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Monroe Express women's basketball made their triumphant return to the court Tuesday evening in a Region 15 home matchup against the Queensborough Community College Tigers, resulting in a 95-17 victory. In the win, Maria Negron broke the all-time club record for total rebounds, and head coach Jeremy Thompson netted his 50th career victory in his tenure with the Express. With the victory, Monroe's record improves to 10-4 (7-0 Region 15), and Queensborough falls to 3-7 (2-4 Region 15). 

The Express opened the new year firing on all cylinders scoring 22 unanswered points in the first 9:31 of the contest. Aleah James dimed Crystal Traverso for the opening basket, followed by a Traverso steal and layup. Monroe would keep their foot on the gas for all of the opening act, not allowing a Tigers point until the 1:29 mark after Isabella Casey knocked down two free throws. Ariella Johnson snuck in for the steal off the Casey miscue and finished the fastbreak layup to close the period with a 24 point edge. After collecting a Casey miss at the 2:08 mark in the second stanza, Maria Negron would collect her fourth rebound of the contest, breaking the Express all-time mark for rebounds. Monroe would not let up for the remainder of the half, pouring in 26 points in the second period to increase their lead to 52-9 going into the intermission. 

After a stellar first half, the Express began the third period on a 14-4 scoring run that grew their lead to 55 points. Negron put Traverso in scoring position at the 5:37 mark, after collecting her seventh rebound of the game. Ariel Johnson scored her first points in the closing minutes of the third after cleaning up an Ariella Johnson miss. Some time later, Alyssa Grant poured in a last second bucket to extend the lead to 58 going into the final period. Monroe ultimately settled the final at 95-17, leading by as many as 78, to stay undefeated in conference play at 7-0. 

In the end, Crystal Traverso led all scorers with a season-high 20 points, along with three steals, two rebounds and one assist. James followed with 17 points, six assists, five steals and three rebounds. Janay Legagneur pitched in 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Maria Negron added eight points, seven rebounds, six steals, two assists and one block. 

The Express hit the road Thursday (Jan. 12) to take on #14 Harcum College in non-conference play inside Our Mother of Good Counsel Gymnasium in Bryn Mawr, PA at 5 PM.

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).