THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx men's basketball team's strong comeback attempt fell short to nationally ranked No. 5 and defending Region 15 Champion Dutchess Community College, 70-63, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Tuesday, November 21.
 
The Express (4-3, 1-2 Region 15) trailed by 19 late in the first half and were down by 12 in the late stages of the second stanza but rallied to pull to within five on a couple of occasions. The Falcons (8-0, 6-0 Region 15) were able to hit big shots in the closing minute to maintain their undefeated start to the season.
 
Leading the way for Monroe was sophomore guard Abubakar Kromah who tallied a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while dishing out five assists and forcing four steals. Classmate Jovan Young registered 16 points and three boards. Sophomore guard Derrick Simpson netted six points and gathered eight caroms. Rookie forward Shain Frazier added six points and just as many rebounds.
 
Monroe got off to a fast start as a jump shot by Young put the Blue and Gold in front, 5-4, just 3:22 into the contest. However, the Falcons went on an 8-3 run to take the lead for good, at 12-8, with 13:32 remaining in the opening half. Sophomore guard Jaream Eason nailed a pair of free throws to slice the Express' deficit in half, but then Dutchess took the game over by going on a 13-2 blitz to take a commanding 25-12 hold with 4:27 left before the break.
 
The Express could not keep up for the remainder of the half as the Falcons built their lead up to 19 before going into the intermission with a 34-19 benefit.
 
The two teams traded buckets for the majority of the second half. However, Monroe would not go down without a fight late in the game as the Express scored six straight points to slice Dutchess' lead to just six, at 64-58, with 2:08 left to play. Simpson capped off the run with a put-back jumper that made it a two-possession game. 
 
After Monroe went back on defense, Simpson forced a steal, and the Express had a huge opportunity to get the game closer. Unfortunately for the Blue and Gold, they couldn't nail a layup attempt and then Dutchess scored on the next play to go back up by eight. 
 
Monroe did inch closer, thanks to a free throw by sophomore forward Anthony Bannister. Then, with 20 seconds to go, freshman guard Steven McGriff converted a layup to shrink the Express' deficit to just five, at 66-61. It would not be enough as Dutchess scored on the next possession, thanks to a layup from sophomore guard Raesean Greer, to make it a three-possession game with seven seconds left. The defending regional champions eventually won by a score of 70-63.
 
For the Express, Eason recorded six points, seven rebounds, two assists, and just as many steals. Bannister tallied seven points and two rebounds. Sophomore forward Jevonté Valerie added two points and four rebounds, while McGriff generated two points and three boards. Sophomore forward Timothy Charles added a rebound and a steal.
 
For Dutchess, freshman forward Quincey Platt had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while blocking three shots, forcing two steals, and dishing out just as many assists. Greer tallied 14 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Freshman guard Prince Kamate had 14 points, six caroms, four assists, and three blocks.
 
Monroe – Bronx will travel to Long Island next Tuesday, November 28, for a Region 15 game against Suffolk County Community College. Tipoff at Brookhaven Gymnasium is set for 6:00 p.m.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 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 seven 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/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).