THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 11 Monroe College – Bronx women's basketball team earned an impressive Region 15 victory over Dutchess Community College, 69-54, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Tuesday, November 21. The Express bump their undefeated Region 15 record to 3-0 (3-4 overall) and have not lost to an NJCAA Division III team yet this year. Dutchess falls to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in Region 15 play.
 
Freshman guard Daysiah Smith had a big game for the Express with a game-high 30 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds for the double-double, forcing seven steals, and delivering four assists.
 
Rookie guards Angeleny Cobos and Leanna Morales each netted 11 points for the Blue and Gold, with the latter forcing six steals, clutching three caroms, and delivering a pair of assists, while the former brought down two boards and blocked a shot. Sophomore guard Kuari Green registered seven points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. 
 
"Tonight was our best overall game of the year from beginning to end," Express Head Coach Damel Ling said. "We controlled the pace and dictated the tempo all night."
 
The Express fell behind 7-4 in the early stages of the game, but then answered thanks to back-to-back triples by Morales to push the Express ahead by a score of 10-7, with 4:30 left to play in the opening period. 
 
After Dutchess scored the next four points to jump back in front, Morales' hot shooting continued with yet another 3-point basket to propel Monroe to a 13-11 advantage with 2:12 left in the first quarter. Both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of the frame.
 
The Falcons scored the first four points of the second stanza to take a 15-13 benefit. However, the Express completely took over the game at that point by scoring 15 straight points in a span of 1:59 to take a commanding 28-15 hold with 6:06 left to play in the half. Cobos' successful jump shot and 3-point attempt began the game-altering blitz, while back-to-back triples courtesy of Smith concluded it. 
 
Dutchess did manage to chip away and pull to within single digits, at 33-25, with 43 seconds left before the break. However, Smith got the Express back on track with a layup to pad her team's advantage to 35-25, with 22 ticks remaining. That would be the score after 20 minutes of play.
 
Dutchess managed to pull to within single digits a couple of times during the third quarter, but Monroe answered both times with key runs to give the home team more breathing room. The Express took a 53-42 benefit heading into the final period of regulation time.
 
The Falcons chipped away and cut Monroe's lead to 58-50 with 6:53 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Express countered with a triple from Cobos and then a successful jump shot by Green to build their lead back to 13. Dutchess then scored four points in a row to narrow their deficit to 63-54 with 4:54 left to play.

Monroe's defense locked in from that point on and held the Falcons scoreless for the remainder of the contest. The Express scored six more points during the closing minutes to earn the victory by a score of 69-54.
 
For Monroe, freshman guard Tymere Moorer brought down nine rebounds. Classmate Davian Myers added four points, seven rebounds, and two steals, while freshman guard Jah Gunter tallied two points, six boards, and a duo of steals. Sophomore forward Kristina Poitier-Wells added two points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Sophomore forward Xing Stewart-Greer chipped in with two points, a rebound, and a steal during her collegiate debut.
 
Monroe will travel to Long Island on Tuesday, November 28, for a Region 15 matchup against Suffolk County Community College. Tipoff at Brookhaven Gymnasium is set for 8:00 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).