THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx men's basketball team bounced back to earn a key Region 15 victory over Nassau Community College, 68-54, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Thursday, November 30.
 
The victory snaps Monroe's three-game Region 15 winless streak and bumps its regional record to 2-3. Overall, Monroe moves back over the .500 mark at 5-4.  Nassau drops to 4-2 for the season and 3-2 against Region 15 opponents.
 
The Express trailed by five in the late stages of the first half but rallied to tie it up heading into the intermission. Monroe then outscored Nassau, 40-26, during the final 20 minutes of the contest to earn the important come-from-behind Region 15 win.
 
Sophomore guard Jovan Young had a strong game for the Express as he led all players with 22 points, on 9-for-17 shooting from the field (52.9%). He also grabbed five rebounds and forced a pair of steals. Sophomore forward Abubakar Kromah contributed to the victory with 12 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. 
 
Freshman guard Steven McGriff came off the bench and tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists for Monroe. Sophomore forward Anthony Bannister registered a season-high 11 rebounds, while netting five points. 
 
"Tonight, we regained our identity, commitment to defend and play hard no matter the score, which helped us prevail," Express Head Coach Chris Neely said. "Also, our bench gave us big contributions tonight."
 
Monroe got off to a slow start as a jump shot by sophomore guard Jessie Taylor gave the Lions a 28-23 lead with 4:45 remaining in the half. After both teams were held scoreless during the next few minutes, Young sparked the Express by connecting on a jump shot with 47 ticks left on the clock and then draining a 3-point attempt on the next offensive possession with five seconds remaining to tie the game at 28 points apiece. That would be the score after 20 minutes of play. 
 
The Express came storming out of the gate in the second half as a layup by Bannister capped off an 8-2 run by Monroe to give them a 36-30 benefit, 3:18 into the final regulation half. Later in the stanza, Young forced a steal and then Abubakar sprinted down the court and dunked the ball into the hoop, much to the delight of the Monroe fans, as the Express inflated their lead to 46-37 with 13:27 remaining in regulation time. 
 
Later in the half, Monroe managed to put the game out of reach for Nassau by scoring 11 unanswered points, in a span of 3:10, to take a commanding 59-42 hold with 7:36 remaining in regulation time. Sophomore guard Jaream Eason began the game-altering blitz by connecting on two free throws and then Abubakar capped it off by executing a tip-in layup after he grabbed an offensive rebound. 
 
Nassau could not get back into the contest as Monroe went on to earn the Region 15 victory by a score of 68-54.
 
For the Express, Eason provided nine points and six rebounds. Freshman forward Rene Williams produced four points, nine rebounds, and a pair of blocks. Second-year guard Vashaun Wallace had a solid game with four points, five boards, and four assists.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host NJCAA Division II Orange County Community College, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Saturday, December 2. Tipoff is set for 2:00 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).