NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Monroe Express men's basketball took to their home court for the third time this week Saturday afternoon, in a Region 15 battle against the Dutchess Community College Falcons that doubled as Sophomore Day, honoring Jasigha Barnes, Chad Duke, Siddiq McNair, Babacar Niang, Quame' Smith and Jordan Wilson. The Express took the wire to wire victory in strong fashion, defeating the Falcons 74-61. Monroe improves to 20-9 (11-3 Region 15) and Dutchess falls to 12-0 (10-4 Region 15).

Following the Action

• The Express got out to a hot start, leading 13-6 after the first six minutes of action.
• After picking off a Dutchess pass, Jasigha Barnes called his own number and knocked down a 3-pointer to push the lead to 14, 28-14.
•  A Kai Wood free throw trimmed the lead to single digits going into the break.
• Babacar Niang got Monroe into scoring column 18 seconds into the second half after sneaking in a layup.
• Barnes connected on his fourth 3-pointer of the game, pushing the lead back to 14.
• Andrew Molina gave the Express their biggest lead of the game at 19 points off an Oramis Figuereo dime.
• Dutchess went on an 11-4 run at the 6:37 mark in the second half, trimming the lead to six.
• Niang broke the half court trap and put in the game sealing layup, settling the final at 74-61.

Jasigha Barnes led all scorers and paced the Express with 22 points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds. Abubakar Kromah put in 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and one steal. Molina added 10 points, six rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal. Figuereo added 10 of his own, with four rebounds and three assists.

The Express compete in their final home and regular season game Tuesday (Feb. 14) in a Region 15 bout against the Nassau Community College Lions inside Monroe Athletic Complex in New Rochelle, NY at 8 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.
 
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