NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Monroe Express felt the love Tuesday evening, as they hosted Region 15 foe, the Nassau Community College Lions in a nail biter ending, with the home team ultimately prevailing, 75-72. The Express improve to 21-7, and stay unbeaten in conference play at 14-0.

Following the Action

• Sierra Jones knocked down an early 3-pointer to break the Express scoring ice, off a Maria Negron feed.
• The Express ballooned their lead to 11 points by the end of the first half, 28-17.
• Anastasia Davis lasered a shot from downtown in the early moments of the second period, giving Monroe a 14 point advantage. 
• Nassau found themselves trailing by 17 after Alyssa Grant swished two free throws late in the quarter. 
• A short seven point spurt saw the Lions cut their deficit to only nine going into the intermission.
• Nassau made it a game in the third, scoring 20 points and cutting the lead to only four points going into the final stanza.
• The game saw its first tie of the ball game at the 5:59 mark of the fourth, when an Ashley Vigliotti 3-pointer borough the Lions all the way back to knot up the score.
• Mia Weinshrieder knocked down another long ball for Nassau, giving the Lions the lead for the first time since the opening moments of the first.
• Monroe would not be denied, after Maria Negron and Aleah James poured in back to back layups to regain the lead.
• Weinshrieder would once again knock down another clutch 3-pointer, putting the Lions in front again, before Nyeira Spady answered with one of her own.
• After some clutch free throws, and a miraculous late clock 3-point basket from Amaniya Aiken, the Express were able to hold off Nassau, winning 75-72. 

Following his team's gritty victory, Coach Thompson shared the following quote:

"The key is finding the ability to win in different situations and hitting big shots. We did exactly that and gutted it out. Proud of this group tonight."

James paced the Express with 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Spady followed with 13 points, four rebounds, three steals, two assists and one block. Grant added 12 points (6-6 FT), a season-high 16 rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Legagneur pitched in 11 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block.

The Express conclude their regular season Friday (Feb. 17) taking on the Community College of Rhode Island Knights in non-conference action in Warwick, RI 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).