NEW YORK – The Monroe College – Bronx men's basketball team picked up a key Region 15 road victory over Borough of Manhattan Community College, 82-64, at BMCC Gymnasium on Tuesday, January 16. The Express split their regular season series with the Panthers and bump their Region 15 record to 4-3, while leveling up to 10-8 for the season. The Panthers drop to 6-11 overall and 6-5 in Region 15 play.
 
The Express never trailed during the evening. A key stretch of the game took place in the middle stages of the opening half. The contest was tied at 12 points apiece until sophomore guard Jovan Young buried a jump shot to begin a 10-1 run for the Express, capped off by a successful jumper courtesy of freshman guard Jayden Gamory, to give Monroe – Bronx a commanding 22-13 hold with 8:07 left to play in the first period. By the time the opening half ended, the Express had a 38-31 advantage.
 
The Panthers rallied to shrink the Express' lead to three, at 40-37, thanks to a 6-0 run just over a minute into the second stanza. In fact, the home team got the ball back down by just one possession. However, freshman center Rene Williams forced a steal. Sophomore forward Abubakar Kromah took advantage by burying a jumper to give Monroe – Bronx more breathing room at 42-37. That began a 12-2 run for the Express, concluding with a layup by sophomore guard Vashaun Wallace, to increase their cushion to 51-39 with 14:09 left to play in regulation time.
 
The Express led by double-digits the rest of the way, including their largest lead of the game at 23 points (82-59), on their way to the 82-64 triumph.
 
As a team, Monroe – Bronx shot 50.0% from the field during the evening (29-for-58) and outrebounded the opposition, 50-19.
 
Leading the way for the Express was Kromah who netted 16 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out a pair of assists, blocked a shot, and forced a steal. Young had a big game with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, a pair of steals, and a blocked shot. First-year guard Steven McGriff scored 16 points, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. He added three assists, two boards, and a steal.
 
Also propelling the Express was sophomore forward Anthony Bannister who snatched 10 rebounds and scored six points. Wallace provided five points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Williams gathered eight caroms, recorded five points, blocked a pair of shots, forced a steal, and delivered an assist. Sophomore forward Jevonté Valerie generated seven points, two steals, and a rebound.
 
Monroe – Bronx will continue its three-game Region 15 road trip on Thursday, January 18, against Hostos Community College. Tipoff at The Swamp will take place at 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).