LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx men's basketball team picked up a convincing Region 15 victory over LaGuardia Community College, 71-40, at LaGuardia CC Sports Gymnasium on Saturday, January 20.
 
The Express (11-9, 5-4 Region 15) never trailed at any point in the game.
 
Leading the way for Monroe – Bronx was sophomore guard Jovan Young, who scored a game-high 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, while dishing out four assists, forcing three steals, and grabbing two rebounds.
 
Second-year forward Abubakar Kromah generated 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, just as many steals, and a block for Monroe. Sophomore guard Jaream Eason provided 11 points and two rebounds off the bench, while rookie center Rene Williams netted six points, snatched nine caroms, and blocked two shots. Freshman guard Steven McGriff netted eight points, added three boards, and had just as many assists.
 
The Red Hawks (2-13, 2-9 Region 15) scored five unanswered points in the early stages of the game to tie it up at seven. The Express took over the momentum as a triple by Young not only put his team in the lead for good but began a 10-3 run that propelled Monroe to a 17-10 advantage with 11:30 left to play in the opening half. 
 
The Blue and Gold managed to pad its lead to 18 late in the first period, but LaGuardia got back into it with six straight points in the final 1:02 of the stanza to shrink Monroe's advantage to 36-24 at the break. 
 
The Red Hawks pulled to within nine on a couple of occasions early in the second half, but then Monroe – Bronx completely took over the contest by going on a 21-0 run in a span of 6:22 to take a 62-32 hold with 7:50 remaining in regulation time. Sophomore guard Vashaun Wallace started the game-deciding blitz by forcing a steal and then converting a fast-break layup. McGriff capped it off with a successful jump shot which gave Monroe the big lead. The Express' defense held the Red Hawks scoreless for 7:23 during that stretch.
 
Monroe – Bronx went up by 34 on its way to the 71-40 victory. 
 
The Express will host Kingsborough Community College, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium, on Thursday, January 25. Tipoff is scheduled 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).