THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx women's basketball team dropped its non-regional contest to Massasoit Community College, 86-77, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Monday evening. 
 
The Express (10-8) jumped out to an early lead, but a 12-2 run by the Warriors (5-6) put them in front for good.
 
Leading the way for Monroe College – Bronx was freshman guard Daysiah Smith who scored 30 points and dished out nine assists, both game highs, while grabbing eight rebounds, collecting six steals, and blocking a shot. It was a career night for rookie guard Jah Gunter as she tallied 14 points and nine boards, both personal bests. Freshman guard Tiffany Newsome registered 10 points, snatched eight caroms, and picked up four steals. 
 
The Express got off to a good start as a 3-point field goal by freshman guard Angeleny Cobos, and then a successful jumper by Gunter, gave the home team a 5-1 benefit just over a minute in. Massasoit put a halt to Monroe's momentum and countered by scoring 12 of the game's next 14 points to take a commanding 13-7 hold with 5:47 remaining in the opening period. That forced Monroe to play catchup for the rest of the evening. 
 
The Warriors inflated its cushion to 29-16 after 10 minutes of play and led by as many as 16 in the second quarter. 
 
The Express battled back thanks to Smith getting hot from the field. She buried a triple to catapult her team to 12 straight points. After converting a layup to pull Monroe to within seven, she grabbed a defensive rebound, sprinted down the court with the ball, and then succesfully executed a layup while drawing a foul. She added the free throw to complete the traditional three-point play to pull the Blue and Gold to within four, at 39-35, with 2:31 remaining in the opening half. 
 
Monroe – Bronx could not sustain its run any longer as Massasoit went on its own rally to build its lead back to 10, just 59 seconds later. Each team exchanged baskets during the final minute and Monroe – Bronx went into the intermission down 47-37. 
 
Trailing by 10 late in the third quarter, the Express had another rally in them as Smith took over the game by single-handedly scoring 10 unanswered points in the final minute of the third quarter, capped off by back-to-back fast-break layups to shrink the Express' disadvantage to 62-59 after 10 minutes of play.
 
Monroe cooled off immediately in the fourth quarter as the Warriors scored 10 straight points off the bat to regain control of the contest, at 72-59, with 7:22 remaining in regulation time. Monroe pulled to within eight a couple of times during the remainder of play, but Massasoit kept control the rest of the way and went on to earn the victory, 86-77.
 
For the Express, Cobos generated nine points, a trio of rebounds, and just as many steals. Rookie guard Davian Myers provided four points, six boards, and four steals. Freshman guard Tymere Moorer netted three points, brought down five rebounds, and added five steals. Sophomore forward Xing Stewart-Greer had four points, three rebounds, and blocked two shots. Rookie guard Leanna Morales tallied three points and a trio of assists.
 
Massasoit had three different 20-point scorers during the evening, including rookie forward Tanaysha Coleman who also had 15 rebounds and three steals. In addition to 20 points for freshman guard Destiny Morales, she forced nine steals, grabbed five rebounds, and delivered four assists. First-year guard Naveiha Madison was the third 20-point scorer, who also tallied nine rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Freshman forward Natasia Mierez generated a double-double with 12 points and 17 boards.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host Kingsborough Community College in a critical Region 15 matchup at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Thursday evening. Tipoff is set for 6:00 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).