THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx men's basketball team earned an important Region 15 victory over Kingsborough Community College, 72-62, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Thursday evening. The Express advance to 6-4 in regional play (12-9 overall), while the Wave drop to 3-7 in the region (7-11 overall).
 
Sophomore forward Abubakar Kromah had an outstanding game for the Express by generating a double-double with 30 points and 19 rebounds, both game highs, while dishing out six assists, forcing two steals, and blocking a shot. Kromah shot 13-for-23 from the field, including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc.
 
Sophomore guard Derrick Simpson also propelled the Express with 11 points, three steals, and two rebounds. Second-year forward Anthony Bannister had four points, seven rebounds, and a pair of assists.
 
"We showed a lot of grit tonight which is needed in region play," Express Head Coach Chris Neely said. "I'm extremely proud of our bench for providing effort and energy, especially Derrick (Simpson) and Shain Frazier."
 
The key to the game was Monroe – Bronx forcing 24 turnovers and scoring 26 points off the opposition's errors.
 
The Wave had a 5-4 lead early in the contest, but the Express scored four straight points, capped off by a fast-break layup from Kromah off an assist by sophomore guard Jaream Eason after he forced a steal, to take the lead for good at 8-5 with 16:45 to go in the opening half. 
 
Kingsborough pulled to within one a couple of times, but Monroe countered with a 10-2 that concluded with a layup by Kromah to inflate its cushion to 27-18 with 8:17 to go in the half. The Express led by as many as 14 before taking a 44-36 benefit into the intermission. 
 
The Wave chipped away in the early stages of the second half as a 3-point field goal by freshman guard Orion Anyango shrank Monroe's advantage to 53-49 with 13:08 to go in regulation time. Later in the period, with the Express up by five, rookie forward Omari Hinds executed a layup for the Wave to make it a one-possession game at 57-54 with 10:05 to go.
 
With the score 62-58 in favor of the home team, Monroe changed the momentum of the contest by going on an 8-2 run, capped off by a layup from Kromah, to give the Express more breathing room at 70-60 with 1:43 left to play. Monroe went on to win the key Region 15 battle, 72-62. 
 
For the Express, sophomore guard Jovan Young generated eight points, two rebounds, and a pair of steals. Second-year guard Vashaun Wallace added six points, just as many assists, four boards, and a trio of steals. Freshman guard Steven McGriff provided five points and three caroms.
 
For the Wave, Anyango generated 20 points, five rebounds, and a pair of steals. Rookie guard Chris Jace had a near double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds, while dishing out four assists, blocking four shots, and forcing just as many steals. First-year forward Torian Douglas scored 13 points and secured nine rebounds. Freshman guard Phillip Harris finished with six points, 10 rebounds, and a duo of assists.
 
Monroe – Bronx will travel down the road from campus to take on local Region 15 rival Bronx Community College on Tuesday evening. Tipoff at Alumni Gymnasium 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).