BROCKTON, Mass. – The nationally ranked No. 8 Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team suffered a setback during the second day of the Northeast JUCO Cup Tournament, on Sunday afternoon, falling to Hudson Valley Community College by a score of 81-48. The contest took place at Massasoit Gymnasium.
 
Monroe – Bronx (2-2) got off to a good start in the contest as a fast-break layup by sophomore guard Davian Myers propelled the Express to an 11-4 benefit with 2:40 remaining in the opening period.
 
The Vikings (2-1) countered with six unanswered points, in a span of 1:02, to pull to within one. Freshman guard Amira McCleod got the Express back on track with a triple to increase their lead to 14-10 with 1:10 to go in the first quarter. Hudson Valley finished the stanza strong by scoring five unanswered points in the final minute, capped off by a 3-point basket from rookie guard Myanna Faraj with two ticks left on the clock, to put Monroe in a 15-14 disadvantage after 10 minutes of play. 
 
After sinking to a six-point deficit in the early stages of the second period, Monroe rebounded with eight straight points, concluded by back-to-back triples from sophomore guard Tiffany Newsome and rookie guard Beverly Williams, to give Monroe a 24-20 advantage with 5:49 left before the break. 
 
The Vikings once again finished a quarter strong, this time by going on a 14-2 run in the final 5:05 of the half to take a 34-26 hold into the intermission.
 
The strong play at the end of the first half carried over into the second for Hudson Valley as Monroe was outscored 47-22 during the game's final 20 minutes.
 
Leading the way for the Express during the afternoon was Beverly Williams who scored 17 points, grabbed three rebounds, and forced just as many steals. Sophomore forward Makira Bunsie added six points and nine rebounds. Newsome provided six points, eight rebounds, five steals, two assists, and a block. Second-year guard Tymere Moorer generated four points, eight rebounds, two steals, and a block. Myers snatched nine caroms and collected two steals. McCleod brought down four boards of her own, while rookie guard Salimah Williams provided five points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
 
For the Vikings, sophomore guard Leah Pergola had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while dishing out four assists and blocking three shots. Classmate Stylianna Mantzouris netted 17 points, forced six steals, had just as many assists, and gathered three boards. Faraj generated 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists off the bench. Freshman forward Gracemary Baumann scored 13 points, brought down three rebounds, and blocked a duo of shots. 
 
Monroe – Bronx will conclude the Northeast JUCO Cup Tournament against host-Massasoit Community College in the consolation game on Monday afternoon. Tipoff at Massasoit Gym is set for 2:00 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University 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 University 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.

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