THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team earned a Region 15 win in its home opener against LaGuardia Community College, 68-35, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
 
The Express advance to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the region. The Red Hawks drop to 0-4 for the season and 0-3 against regional opponents.
 
Monroe – Bronx led from wire to wire, jumping out to an 11-2 advantage and never looking back. The Express' defense held LaGuardia to 0-for-15 shooting from 3-point range and just 26.8% shooting overall during the contest. 
 
"We were able to limit (LaGuardia's) ability to hit the three which opened the game up for us," Express Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Neely said.
 
Leading the way for the Express was freshman forward Paolo Avvento who scored a game-high 20 points, shooting 7-for-16 from the field and 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, and grabbed four rebounds. Classmate Michael Samuda added 10 points, five rebounds, just as many assists, and three steals. 
 
Second-year forward David Malone snatched a game-best 10 rebounds, distributed six assists, and forced four steals for Monroe. Sophomore center Rene Williams and classmate Shain Frazier each clutched six caroms, with the former scoring seven points and the latter adding six points. 
 
For the Red Hawks, sophomore guard Travon Lawrence generated 19 points, six rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Classmate Rayan Erold Tsapi Meguie brought down a team-high eight rebounds, blocked two shots, forced two steals, and scored four points. Second-year guard Joshua Pierre netted seven points, brought down six rebounds, and blocked a pair of shot attempts.
 
Monroe – Bronx will battle Borough of Manhattan Community College, in a Region 15 matchup, on Thursday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 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.

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). Catch us on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/MonroeExpress.