POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team suffered its first Region 15 loss of the season to nationally ranked No. 10 Dutchess Community College, 79-67, at Falcon Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. The Express drop to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the region. The Falcons are still undefeated, advancing to 9-0 for the season and 7-0 against regional opponents. 
 
Freshman forward Dimitre Alston had a big game for the Express as he led all players with 28 points while bringing down 11 rebounds. The two-time NJCAA National Player of the Week also forced three steals, dished out just as many assists, and blocked two shots. 
 
Rookie guard Michael Samuda had a productive outing for the Express with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 
 
Monroe – Bronx fell behind, 12-4, early in the contest but rallied with seven straight points, wrapped up by a jumper from freshman guard Malike Smart, to pull to within one. After falling back behind by three, the Blue and Gold scored four straight points, concluded by a layup from rookie guard Jayquan Lee, to give his team a 15-14 edge with 10:10 remaining in the opening half. 
 
The Express once again dug themselves into a 3-point hole but answered with back-to-back buckets from sophomore forward David Malone and Alston to put them back in front, 19-18, with 8:44 left before the break. The Falcons countered with a 9-2 rally to catapult to a 27-21 hold with just under five minutes remaining. Monroe scored four points in a row to narrow the deficit to two, but then the Falcons finished the opening half with 12-4 blitz in the final 3:01 to take a 39-29 benefit into the intermission. Sophomore forward Joseph Battle concluded the run by tipping the ball into the basket at the buzzer.
 
In the second half, Monroe managed to pull to within eight with 16:53 left, but then Dutchess scored eight straight points to equal its largest lead of the game at 16 with 14:53 left. Monroe could not generate a consistent run to get back into the contest as the Falcons went on to earn the Region 15 victory, 79-67.
 
Smart generated eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Express. Sophomore forward Shain Frazier provided six points and just as many rebounds. Malone added six points, nine boards, and a duo of helpers.
 
For Dutchess, sophomore guard Alijah England ended up with 24 points and nine rebounds, while delivering two assists. Second-year guard Prince Kamate tallied a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while blocking three shots. Battle also had a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards to go along with a trio of assists. Second-year guard Amadou Diallo generated 11 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Sophomore forward Quincey Platt snatched five caroms, blocked a game-best four shots, and netted four points.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host Suffolk County Community College, in a Region 15 matchup at Monsignor Scanlan Gym, on Tuesday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 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.