THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 15 Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team bounced back with a Region 15 victory over Suffolk County Community College, 86-59, at Monsignor Scanlan Gym on Tuesday evening. 
 
Monroe advances to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the region. The Sharks fall to 1-4 both for the season and against regional opponents.
 
"We showed a lot of character tonight to beat a well-coached Suffolk County team," Express Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Neely said. 
 
The Express got off to a sluggish start early on, falling behind by a score of 7-3 just 3:35 into the contest. However, Monroe took over from that point by scoring 19 unanswered points in just 4:28 to take a commanding 22-7 hold. An and-one three-point play by freshman guard Malike Smart started the blitz and then a pair of free throws courtesy of rookie guard Dimitre Alston finished it. The Blue and Gold held the lead for the remainder of the game. 
 
Suffolk Country chipped away towards the end of the first half and the beginning of the second stanza. A 3-point shot by sophomore guard Rufino Oliva narrowed the Sharks' deficit to six (42-36) with 18:09 remaining in regulation time. The Express responded with another big run, this time an 11-0 blitz in a span of 1:57 that was kick-started by back-to-back layups from sophomore forward David Malone, to give the Express a commanding 17-point benefit. Suffolk County never got back to within single digits and Monroe built its lead to as many as 29 on its way to the regional win.
 
Leading the way for the Express was Alston who scored 16 points and grabbed six boards. Malone pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds, while scoring eight points, delivering three assists, and gathering three steals. Smart added 12 points, six steals, and a pair of caroms. 
 
Rookie guard Paolo Avvento provided 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Express. Classmate Michael Samuda generated 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a duo of steals. First-year guard Davon Taylor had a productive game with seven points, nine assists, and seven boards. Sophomore center Rene Williams came down with five rebounds and added four points. 
 
For the Sharks, Oliva added a team-high 15 points. Freshman guard Isaiah Wilson tallied 11 points and four assists. 
 
No. 15 Monroe – Bronx will battle nationally ranked No. 11 Hostos Community College, at The Swamp, on Tuesday evening, December 3. The Region 15 game between nationally ranked opponents 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.

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