LINCROFT, N. J. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team put up a strong fight against nationally ranked No. 3 Brookdale Community College but fell short by a score of 73-59 at Robert J. Collins Arena on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Express (1-1) led by seven in the early stages of the second half, but then the Jersey Blues (1-1) went on a 17-3 run in a span of 6:29 to take the lead for good.
 
Leading the way for Monroe – Bronx during the game was freshman forward Dimitre Alston who scored a game-high 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out two assists, and blocked a shot. Freshman guard Michael Samuda netted eight points and led all players with 14 boards and nine assists. Rookie guard Javaughn White provided eight points, just as many rebounds, a pair of assists, a block, and one steal. 
 
The Express got off to a strong start in the game as a jump shot by freshman forward Paolo Avvento gave the Blue and Gold an 8-3 lead, 4:10 into the contest. The Jersey Blues snatched the momentum by scoring 10 straight points in a span of 3:37 to take a five-point advantage. 
 
Monroe – Bronx rallied to take the lead four more times during the opening half, but Brookdale outscored the Express, 4-1, during the final 2:03 of the stanza to take a 33-31 vantage into the intermission.
 
In the early stages of the second half, Monroe - Bronx went on a 9-0 run, highlighted by a traditional three-point play courtesy of Alston, to catapult to a 42-35 benefit with 16:17 remaining in regulation time. The Express' defense held perennial national contender Brookdale scoreless for 3:21 during that run. After the Jersey Blues ended their scoring drought, sophomore forward Shain Frazier converted a layup to extend the Express' advantage to 44-37 with 15:14 to go.
 
Brookdale began to prove why the program is ranked No. 3 in the country and one year removed from winning the NJCAA National Championship by instantly climbing its way back into the contest. After pulling to within one, sophomore forward Regan Burke forced a steal and converted a thunderous dunk off a fast break to give the home team a one-point edge with 10:17 left. Exactly two minutes later, freshman guard Nyier McCain converted a layup to give the home team a commanding 54-47 cushion, completing a run of 10 unanswered points for Brookdale.
 
Monroe could not answer with a sustained run of its own as the Jersey Blues increased their lead to as many as 15 before earning a 73-59 victory.
 
Helping the Express was Avvento who generated seven points, five boards, a duo of assists, and a steal. Frazier tallied seven points, six caroms, and a blocked shot. Freshman guard Jayquan Lee came off the bench and had a solid game with nine points, four rebounds, and two assists.
 
For Brookdale, second-year guard Jack Zink provided 16 points, including 3-for-4 shooting from 3-point range, while grabbing four rebounds and forcing three steals. Burke had a near double-double with 15 points and nine boards. McCain came off the bench and scored 13 points to go along with two steals. Sophomore guard Bruce Gooding had a productive game with 11 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and just as many steals. 
 
Monroe – Bronx will open Region 15 play on Thursday against Queensborough Community College. Tipoff at RFK Gymnasium is set for 7:30 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).