BAYSIDE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team pulled off a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the Region 15 opener over Queensborough Community College by a score of 70-65, at RFK Gymnasium, on Thursday evening.
 
The Express (2-1, 1-0 Region 15) trailed by seven with 3:33 remaining in regulation but finished the contest with a 12-0 run to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat.

"We stayed true to our identity and that helped us prevail down the stretch," Express Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Neely said. 
 
Leading the way for Monroe was freshman forward Dimitre Alston who netted 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out a pair of assists. Freshman guard Malike Smart had a strong game off the bench with 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, and just as many steals. Sophomore forward Shain Frazier helped with 10 points, eight boards, and a pair of helpers.
 
Monroe got off to a sluggish start in the game, falling behind by double digits at 20-10 with 10:27 remaining in the opening half. However, the Blue and Gold chipped away with an 8-2 run to pull to within four. Later in the stanza, Frazier converted back-to-back layups to narrow Queensborough's (0-2, 0-2 Region 15) lead to 24-23 with 5:17 remaining. 
 
Fast forward to 1:17 remaining in the first half, sophomore forward David Malone found classmate Michael Samuda who buried a jumper to put Monroe in front, 33-32. The Tigers countered thanks to sophomore guard Brandon Sun executing two layups in the final minute, including the second one with two ticks left on the clock, to complete a 4-0 run and send the Tigers into the intermission with a 36-33 advantage. 
 
Queensborough was in complete control during the early stages of the second half, inflating its lead to nine a couple of times. Monroe – Bronx responded well to the adversity by going on an 11-2 run, capped off by a layup from Malone, to even the game at 51 points apiece with 10:38 remaining in regulation time.
 
After QCC retook the lead, freshman forward Paolo Avvento came up big for Monroe by draining a triple to catapult the Express to a 54-53 edge with 9:26 to go.
 
Queensborough did not allow Monroe to keep the momentum for long as the Tigers scored six of the game's next eight points to regain the advantage at 59-56. Freshman guard Jayquan Lee helped Monroe recover with a pair of free throws to pull his team to within one with 5:43 left to play.
 
The Tigers snatched the momentum right back by scoring six straight points in a span of 1:11 to put the Express in a 65-58 hole with 4:02 to go.
 
With the game seemingly out of reach, the Express continued to play their best basketball with their backs against the wall. Alston drained a triple to get the late-game run started. Back on defense, freshman guard Davon Taylor deflected the ball and it went into the hands of Smart who threw the ball to Alston. Alston dribbled down the court and slammed the ball into the hoop to pull Monroe to within two with 3:01 remaining. On the next possession, Queensborough missed a 3-point shot attempt and Frazier gathered the rebound while being fouled. The Tigers were over the limit, so Frazier went to the free throw line and buried two key shots from the charity stripe to even the game at 65 with 2:28 to go.
 
The Tigers had a couple of chances to take the lead but could not take advantage. With 42 ticks remaining in the second half, Smart kicked the ball out to Alston who's 3-point attempt swished into the bucket to give Monroe a 68-65 benefit in the closing minute. 
 
Queensborough called a full timeout and had a chance to tie it but the potential game-tying triple bounced off the rim and Malone snatched the rebound. Nine seconds later, Taylor was intentionally fouled and then drained two key shots from the line to inflate Monroe's benefit to 70-65 with 15 seconds left. 
 
The Tigers tried a desperation 3-point attempt in the closing seconds, but it missed and Malone grabbed the rebound, dribbled the ball out, and the final buzzer sounded with Monroe securing the come-from-behind regional win. 
 
For the Express, Avvento finished with seven points, four rebounds, and a pair of assists. Malone netted six points, snatched seven boards, and delivered two helpers. Freshman guard Javaughn White had a solid game with five points, two rebounds, and just as many assists. Taylor hit two free throws, clutched four caroms, and provided three assists.
 
For the Tigers, Sun scored a game-high 24 points, dished out three assists, grabbed two rebounds, and forced just as many steals. Rookie guard Diego Cruz Lopez finished with 20 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and just a many assists. Freshman center Mamady Sano had a solid showing with six points, four blocks, and just as many rebounds. First-year forward Ismail Toure produced six points, five rebounds, and two assists.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host LaGuardia Community College in a Region 15 contest 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).