NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University - Bronx men's basketball team suffered a non-region loss to Bryant & Stratton - Virginia Beach JV by a score of 84-74, at Monroe Athletic Complex, on Saturday afternoon.
 
Monroe (8-5) got off to a great start in the game as a layup by sophomore Rene Williams gave the home team its largest lead of the afternoon at 29-18 with 5:12 remaining in the opening half. The Bobcats (6-0) got back into the contest by going on an 11-4 run, capped off by a triple courtesy of rookie Avery Hoggard, to narrow their deficit to 33-29 with 2:37 left before the break. The Express went into the intermission with a 42-36 benefit.
 
It was all Bryant & Stratton in the second half as they outscored Monroe 48-32 during the final 20 minutes of the contest. The key stretch was a 16-2 run by the visiting team, in a span of 3:52, that propelled them to a 61-52 advantage with 10:01 remaining in regulation time. The Express were held to zero field goals for 4:44 during the game-changing blitz by the Bobcats. Monroe managed to shrink the disadvantage to 63-59 with 8:17 left but Bryant & Stratton countered with a 9-2 run to go up by 11.
 
The Bobcats ballooned their lead to 14 (77-63) on their way to the 84-74 victory.
 
Leading the way for the Express was freshman Dimitre Alston who scored 20 points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out three assists, and blocked two shots off the bench. Sophomore David Malone had a double-double with 11 points and 15 boards, while blocking a trio of shots. Rookie Davon Taylor generated 17 points, seven rebounds, a pair of assists, and just as many steals. Classmate Malike Smart finished with eight points, five helpers, three steals, and two caroms. 
 
For the Bobcats, freshman Sayquan Welsh scored a game-high 27 points, snatched three rebounds, delivered three assists, and forced two steals. Hoggard had a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while distributing four assists. Freshman Steffhone Rigby tallied 14 points, three rebounds, and two blocks.
 
Monroe – Bronx will participate in a three-game road trip in Virginia starting on Thursday with a matchup against Paul D. Camp Community College. Tipoff at Lakeland Gymnasium is set 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.

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