SUFFOLK, Va. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team won an overtime thriller over Paul D. Camp Community College, 68-66, at Lakeland Gymnasium on Thursday evening.
 
The hero of the game for the Express (9-5) was freshman Malike Smart. With his team down 66-64, he converted a layup with 13 seconds left in the overtime period to even the game up. On defense during the next possession, freshman Dimitre Alston forced a deflection that was picked up by rookie Javaughn White. White threw the pass to Smart who buried the floating jump shot with four ticks left on the clock to give the Express a 68-66 edge. 
 
"It felt good, the team needed a shot," Smart said. "That bucket meant a lot to us."
 
Camp CC (6-8) had one more chance to either tie or win the game but strong contesting defense by sophomore Rene Williams denied the layup attempt by the opposing team as time expired which clinched the victory for Monroe.
 
"This game showed we have character," Smart said. "We went through adversity but we picked it up and made it all the way through."
 
There were five lead changes throughout the game and Paul D. Camp came back to tie the game seven times during the evening. The Hurricanes never led by more than two points. On the other side, the Express had a nine-point cushion (54-45) with 4:14 left in regulation thanks to their 12-3 run after the game was knotted up at 42 points. Monroe also had a seven-point benefit, at 58-51, with 2:49 to go.
 
Paul D. Camp finished the second half with seven unanswered points, capped off by a successful shot from beyond the arc by sophomore Mikel Miller with 53 ticks left, to even the game at 58 points. Each team had an opportunity to take the lead in the closing seconds, but neither could capitalize and overtime was needed.
 
Williams got the Express off to a great start in overtime as he slammed home a dunk to put Monroe up by two less than a minute into the extra period. The Hurricanes answered back on the next possession as a 3-point basket by sophomore Jalen Duckett gave the home team a one-point edge. 
 
Later in the period with Monroe still down by one, Alston sparked the Express with back-to-back buckets inside the arc to propel them to a 64-61 benefit with 2:32 left to play. The Hurricanes countered with five straight points highlighted by a successful and-one three-point play by sophomore Calvin Beaty which tied the game with 1:18 left and then a layup by sophomore Kylan Manns to give his team a 66-64 advantage with 32 seconds to go.
 
When Monroe – Bronx seemed destined for defeat, Smart provided the game-tying basket, Alston forced a steal on the next possession, and then Smart hit the game-winning layup with four seconds left to change Monroe's fortunes. After that, Williams' strong defense on the final play clinched the come-from-behind overtime victory for the Express.
 
"It's a big victory for us on the road," Express Head Coach Chris Neely said. "I'm proud of the guys. We competed and everybody gave 110% tonight when they got on the floor."
 
For the evening, Alston helped the Express with a game-high 24 points, while gathering seven rebounds, dishing out four assists, and recording two steals. Williams had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, while blocking three shots. Rookie Paolo Avvento generated 10 points, five boards, and three steals. Smart netted 11 points, including the game-tying and game-winning baskets, and forced two steals. Sophomore David Malone snatched seven rebounds off the bench. Second-year player Jayden Gamory made his season debut for the Express and came away with seven points, four rebounds, just as many assists, and two steals. Freshman Haley Guillen made his collegiate debut and helped Monroe with four points, just as many boards, three assists, and a trio of steals. 
 
For the Hurricanes, second-year player Anthony Davis had a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards, while adding three helpers and a trio of steals. Miller provided 14 points, two rebounds, and just as many steals. Sophomore Sincere Sharp gathered seven rebounds and netted four points, while Beaty produced nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and just as many steals. Second-year player Antonio McInnis III chipped in with five points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Duckett tallied eight points and a duo of steals
 
Monroe – Bronx will continue its three-game Virginia tour with a game at Virginia Peninsula Community College on Friday evening. Tipoff at SafeHaven Empowerment Center in Newport News, Va. is set for 6:00 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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