BROOKLYN – The nationally ranked No. 15 Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker in Region 15 play to Kingsborough Community College, 69-67, at Kingsborough CC Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Express (8-4, 6-3 Region 15) trailed by 10 in the early stages of the second half but came all the way back to take a 53-48 lead with 9:55 left in regulation time. The Wave (5-7, 5-4 Region 15) countered with 11 straight points to jump back in front, 59-53, with 6:45 left. Monroe fought back in the late stages of the contest and had the ball, down by two, with 15 seconds left in the contest. The Express had a chance to win the game with a 3-point shot but the ball bounced off the rim as the final horn went off and Kingsborough escaped with the 69-67 victory.
 
Freshman Dimitre Alston had a big game for Monroe with a game-high 29 points, while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out three assists. Sophomore David Malone had another big game on the glass with 17 rebounds in addition to four points, three blocks, and a pair of assists. Rookie Paolo Avvento generated eight points, a trio of rebounds, and just as many assists. 
 
The Express got off to a good start to the game as a layup by freshman Jayquan Lee gave his team a 28-23 advantage with 5:32 left before the break. The Wave dominated the remainder of the period by outscoring the Blue and Gold 14-1 in the final 4:40 of the half to take a 37-29 hold into the intermission. 
 
After falling behind by 10 early in the second half, the Express scored seven straight points, capped off by a dunk from Alston, to cut Monroe's deficit to three (39-36) less than 2:30 in. Later in the stanza, Express freshman Javaughn White converted a layup to tie the game at 48. Monroe's momentum continued as a pair of free throws by Alston gave Monroe the lead, 50-48. The Express' defense forced a turnover and then freshman Davon Taylor buried a 3-point shot to extend Monroe's benefit to 53-48 with 9:55 left, capping off a 17-3 run by the Blue and Gold. 
 
The Wave battled back and went on an 11-0 run to catapult to a 59-53 hold with 6:45 left. 
 
In the late stages of the second half, Avvento drained a triple to slice Monroe's deficit in half at 63-60 with 3:34 remaining. After Kingsborough hit a pair of free throws, the Express continued to climb back in the contest as a successful shot from downtown by rookie Malike Smart pulled Monroe to within two, at 65-63, with 3:06 remaining. 
 
Fast forward to under two minutes to go and Kingsborough up 69-65. Alston powered through with a layup to cut Monroe's deficit in half with 1:14 left to play. Down to 16 seconds left and Kingsborough having the ball, Smart intercepted a pass by the opposing team and Monroe called a timeout. They had the ball with a chance to tie or win the game. However, the Express' 3-point attempt with one second left bounced off the rim and the final buzzer went off. Kingsborough hung on to earn the regional win.
 
Helping the Express during the afternoon was sophomore Rene Williams who grabbed seven rebounds. Classmate Shain Frazier also tallied seven boards, while adding five points. 
 
For the Wave, sophomore Christopher Jace had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while delivering six assists and gathering four steals. Classmate Torian Douglas also scored 18 points and added seven rebounds with two steals. Second-year player Abdoul Toure chipped in with 12 points, five rebounds, and two helpers. Freshman Kevar Samuels recorded 11 points, five rebounds, two blocks, and just as many steals. Sophomore Phillip Khobot snatched seven rebounds and delivered three assists. Freshman James Elder scored nine points, clutched two caroms, and delivered a duo of helpers. 
 
Monroe will return to action on Saturday, December 14, when they battle Bryant and Stratton College – Virginia Beach (JV). The action at Monroe Athletic Complex is set for 1:00 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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