THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – In a battle of nationally ranked Region 15 teams on Thursday evening, the No. 15 Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team fell to No. 7 Hostos Community College, 76-66, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium. The Express drop to 12-8 (8-4 Region 15), while the Caimans remain undefeated as their record is bumped up to 18-0 (11-0 Region 15).
 
Despite the loss, it was a historic game for freshman Winter Smith as she set a program single-game record with 14 steals. The previous mark was 13 steals held by both Smith and Julie Trowers. The former accomplished the feat against the Queensborough Community College Club Team earlier this year on January 7 and the latter did it against Bronx Community College on January 15, 2019. Both of those historic moments occurred at the Monroe Athletic Complex.
 
In addition to Smith's 14 steals against Hostos, she also scored a game-high 15 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out four assists.
 
Monroe got off to a great start in the game as a pair of free throws by sophomore Makira Bunsie gave her team a 15-10 advantage with 2:06 left to play in the opening quarter. Hostos countered with an 8-1 run to grab an 18-16 edge with 12 seconds left in the stanza. However, with 0.4 seconds to go, Bunsie got the Express back on track by converting a layup while being fouled. She added the free throw to complete the and-one three-point play to give the Blue and Gold a 19-18 benefit heading into the second quarter.
 
In the opening minute of the second frame, sophomore Tiffany Newsome connected on a jump shot to extend Monroe's advantage to 23-21. However, the Caimans grabbed the momentum by scoring eight unanswered points to jump out to a 29-23 hold with 8:07 remaining. The Express answered with a 7-1 run, highlighted by 3-point shot by Smith and concluded by a jump shot from sophomore Tymere Moorer, to even the game at 30 with 6:38 left. Hostos countered with eight straight points to go up 38-30 before going into the intermission with a 41-35 lead.
 
Monroe battled back in the early stages of the third quarter as a jumper by Newsome pulled her team to within one at 46-45 with 5:35 left to go. However, a 3-point basket by Hostos sophomore Sandra Asamoah began a 13-2 run by the visiting team in the final 5:14 of the period as the Caimans claimed a 59-47 benefit after 30 minutes of play.  
 
The Express could not get back into the contest during the fourth quarter as Hostos built a 15-point lead in the opening minute of the period before earning the 76-66 win and remaining undefeated for the season. 
 
Helping the Express during the game was freshman Beverly Williams who netted 11 points, forced three steals, and delivered two assists. Newsome produced 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and just as many steals. Bunsie added nine points and four boards, while Moorer provided six points and seven caroms.

Five Hostos players reached double figures in scoring. Sophomore Chyna Bryant had a double-double with 11 points and just as many rebounds, while forcing eight steals. Classmate Daja White generated 14 points, four caroms, and four assists. Second-year player Jozai Vazquez had a big game with 13 points, six rebounds, and four blocks. Returning player Shelby McGill netted 12 points, snatched seven caroms, and forced a trio of steals. Sophomore Kiara Huggins recorded 12 points, six steals, and three rebounds. Asamoah brought down 11 rebounds to go along with eight points, five steals, and two helpers.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host NJCAA Division II Jamestown Community College on Sunday at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 12:00 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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