NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team was able to stave off Borough of Manhattan Community College to earn the Region 15 win, 68-65, at Monroe Athletic Complex on Thursday evening.

The Express (3-2, 2-1 Region 15) led from wire to wire and had a 19-point lead in the late stages of the first half. The Panthers (3-2, 3-2 Region 15) rallied to pull to within one on a couple of occasions late in the second half, but Monroe was able to play strong defense and hit key free throws down the stretch to hang on for the regional win.

"We got stops and made plays when it mattered most," Express Head Coach Chris Neely said. "We held our composure after they made a run."

Steven McGriff led the way for Monroe with 20 points, tying a game high, while grabbing 11 rebounds to complete the double-double. Malike Smart added eight points and three boards, while Michael Samuda generated seven points, five caroms, just as many assists (which led all players), and two steals. Adrian Rosario compiled six points, just as many boards, and two providers.

Monroe got off to a fast start as Caleb Dunn drained a 3-point shot to put his team up, 14-2, just 6:13 into the contest. Later in the half, the Express went on another run. This time it was a 12-2 blitz that gave the home team its largest lead of the evening at 34-15 with 4:17 to go in the opening period.

BMCC finished the first half on a 13-6 run to pull to within 12 (40-28) at the end of 20 minutes of play.

Monroe built its lead back up in the early stages of the second stanza as a putback by Jalonie Pittman gave the Blue and Gold a 54-38 cushion with 13:06 remaining in regulation time.

Borough of Manhattan changed the tide of the game by going on a 19-4 run in a span of 7:49, capped off by dunk courtesy of Alden Cornelius, to pull the visiting team to within one, at 58-57, with 5:00 to go.

After each team split the next four points, Rosario gave the Express more breathing room with a layup to extend the Blue and Gold's lead to 62-59 with 3:07 left to play in the second half. 

Later, with Monroe up by a score of 64-60, Abdul-Rehman Quiser drained a triple to pull the Panthers to within one once again, this time at 64-63, with 1:58 left. 

Monroe once again came up big when it mattered as a layup by McGriff capped a 3-0 Express run to give them a 67-63 cushion with 40 ticks left on the clock. Noah Smith answered for BMCC with a bucket to pull his team to within two with 15 seconds remaining.

On the next possession, Dunn was fouled intentionally and earned a trip to the charity stripe with eight seconds to go. He made one of two shots to increase Monroe's lead to 68-65. 

The Panthers took the inbounds pass and sprinted down the court. BMCC heaved a 3-point attempt from well beyond the arc, but the ball hit off the rim at the buzzer, clinching the regional win for Monroe.

Smith finished with 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists for the Panthers. Isaiah Ifill had a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards. Cornelius had a near double-double with 12 points and nine caroms, while blocking two shots.

Monroe – Bronx will return to Monroe Athletic Complex on Thursday evening for a Region 15 matchup against Nassau Community College. Tipoff is set for 7 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, 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).