WYE MILLS, MD. - The nationally ranked No. 10 Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season to NJCAA Division II Chesapeake College, 77-68, at Skipjack Arena on Friday evening.

The Express (7-1) trailed by 22 in the early stages of the second half but rallied to pull to within three late in the fourth quarter. However, Chesapeake (3-2) was able to hold off Monroe to earn the win.

Free-throw shooting was the key as the Express only went 2-for-10 from the line, while the Skipjacks shot 15-for-20 from the charity stripe. The Blue and Gold had the advantage in shooting percentage from the field (42.0% to 32.8%) and from 3-point range (32.0% to 16.0%) over the opposing team. 

Leading the way for Monroe was Beverly Williams who notched 23 points, three rebounds, just as many assists, and a pair of steals. Aneyah McLamb produced a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards, while delivering four helpers and forcing just as many steals. Salimah Williams provided 14 points, seven dimes, four rebounds, and two steals.

The Skipjacks led the game from wire to wire. With 7:01 left the third quarter, Lourden Banks nailed a jumper to give Chesapeake a commanding 51-29 hold.

Monroe – Bronx did not go down without a fight. Beverly Williams drained a triple to shrink the deficit to 19. That began an 18-3 run during the final 6:44 of the stanza to pull the Express to within single digits at 54-47 after 30 minutes of play. 

McLamb continued Monroe's momentum at the start of the fourth as her layup narrowed the Blue and Gold's deficit to 54-49, just 13 seconds in. After falling back behind by 10, the Express inched closer once again as a 3-point field goal by Beverly Williams shrunk her team's disadvantage to 60-54 with 7:36 to go in regulation.

It seemed that Chesapeake was going to pull away as Gabrielle Corbin executed a layup with 3:50 left to put Monroe in a 70-62 hole. However, a successful field-goal attempt in the paint by Salimah Williams and then a good shot from downtown by Beverly Williams pulled Monroe – Bronx to within a single possession at 70-67 with 2:30 remaining.

Unfortunately for the Express, that was as close as they would get as the Skipjacks closed the game out with a 7-1 run to hand Monroe its first loss of the season.

Jazmyne Rios scored five points, snatched six boards, and notched three steals for Monroe off the bench. 

For Chesapeake, Corbin had a monster game with 26 points and 23 rebounds. Banks added 20 points, six boards, four assists, and a trio of steals. Shenell White provided 14 points, six steals, and two caroms, while Ty'Aishah Moody generated 15 points and seven rebounds.

Monroe – Bronx will take some time off before they return to Region 15 action on Saturday, November 22, with a battle against Dutchess Community College. Tipoff at Monroe Athletic Complex is set for 1 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).