NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team suffered a 72-60 setback against the defending Region 15 Champion and current 11^th-ranked team in the country Dutchess Community College, at Monroe Athletic Complex, on Saturday afternoon.

The Express (4-3, 3-2 Region 15) had a 30-27 edge going into the intermission but the Falcons (7-1, 6-1 Region 15) dominated the second half by outscoring the Blue and Gold, 45-30.

Jalonie Pittman led the way for the Express with a double-double as he netted 15 points and snatched a game-high 10 rebounds. Michael Samuda generated 12 points, five boards, and two steals. Steven McGriff tallied 10 points, six boards, and a duo of steals.

Monroe got off to a fast start in the game as a putback by Pittman gave his team an 11-6 lead with 12:19 left in the opening stanza. 

Later in the half, Dutchess went on a run to snatch a 22-18 benefit. Monroe countered with a 10-2 blitz, capped off by a pair of free throws from Andi Metaliaj, to put the Express up by a score of 28-24 with 3:38 remaining in the period. 

The Falcons scored the next three points to slice Monroe's lead to 28-27. With 33 ticks left on the clock, Pittman received the pass from Josmar Acevedo and converted a layup to extend the home team's lead to 30-27 and that ended up being the score after 20 minutes of play. 

Just eight seconds into the second half, Supreme Niles of the Falcons drained a 3-point field goal to even the game. McGriff answered with a jumper to put Monroe back up by two. Dutchess tilted momentum back into its favor by going on a 7-0 run, concluded by Niles' successful jumper off the fastbreak, to catapult to a 37-32 advantage.

McGriff got Monroe back into it with a successful jump shot and two free throws to cut the Express' deficit to one. Then, Malike Smart forced a steal and executed a fastbreak layup to put Monroe - Bronx back in front, 38-37, with 15:00 to go. 

From that point, Dutchess took over the game for good as a 3-point field goal by Nouhoun Diarra not only allowed his team to jump out in front, but it kick-started a 12-2 run that gave the defending champions a 50-40 hold with 10:44 to go. The Express played catch-up the rest of the way as the Falcons built their lead to as many as 16 before earning the 72-60 regional win. 

For Monroe, Smart and Adrian Rosario each grabbed seven rebounds. Metaliaj provided six points and four boards.

For the Falcons, Niles led all players with 26 points while snatching four rebounds. Jordin Walker generated 12 points and seven caroms. Jadyn Wilson netted 11 points and seven rebounds, while Diarra compiled seven points and nine boards. Kameron Quinn scored nine points and forced three steals.

Monroe – Bronx will travel to Long Island on Tuesday for a Region 15 battle against Suffolk County Community College. Tipoff at Brookhaven Gymnasium is set for 8 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).