NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 6 Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team fended off Herkimer College on Sunday afternoon, 69-59, at Monroe Athletic Complex. It marks the sixth win in a row for the Blue and Gold. 

The Express bump their record to 13-1 and remain undefeated against NJCAA Division III opponents this year.

Monroe trailed by three heading to the fourth quarter but outscored Herkimer, 20-7, during the final 10 minutes of the game to pull out the victory.

Beverly Williams and Aneyah McLamb each poured in a game-high 25 points to lead the Express, with the latter adding 12 rebounds and six steals. The former snatched nine boards and delivered four assists. Salimah Williams dished out a game-best 10 helpers, while adding seven caroms and five steals. Jazmyne Rios and Diamondnique Stephenson each brought down nine rebounds of their own, with the former scoring seven points. 

Monroe won the rebounding battle, 59-41, during the afternoon. 

"Big boost for us to go into the second half of the year," Express Head Coach Damel Ling said. "Coming out of that with the win was huge. It was a strong finish to the first semester."

Monroe seemed to have the game under control late in the first half as a 3-point field goal by Beverly Williams gave Monroe a commanding 34-23 lead with 2:40 to go until the break. However, Herkimer (6-6) finished the second quarter on a 6-0 run to narrow Monroe's advantage to 34-30 at the intermission.

The visiting team's strong second-quarter finish did not carry over into the early stages of the third as the Express built their lead back up. A successful shot from downtown by Salimah Williams padded the Blue and Gold's benefit to 49-40 with 3:13 left in the frame.

The Generals snatched the momentum by finishing the period with 12 straight points, capped off by a jumper from Amiya Carter with one tick left on the clock, to suddenly put Monroe in a three-point hole, 52-49, after three quarters of play.

The Express got back on track at the start of the fourth quarter with a 10-1 run, capped off by a steal and then a layup courtesy of Aviah Richards, to propel the Blue and Gold to a 59-53 advantage with 6:10 remaining in regulation time.

Herkimer countered as a layup by Carter concluded a 4-0 run to narrow Monroe's edge to 59-57 with 4:57 to go. 

McLamb took over for the Express as she executed a layup and then she forced a steal plus drew a foul. She added two free throws to give Monroe more breathing room at 63-57 with only 2:56 left to play. 

The Generals could not pull to within one possession for the remainder of the contest as Monroe was able to hit key free throws down the stretch to clinch the victory, 69-59. 

Helping the Express during the afternoon was Sade Gibbs who snatched four rebounds and blocked a shot. Jaeda Kelly delivered two assists and secured just as many boards. Tyra Williams dished out a provider.

For Herkimer, Junel Beaubrun collected 12 rebounds. Nevaeh Spencer generated 19 points, five assists, four steals, and just as many boards. Carter added 14 points and five caroms.

Monroe University – Bronx will take a break and then be back in action on Tuesday, January 6, at Salem Community College (NJCAA Division II). Tipoff at DuPont Field House in Carney Point, N.J. 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).