BRONX – The nationally ranked No. 7 Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball earned a hard-fought Region 15 victory on the road over Bronx Community College, 72-57, at Alumni Gymnasium on Thursday evening.

Monroe advances its perfect regional record to 7-0 and bumps its overall mark to 11-1. The Express still have not lost to an NJCAA Division III team this season.

Leading the way for Monroe was Beverly Williams who scored a game-high 19 points, while forcing five steals. Jazmyne Rios had a career game with personal bests 16 points and eight boards, while tying a career-high in steals with three. Salimah Williams compiled 14 points, seven steals, and six assists. Aneyah McLamb tallied 13 points, five blocks, six caroms, and four helpers. 

"It was a hard-fought, tough win in the region for us," Express Head Coach Damel Ling said. "Bronx CC is very improved and played extremely hard. Aneyah (McLamb) made big play after big play for us. Jazmyne (Rios) played the best game of her career for us."

The Blue and Gold got off to a fast start in the game, jumping out to a 21-6 advantage late in the first quarter. 

The Broncos (5-3, 4-2 Region 15) did not falter and fought back in the game as the Express' benefit was narrowed to 25-17 with 6:33 left in the second frame. Both teams were neck and neck for the remainder of the stanza as Monroe took a 38-28 lead into the intermission.

Bronx scored the first four points of the second half, capped off by a pair of free throws courtesy of Destiny Dickerson, to slice Monroe's advantage to just six (38-32) with 8:32 remaining in the third frame. The Express answered back with a 7-2 run which was concluded by a successful traditional 3-point play by McLamb to give her team more breathing room at 45-34.

After Bronx hit a free throw on the next possession, Rios kept Monroe's momentum going with a bucket while being fouled. She added a good shot from the charity stripe to increase the Blue and Gold's hold to 48-35 with 6:40 remaining.

The Express built their lead to 15 during the late stages of the third period before settling for a 57-43 vantage after 30 minutes of play.

Lea Tavarez got Monroe off to a great start in the fourth as her 3-point field goal inflated her team's cushion to 60-43. The Broncos once again battled back, this time with a 10-3 run to decrease the Express' benefit to 63-53 with 4:58 to go.

Monroe disrupted Bronx's momentum as a timely 3-point basket from Rios extended her team's lead to 13 with 4:44 left to play in regulation. Bronx could not generate another run to get back into it as the Blue and Gold went back up by 17 a couple more times before earning the key regional road win by a 72-57 score.

Helping the Express during the evening was Diamondnique Stephenson who added four points and five rebounds. 

For Bronx, Kolonnie Green notched a double-double with 15 points and a game-best 16 rebounds, while blocking four shots and dishing out three assists. Akela Robertson tallied 11 points, five boards, two helpers, and just as many steals. Angelina Gonzalez had a solid game with six points, nine caroms, sevens steals, and three assists. 

On Sunday, No. 7 Monroe will host nationally ranked No. 14 Kingsborough Community College in a showdown of undefeated teams in the region. 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).