THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team fought off Nassau Community College by a score of 66-63 in the regular season finale at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.

As a result, the Express (18-10, 12-6 Region 15) clinch the No. 3-seed in the upcoming Region 15 Tournament and will host No. 6-seed Queensborough Community College on Tuesday, February 25, at Monroe Athletic Complex. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

The victory over Nassau (14-8, 11-7 Region 15) did not come easy. The Express led by nine with 3:18 to go, and a seven-point cushion with 1:55 left, but the Lions managed to pull to within three on a few occasions. Nassau had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but the 3-point shot did not fall through, and Monroe clinched the win. 

"We stayed connected to our defense which led to key stops," Express Head Coach Chris Neely said. 

Freshman Dimitre Alston had a strong game for Monroe - Bronx with 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. He shot 7-for-14 from the field. Sophomore Jayden Gamory and rookie Paolo Avvento each scored 14 points, including two 3-point baskets, and forced three steals. The former snatched five boards and dished out three assists. Sophomore David Malone had a monster game on the boards with 18 rebounds and delivered three helpers. Second-year player Rene Williams brought down seven caroms of his own.

The difference in the game was the 3-point shooting. Monroe drained four shots out of 11 attempts (36.4%) from beyond the arc, while Nassau only converted two attempts out of 21 tries (9.5%) from downtown. 

The Express got off to a slow start as Nassau took a 31-26 advantage with 46 ticks left in the opening half. Monroe – Bronx finished the period on a strong note as freshman Michael Samuda converted a layup with three seconds to go to send the Blue and Gold into the intermission down by just three. 

That finish carried over into the second half, as a pair of free throws from Alston completed an 11-0 run by the Express that began in the previous stanza and gave them a 37-31 benefit just 3:13 in.

Monroe was in great shape during the late stages of the contest as a jump shot by Alston equaled the Express' largest lead of the game at 61-52 with 3:10 left. The Lions did not go down without a fight as they went on an 8-2 run in a span of 1:46 to make it a one-possession game at 63-60 with 1:16 to go. 

Alston got Monroe back on track with a layup to pad the home team's benefit to 65-60 with 1:05 remaining. Nassau answered right back as a putback layup by freshman Austin Wrynn narrowed the Lions' deficit back to three with 47 ticks to go. After each team added a free throw, Monroe had the ball but then committed a crucial turnover with eight seconds left. Nassau earned possession with an opportunity to even up the game. However, a 3-point attempt could not connect with the basket and Monroe escaped with the regional win to close out the regular season. 

For Nassau, Wrynn provided 18 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Second-year player Donte Howard generated 15 points, five boards, four steals, and three assists. Sophomore Sean Walsh recorded 13 points, five caroms, and a duo of steals. 

It was Sophomore Night for the Express as Malone, Gamory, Shain Frazier, and Williams were honored with a ceremony prior to the opening tip.

For updates regarding Monroe's regional quarterfinal playoff game against Queensborough, check out www.MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels. 

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, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, 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). Catch us on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/MonroeExpress.