NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 6, 2025 – In a thrilling Region 15 matchup of nationally ranked teams, the No. 12 Monroe University - Bronx women's basketball team came up just short in a 73-71 loss to No. 4 Kingsborough Community College on Thursday night at the Monroe Athletic Complex. Despite a strong third-quarter surge, the Express could not hold off the Wave's late-game push.

Monroe (14-9, 5-4 Region 15) led by 10 with 8:12 remaining in regulation time, but the Wave (26-1, 11-1 Region 15) rallied to pull to within one (69-68) with 1:01 to go. Express freshman Winter Smith was fouled with 27 seconds left and drained two free throws to extend Monroe's advantage to 71-68. 

After that, a wild sequence occurred. Kingsborough missed a two-point shot and sophomore Davian Myers gathered the defensive rebound. However, Monroe was called for traveling and was then charged with a technical foul with 13 ticks to go. Sophomore Jayden Vega drained both free throws to pull Kingsborough to within one and then the Wave took possession of the ball with a chance to take the lead. Freshman Zakieya Williams drew a shooting foul with seven seconds remaining and drained both shots from the charity stripe to give Kingsborough a 72-71 edge. 

the Express had a chance in the closing seconds but then committed a turnover that was recovered by the Wave. Sophomore Kiana Rosas was fouled intentionally with 0.9 seconds left on the clock. She missed the first free throw but connected on the second to extend her team's advantage to 73-71. Monroe threw an inbounds pass in an attempt for a catch and shoot but the throw was intercepted by sophomore Taima Flores as the buzzer sounded, completing the come-from-behind win for the Wave. 

Despite outscoring Kingsborough 36-20 in the paint during the evening, the Express struggled with turnovers, allowing 31 points off giveaways. The game saw five lead changes, but the Wave's efficiency from the free-throw line down the stretch proved to be the difference.

Smith led Monroe - Bronx with a near double-double, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while sophomore Makira Bunsie dominated inside with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Classmate Tiffany Newsome added eight points and 11 rebounds, providing a strong presence on both ends. Rookie Beverly Williams finished with eight points and two assists, while freshman Salimah Williams generated seven points, four rebounds, four helpers, and two blocks. 

Monroe - Bronx came out firing, taking an 18-15 lead after the first quarter. However, Kingsborough responded with a 23-11 second quarter to take control heading into halftime. The Express found their rhythm in the third, outscoring the Wave 24-13, capped off by a tip-in layup by Bunsie at the buzzer, to reclaim the lead at 53-51. Monroe got off to a strong start in the fourth as back-to-back layups by Bunsie helped the Express earn their largest lead of the game at 61-51 with 8:12 left to play. Unfortunately for Monroe, Kingsborough dominated the rest of the way by outscoring the Blue and Gold 22-10 during the final 7:55 of play to earn the come-from-behind victory.

For the Wave, Greene finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Zakieya Williams added 19 points, five rebounds, just as many blocks, and three assists. Vega and sophomore Kayla Wilson each had nine points, with the former adding four assists to go along with three rebounds and the latter snatching six boards and forcing three steals.

Monroe - Bronx will look to bounce back in its next matchup on Saturday, February 8, 2025, against Bryant & Stratton College – Syracuse. Tipoff at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium is set for 3:30 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, 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.  

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