BROOKLYN – The No. 3-seed Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team earned a triumphant victory in the semifinal round of the Region 15 Tournament over second-seeded and nationally ranked No. 14 Hostos Community College, 100-82, at Kingsborough Community College Gymnasium on Saturday evening.

For the first time since 2022, the Express (20-10) will be competing in the Region 15 Championship Game. They will take on nationally ranked No. 1 and top-seeded Dutchess Community College on Sunday afternoon at Kingsborough Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Dutchess defeated fifth-seeded Kingsborough, 89-58, in the other regional semifinal contest earlier in the day.

"Great game today, we grinded it out," Express Head Coach Chris Neely said. "Guys trusted in their defense, and they trusted in the culture."

Freshman Dimitre Alston led the way for Monroe with a monster triple-double as he tallied 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. 

Rookie Paolo Avvento and Michael Samuda each scored 16 points for the Express with the latter grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists. The former scored all 16 of his points in the second half and snatched three boards. Sophomore David Malone generated 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, a pair of blocks, and just as many steals. Gamory provided 10 points, five caroms, and two helpers. Sophomore Rene Williams compiled eight points, five boards, and three blocks. 

Monroe – Bronx got off to a slow start during the semifinal, falling behind the Caimans (25-6) by a score of 14-8 just 4:15 into the contest. However, the Express rallied with a 15-4 run, capped off by a traditional three-point play from Malone, to propel Monroe to a 23-18 benefit with 10:00 remaining in the opening half. 

The Blue and Gold continued to build its lead throughout the remainder of the opening stanza as the Express went up by 16 a few times before taking a 51-38 lead into the intermission.

Hostos got off to a fast start in the second half, scoring the first nine points of the period to shrink Monroe's lead to only four, at 51-47, just 4:35 into the stanza. Monroe regained its composure on the next possession as Gamory connected on a jump shot while being fouled for Monroe's first points of the second half. He added the free throw to complete the three-point play the old fashioned way and extend the Express' lead to 54-47. 

After Hostos scored the next bucket, Alston successfully executed a traditional three-point play with 14:44 to go to pad Monroe's lead to 57-49. That began a stretch of 10 unanswered points, capped off by a shot from downtown by Guillen, to inflate the Express' cushion to 64-49 with 13:20 remaining. 

The Caimans could not generate a run to get back into it as Monroe went up by as many as 20 on its way to the 100-82 win in the regional semifinals.

Freshman Harry Bonilla had a productive evening for Hostos with 23 points, eight steals, six rebounds, and two assists. Sophomore Tyrese Conway netted eight points, clutched nine caroms, delivered four assists, and forced two steals. 

For more information regarding Monroe's Region 15 Championship Game against No. 1 Dutchess, check out MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels.

"We are going to try and bring it home for the Express," Neely said.

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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