BROOKLYN – The third-seeded Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team suffered a hard-fought loss in the Region 15 Final to top-seeded and nationally ranked No. 1 Dutchess Community College, 88-81, at Kingsborough Community College Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon.

The Falcons (25-1) earn an automatic bid into the NJCAA Division III National Tournament which will take place March 12-15 in Herkimer, N.Y.

Monroe – Bronx (20-11) got off to a strong start as a 3-point field goal by freshman Michael Samuda gave the Express a 7-2 advantage just 2:01 into the contest. Later in the first half, with the game tied at 20, sophomore Jayden Gamory drained a shot from downtown to put Monroe up by three with 10:56 to go before the break. Dutchess answered with an 8-2 run to jump out ahead, 28-25. The Express countered as a jump shot by freshman Paolo Avvento and then a layup by sophomore Rene Williams catapulted Monroe back ahead, 29-28.

Unfortunately for the Express, the Falcons took control of the game at that point as they finished the final 5:26 of the opening half on an 18-6 run to take a commanding 46-35 hold going into the break.  

Monroe - Bronx fell behind 49-36 in the early stages of the second stanza. However, the Express did not go down without a fight as they stormed back with an 11-2 run, that began with a thunderous dunk by Williams and concluded with a jumper by Gamory, to shrink Monroe's deficit to just four with 14:31 still left to play.

After Dutchess went back up by six, Avvento drained a 3-point basket to pull the Express to within three, at 53-50, with 13:06 remaining. The Falcons answered right back with a 9-0 run to pad its hold to 62-50 with 10:53 remaining. The Express scored the next five points to get to within seven, but that was as close as they got. Dutchess once again pulled away and ballooned its lead to 15 before earning the 88-81 win to clinch the Region 15 and Northeast District Championships, as well as a spot in the NJCAA Postseason.

For the Express, freshman Dimitre Alston tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Avvento notched 14 points and three rebounds. Both Alston and Avvento were named to the Region 15 All-Tournament team. 

Williams had a strong game for the Express with 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and just as many blocks. Sophomore David Malone had a near double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds. Gamory generated nine points, six helpers, and four boards. Samuda compiled seven points, six assists, two steals, and a pair of caroms.

For Dutchess, sophomore Amadou Diallo was named the MVP of the Region 15 Tournament. He scored 24 points, dished out seven assists, forced five steals, and snatched four boards during the championship game. Second-year player Alijah England was named to the Region 15 All-Tournament team and finished the day with 27 points, three steals, and two assists. Nouhoun Diarra recorded 13 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Freshman Josiah Salmon provided eight points, just as many caroms, and two blocks. Sophomore Quincy Platt finished with five points, five caroms, three blocks, and a duo of assists. 

For updates regarding Monroe – Bronx's 2024-25 season, check out 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.

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