BROOKLYN – The nationally ranked No. 12 and third-seeded Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking loss in the Region 15 Final to nationally ranked No. 4 and top-seeded Hostos Community College, 64-60, at Kingsborough Community College Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon.  

The Caimans (26-1) earn the automatic bid into the NJCAA Division III National Tournament, which will take place March 12-15 in Rochester, Minn.

Monroe – Bronx's (21-10) streak of three consecutive regional titles has come to an end and will await its fate regarding a potential at-large bid during the NJCAA Selection Show on Wednesday. 

The Express got off to a strong start by taking an 8-0 lead less than two minutes into the contest. With 1:19 left in the opening period, sophomore Tiffany Newsome drained a pair of free throws to give Monroe its largest lead of the game at 19-10. 

The Caimans chipped away in the second quarter pulling to within one (22-21) with 6:45 left before the half. Monroe – Bronx answered with five straight points to extend its lead to six. Hostos managed to stay within striking distance and pulled to within 34-30 heading into the intermission. 

The Express built their lead to seven twice during the third quarter, but the Caimans rallied to pull to within three with 14 seconds left. Newsome helped the Express end the quarter on a strong note by connecting on a jump shot to make it 49-44 in favor of Monroe heading into the final period of regulation play. 

The Blue and Gold had a narrow 53-50 edge, but Hostos tied it up on a 3-point shot by Region 15 Player of the Year and eventual Region 15 Tournament MVP Daja White with 6:16 to go. Just 1:32 later, sophomore Jozai Vazquez connected on a layup to give the Caimans their first lead of the game at 55-53. The Express answered thanks to a long jumper by sophomore Da'Mya Cheatham which tied the game with 4:28 left.

The championship contest was even at 58 points apiece with 1:50 remaining when Vazquez was fouled. She connected on one out of two free throw attempts to give the Caimans a one-point edge. Hostos notched two more free throws over a span of two possessions to extend its advantage to 61-58 with 49 seconds remaining. 

Monroe had the ball and tried to go for a quick two but could not capitalize. Hostos gained possession and then White drew contact on a 3-point shot attempt with 16 seconds left. She missed the first shot from the charity stripe but then connected on the next two to pad Hostos' lead to 63-58. Freshman Salimah Williams gave Monroe a chance thanks to her layup with eight seconds left to make it a one-possession game. However, Vazquez went 1-for-2 from the line to make it a four-point benefit for the Caimans with seven seconds left. Monroe called a timeout to advance the ball. The Blue and Gold tried a desperation 3-point shot with four seconds left but it missed, and sophomore Chyna Bryant grabbed the defensive rebound and dribbled the ball out in the closing seconds to clinch the championship for Hostos. 

For the Express, Newsome had a strong game with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Beverly Williams netted 15 points and shot 4-for-10 from 3-point range to earn a spot on the All-Region 15 Tournament team. Classmate Winter Smith joined her on the All-Region 15 Tournament team as she put up eight points, eight assists, four rebounds, and just as many steals. Sophomore Davian Myers snatched 10 caroms, dished out three assists, and collected two steals. Second-year player Tymere Moorer tallied seven points, nine rebounds, and a duo of steals. 

For Hostos, White tallied 20 points, six rebounds, and just as many steals. Sophomore Sandra Asamoah provided 10 points, seven boards, three steals, and two assists to earn a spot on the Region 15 All-Tournament Team. Vazquez compiled eight points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Bryant grabbed 11 boards and netted six points. Sophomore Aniyah Robinson scored seven points, grabbed eight rebounds, delivered three assists, and blocked three shots.

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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