BROOKLYN – The nationally ranked No. 12 and third-seeded Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to knock off nationally ranked No. 5 and second-seeded Kingsborough Community College, 73-69, at Kingsborough Gym on Saturday afternoon.

"I thought it was a very impressive performance, especially on the defensive side of the floor," Express Head Coach Damel Ling said. "We fought, we didn't give in, and we stayed solid defensively."

Monroe (21-9) will have a chance to win its fourth consecutive Region 15 Championship on Sunday against nationally ranked No. 4 and top-seeded Hostos Community College. Tipoff at Kingsborough Gym is set for noon. Hostos defeated #5-Seed Nassau Community College, 105-64, earlier in the day.

"We are super excited to be playing for the championship tomorrow," Ling said. 

After a competitive first quarter that saw both teams score 17 points, the Wave (25-3) dominated the second stanza by outscoring the Express, 20-7, to take a commanding 37-24 benefit into the intermission. 

It got bleak for Monroe as a jump shot by freshman Zakieya Williams gave Kingsborough its largest lead of the game at 43-28 with 7:28 remaining in the third quarter. 

The Express began to shift momentum into their direction with a 12-2 run in a span of 2:47, capped off by a layup from sophomore Tiffany Newsome, to pull Monroe to within five with 3:44 to go in the third. Kingsborough went back up by double digits a couple of times during the period, but the Express finished the stanza on an 8-2 run to narrow their deficit to 54-50 after 30 minutes of play. 

After Monroe fell into an eight-point deficit in the early stages of the fourth quarter, the Blue and Gold rallied with a 10-2 blitz, concluded by a 3-point field goal courtesy of freshman Winter Smith, to even the game at 60 with six minutes remaining in regulation time. Kingsborough went back up by four but the Express once again chipped away and stayed within striking distance. 

With 1:30 to go, the Express trailed 67-65 and was on defense. Smith forced a steal and then converted a layup off the fast break to tie the game at 67 points apiece. Right after that, Smith knocked the ball away and picked it up for another steal. Monroe could not convert on a shot attempt and Kingsborough got the ball back, but then Smith stole the ball again and drew a foul. She drained both free throw attempts to give the Express a 69-67 edge with 43 seconds left in the fourth. 

On Kingsborough's next possession, Smith once again knocked the ball away and gathered it for her fourth steal in a span of one minute of game time. She was fouled intentionally with 16 seconds to go and drained both shots from the charity stripe to make it a two-possession lead for Monroe at 71-67. 

Williams kept Kingsborough's hopes alive with a successful jumper to pull her team to within two with 10 seconds left. However, Smith was purposely fouled again with eight seconds remaining. Still calm under pressure, she knocked down both free throw shots to give Monroe a 73-69 advantage. Kingsborough did not get a shot attempt for the remainder of the contest and the Express clinched their fourth-straight trip to the regional finals.

Smith had a monster game for the Express with 32 points, 10 steals, seven rebounds, and six assists. She went a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. 

"I am excited for our team to go to the championship game tomorrow," Smith said. "It was a good win. I am proud of my teammates for fighting and pushing through."

Sophomore Makira Bunsie tallied 10 points and five boards for Monroe. Rookie Beverly Williams generated 10 points, three steals, two boards, and just as many assists. Newsome had a strong game with seven points, nine rebounds, and a trio of steals.

For the Wave, sophomore Endya Greene had a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while collecting five steals, blocking two shots, and adding a pair of helpers. Williams provided 21 points, eight caroms, and three assists. Sophomore Kayla Wilson compiled eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and just as many blocks.

For more information regarding Monroe's Region 15 Championship Game against Hostos, 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.

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