BRONX – The nationally ranked No. 4 Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team continued its winning ways against Region 15 competition on Thursday evening by defeating the defending regional champion Hostos Community College, 78-65, at The Swamp.

The Express are a perfect 9-0 in the region (19-1 overall) and continue to be in sole possession of first overall in the regional standings. Monroe extends its winning streak to 13 games.

Strong defense helped the Express force 38 turnovers, and they won the battle of points off opposition miscues by a 36-17 margin.

"We played well enough to win," Monroe - Bronx Head Coach Damel Ling said. 

Leading the way for the Express was Beverly Williams who produced video game numbers of 28 points, eight rebounds, just as many steals, and six assists. Salimah Williams had a double-double with 16 points and 11 helpers, snatching eight boards and picking up five steals in the process. Aneyah McLamb compiled 12 points and five caroms, while Jaeda Kelly produced 11 points, six steals, five rebounds, and just as many assists. 

"Jaeda Kelly was really good for us tonight," Ling said. "She played hard on both ends of the floor. For us to accomplish our goals, we have to mirror her effort."

Monroe got off to a slow start, falling behind 12-10 just 5:45 into the battle. Salimah Williams got the Express back on track with a jump shot to tie it up. After the Caimans (6-8, 4-5 Region 15) regained a narrow one-point lead, Salimah Williams struck again with a 2-point basket to put the Express in front, 14-13, with 2:21 to go in the opening period. 

After Hostos tied it at 14, the Blue and Gold finished the stanza strong with a 4-1 run, capped off by a buzzer-beating layup by Beverly Williams to give Monroe an 18-15 benefit after 10 minutes of play.

The Express' strong finish carried over into the second quarter as Monroe – Bronx scored the first seven points of the period to take a commanding 25-15 hold. Hostos added two free throws with 6:03 to go before the break to end the Express' 11-1 run. The Caimans pulled closer as a 3-point field goal by Yuderlis Martinez shrunk Monroe's lead to 25-20 and ended the Caimans' 8:34 stretch without converting a field goal. 

Monroe countered with eight unanswered points, capped off by a layup from Salimah Williams, to take a commanding 33-20 vantage with 4:03 to go until the break. Monroe eventually took a 40-24 lead into the intermission.

The Blue and Gold kept increasing the advantage for the majority of the third stanza as a 3-point field goal by Jhency Pabon gave the Express their largest lead of the game at 56-32 with 4:22 to go in the period. After Hostos scored next, Salimah Williams answered right back with a layup to regain Monroe's 24-point cushion. The score after three quarters ended up being 64-42 in favor of the Express.

The Caimans had a strong fourth quarter, pulling to within 12 on three occasions but Monroe did not allow the opposition to get any closer than that, and the Express eventually clinched the regional road win over the defending champions by a score of 78-65.

Also helping Monroe during the evening was Sade Gibbs who produced four points and six rebounds. Tyra Williams snatched three boards and forced a pair of steals. Diamondnique Stephenson also had a trio of rebounds.

For the Caimans, Chantel Howes had 12 points and 10 caroms. Assaitou Traore also had a double-double with 11 points and 13 boards, while blocking four shots. Makayla Lima generated 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals. 

The Express will have time off before hosting Bronx Community College in regional play on Tuesday, January 27. The contest at Monroe Athletic Complex will begin at 6 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, 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.

For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).