LOCH SHELDRAKE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team came from behind to earn a Region 15 victory on the road over SUNY Sullivan Community College, 86-80, at Paul Gerry Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.

The Express (15-4, 11-2 Region 15) trailed by 18 late in the first half and were down by 17 in the early stages of the second stanza. However, Monroe surged with a 39-16 run in the final 14:03 of the game to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat.

Monroe – Bronx takes over sole possession of first place in the regional standings and has won eight regional games in a row. For the overall slate, the Blue and Gold extend the unbeaten stretch to six contests.

Three Express players produced double-doubles during the afternoon. Steven McGriff tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds, while distributing three assists. Jalonie Pittman compiled 14 points and 11 boards, while delivering seven helpers. Michael Samuda came up with 11 points and just as many caroms. He also provided seven assists and three steals. 

Monroe got off to a slow start to the game as they could not get into rhythm shooting the ball, plus the defense allowed the opposition to score at will. A 3-point field goal by Sullivan, courtesy of Quentin Richardson, gave the home team a commanding 38-20 hold with 6:05 to go in the opening half. However, Monroe crawled back as two consecutive buckets from McGriff pulled the Blue and Gold to within 14.

Later in the period, with Monroe down by 12, the Express continued the momentum as Caleb Dunn connected on a key 3-point basket to get his team to within single digits, at 44-35, with 39 seconds left in the first frame. Monroe's defense continued its improvement in the late stages of the stanza as Samuda forced a steal. On that possession, Pittman grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed shot and provided a putback with seven seconds left to narrow the Express' deficit to 44-37. That ended up being the score after 20 minutes of play. 

Monroe managed to pull to within five a couple of times in the beginning of the second half, but Sullivan started playing like it did in the beginning of the game and went on an 18-6 blitz in a span of 3:48, capped off by a 3-point field goal from Hassan Niang, to give the Generals a 64-47 benefit with 14:24 left in regulation. 

The Express regained their composure and sliced into the opposition's lead as a layup by McGriff and back-to-back 3-point buckets by Samuda helped pull the Express to within 10.

After each team added two points, Damien Maldonado took over for Monroe by nailing a jumper and then draining a shot from downtown to shrink his team's disadvantage to 67-62 with 10:01 to go. Monroe's defense then forced a turnover and inched even closer as a successful shot from beyond the arc by Dunn made it a one-possession game at 67-65 with 9:15 left. On the other end of the court, McGriff blocked an opposing shot attempt and Samuda grabbed the rebound. McGriff got the ball and found Dunn, who converted a layup off the fastbreak to even the game at 67. 

The Express fell behind, 68-67, but then Malike Smart drilled a 3-point field goal to catapult Monroe in front, 70-68, with 7:40 remaining in regulation time. It marked the Express' first lead since it was 2-0 in the opening minute of the game.

Fast forward to 6:22 left and Monroe up, 72-70. Pittman connected with McGriff who executed a good jumper to give the Express more breathing room at 74-70. The Generals did not go down quietly as they eventually went on a run to tie the game at 74, and then at 76 with 4:27 to go.

Monroe made the big play as Samuda converted a layup, while being fouled to break the tie. He added the free throw to complete the traditional three-point play and extend the Express' benefit to 79-76 with 4:09 left. 

Later, with Monroe up 80-78, Pittman produced a layup to make it a two-possession game with 1:59 left. That began a 6-0 run that was highlighted by a 3-point field goal by McGriff with 1:13 left and capped off by a free throw from Dunn with 18 ticks remaining, to make it 86-78 in favor of the Blue and Gold. 

The Express' defense locked in and did not allow a field goal during the final 2:38 of the contest. Monroe eventually clinched the come-from-behind regional win, 86-80.

Helping the Blue and Gold off the bench during the afternoon was Dunn who scored 13 points, while Maldonado added 11 points, six boards, and three assists. Smart chipped in with nine points.

"The bench gave us energy," Dunn said. "I am thankful for my teammates for pushing through the adversity and getting the dub."

For SUNY Sullivan, Xavier Beckford generated 21 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Tomas Hernandez had a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while adding four assists and just as many blocks. Niang recorded 17 points, while Richardson produced 15 points, seven assists, and four steals. Sincere Henderson contributed with six points, just as many caroms, four helpers, and a trio of steals. 

Monroe will be back in action next Saturday, January 24, with a non-region clash against nationally ranked No. 5 Northampton Community College. The opening tip at Monroe Athletic Complex is set for 1 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).