CARNEYS POINT, N.J. – The nationally ranked No. 5 Monroe University – Bronx women's basketball team earned an impressive victory on the road over NJCAA Division II Salem Community College, 51-46, at DuPont Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening. The Express extend their winning streak to seven games and advance their record to 14-1 for the year.

Monroe was down 46-45 with 6:52 remaining in the game but the defense did not allow a single point by Salem (2-9) the rest of the way. Aneyah McLamb scored the final six points of the contest for Monroe to clinch the come-from-behind victory. The Express held the opposition to zero made field goals during the last 7:43 of the contest. 

"We didn't play smart, but we played hard," Express Head Coach Damel Ling said. 'Our effort got us the win tonight. We also locked in defensively in the second half which was big for us tonight."

Monroe forced 26 turnovers during the evening and scored 19 points off Salem's miscues. The Blue and Gold drained six 3-point field goals during the evening compared to only three successful shots from downtown by the Mighty Oaks.

The Express got off to a great start as a 3-point field goal by Lea Tavarez gave Monroe a 13-3 advantage with just 3:17 remaining in the opening period. However, Salem finished the quarter with 10 unanswered points to even the game at 13 heading to the second.

The Might Oaks' momentum carried from the opening stanza to the next as a layup by Justine Cardona capped off a 6-3 run to start the quarter, and a 16-3 rally overall, to give the home team a 19-16 benefit. 

Salimah Williams responded for Monroe by draining a triple to tie it up. Salem shrugged off the setback with a 6-1 blitz, concluded by a shot from beyond the arc by Paula Wilson, to give the Mighty Oaks their largest lead of the game at 25-20 with 4:02 to go until the break. The Express countered with five unanswered points sealed off by a steal and then a fastbreak layup courtesy of McLamb to even it up at 25. 

Later in the quarter, with Monroe down 30-29, Beverly Williams got the Express back on track with a steal and then a fastbreak layup to put the Blue and Gold in front with 2:06 remaining until the break. The Express ended up taking a 33-31 edge into the intermission. 

Monroe got off to a slow start in the second half, falling behind 39-36. However, a 3-point shot by Beverly Williams allowed Monroe to tie it up. After getting a stop on the defensive end, Salimah Williams provided a layup to give Monroe - Bronx a 41-39 edge with 1:57 to go in the third. 

The Express built their lead to three a few times before a string of four answered points by the Mighty Oaks in the fourth quarter dug Monroe in a 46-45 hole with 6:52 remaining.  The Express' defense did not allow a single point the rest of the way.

A layup by McLamb gave Monroe the lead for good at 47-46 with 6:00 left to play. She then scored four more points, including a layup with 39 seconds left that put Monroe up by two possessions, to clinch the 51-46 victory.

McLamb finished the night with 14 points and seven rebounds for the Express. Salimah Williams tallied 15 points, five boards, two assists, and a duo of steals. Beverly Williams had 13 points, five caroms, just as many steals, and a trio of assists. Jazmyne Rios added six points and eight rebounds, while Tyra Williams snatched eight caroms of her own.

For Salem, Cardona had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Tanija Shaw provided 10 points and four caroms. Ray'Nescia King secured nine boards, while Daniella Gustin compiled eight points and eight rebounds.

It will be a battle of top five teams in the country on Thursday evening as No. 5 Monroe – Bronx hosts No. 4 Community College of Rhode Island. Tipoff at Monroe Athletic Complex is set for 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).