POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – In a battle of nationally ranked teams in Region 15, the No. 12 Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team fell short to No. 5 Dutchess Community College, 84-79, at Falcon Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.

Both teams were separated by just a half-game for the top spot in the Region 15 standings going into the showdown. Thanks to the Falcons' (19-3, 16-2 Region 15) win, they now lead the Express (18-6, 14-3 Region 15) by 1 1/2 games for first place.

Monroe had a 15-point lead over Dutchess (58-43) with 11:31 left to play, but the home team chipped away and then eventually went on an 8-0 run to jump out to a 77-75 edge with 2:15 left in the game. After Monroe tied it up, the Falcons finished the final 1:36 of the contest scoring six of the game's final eight points, highlighted by two clinching free throws from Supreme Niles with sevens seconds left, to complete the comeback victory.

Leading the way for Monroe during the evening was Steven McGriff who compiled a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while delivering three assists, forcing two steals, and blocking a pair of shots. Jalonie Pittman tied a game-high with 17 points. Paolo Avvento produced 13 points, three boards, and a trio of helpers. Andi Metaliaj added 10 points and four caroms. 

The game was even at 22 points apiece with 6:24 left in the first half. Monroe took over as a layup from Pittman and a jumper by Metaliaj sandwiched a stretch of 12 unanswered points to allow the Express to take a commanding 34-22 hold with 3:30 left before the break. The Falcons finished the half strong with a 10-4 run, concluded by a 3-point field goal from Niles with 21 ticks left, to send both teams into the locker rooms with the Express nursing a 38-32 benefit.

Dutchess chipped away in the early stages of the second half and narrowed Monroe's vantage to just 44-42 with 16:41 left. 

The Express once again snatched control of the contest as a jumper by McGriff began a 14-1 blitz, capped by a floating jump shot courtesy of Avvento, to propel Monroe to a commanding 58-43 lead with 11:31 remaining. 

Dutchess battled back with a 12-4 run that was concluded by a layup from Jordin Walker to cut Monroe's advantage to 62-55 with 8:49 left. 

The Express were able to regain control temporarily, going back up by nine a couple more times. Later in the second half, Dutchess shrunk its deficit to four but then a pair of free throws from Metaliaj extended the Blue and Gold's benefit to 75-69 with 3:48 remaining in regulation time.

The Falcons stormed back by scoring five straight points to pull to within one. It got worse for Monroe as Nouhoun Diarra forced a steal and then buried a 3-point dagger to put the Falcons ahead, 77-75, with 2:15 left.

Monroe ended Dutchess' 8-0 run thanks to a jumper by Damien Maldonado that tied the game with 1:57 to go. On the next possession, however, Kameron Quinn converted a layup to allow the Falcons to retake the lead at 79-77 with 1:36 left on the clock. 

The Express tried a 3-point field goal on the next possession but missed. Dutchess came down with the rebound. Jadyn Wilson was fouled and went to the line with 1:01 left. He drained both free-throw opportunities to make it a two-possession game at 81-77. 

Monroe did not go down quietly as Metaliaj found McGriff who executed a layup to slice the Express' deficit to two with 45 seconds to go. 

With 20 seconds left, Monroe committed a foul which sent Walker to the line. He missed the first, but made the second, to extend the home team's lead to three. 

The Express had a chance to tie it with 10 seconds left but a 3-point field goal attempt did not connect with the rim and Supreme secured the defensive rebound before being fouled intentionally. He drained both insurance free throws with seven seconds left to put the Blue and Gold in a 84-79 hole and that ended up being the final score.

Helping the Express during the evening was Maldonado who finished with nine points, six rebounds, and four assists. Adrian Rosario netted eight points and blocked three shots.

For the Falcons, Quinn provided 17 points, four rebounds, just as many assists, and four steals. Niles and Walker each added 13 points, with the latter picking up three boards and a trio of steals. Josiah Salmon recorded 12 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Diarra added 13 points and three rebounds. Wilson provided eight points and just as many boards.

Monroe – Bronx will continue its Region 15 road trip on Thursday evening against Queensborough Community College. Tipoff at RFK Gymnasium is set for 7 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).