BAYSIDE, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 12 Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team suffered its second straight loss in Region 15 play on Thursday night, this time dropping a 71-62 score to Queensborough Community College at RFK Gymnasium.

The Tigers (17-6, 15-5 Region 15) have swept the two-game regular season head-to-head series over the Express (18-7, 14-4 Region 15). Monroe remains in second place by percentage points over Queensborough who sits in third.

The Tigers led the battle from wire to wire, jumping out to a 13-3 run to start the night and Monroe – Bronx never recovered. 

The rock-bottom portion of the evening for the Express occurred with 10:42 remaining in the contest when Jusuf Mrkulik converted a layup to give Queensborough its largest lead of the game at 59-31.

Monroe did not go down without a fight, chipping away at the deficit during the remainder of the matchup. With just 1:05 remaining, Caleb Dunn connected on a layup to cap a 28-6 run for the Express to narrow their disadvantage to just seven (66-59). 

Unfortunately for Monroe, Derick Charles got the Tigers back on track by producing a layup, while being fouled. He added the free throw to complete the traditional three-point play and put Queensborough back up by double digits with 52 ticks left on the clock. 

Monroe battled back as Josmar Acevedo drained a 3-point field goal with 42 seconds remaining to get the Express back to within seven. The momentum was cut short as Charles converted a layup with 23 seconds to go which put the home team up 71-62 and that ended up being the final score. 

For the Express, Paolo Avvento scored 16 points, while Steven McGriff had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, plus three assists. Jalonie Pittman netted 12 points and gathered three rebounds. Damien Maldonado compiled seven points and six boards, while Acevedo added eight points. Michael Samuda snatched six caroms of his own, while Adrian Rosario pulled down five.

For the Tigers, Byron Sun scored a game-high 20 points. Diego Cruz Lopez compiled 12 points, six rebounds, and five steals. Jhereme Asamoah recorded 11 points, six helpers, and four boards. Charles chipped in with 12 points, three rebounds, and a trio of assists off the bench. Mrkulic finished with 10 points and eight caroms.

On Saturday, Monroe – Bronx will host Suffolk County Community College for Sophomore Day. The contest is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., at Monroe Athletic Complex, with a ceremony to honor the sophomores set to begin before tipoff. 

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).