GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - The Monroe University - Bronx men's basketball team concluded the regular season with a loss in Region 15 play to Nassau Community College, 76-66, at Nassau Main Gym on Tuesday evening.

Monroe heads to the regional playoffs with a 15-5 record in region competition and 19-8 overall. The Express will enter the Region 15 Postseason as the No. 3 seed. Monroe finished tied for second in the standings with Queensborough Community College, but the Tigers won the tiebreaker based on the head-to-head record. Monroe will open up regional tournament play on Tuesday, February 24, at Monroe Athletic Complex beginning at 7 p.m. The opponent will be announced soon. 

Nassau advances to 13-10 overall and 13-6 in the region. The Lions' seeding is still to be determined as they have one more Region 15 game left in the regular season. 

Monroe got off to a good start in the contest, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. Nassau went on a 13-5 run to jump out in front. The Express answered back by going on a surge as a dunk from Adrian Rosario put the Blue and Gold up, 18-15, with 9:25 left in the opening half. Later in the stanza, Jalonie Pittman converted a layup to extend Monroe's benefit to 22-17 with 7:48 left before the break. 

The Express kept fighting the Lions off for the majority of the opening period as a layup by Erskin Willingham gave his team a 28-25 edge with 3:42 left in the first stanza.  However, Nassau finished the half strong with a 6-2 run, capped off by a jumper from Amir Reushell-Sanders with 27 ticks left on the clock, to give the Lions a 31-30 benefit after 20 minutes of play. 

Monroe - Bronx played catch-up throughout the second stanza. The Lions never surrendered its advantage and built its lead all the way up to 14 before earning the 76-66 victory.

For the Express, Pittman registered 14 points and six rebounds during the evening. Steven McGriff added 13 points and seven caroms. Off the bench, Rosario added 12 points and six boards. Damien Maldonado netted nine points, while Michael Samuda added six points, a trio of caroms, and just as many assists. Andi Metaliaj brought down four rebounds.

For the Lions, Glen Mcbeth Jr. tallied a game-high 26 points. Reushell-Sanders compiled 15 points, four helpers, and three caroms. Isaiah Blunt had a near double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Charlie Destefano provided eight points, seven blocks, and five boards. Camren Walker recorded six points, just as many rebounds, and five assists. Evan Pasik chipped in with six points and five rebounds.

For updates regarding the Region 15 Playoffs for Monroe - Bronx, check out www.MonroeExpress.com, as well as our social media channels. 

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.

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