BRONX – The No. 3-seed Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team earned a thrilling come-from-behind victory in its Region 15 Quarterfinal contest over No. 6-seed Borough of Manhattan Community College, 64-53, at Alumni Gymnasium (Bronx Community College Campus) on Wednesday evening. 

Monroe (20-8) trailed by seven twice in the early stages of the second half but after falling behind that margin a second time, the Express exploded for 11 unanswered points to take a 45-41 edge with 10:23 to go. The Blue and Gold did not surrender the lead for the remainder of the contest and eventually built it to an 11-point advantage and won the game by that surplus.

The Express punch their ticket to the Region 15 Semifinal round for the fifth straight year, which will take place on Saturday evening on the campus of Suffolk County Community College. Monroe will take on No. 7-seed SUNY Sullivan Community College at 7:30 p.m. The Generals earned their spot after upsetting No. 2-seed Queensborough Community College, 65-61, in Wednesday's regional quarterfinal matchup at Nassau Main Gym.

"Tonight's victory was hard-fought," Express Head Coach Chris Neely said. "At halftime we were down. We regrouped and focused on the defensive end. Anytime you play a regional team a third time at the end of the season, it's very difficult. We have been playing tough games all year and those challenging region and non-region contests prepared us for this moment."

It seemed like Monroe was going to have an easy time during the early stages of the game as a 3-point basket by Malike Smart surged the home team to a 16-6 benefit. The Panthers (10-15) flipped the script and scored the next four points to cut it to six. 

The Express fought off the opposition to regain an eight-point advantage a couple of times, but a 3-point field goal by the Panthers' Brandon Duran suddenly made it a five-point game. That began an 11-0 run for Borough of Manhattan. After a free throw by Duran evened it up at 20, Monroe went scoreless on the next possession. BMCC took advantage as Duran drained a triple to give the Panthers their first lead of the game at 23-20 with 5:20 to go in the first period. 

Later in the half, with the contest tied at 27, Duran struck again from 3-point land to put the Express in a 30-27 hole with 1:48 remaining before the break. Fast forward to 42 ticks left on the clock. Jayport Smith connected on a free throw to extend Manhattan's lead to 31-27 and that ended up being the score after 20 minutes of play.

The Panthers got off to a strong start in the second frame as Duran once again connected from beyond the arc to build the visiting team's lead to 39-32, less than five minutes in. A jumper by Michael Samuda pushed the Express closer but then Tyleek Turner answered with a basket of his own to equal BMCC"s largest lead of the evening at 41-34 with 14:22 remaining in regulation time. 

Monroe got back on track as a layup by Smart pulled his team to within five. After the Panthers' lead was narrowed to 41-38, Samuda forced a steal to continue the Express' momentum. Smart capitalized as he converted a layup, while being fouled, to the delight of the roaring Monroe fans. He added a successful free-throw attempt to complete the traditional three-point play and tie the game at 41 with 11:27 remaining.

Smart forced another steal for the Blue and Gold. On the next play, Andi Metaliaj grabbed an offensive rebound and tipped the ball into the basket to give Monroe a 43-41 lead with 10:54 to go. The Express' smothering defense forced another scoreless possession and then Smart connected on a jumper to extend Monroe's benefit to 45-41 and cap off 11 unanswered points by the home team. 

The Express held the lead the rest of the way. BMCC kept it close for the next few minutes but then Monroe – Bronx began to pull away as Caleb Dunn buried a 3-point dagger with 7:42 left to inflate his team's vantage to 52-45. Monroe's defense forced a turnover and once again, Metaliaj provided a putback basket to extend the Express' lead to 54-45. 

The Blue and Gold's strong contesting defense once again prevented BMCC from scoring and the Express increased their cushion to 11 on the other end thanks to an offensive rebound and then tip-in basket by Erskin Willingham with 5:47 left. 

BMCC managed to shrink Monroe's advantage to five (58-53) with 1:49 to go but the Express' defense shut down the opposition the rest of the way and then Samuda and Dunn combined to hit six key free throws in the closing stretch to clinch the 64-53 win for Monroe – Bronx and a berth in the regional semifinals.

"We had a great game tonight," Dunn said. "We gave everything we had. I appreciate my team as we look to keep moving forward day by day until we get better."

Samuda finished the game with 13 points, five rebounds, just as many steals, and three assists for the Express. Steven McGriff had a near double-double with eight points and a game-best 10 rebounds. Dunn recorded 11 points and four caroms. Smart tallied 10 points and six rebounds. Jalonie Pittman added seven points and seven boards. Willingham snatched seven rebounds. Metaliaj compiled six points, five caroms, and four assists.

For BMCC, Duran generated a game-high 23 points. Turner had a solid game with six points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and a pair of steals. 

For updates and results of Monroe – Bronx's Region 15 Semifinal contest, 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.

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).