SELDEN, N.Y. – The #3-seed Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team's successful 2025-26 season ended on Sunday with a loss in the Region 15 Championship Game to top-seeded and nationally ranked No. 7 Dutchess Community College, 87-64, at Brookhaven Gymnasium.

It was a successful season for the Express as they won 21 games, including two regional playoff games, and advanced to the Region 15 Championship Game for the second year in a row. The Falcons (26-4) won their second straight regional title, and third in the last four years, to earn an automatic spot in the upcoming NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament that will be played in Herkimer, N.Y. from March 11-14. 

For the Express (21-9), sophomore standouts Michael Samuda and Steven McGriff both earned selections to the Region 15 All-Tournament team. Samuda generated 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the Region 15 Title Game. McGriff provided six points and four rebounds in the championship contest. 

Monroe was red-hot to start the game as a 3-point field goal by Samuda and four made free throws from McGriff highlighted an 11-4 run for the Express during the opening 3:36 of the contest.

Dutchess countered with eight unanswered points to jump ahead, 12-11. Malike Smart disrupted the opposition's momentum with a 3-point basket to allow the Blue and Gold to regain the lead at 14-12. After the Express' defense forced a turnover, Adrian Rosario connected on a jumper to extend Monroe's benefit to 16-12 with 12:33 remaining in the half. 

After the Falcons rallied to tie it at 16, Rosario provided the Express more help with a layup to put his team back up by two with 11:26 left in the opening period.

The Falcons snatched the momentum at that point by going on a 9-2 run to catapult to a 25-20 advantage. After Erskin Willingham connected on a layup to pull Monroe to within three, Dutchess provided another surge, this time with an 11-3 blitz to put Monroe in a 36-26 hole with 2:31 remaining in the opening stanza. The defending champions eventually took a 43-32 hold into the intermission.

Samuda opened the second half with a 3-point basket to cut Monroe's deficit to 43-35. Unfortunately for the Blue and Gold, Dutchess took over the game after that by going on a 9-3 run to take a commanding 52-38 vantage with 16:37 remaining in regulation time. The Falcons kept building their lead, eventually reaching a surplus of 29 points before earning an 87-64 win in the region/district championship contest.

Caleb Dunn had a strong game for the Express with career-highs of 15 points and eight rebounds, with the latter stat tying a game high. Damien Maldonado tallied 10 points and four boards.

For Dutchess, Kameron Quinn was named the Region 15 Tournament MVP. He compiled 19 points, four rebounds, and just as many steals during the regional title game. Supreme Niles was selected to the Region 15 All-Tournament team after scoring 15 points during the Falcons' title-clinching game. Daniel Ogunleye provided 13 points and five assists during the afternoon. Shawn Jones brought down a team-high eight rebounds. 

The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team will return to the court in November of 2026.

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).