New Rochelle, N.Y. – The fans whom packed the Monroe Athletic Complex to overflowing for the men's basketball team's home opener on Tuesday, were treated to a great game that saw Will Tavares lead a second-half surge to lift the Mustangs to a 61-50 win.  Tavares finished with 20 points, while Shackquiel Scott recorded a double-double of 18 points and ten rebounds.
 
Canarias held the lead for the first seven minutes of play in the first half.  Monroe would finally grab a lead when Taquan Givens found Lawahn Lewis on the break for a layup at the 13:02 mark.  The score was 13-12 for the Mustangs.  Canarias answered back and took a four-point.  Eventually Scott made a pair of free throws late in the half to make the score even at 27-all heading into the locker room.
 
Canarias maintained their lead deep into the second half.  They pushed their cushion to six points, but Will Tavares took the game over with 7:45 to go.  He slashed through the lane and made a layup to make the score 41-40 for Canarias.  A minute later, he grabbed a rebound off a missed shot and went coast-to-coast for a layup that made the score 42-41 for Monroe.  On the next possession, the sophomore from Providence, Rhode Island, brought the crowd out of their seats with a three-pointer. 
 
A Kemar Campbell dunk got the fans cheering again and gave the Mustangs a 47-41 lead with 4:55 left.  Campbell stole the ball on the defensive end, found Tyler Ancrum on the break and finished with the tenacious dunk.  A layup by Tavares with 1:28 left gave Monroe its largest lead of the game, 11 points.    The Mustangs went on to win 61-50.  The win was the second-straight for Monroe.  The Mustangs outscored Canarias off turnovers, 18-0.
 
The Monroe College men's basketball team returns to action on Saturday, November 21, when they host Monroe Community Classic at 3PM in the Monroe College Invitational.