New Rochelle, N.Y. – The Monroe College men's basketball team opened the Monroe Holiday Classic with an 80-61 win over Tennessee Prep on Monday in New Rochelle.  The team is now 12-4 on the season.
 
The Mustangs jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the contest, with the first four points coming from Shackquiel Scott.  The second bucket came off a steal and assist from Taequan Givens.  Scott led all scorers with 18 points on 7-12 shooting.  Sophomore center, Ran Tut, made his first appearance of the season in this game, and got on the scoreboard almost five minutes in by sinking a free throw.  Tut would pull down a game-high 13 rebounds to go with six points.
 
Leading by six at the 4:50 mark, Monroe rallied to push the lead to double-digits.  A Jarron Chapman layup made the score 24-16.  Givens stole the ensuing possession and fed Hampus Ahlin, who was fouled.  The Swede made both foul shots and the Mustangs led 26-16 with 4:04 left.  A Will Taveras jumper at the buzzer put Monroe ahead at the half, 35-22.
 
The Mustangs methodically crept away from the Diplomats in the second half.  Stingy defense led to  a pair of shot clock violations and consistent running pushed the lead up to as many as 27 points, when a Tyler Ancrum layup put Monroe up 61-34, with 11:53 remaining.  They cruised to an 80-61 win.
 
Givens finished with a dozen points and a team-best three assists.  Scott fell one rebound shy of a double-double.  Ahlin scored 15 points and was a perfect, 5-of-5 from the charity stripe.
 
The Monroe College men's basketball team returns to action on Tuesday, December 29, at 4:00 PM.  They host Three Rivers College in day two of the Monroe Holiday Classic.