New Rochelle, N.Y. –The Monroe College Men's JV basketball team's late rally fell short in a 71-67 loss to Prestige Prep on Thursday in New Rochelle. Three Mustangs reached double-figures in scoring, led by Kenwyn Christian with 15 points.

The Mustangs were up 4-1 in the first three minutes of action with points from Nolen Irby and Andre Morgan. Later, with the score even at 8-8, Monroe's Kenwyn Christian scored a three-pointer and James Brady drove in a layup bringing the score to 13-9 with 13:29 left in the half.

A basket by Christian with 5:12 left gave the Mustangs their largest lead of the half, six points, making the score 26-20. The Patriots closed the gap and Monroe led at halftime, 34-33.

The second half opened with a three-point-play by Morgan to put the Mustangs ahead, 37-33. Prestige Prep took control from there and built a ten point cushion with 9:36 left in the game. The ten lead grew to 12 for the Eagles and Monroe was down 64-52 with 4:02 remaining.

Morgan hit a layup.  Prestige responded with a foul shot. Michael-Roy Miller brought the Mustangs within eight points after converting a three-point-play. Irby and Miller followed with baskets and the score was 65-61 with 1:21 on the clock. An Eagles three-pointer pushed the lead back to seven, but Monroe came right back. Lamontrell Rice scored five straight points and the Mustangs were within two, at 68-66, with 0:35 left. Monroe got no closer than two points and Prep won 71-67
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Christian led the team in scoring with 15 points. Brady added 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Irby finished with 12 points. Rice and Morgan added nine points each. Monroe shot 52.9% for the game.

The Monroe College JV team heads upstate this weekend for games against St. John Fisher and Herkimer CC.