ROCHESTER, N.Y., November 12, 2017 – In the final game of the Murph Shapiro Tournament, the Monroe College women's basketball team fell to tournament host Monroe Community College in a close 76-68 decision on Sunday. The Mustangs fall to 2-2 on the season with the loss, while the host Tribunes improve to 6-1 on the season.
 
Jessica Degree opened the game with back-to-back buckets for an early Mustang lead. A layup by Samantha Hines later in the quarter pushed Monroe's lead to 13-7, and on the Mustangs' next possession, Amani Williams drained a three to make it a 16-8 game. The Tribunes hit a pair of threes down the stretch, while Phyness Baldwin responded with one of her own, leaving Monroe ahead, 19-16, heading to the second.
 
The Tribunes opened the second frame with a 13-0 run to take a 29-19 advantage. Hines ended the run with a layup, and then Baldwin nailed a three to get back within five. Both teams traded a couple baskets for the rest of the quarter, sending the game to the half with the Tribunes ahead, 33-26.
 
Jada Banks opened the third with a quick three to get back within four, but a three and a lay-in for the Tribunes put the home team back up by nine. The Mustangs chipped away late in the period when Tatiyana Parker made back-to-back layups to get within four, but a three for Monroe Community College's Sierra Green made id seven points again in the final seconds of the quarter. Hines got a chance to go to the line with five seconds left, and made both chances to go to the fourth trailing, 48-43.
 
An early layup by Hines, followed by back-to-back twos for Parker put the Mustangs back on top by one. A pair of free throws gave the lead back to the home team, but Shanice Graves responded with a jumper to go back ahead. The Tribunes came right back with a two-pointer of their own to go up, 52-51, with 7:36 left to play. The Tribunes later went on a 12-2 run, regaining an 11-point advantage with just 2:52 left in regulation.
 
The deficit grew to as much as 12 before the Mustangs went on an 8-0 run, capped off by back-to-back threes for Banks and Graves, to get Monroe within four. A pair of fouls then allowed the Tribunes to take four straight free throws, and they made all four to go back up by eight with just 32 seconds to play, allowing them to eventually hold on for the eight-point win.
 
Hines had a big day for the Mustangs, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. She also led the team with a pair of blocks. Graves finished with 10 points off the bench and added six boards. Lisana Burnett led the team with seven assists while adding seven rebounds and two points. Williams contributed eight points, five boards and four assists.
 
The Mustangs will play next on Saturday, Nov. 18, when they host Gateway Community College as part of the two-day Monroe Classic tournament at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs' home opener is set to begin at 3 p.m. following the opening matchup of ASA College vs. Hostos Community College at 1 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, will have six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level beginning in the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe College Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).