NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., December 10, 2017 – In its final matchup of the Monroe College Roundball Classic, the Monroe College men's basketball team defeated Macomb Community College, 81-64, Sunday afternoon at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 9-5 on the season with the win, while Macomb falls to 5-2.
 
The Mustangs fell behind, 4-2, before back-to-back threes by Jhery Matos and Thomas Binelli put them ahead, 8-4. Kavon Bey hit a jumper for the Monarchs, but Matos hit another three, and Isaiah Ward followed with a jumper to put Monroe up by seven. Macomb then turned it around with four straight three-pointers for a 12-0 run that put the Monarchs ahead, 18-13. Monroe responded with a 9-0 run of its own to take the lead back. Late in the period, Damont Kearse scored on back-to-back trips down the court to give Monroe a 34-27 edge, but Macomb finished the half with a pair of free throws by David Gomez, leaving the Mustangs up, 34-29, heading into the break.
 
Macomb scored the first five points of the second half to tie the game at 34. Monroe then went on a seven-point run, including two straight baskets for Binelli. Later in the frame, Monroe scored six straight, but Macomb responded with a nine-point rally to get back within nine with 7:08 to play. The Mustangs regained their composure, pushing their lead back to 13 points with just 4:08 left in regulation. Macomb got back within 10 points, but Monroe went on an 8-0 run late to go up by 18, eventually holding on for the 17-point win.
 
Matos picked up 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists to lead Monroe to victory on Sunday. Binelli matched his 22 points, adding five boards and a pair of assists. Bryan Assie netted 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals to fill up the stat sheet. Isaiah Ward dished out a game-high eight assists while scoring nine points. Monroe shot 46.6 percent from the field in the win.
 
Monroe takes the rest of December off before getting back to work on Tuesday, Jan. 2, when they open the Eastern Florida Classic in Melbourne, Fla. The Mustangs will take on host Eastern Florida State College on Jan. 2 at 7 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, has six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level as of 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).