NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., December 5, 2017 – In its first non-tournament home game of the 2017-18 campaign, the Monroe College men's basketball team rolled to a 104-69 victory over Union County College on Tuesday at the Monroe Athletic Complex. Monroe improves to 7-4 on the year with the win, while Union County drops to 3-6.
 
After some quick back-and-forth that saw Monroe fall behind, 5-2, the Mustangs went on an early 13-0 run, including nine points by Jhery Matos, to take a 15-5 advantage in the first five minutes. The Owls managed to narrow the gap, clawing within six points at 23-17 with 8:27 left in the half, but the Mustangs took over once again when Isaiah Ward drained a three. D'Andre Simpson responded with a long ball for the Owls, but Monroe turned it right back around with six points in a row to go up by 12. Simpson made a trio of free throws late in the half to get the visitors back within 11, but Monroe scored the final five points of the frame to take a 43-27 advantage into the break.
 
Monroe came out hot in the second half, opening up the period with a 15-6 run to claim a 58-33 lead five minutes in. Monroe pushed its lead all the way to 36 points with an 11-0 run that culminated in back-to-back layups for Andre Morgan with just over four minutes remaining. A 9-3 run shortly after made it a 39-point game, leading to the eventual 35-point victory for the Mustangs.
 
Thomas Binelli led the Mustangs with 17 points on the evening, adding nine rebounds and three assists. Morgan tallied a double-double off the bench with 12 points and 10 rebounds, making the most of his 12 minutes on the hardwood. Matos contributed 13 points and six assists, while Isaiah Ward picked up 12 points. Bryan Assie also reached double-figures with 10 points, adding five boards.
 
The Mustangs shot 49.4 percent from the field in the win, while holding their opponents to 39.7 percent shooting. They outrebounded the Owls by a commanding 54-30 margin, while also forcing 26 turnovers compared to just 16 for the Mustangs.
 
The Mustangs will hit the road on Thursday, Dec. 7, when they visit Harford Community College. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. following the women's contest between Monroe and Harford.
 
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).