New Rochelle, N.Y. – The Monroe College JV Basketball team used a bucket from Michael-Roy Miller in the final seconds of the game to lift the team to a 58-57 victory over Prestige Prep in the first-ever playoff game in the newly formed American International Postgrad Conference. The Mustangs were down 12 points in the second half and used a spirited defense effort to mount a comeback.
 
Both teams started off slowly on the offensive end, combining for 12 points in the first eight minutes of game time. Down 7-5, Andre Morgan took a defensive rebound coast-to-coast for a dunk that brought the crowd to their feet and evened the score at 7-7. At the 9:13 mark, a Morgan three-point play put Monroe up, 12-8. Prestige Prep came back and led at the half, 26-21.
 
Eventually, Prep built a 13-point cushion after a basket at 11:03 made the score 46-33. From there, the Mustangs turned up the defensive intensity and started on a massive comeback. Morgan started the scoring with a layup. LaMontrell Rice added a foul shot. A Morgan steal on the defensive end led to a couple of free throws from the forward, bringing the score to 46-38 with 10:01 left. Two more steals on the defensive end and a Morgan three-point play pulled Monroe within six, at 51-45, with 6:54 left.
 
After a Prestige Prep missed jumper, a Mario Hernandez defensive rebound led to a James Brady layup, making the score 51-47. Kenwyn Christian pulled the Mustangs within two after sinking two foul shots with six minutes on the clock. A steal and finish from Nolen Irby a minute later tied the score at 51-51. Monroe took the lead for the first time in the half on a Brady foul shot at 4:31.

The game was back and forth from there, with both sides swapping the lead. Eventually, Prestige Prep led 57-56. Coach Chris Neely called a timeout with 0:18 remaining after Monroe got the ball on another turnover from Prep. Out of the respite, the Mustangs held the ball until the final seconds. With six seconds left, Miller nailed a pull-up jumper from the foul line to put Monroe up, 58-57. A desperation toss from Prestige Prep fell short, and the Mustangs completed the improbable comeback.
 
Morgan was the offensive leader for the Mustangs, scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds. Brady finished with 13 points, and Irby came off the bench to score 11. As a team, Monroe forced Prep into ten second-half turnovers.
 
The team will play in the second-round of the AIPGC Playoffs against Our Saviour Lutheran School on Friday, March 10^th, at 7:00 PM in the Bronx.