BEL AIR, Md., November 7, 2018 – In its 2018-19 season opener, the Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team dropped an 88-63 decision at Harford Community College Wednesday evening at the APGFCU Arena. The Mustangs open the year at 0-1, while Harford improves to 3-0.
 
The Fighting Owls jumped out to a quick 11-4 lead over the first four minutes of the game. A layup by Aneisha Lyons, followed by a three for Phyness Baldwin brought the Mustangs back within two. Harford then scored eight straight to take a 19-9 advantage with 4:09 left in the first. Harford's lead grew to 17 points, but the Mustangs cut it down to 12, leaving the Fighting Owls up, 30-18, heading into the second quarter.
 
Both teams traded baskets until the final minute of the second frame. Harford picked up six points in the final 22 seconds of the half, taking a 50-29 edge into the locker room.
 
Lyons, Courtney Irabor and Baldwin each tied for the team lead with five points at the break. Lyons and Baldwin both grabbed three rebounds, while Baldwin also led with three steals.
 
Early in the third, Harford took a 56-31 lead on a layup by Elaija Demeza. Back-to-back layups by Ty-Tiana Parker, followed by a jumper from Baldwin cut the deficit to 19. Later, Harford's 23 point lead shrunk to 16 with four points by Devon Adams and a three by Lyons. Harford closed out the third with a 70-46 advantage.
 
Both teams went back-and-forth for much of the fourth quarter, with the Mustangs cutting the deficit to 22 at the 3:37 mark with another long ball by Lyons, but the Fighting Owls wrapped it up with an 88-63 final score.
 
Lyons finished with 16 points to lead the Mustangs on Tuesday, adding three boards and a pair of takeaways. Adams added 10 points off the bench. Baldwin finished with seven points, four steals, four assists and five rebounds. Irabor also netted seven points with four boards and a pair of assists.
 
The Mustangs head back down to Maryland this weekend to compete in the Montgomery College Tip-Off Classic in Rockville, Md. They open the weekend on Saturday, Nov. 10, with a matchup against Frederick Community College at 1 p.m. The Mustangs wrap up their trip on Sunday, Nov. 11, with a 3 p.m. tip-off against host Montgomery.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 27 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus as of the fall of 2017, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
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).