NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 19, 2018 – The Monroe College women's basketball team dropped a 73-55 decision to Division II's No. 1-ranked team, Monroe Community College, after the visitors made a late-game push on Monday at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs drop to 13-12 with the loss, while the Tribunes improve to 24-2.
 
The Mustangs quickly took a 4-2 lead on the Tribunes, but an 11-0 run for the visitors gave Monroe Community College a 13-4 lead at the 6:05 mark of the first quarter. A 7-0 run got the Mustangs back within a point, but the Tribunes netted the next six to go back up by eight. Later, Phyness Baldwin drained a three for the final points of the first, leaving the Mustangs down, 21-16, heading to the next period.
 
The Mustangs began chipping away at the deficit throughout the second quarter, drawing within two by the 3:47 mark after a layup by Baldwin. Jaynelle Robinson put the Tribunes back up by four, but Jessica Degree and Baldwin scored on back-to-back possessions to tie the game at 27-27.
 
Shalix Hines scored to put the Tribunes back in the lead, but Cristina Soriano laid one in while getting fouled, and converted the three-point play to put the Mustangs in the lead. Degree then scored the final two buckets of the half, both off great passes from Baldwin, to give the Mustangs a 34-29 advantage heading into the break.
 
The Tribunes opened the third quarter with a 9-4 run, tying the game at 38-38. The Mustangs were later able to take a 45-41 advantage after Amani Williams scored on a pair of layups, but the Tribunes then scored the final five points of the frame to go up, 46-45, heading into the fourth.
 
Monroe Community College added another four points to start the final frame to go up, 50-45. A trio of three-pointers for the Tribunes helped push their lead out to 61-51, and a 5-0 run shortly after made it a 13-point game. The visitors closed out the game with a 7-0 rally to close out the victory.
 
Williams led the Mustangs with 13 points on the afternoon, added a pair of assists and a pair of steals. Soriano finished with 10 rebounds, adding nine points and three blocks. Phyness Baldwin added nine points, four rebounds and a team-high six assists.
 
The Mustangs have a quick turnaround, as they play next tomorrow, Feb. 20, against UConn Avery Point at the Monroe Athletic Complex. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. following the men's basketball team's matchup against Isaiah Christopher Academy.
 
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 2017 season.
 
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).