NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., January 5, 2019 – The Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team returned from its New Year's trip to Florida with a newfound spark, rolling to a 93-66 victory over Harford Community College on Saturday at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 12-5 on the season with the win, while the Fighting Owls fall to 10-6.
 
The Mustangs took control early on, opening the game on a 6-0 run, followed shortly after by five straight points by Mouhamadou Gueye to give the Mustangs a quick 11-2 advantage. The Fighting Owls cut the deficit down to three at 13-10, but the Mustangs scored the next five to go back up by eight. The Mustangs held a 22-14 lead before going on an 8-0 run to go ahead by 16 points with 9:05 left in the half.
 
The Mustangs kept their distance, going up 36-20 with 4:41 left before halftime. The Fighting Owls responded with a 7-0 run to draw within nine, but Daniel Cabassa closed out the half with a three to leave the Mustangs up, 39-27, heading into the locker room.
 
Cabassa and Gueye shared the team lead of nine points at the break. Gueye also had a team-high five rebounds after 20 minutes. Zion Styles and Juan Felix Rodriguez matched with three assists apiece.
 
The Mustangs scored the first five points of the new half, but the Fighting Owls responded with the next eight. Monroe fired back with 11 in a row to take a 55-35 advantage with nearly 15 minutes left in regulation. After Harford got two back, the Mustangs went on an 11-2 run to take a commanding 27-point lead with 11:43 on the clock.
 
Harford gained some momentum later in the game, cutting the deficit down to 18 with 5:38 to play. Monroe fired back with a 14-2 run to go back up by 30. Harford scored 5-of-7 late, but the Mustangs wrapped things up with a 27-point victory.
 
Styles and Cabassa each finished with 16 points in the win, with Styles adding five assists and Cabassa picking up six rebounds. Rodriguez was close to a triple-double with nine points, nine assists and seven boards. Gueye and Martinez added 11 points apiece off the bench, while Ebrima Jassey Demba contributed 10. Gueye also pulled down seven rebounds, blocked three shots and picked up three steals.
 
The Mustangs continue their six-game home stand on Thursday, Jan. 10, when they host Roxbury Community College at the MAC. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
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).