NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., November 22, 2019 – In the team's first home game since the season opener on Nov. 7, the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team picked up a 78-64 victory over Hagerstown Community College on the first night of the Monroe College Invitational at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 3-2 on the year with the win, while the Hawks fall to 3-2.
 
The Mustangs gained an early advantage when a three by Elijah Mitchell capped off an 8-0 run, putting Monroe ahead, 10-3. Monroe's lead reached double figures when a layup by Luis Herrera put the Mustangs ahead, 23-13. The lead grew to 13 points before the Hawks were able to get back on the board. Monroe powered its way to a 16-point lead when Juan Felix Rodriguez and Akeem Tate a pair of threes to put Monroe on top, 34-18, with 5:41 left in the first half. The Mustangs continued to hold a lead in the teens until a three by Hagerstown's Dwight Felton with three seconds left sent the game to the half with Monroe up, 41-29.
 
The Mustangs spread the ball around in the first half, with Zion Styles and Jeremiah Kendall leading the way with nine and eight points, respectively. Rodriguez, Mitchell and Thompson each had five points at the break.
 
The Mustangs matched their game-high lead of 16 a number of times early in the second half, but were unable to push their advantage past that point. Their double-digit lead finally got past 16 when a layup by Kendall made it a 64-47 game, but seven straight points by the Hawks got them back within 10 with four minutes to play.
 
The Mustangs continued to hang on to a sizable lead, but a late run by the Hawks got them back within eight at 71-63 with 1:35 left on the clock. Kendall then responded by sinking a layup through a foul, completing the three-point play to once again push the lead to double digits. Styles was sent to the line shortly after and made both shots to put Monroe up by 13. The Hawks had a few chances to score, but only came away with one more point the rest of the way, as the Mustangs picked up the 14-point victory.
 
After a big second half, Kendall finished with a double-double, leading the team with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Styles added 17 points and led the team with five assists. Marcus Thompson contributed eight rebounds and five points off the bench. Julio Pascual registered a team-leading three blocks to go with four points and three boards.
 
The Mustangs will play again in Saturday's second contest, a 2 p.m. matchup with Harford Community College. Saturday will feature two more men's basketball games as part of the Monroe Invitational, including ASA College vs. Hagerstown at 12 p.m., and later, SUNY Sullivan vs. Harcum College at 4 p.m. The Monroe Thanksgiving Classic women's tournament will also begin Saturday evening, featuring ASA vs. CCBC-Essex at 6 p.m., followed by Monroe vs. Nassau Community College at 8 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 12 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).