BEL AIR, Md., November 30, 2019 – The Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team closed out the first day of the Harford Community College Hoops Classic Friday evening with an 88-67 victory over CCBC Catonsville at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena. The Mustangs improve to 4-3 on the season with the win, while the Cardinals drop to 3-4.
 
The Cardinals got the early jump in Friday's contest, taking a 9-2 lead with 7:02 still on the clock in the first quarter. It was all Mustangs from there, as they closed out those final seven minutes on a 17-2 run, capped off by a three by Cheyenne Talbot with just six seconds left, to take a 19-11 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Mustangs continued to roll into the second period, going up, 29-13, with five minutes left until the half. The Cardinals managed to cut the deficit in half at 31-23 with just over two minutes to play in the quarter, but the Mustangs netted the final seven points before the break to take a 38-23 advantage into the locker room.
 
Monroe pushed its lead to 18 points with 6:47 left in the third quarter, but the Cardinals then began to make a big comeback. CCBC Catonsville turned on the heat and outscored the Mustangs, 19-4, across the next four minutes, getting within three at 53-50. It was still a three-point game shortly after at 56-53, but the Mustangs picked up five straight points over the final 37 seconds of the third to take a 61-53 edge into the fourth.
 
The Mustangs' run continued into the first few minutes of the final frame, as they went up, 68-55, with 6:58 to go. A 12-3 run shortly after put the Mustangs ahead, 80-60, with just 2:14 left on the clock. The Mustangs took their largest lead of the game with 37 seconds remaining when Talbot completed a three-point play to make it a 24-point game. The Cardinals hit a three in the final 30 seconds, but Monroe closed things out with a 21-point victory.
 
Talbot led all scorers with 20 points in the win, also tying India Keene with a team-high four assists and adding six rebounds. Ineysiah Surrell turned in a solid game, scoring 17 points with seven boards, two blocks and two steals. Daja Wentz contributed 12 points and three assists. Devon Adams and Maya Crimes matched for a team-high nine rebounds while adding eight and nine points, respectively. Keene finished with seven points and eight rebounds to go with her four assists. Diamond Spady netted nine points as well.
 
The Mustangs will look to finish the weekend 2-0 as they take on host Harford on Saturday, Nov. 30, in the final game of the Harford Hoops Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 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).