NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., December 17, 2019 – A week off did not slow down the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team, as the Mustangs battled for a 75-62 victory over CCBC Dundalk Tuesday afternoon at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 9-2 on the year with their seventh straight win, while the Lions fall to 9-4.
 
Neither team was able to gain an advantage early in Tuesday's matchup, as the two teams went back-and-forth until reaching a 20-20 stalemate with 8:38 left in the half. The Mustangs then went on a 10-2 run to go up by eight. Akeem Tate had a big finish to the half, making a pair of free throws to put Monroe up by 12, and then following up a CCBC Dundalk layup with a three to put the Mustangs ahead, 42-29. Daniel Winston hit a three for the Lions to close out the scoring for the half, leaving Monroe up, 42-32.
 
Marcus Thompson had a big half off the bench, scoring 16 points with six rebounds to lead the team in both categories. Zion Styles added 11 points and a pair of steals. Elijah Mitchell did not score, but made big contributions with three assists, two steals and two blocks.
 
The Lions had an early advantage in the second half to cut the deficit down to six, but the Mustangs quickly responded with six straight points to go back up by 12. The difference dropped back down to six when Tyshaun Walker made a three for the Lions, but Juan Felix Rodriguez sank one the next time down the court for Monroe. A late run for Monroe put the Mustangs ahead, 73-57, and while the Lions finished the game on a 5-2 run, the Mustangs held tight to a 13-point victory.
 
Thompson completed the double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks and two steals in the win. Rodriguez totaled 16 points, six boards and five assists. Jabari Merritt netted 14 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Styles finished with 13 points, five boards, two blocks and two steals. Mitchell did not score in the game, but contributed with eight rebounds, two blocks, and team highs of six assists and four steals. Akeem Tate picked up seven points off the bench.
 
The Mustangs take to the road this weekend for the Harford Hoops Classic, a three-day tournament hosted by Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md. Monroe opens up the weekend against Howard Community College on Friday, Dec. 20, at 5 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).