BEL AIR, Md., December 21, 2019 – After shouldering its first loss in over a month on Friday, the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team picked up an 86-64 victory on Saturday over Harford Community College on the second day of the Harford Hoops Classic at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena. The Mustangs improve to 10-3 overall with the win, while the Fighting Owls drop to 4-9.
 
The Mustangs trailed for much of the first half, falling behind, 19-14, midway through the period. Monroe did not get the lead back until the 5:44 mark when Tobias Perkovic hit a layup to put the Mustangs ahead, 28-27. A three by Ja'Mani Eaton gave the Mustangs a six-point lead, but seven straight points by Harford put the home team back in the lead temporarily. The Mustangs responded with seven straight of their own, and later closed out the half with a 43-36 advantage.
 
The Mustangs opened the second half with a 9-2 run to take a 52-38 lead three minutes into the new frame. Monroe continued to control the game, going up by 17 with 13:08 to play. The Fighting Owls were able to get back within nine with 6:17 to go, but seven points by the Mustangs quickly pushed the lead back out to 16. Monroe pounded it on late, finishing the game with their largest lead of the game at 22 points.
 
Behind a 13-point second half, Juan Felix Rodriguez led the Mustangs with 21 points on the day, adding a team-high six steals. Luis Herrera picked up 12 points and five rebounds, while Eaton totaled 11 points and a team-high seven boards. Zion Styles added eight points, five rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
 
The Mustangs outrebounded the Fighting Owls, 51-29, and took advantage of their dominance under the rim, outscoring Harford in the paint, 38-22, while also scoring 18 second-chance points to just two for the home team. The Mustangs also picked up 24 points off turnovers, while the Fighting Owls scored just 15.
 
The Mustangs wrap up their weekend in Bel Air, Md., on Sunday against Potomac State College of WVU. Tip-off is set for 4 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 Mustangs), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).