NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., December 7, 2019 – Behind a season-high 23 points by Juan Felix Rodriguez, the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team got the Monroe Roundball Classic started on the right foot, defeating Macomb Community College, 84-61, Saturday evening at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 7-2 overall with their fifth straight win, while the Monarchs drop to 5-2.
 
Rodriguez led the Mustangs with 23 points on Saturday. He shot 9-of-18 from the field and made four three-pointers. Rodriguez also led the team with five assists and added three steals and three rebounds.
 
Jabari Merritt drew the start and picked up nine points and a team-high seven rebounds in the win. He also blocked two shots and grabbed two steals. Elijah Mitchell matched Merritt's nine points and tied with Rodriguez and Tobias Perkovic for a team-high three steals. Perkovic, Luka Ivkovic, Ja'Mani Eaton and Zion Styles each contributed six points in the game.
 
The Mustangs led from the first minute on in Saturday's contest. They led by as many as 20 points in the first half, ultimately taking a 44-25 lead into the break. Monroe's advantage reached 25 points midway through the second half, and stretched as high as 26 points with five minutes to play, ultimately leading to the 23-point victory.
 
The Mustangs will wrap up their weekend tomorrow with one more game in the Monroe Roundball Classic. They will take on Monroe Community College at the MAC at 2 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).