NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., December 8, 2019 – After its lead disappeared in the final minutes of the game, the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team showed its resiliency, holding on in the final seconds to defeat Monroe Community College, 74-72, Saturday afternoon in its final game of the Monroe Roundball Classic at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 8-2 overall with six straight wins, while the Tribunes drop to 6-4.
 
The Mustangs appeared to have a comfortable 10-point advantage with 8:34 left in the second half. An 11-2 run by the Tribunes brought the game all the way back within a point with 4:25 to go. Jeremiah Kendall and Juan Felix Rodriguez gave the Mustangs four straight points to go back up by five, but a three by Junior Souverain got the Tribunes back within two. After Elijah Mitchell made 1-of-2 free throws, Willard Anderson hit another long ball for the Tribunes to tie the game at 68-68 with 2:47 to play.
 
Rodriguez got back to the line, but made just the first of two chances to put the Mustangs back up, 69-68. Jabari Merritt got the offensive rebound off the miss, laying it back in to put the Mustangs ahead by three. Rashamel Butler scored two for the Tribunes, and then they sent Rodriguez back to the line, where he was able to make just one of his two shots.
 
The Mustangs managed to get the ball back twice, but could not add any points to the board before the Tribunes were finally able to gain possession. Butler was then fouled by Kendall, and made both shots with 35 seconds left to tie the game. The Mustangs tried twice to make layups to take the lead, but neither one was able to go. Both times the Mustangs were able to get the rebound, leading to Rodriguez being fouled with just four seconds to go. This time, he made both chances to put the Mustangs up by two. They were then able to keep the Tribunes from even getting a shot off, helping them hang on for the two-point victory.
 
Rodriguez led the Mustangs with 19 points in the win, adding eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kendall picked up 12 points and eight boards off the bench. Merritt led the team with 11 rebounds, adding six points as well. Zion Styles contributed 10 points, while Mitchell tallied eight points and three assists.
 
The Mustangs will get nine days to rest before their next contest on Tuesday, Dec. 17, when they welcome CCBC Dundalk to the Monroe Athletic Complex. Tip-off is scheduled for 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).