BROOKLYN, N.Y., February 5, 2019 – After trailing with just over five minutes to play, a late run by the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team lifted the Mustangs to a 69-65 victory over Region XV rival ASA College on Tuesday at Achievement First East Brooklyn High School. The Mustangs improve to 18-5 overall and 2-0 in Region XV play with the win, while the Avengers fall to 13-4 and 0-2.
 
The Mustangs kept it close throughout, but still trailed by four with 5:42 left in regulation. Zion Styles then cut the deficit in half with a jumper, followed shortly after by a game-tying layup by Thomas Binelli, making it a 62-62 game with just 4:08 to play. Will Martinez then netted five straight points, and Styles added 1-of-2 free throws, to give Monroe a 68-62 advantage with just 2:12 on the clock. A three by ASA's Robert Eddy Terrero made it a three-point game, but a free throw by Martinez proved to be the final point of the game, as the Mustangs held on for the tight four-point win.
 
ASA took its largest lead of the game at six points at the 11:49 mark of the first half. The Mustangs responded with a 13-0 run, taking a 29-22 edge. ASA chipped away at the lead, tying the game up with under three minutes to play in the first half before claiming a 38-37 lead heading into the break.
 
Martinez led all scorers with a season-high 27 points in the win, adding a team-high five steals as well in a strong effort from start to finish. Binelli added 16 points after making 4-of-6 three-pointers, completing a double-double with a team-best 11 rebounds. Juan Felix Rodriguez dished out five assists to lead the team.
 
The Mustangs return home on Saturday, Feb. 9, for their first game at the Monroe Athletic Complex in 21 days. Monroe will host Hostos Community College for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 27 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus as of the fall of 2017, has seven 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).