NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 7, 2019 – After a close loss on the road on Sunday, the Monroe College Mustangs JV men's basketball team avenged the American Independent Post Grad and Collegiate Conference (AIPGCC) defeat by beating Our Saviour Lutheran (OSL) by a score of 70-67 Thursday evening at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 15-7 overall and 7-3 in conference play with the win.
 
OSL took a quick 3-0 lead, but the Mustangs responded with nine straight points. The Falcons then got back within two, but Monroe held tight to the lead, going up, 17-11, before OSL chose to use a timeout. Six straight by the Falcons tied the game at 17, but the Mustangs maintained control with the next four points.
 
The Falcons continued to keep it close, but the Mustangs were able to go up, 35-28, on Rakim Bryant's third three-pointer of the half with 1:39 on the clock. The Mustangs added another four points before OSL made a pair of free throws, sending the game to the half with Monroe up, 39-30.
 
Bryant led the Mustangs at the break with nine points after making a trio of long balls. Aaron Burton held the team lead with six rebounds. Anthony Monti dished out four assists and picked up two steals to go along with four points at the half.
 
A 12-2 run by the Falcons to open the second half gave the visitors a 42-41 lead. The Mustangs found their rhythm and scored 10 of the next 12 to take a 51-44 advantage. The lead reached nine for Monroe before back-to-back threes from OSL made it a three-point game with 6:14 left to play. Five straight for Monroe put the home team back up by eight, but OSL made it a five-point game again with 1:18 left in regulation.
 
Monti then made four straight free throws to put the Mustangs up by nine, but OSL kept the game going with four straight to draw within five with 12 seconds left. Joans Gjeci made two free throws, but Keyshawn Miller completed a three-point play for OSL to get within four. Burton put the game out of reach with two more foul shots, so a buzzer-beating three by OSL's Dwight Reed was unable to get the Falcons back in it, giving Monroe a three-point victory.
 
Gjeci finished with a team-high 13 points in the win, added five rebounds as well. Aaron Burton scored eight points and led the team with 13 rebounds. Bryant picked up 11 points, while Monti netted 10 with a team-high five assists. Alfredo Robles and Kaynaan Longley each added eight points, while Longley finished with 11 boards.
 
The Mustangs play next on Tuesday, Feb. 12, when they visit Prestige Preparatory Academy in Linden, N.J. for another AIPGCC matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.-
 
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).