BEL AIR, Md., March 8, 2019 – In a close matchup at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena to determine the NJCAA Div. I Women's Basketball District C Championship, the Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team suffered a 69-62 defeat to host Harford Community College Friday evening. The Fighting Owls claim the district's automatic bid into the 2019 NJCAA Div. I Women's Basketball Championship Tournament with the win. Harford improves to 31-1 overall with the win, while the Mustangs finish the year at 20-9.
 
The Fighting Owls grabbed the early advantage, going up, 8-2, in the first four minutes. An 11-2 run for the Mustangs put them ahead, 13-10, but Harford closed out the quarter on a 10-2 run of its own to take a 20-15 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Fighting Owls maintained control early in the second period, taking a 26-16 edge with 8:36 still left in the half. Harford's lead reached 11 points before the Mustangs finished the quarter with five straight points to trail, 35-29, heading into the break.
 
The Mustangs got back within three with 4:10 to play in the third quarter. The Fighting Owls maintained a small lead, but were unable to pull away from the Mustangs, taking a 48-44 advantage into the final frame.
 
The Mustangs once again managed to get within three with 5:57 left to play. The Fighting Owls then scored six straight points over the next three minutes to grab a nine-point lead. The Mustangs rallied for five straight points to make it a four-point game with just under two minutes to play. The Fighting Owls made most of their field goals down the stretch, keeping the Mustangs out of reach and securing the seven-point victory.
 
The Mustangs' leading scorer and rebounder on the season, Aneisha Lyons led the Mustangs in both categories again in Friday's contest with 18 points and nine rebounds. Phyness Baldwin picked up 14 points and five steals. Devon Adams added nine points and eight boards.
 
The Mustangs' season ends with Friday's defeat. Head coach Dana Warner led the Mustangs to 20 victories this season, his first as the team's head coach. Those 20 wins were three more than 2017-18.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 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 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).