NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., January 30, 2020 – The Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team trailed Raritan Valley Community College for the first two minutes of the game, but never looked back after taking the lead, rolling to a 68-48 win over the Lions at the Monroe Athletic Complex Thursday evening. The Mustangs improve to 14-10 overall with the win, while the Lions drop to 14-8.
 
After the Lions hit an early three, the Mustangs scored the next 13 points to go up by 10. The Lions were able to get back within six late in the period, but a late free throw by Cheyenne Talbot left the Mustangs ahead, 20-13, heading into the second.
 
Monroe opened the second quarter on a 19-2 run, taking a commanding 39-15 lead with 2:47 left in the half. Morenike Akinrefon picked up two points for the Lions with 1:47 left, but that proved to be the final score of the second quarter, sending the game to halftime with Monroe up, 39-17.
 
Talbot led the Mustangs with 11 points at the break, as well as four steals. Maya Crimes came off the bench and led the floor with 11 first-half rebounds. Daja Wentz added eight points and a pair of assists, while Devon Adams tallied seven points and grabbed six boards.
 
An 11-2 run for the Lions early in the third quarter got the visitors back within 13 at 41-28. Monroe turned it around after a timeout, closing out the period on a 9-2 run to take a 50-30 advantage into the fourth.
 
The scoring picked up the fourth frame, but the Mustangs maintained a sizeable lead throughout. The lead reached as many as 26 late in the game, and Monroe held on to pick up a 20-point victory.
 
Talbot completed a double-double with a team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds, adding six steals and three assists in an impressive game for the freshman. Wentz added 13 points and led the team with six assists. India Keene and ToniRenee Blanford each scored nine points in the game, with Keene adding three assists and Blanford pulling down six boards. Crimes led all scorers with 12 rebounds in the win. Adams contributed eight points and eight boards.
 
The Mustangs will look to continue their winning ways when they hit the road on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with a trip to the County College of Morris. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 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 Mustangs), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).