NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 18, 2020 – The Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team got off to a hot start and never looked back, defeating the County College of Morris, 96-64, Tuesday evening at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 20-9 overall with the win, while the Titans drop to 11-12 overall.
 
Both teams were shooting well to start Tuesday's contest, but the Mustangs caught fire from three-point range, allowing them to eventually gain a big advantage. Juan Felix Rodriguez sparked a big run for the Mustangs, beginning with a three to make it a 26-19 lead for Monroe. Morris got a free throw by Joshua Morris, but Rodriguez hit another three on the next trip down the court. Marcus Thompson then hit a layup, followed by yet another three for Rodriguez to make it a 34-20 game. Rodriguez then stole the ball and slammed it home, Thompson made a layup, Rodriguez made another two, and Jabari Merritt made one more layup to cap off a 19-1 run that left Monroe up, 42-20, with 5:07 left in the half. The Mustangs kept their foot on the gas, wrapping up the opening frame with a 53-29 edge.
 
Rodriguez went 4-of-5 from three-point range en route to a 16-point first half. He also pulled down a team-high five rebounds and added two steals and two assists. Thompson added nine points and five boards off the bench. Luka Ivkovic also netted nine points in the first half.
 
Monroe opened the second half on a 7-1 run to push the lead to 30 points. Monroe's lead grew to as many as 37 points during the second half, as the Mustangs cruised to a 32-point win.
 
Rodriguez led the way with 24 points for the Mustangs, adding six rebounds and five assists. Jabari Merritt netted 14 points with five rebounds and four assists. Thompson finished with 11 points and eight boards, while Ivkovic registered 11 points of his own. Ja'Mani Eaton totaled seven points and a team-high seven assists.
 
The Mustangs return to action at home on Friday, Feb. 21, with their regular-season finale at the MAC. Monroe will take on Community College of Beaver County for Sophomore Day in New Rochelle. 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 Mustangs), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).