NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 22, 2020 – The Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team caught fire in the second half, outscoring NJCAA Div. III No. 1 Nassau Community College, 51-31, over the final 20 minutes en route to an 87-67 victory over the Lions at the Monroe Athletic Complex on Saturday. The Mustangs finish the regular season at 18-11 overall, while the previously undefeated Lions drop to 25-1.
 
The Mustangs held a Sophomore Day ceremony prior to tip-off on Saturday, celebrating the careers of India Keene and Devon Adams in the Blue and Gold.
 
The Lions jumped out to an early advantage, taking an 11-6 lead midway through the first quarter. Nassau led, 13-8, before the Mustangs made the next three baskets to go up by one. Bobbie Green made a pair of free throws for Nassau to give the visitors the lead once again, but the Mustangs scored the final five points of the period to take a 19-15 edge into the second quarter.
 
The Lions scored the first four points of the second quarter to tie the game, but the Mustangs responded with the next four to take back the lead. Nassau then picked up seven straight points to take a three-point lead, and that was the largest lead either team managed to take the rest of the half. The lead changed hands seven more times during the second stanza, with Nassau scoring the final two points of the half to send the game to the break with a 36-36 stalemate.
 
The Mustangs spread the ball around in the first half, with eight different players registering at least two points over the first 20 minutes of the game. Maya Crimes led the team with seven points at the break. India Keene and ToniRenee Blanford tied for the team lead with six rebounds, while Keene added a team-high three assists and five points.
 
The Mustangs jumped out to a 42-36 lead in the first two minutes of the second half. The Mustangs continued to carry the momentum, later using a 12-1 run to grab a 56-41 advantage. A three and a layup by Blanford late in the period gave the Mustangs a 63-45 lead. Cherish Francis hit a layup right before the buzzer for Nassau, but after outscoring the Lions, 27-11, in the third, the Mustangs carried a 63-47 edge into the fourth.
 
The Mustangs netted the first four points of the fourth to push the lead to 20. The Lions swung the momentum in their favor with a 9-0 run to get back within 11, but a three-point play by Crimes halted Nassau's run with 6:02 to play. The Mustangs kept the pressure on late, and made shots when they needed to, including five straight points by Daja Wentz down the stretch that put Monroe up by 18, eventually pushing the lead to 20 before the final buzzer.
 
Five Mustangs scored in double digits on Saturday, led by Blanford's 18 points. She finished the game with 10 points to register a double-double. Devon Adams also picked up a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards, adding a pair of blocks as well. Wentz totaled 16 points and five assists in the win. Keene tallied 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. Crimes scored 12 points and added six rebounds. Cheyenne Talbot picked up eight points with seven boards and four assists.
 
The Mustangs get some time off before returning to action in the Northeast District Championship game, which will be hosted by the Mustangs at the MAC on Friday, March 6. The Mustangs will take on Region XX's Harford Community College, with tip-off set for 6 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).