NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 25, 2020 – For the second straight game, a huge second half lifted the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team to victory, this time with a 96-73 final over rival ASA College in the Region Semifinals at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The win sends the Mustangs to the Region Final on Friday against Harcum College.
 
Back-to-back threes by ASA's Jahmier Pugh and Dante Spencer early in the first half put the Avengers ahead, 10-5. They pushed their lead out to 19-13 after Pugh scored on two straight Avenger possessions, but an 8-0 run for Monroe put the home team ahead, 21-19, with 8:53 left in the half.
 
A 7-0 stretch for the Avengers had them on top, 27-25, but Jabari Merritt sank a pair of layups and Juan Felix Rodriguez drained a three to give the Mustangs a five-point edge. Spencer scored two for ASA for the final points of the half, but the Mustangs held a 32-29 lead heading into the break.
 
Rodriguez and Ja'Mani Eaton shared the halftime lead with seven points apiece for the Mustangs. Eaton also provided three assists and two steals.
 
The Mustangs stormed out of the gates in the second half, opening the new frame with 12 straight points to take a 44-29 lead with 17:27 still left to play. The Avengers halted the run with five straight points, but Akeem Tate netted five straight points to once again make it a 15-point game. Seven consecutive points shortly after for the Mustangs pushed the lead to 20 points with 12:02 on the clock.
 
The Mustangs were matching the Avengers on each back-and-forth down the court, keeping their distance from the visitors to continue to lead by 16 points with 10:23 to go. Another seven-point run for the Mustangs pushed the lead up to 21 points at 73-52. A late run by Monroe pushed the lead all the way up to 26 points, leading to the Mustangs' eventual 23-point victory to send them to the region finals.
 
Rodriguez led all scorers with 28 points in the win, adding four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Tate was next with 13 points for the Mustangs, while leading the team with four assists. Luis Herrera pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds to go with seven points and three assists. Zion Styles, Elijah Mitchell and Eaton all matched with 10 points apiece. Julio Pascual blocked five shots in the win.
 
The Mustangs are set to take on Harcum for the third time this season, this time with the region title on the line. The region finals will be hosted by Harcum at West Chester University in West Chester, Pa., on Friday, Feb. 28 at 7 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).