NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., November 13, 2021 – The last time we saw the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team at the Monroe Athletic Complex, they defeated Hagerstown Community College in the 2020 East District Championship, and were set to go to the 2020 NJCAA Div. I Men's Basketball Championship that was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Monroe and Hagerstown met once again in Monroe's first home game of 2021-22, seeing the Mustangs defeat the Hawks, 93-78. Monroe improves to 2-1 on the season with the win, while Hagerstown drops to 2-2.
 
The Mustangs got off to a hot start in Saturday's home opener, jumping out to a 16-4 lead over the first five minutes. The lead grew to 24-9 for Monroe before the Hawks went on an 11-0 run to get within four. Monroe led, 27-22, before tallying 13 straight points to go up, 40-22, with 2:21 to play in the half. The Hawks were within 16 in the final seconds before Melvin Council Jr. hit a jumper right before the buzzer, sending the game to the half with Monroe ahead, 48-30.
 
Council led all scorers with 19 points at the break, adding five steals as well to a big first half. Hamdel Mohammed had six points and a game-high six rebounds after 20 minutes. Jerald Campbell provided six points off the bench.
 
A 23-11 run to open the second half put the Mustangs up by 30 on the Hawks. Monroe hovered around a 30-point lead for much of the half until Hagerstown went on a run to cut the deficit to 19 with just over four minutes to play. The Mustangs kept their distance late, but the Hawks had the momentum, running out of time with the Mustangs up, 93-78.
 
Council finished with his best game of the young season, totaling 28 points with six steals, four rebounds and three assists in the win. Isac Ahnstrand totaled 18 points with four assists and two steals. Mohammed had 10 points and eight boards in the victory. Jadon Archer totaled seven points, a team-high five assists and five rebounds. David Gordon matched Mohammed's eight rebounds off the bench.
 
The Mustangs shot 47.5 percent (28-of-59) on Saturday, while Hagerstown hit 26-of-61 (42.6 percent) of its field goals. A big difference in the game came at the free-throw line, with Monroe making 31-of-43 attempts (72.1 percent) while the Hawks shot 62.1 percent (18-of-29).
 
Monroe outscored Hagerstown, 33-21, in points-off-turnovers on Saturday. The Mustangs also held a 38-28 edge in points in the paint.
 
The Mustang Classic will wrap up on Sunday, Nov. 14, with two more games at the Monroe Athletic Complex. Hagerstown will take on SUNY Sullivan to start the day at 1 p.m., and then Monroe will host Mercer County Community College at 3 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 39 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 18 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 Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).