NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., November 14, 2021 – In its first weekend at home this season, the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team looked comfortable in front of the Mustang faithful, rolling to a 79-44 victory over Mercer County Community College in the final game of the Mustang Classic at the Monroe Athletic Complex. After a 2-0 weekend, the Mustangs improve to 3-1 on the year, while Mercer County drops to 0-5.
 
Mercer County opened the game on a 5-0 run, but Monroe responded with a 14-2 stretch to take a 14-7 lead with 13:13 on the clock. Mercer County got back within five, but back-to-back threes by Keith Warren Jr. gave Monroe a 23-12 edge. One more three by Melvin Council Jr. made in a 14-point lead for Monroe with 7:41 to go in the half. Monroe led, 30-19, before closing out the half with its final eight points to take a 38-19 lead into the break.
 
Hamdel Mohammed led the Mustangs with 10 points and four rebounds at the half. Melvin Council Jr. was next with eight points, three board sand three assists. Warren picked up six points off the bench.
 
Monroe picked up six straight points to open the half on threes by Isac Ahnstrand and Council to take a 44-19 lead. Monroe's advantage reached 31 points with 15:05 to play after a Jadon Archer layup. The Mustangs continued to roll in this one, going up by 38 points at 74-36 late before wrapping things up with a 79-44 victory to make it a perfect weekend.
 
Council once again led the Mustangs with 19 points in the win, adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Mohammed totaled 17 points and six boards. Warren finished with 11 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists off the bench.
 
Monroe shot 50.8 percent (33-of-65) from the field in Sunday's win, while holding the Vikings to 30.2 percent shooting (16-of-53). The Mustangs outrebounded their guests, 43-28, including a 12-6 edge in offensive boards. The Mustangs had a 35-14 advantage in points off turnovers, and a 42-18 lead in points in the paint.
 
The Mustangs will look to ride this momentum into a trip to Texas, where they will play three games at South Plains College in Levelland. They open the weekend on Friday, Nov. 19, with a 7:30 p.m. EST tip-off against host No. 2 South Plains College.
 
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).