BUFFALO, N.Y., December 4, 2021 – Melvin Council Jr. dropped 35 points to help the Monroe College Mustangs erase a 14-point deficit in the second half to pick up an 81-78 victory at Erie Community College on Saturday. The Mustangs improve to 8-3 overall with the win, while the Kats drop to 5-2.
 
The Kats got hot early in the second half, opening the period with a 20-5 run to go up, 55-41. The deficit was 14 points again with 13:49 to go before the Mustangs finally turned the tables. Tyje Kelton caught fire, scoring seven straight points to get Monroe within seven points. After a bucket for Erie, Council took over with seven straight points of his own to get the Mustangs within two. Jadon Archer made 1-of-2 from the line to draw within a point, and then Jerald Campbell finally put the Mustangs in the lead with a layup to make it a 61-60 game with 10:06 still left to play.
 
Erie was able to flip the script again, using a 7-1 run to take a 67-62 edge. Council responded with a layup shortly after, and then made a pair of three-pointers to push Monroe ahead, 70-67. After Erie tied it at 72-72, Council hit yet another three to put the Mustangs back in the lead. Brandon Hodge made two from the charity stripe to push the Mustangs' lead to five, but the Kats scored the next four to make it a one-point game with 2:02 to go.
 
Council made the first of two from the line to make it a two-point lead again, and then the Mustangs got a stop with just over a minute to go. Kelton got to the line and made both chances to put the Mustangs up, 80-76, with just 20 ticks left. James Traore sank a layup for the Kats to make it a two-point game. Isac Ahnstrand was fouled, but made just one of his two shots, leaving the Kats with a chance to tie in the final seconds. Nathan Severson tried from three, but it was defended well and never reached the rim, allowing time to expire and the Mustangs to hang on for a three-point victory.
 
Council scored 20 of his season-high 35 points in the second half of Saturday's win. He added nine rebounds as well in the game. Kelton came off the bench and provided a big boost, especially in the second half, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Hamdel Mohammed led the team with 11 rebounds, adding five points and two steals. Hodge dished out five assists to lead the team. Campbell scored eight points and grabbed six boards off the bench.
 
With two gritty wins in the bag this weekend, the Mustangs will look to improve upon their five-game winning streak on Sunday, Dec. 5, when they wrap up the Upstate New York trip with a matchup at Niagara County Community College. Tip-off is set for 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).