NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., November 23, 2022 – O'Shamiar Majette dropped a Mustangs' season-high 30 points on Wednesday, but it unfortunately was not enough for the Monroe College Mustangs JV men's basketball team, as the Mustangs fell to Harcum College JV, 99-89, at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs lose for the first time this season and fall to 5-1, while Harcum evens the season series with the Mustangs after two matchups.
Majette totaled 31 points on the night after shooting 12-of-15 from the field. He also made 7-of-10 from the free-throw line in the game. Majette was solid all over the floor, pulling down seven rebounds, dishing out two assists and stealing the ball three times.
The Mustangs took the early edge with an 8-2 to start Wednesday's contest, but the Bears quickly tied things up at 8-8. The Mustangs later pushed their lead to 21-16 after a layup by Daniel McCollum, but the Bears responded with seven straight points to take the lead. Monroe came right back with seven straight, going back up, 28-23, with 6:50 left in the half.
Monroe's lead was 35-32 later in the half, but the Bears scored four straight to jump ahead by one. Harcum took a five-point lead on Kevin Rutland's three, making it a 42-37 game with 90 seconds until the half. McCollum hit a layup to make it a three-point game, and then Beelgin Nieves drew a foul, making both chances to get within one. With 12 seconds left, Amire Armstead stole the ball and dropped it in the bucket to put the Mustangs ahead, 43-42, to give Monroe a one-point advantage heading into the break.
Majette had a huge first half for Monroe, totaling 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Richie Guillaume tallied six points and a team-high five rebounds. Jaheim Gregory had six points as well.
The Bears got off to a hot start in the second half, going on a 10-2 run to take an early 52-45 lead with 17:09 on the clock. A three by Rutland made it a 10-point lead for Harcum before the Mustangs scored the next four. Another Rutland long ball made it a nine-point game before the Mustangs made four free throws to get within five. Guillaume made a pair of lay-ins to get the Mustangs within four points, but the Bears responded with nine straight to push the lead to 13 points with 9:57 to play.
A 7-0 run for the Mustangs late in the game had them back within 10 points at 85-75, but time was running thin. A three-pointer by Ahmadou Aw looked to put the game out of reach, as Harcum went up, 93-79, with just 1:35 to go. The Mustangs got back within 10 late, but it was not enough, as Monroe fell to Harcum, 99-89.
Guillaume finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double in Wednesday's contest, handing out a team-high five assists as well. Gregory tallied 12 points with four boards. Nieves had eight points with two steals and two assists.
The Mustangs will look to start a new winning streak in their next matchup on Thursday, Dec. 1, when they visit Albright College JV in Reading, Pa. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well 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 11 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 (
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