NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 3, 2022 – The Monroe College Mustangs picked up a crucial Region 15 victory on Thursday, defeating ASA College, 81-59, at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 20-5 overall and 2-0 in region play with the win, while ASA drops to 8-6 and 0-2.
The Avengers got on the board first in Thursday's matchup, but the Mustangs followed with the next eight for an early six-point lead. The Mustangs took a 21-10 lead with 9:56 left, but the Avengers scored nine straight to get within two.
Melvin Council Jr. took the momentum back with a quick three-pointer, and then
Hamdel Mohammed and Council scored on back-to-back dunks to get the crowd and the bench fired up.
Keon Gill added two more points for a 9-0 run to put Monroe up, 30-19. Kumar Lewis hit a jumper for ASA, but Council drained another three just seconds later. Both teams were even down the stretch until the Mustangs got a three-point play from Mohammed with three seconds left, leaving the home team up, 39-26, heading into the break.
Council led all scorers with 13 points and three steals at the half.
Isac Ahnstrand and
Nikola Danicic each added six points, while Danicic and Mohammed had three rebounds apiece. Mohammed and
Tyje Kelton each scored five over the first 20 minutes.
Keith Warren Jr. set the tone for the second half, opening the scoring with a three-pointer. The Mustangs saw their lead steadily grow throughout the second half, taking a 25-point lead at 61-36 with 9:39 to play. ASA got back within 20 with 5:31 on the clock, but the Mustangs picked up seven straight to take a 74-47 advantage. The Mustangs kept the clock moving down the stretch, holding on for the 81-59 victory.
Council led all scorers with 19 points and three steals in the win.
Nikola Danicic was next with 15 points and four rebounds. Kelton added 12 points and four boards.
The Mustangs shot 50 percent (33-of-66) from the field on Thursday, while the Avengers shot 23-of-63 (36.5 percent). The Mustangs forced 28 turnovers, while only turning the ball over 13 times themselves, leading to a 26-11 advantage for Monroe in points off turnovers. The Mustangs also dominated with a 44-24 edge in points in the paint.
The Mustangs get the weekend off before a busy week next week. They play next on Tuesday, Feb. 8, when they host Lackawanna College at the Monroe Athletic Complex. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., following the women's matchup between Lackawanna and ASA.
