NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., January 8, 2023 – The Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team managed to erase a 16-point, third-quarter deficit in Sunday's contest against Howard Community College, but ultimately were not able to jump ahead at the end of the game, falling to the Dragons by a score of 51-49 in the final game of the Monroe College Men's and Women's Mixer at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs fall to 8-8 overall with the loss, while the Dragons improve to 9-5.
The Dragons jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on the Mustangs in the first quarter before
Olivia Medford drained a three to get Monroe on the board. After a pair of free throws by
Aysia Pink once again made it a three-point game, Howard closed out the period with four free throws to take a 12-5 lead into the second.
The Dragons turned those four points from the end of the first into an 11-0 run with seven straight to start the second quarter. Another three by Medford cut Monroe's deficit to 19-8 with 5:37 on the clock. The Mustangs were within 10 after a free throw by Medford, but Howard netted the final five points of the half to take a 26-11 lead into the locker room.
The Mustangs were down 32-16 with 6:09 left in the third before turning things around with a 12-1 run to make it a 33-28 game. After a few free throws by Howard, Medford sank another three-pointer to get back within five. Medford later scored the final three points of the quarter to leave Monroe down by just four, 38-34, heading to the fourth.
Howard pushed its lead back to six with a pair of free throws early in the fourth, but the Mustangs scored the next five points, cutting the deficit down to just one. After a layup by Sydnei Harmon put Howard back up by three, Medford hit yet another long ball to tie the game at 42-42 with 5:40 to go. Howard got the next four on free throws, but
Amiyah Edney-Holmes got Monroe back within two on a layup. After a missed three,
Sara Carvajal-Caro made a clutch rebound and putback to tie the game again at 46-46.
Nhaikyia Smith put the Dragons back up by two after drawing a foul with 1:53 left.
Khalia Bryant then got to the line, but made just the second of two chances to leave Monroe down by one. Smith got back to the line with 62 seconds left, making both to go back up by three.
Tanae Arnold then made a long jumper from just outside the top of the key to make it a one-point game with just 37 seconds left. The Mustangs then got the stop they needed, calling timeout with 10.7 on the clock, but an errant pass gave the ball back to Howard with 5.6 to go. Smith made just the second of two shots from the line with 2.8 left, but the Mustangs were unable to hit on a half-court heave, falling to Howard, 51-49, after nearly pulling off a big comeback.
Medford tallied 23 points in the game, making a team-high four three-pointers as well. Bryant was next with six points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Pink added five points off the bench.
Paetynn Gray filled up the stat sheet with three points, four rebounds, two blocks, two steals and an assist.
The Mustangs hit the road on Thursday, Jan. 12, to take on Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md. Tip-off is set for 5 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 (
Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (
@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (
@monroemustangs).
