CRANFORD, N.J., November 21, 2023 – Playing on the road once again, the Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team was unable to overcome a strong first half by NJCAA Div. II No. 10 Union College (N.J.) on Tuesday, falling to the Owls, 79-66. The Mustangs drop to 4-3 overall with the loss, while the Owls improve to 4-0.
The Owls got an early jump on the Mustangs on Tuesday, producing a 21-10 advantage after the first quarter. Union then outscored the Mustangs, 25-17, to take a 46-27 lead into halftime.
Monroe started to pick things up in the third quarter, but the Owls were efficient, leading to both teams matching each other with 19 points apiece.
Emma Wilson-Saltos came on strong in the third with eight points. The Mustangs got the better of the Owls in the final frame, as
Carlota Gomez-Alonso's 10 points helped Monroe to a 20-14 edge in the period, but it was not enough to close the gap.
Gomez-Alonso finished with a team-high 19 points in the game, adding five rebounds and three steals. Wilson-Saltos was right behind with 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds, as well as three steals of her own.
Shanelle Smith provided 11 points, a team-high five assists and another three steals off the bench.
Nicole Bencosme was the fourth Mustang with three steals, totaling 10 points with five boards as well.
The Mustangs will now enjoy the Thanksgiving break before getting back to work on Thursday, Nov. 30, when they host Div. II No. 11 Harcum College at the Monroe Athletic Complex. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. in New Rochelle.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well the Monroe College marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven 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).
