RALEIGH, N.C., December 28, 2023 –
Albert Vargas dropped the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team's first triple-double since 2020 on Thursday to lift the Mustangs to a 76-64 victory over Brunswick Community College to open the Wake Tech Holiday Classic. The Mustangs improve to 9-4 overall with the win, while the Dolphins record falls to an even 6-6.
Vargas registered team-highs on Thursday with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to produce the first triple-double of his career. His triple-double is Monroe's first since Feb. 15, 2020, when two-time All-American Juan Felix Rodriguez totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 114-74 victory over ASA College. Vargas also picked up a team-high three steals in an all-around terrific performance that led the Mustangs to a win.
The Mustangs were knocking down their shots early in Thursday's contest, with a three by Vargas followed by a layup from
Stefano Faloppa putting Monroe ahead of the Dolphins, 11-5, with 16:12 on the clock in the first half. Brunswick then found a rhythm to the tune of a 16-3 run to give the Dolphins a 21-14 advantage.
The Mustangs turned things around with five straight points from
Hassan Washington and then a game-tying three from
Zatai Townsend. After Brunswick went back up, 28-23, with 5:45 to play in the half, the Mustangs completely shut down the Dolphins' offense for the remainder of the period, going on an 11-0 run to take a 34-28 edge into the break.
The Mustangs spread the ball around in the opening half with four players scoring six-plus points.
Ziare Wells led the way with seven points, while Vargas,
Jawarie Hamelin and Washington all netted six points apiece. Vargas led the team with five rebounds, while matching Hamelin with three assists.
A pair of jumpers early in the second half by Faloppa had Monroe up by eight. Vargas later hit a three, followed by a
Bre'Quan Moore jumper to push the lead to 11 points. Brunswick got a three by Tyree Bracey with 12:38 left in the half to make it a nine-point game, but the Mustangs fired back with 11 straight points to push their lead to 62-42 with less than 10 minutes to play. A 10-2 straight for the Dolphins had them back within 12, but the Mustangs turned that around by scoring 8-of-10 points to keep a sizeable 18-point advantage. A dunk by
Ryan Williams Jr. with 2:21 to play was the dagger for the Mustangs, who held on for a 76-64 win.
Washington came off the bench to match Vargas' 14 points in the win, adding three blocked shots to help keep the Mustangs on top. Townsend also contributed off the bench with 13 points. Wells finished with nine to go with five boards and a pair of assists, while
Devere Palmer Jr. totaled eight points and five rebounds. Faloppa filled the stat sheet with six points, six rebounds, three assists and a pair of takeaways.
The Mustangs shot 46.3 percent from the field in the win, but it was bolstered by 19-of-32 (59.4 percent) shooting in the second half. Monroe held a 43-31 edge in rebounds in the win, and the dominance under the rim also translated to a 40-22 lead in points in the paint. Monroe's 13 offensive boards led to a 13-3 advantage in second-chance points.
Monroe will look to secure its third straight win on Friday, Dec. 29, when they continue play at the Wake Tech Holiday Classic with a matchup against Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. Tomorrow's tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.
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).
