NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 18, 2023 – Sophomore
Melvin Council Jr. etched his name in the Monroe College history books, breaking the men's basketball program's all-time scoring record in Saturday's matchup against Harcum College. The No. 17-ranked Mustangs were upset by the Bears Saturday's contest at the Monroe Athletic Complex, 80-72. The Mustangs fall to 24-4 with the loss, while the Bears improve to 26-1.
Council came into Saturday's contest sitting just four points shy of the record of 1,274 points held by Issiah Francis since 1997. Council broke the record early in Saturday's game, and finished with 30 points to set a new record with 1,300 points and counting.
Monroe College Scoring Leaders
After a tight start, the Mustangs rattled off nine straight points to claim a 15-8 advantage over the Bears. Harcum responded with seven straight to tie the game. With the score tied at 18-18, Council drained the record-making bucket to put himself atop the leaderboard, and give the Mustangs the lead.
Harcum gained some momentum after that to take a 33-27 advantage over the Mustangs.
Ziare Wells and
Jawarie Hamelin then both scored to get the Mustangs within two, and then
Keith Warren Jr. nailed a three to put the Mustangs back in the lead. The Mustangs scored another four straight for to make it an 11-0 run for the home team, giving Monroe a 38-33 advantage with 2:21 left in the half. Bernard Blunt III hit a three for the Bears to make it a two-point game, but Council managed to sink a floater right before the buzzer, sending the game to the half with Monroe on top, 40-36.
Council had 13 points at the break to lead all scorers through 20 minutes.
Albert Vargas had seven points, while
Tyje Kelton provided six.
Harcum quickly tied the game with four straight to open the second half. The Mustangs responded with a 7-2 run to go back up, 47-42. Harcum then worked its way back to take a 60-56 lead on the Mustangs. Council hit a layup, but Po'Boigh King hit a three for Harcum to put the visitors up by five. After another Council layup, King hit another pair of threes, then scored on a tip-in to put the Bears up, 71-60.
The Mustangs scored the next five points to get back within six, but Justin Owens hit a three for the Bears to put them back up by nine. Jordan Martin later went to the line and made 1-of-2 to put the visitors up by 10. Council hit a layup before both teams went quiet for 100 seconds. With 1:38 to go,
Emmanuel Ogbole threw down a dunk to make it a six-point game. After a big stop, Council scored on a tip-in with 57.7 on the clock to make it a 75-71 score. Blunt made two free throws to put the visitors back up by six before Warren made 1-of-2 to cut it back down to five. The Mustangs were then stymied by the Bears, seeing Harcum score the final three points of the game to claim the eight-point victory.
Council's 30 points led all scorers in the game. He added seven rebounds and two steals as well. Kelton finished with nine points and 10 rebounds, while Ogbole totaled eight points and 10 boards, as well as four blocked shots.
The Mustangs will look to bounce back on Thursday, Feb. 23, when they host Hostos Community College at the MAC. Tip-off is set for 6 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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