New Rochelle, NY – The No. 21 Monroe University women's basketball team is set to open its season on Saturday, November 2, against the Community College of Rhode Island at 3:00 pm in Warwick, RI, as a part of the CC of Rhode Island Tournament.

The Mustangs are coming off a 19-11 season that saw them hoist the Region 20 Championship, but ultimately lose in the first round of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Tournament to Trinity Valley Community College.

Head coach Camille McLellan, who enters her second season at Monroe, returns two players from the year prior in Nicole Bencosme and Alycia Secchiaroli. Both sophomores appeared in all 30 games for the Mustangs in 2023-24, averaging over 31 minutes per game.

"I think we have a great group of girls this year," Bencosme said. "Off the court chemistry is great and [on the court] is great too. This is a very diverse team."

McLellan also boasts a transfer class that includes Qaizden Stephano (Gillette College) and Julia Pacheco (Oklahoma Panhandle State). In addition, the team also includes ten freshmen.

"Your backgrounds are unique; your upbringings are unique. But being able to gel and band that all together and getting to experience new things together, has been a beautiful thing to see with everyone," McLellan said.

The Mustangs don't play in front of their home crowd until November 12 against SUNY Sullivan. They will wrap up the two-day stay in Rhode Island on Sunday, November 3, when they take on Massasoit Community College at 1:00 pm

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University 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.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).