Columbia, MD – The No. 22 Monroe University men's basketball team coasted to an 85-59 victory over CCBC Catonsville on Friday evening in the first game of the Hoop Here Get There Classic.
The Mustangs led by 11 at the half, but ran away with the contest thanks to a 49-point second half. Sophomore
Devere Palmer Jr. paced the team with 19 points, while sophomores
Ryan Williams Jr.,
Hassan Washington and freshman
Eric Mejia joined Palmer Jr. in double figures.
Palmer Jr. did most of his damage from the free throw line, connecting on seven of his ten attempts. As he's done all season, the Queens native attacked the rim with a purpose. But it was a collective effort as Monroe made 26 of 37 attempts from the charity stripe.
Palmer Jr. as well as Williams Jr., recorded double-doubles in the win.
It was a tight game early on with the Cardinals tying the game at 21. However, the Mustangs embarked on a 9-0 run to gain some separation, eventually ending the half up 36-25.
Sophomore
Jordan Sanders got the second half started with a three and that was all Monroe needed to step on the gas for the remainder of the contest. The lead never dipped to single digits and a technical foul from Catonsville signaled the end of the line.
Mejia and Palmer Jr. made all four free throws in succession to take a decisive 20-point lead.
The win streak is up to eight games and Monroe will look to keep the good times rolling as they take on Division II No. 15 Howard Community College on Saturday at 2:00 pm to close out the Hoop Here Get There Classic.
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).
