NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 15, 2024 – In Thursday evening's victory over Lackawanna College at the Monroe Athletic Complex, the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team had its highest scoring total since the 2002-03 season in a 125-81 win over the Falcons. The Mustangs earn their 11th straight win and improve to 20-5 overall, while the Falcons drop to 8-17 overall.
Monroe's 125 points on Thursday were nearly a program record and was the team's highest total since Feb. 22, 2003, when Monroe defeated Mitchell Community College, 129-84. The Mustangs hit 124 points twice since then, first with a 124-80 win over Borough of Manhattan Community College on Feb. 11, 2004, and then again on Feb. 15, 2011, when the Mustangs beat Harcum College, 124-121.
Every active player on the Mustangs scored in Thursday's win, including seven in double figures.
Hassan Washington led the way with 19 points, just missing a double-double with nine rebounds.
Ziare Wells did complete the double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while also tying for the team lead with six assists.
Devere Palmer Jr. totaled 18 points with five boards and five assists.
Zatai Townsend finished with 15 points, while
Stefano Faloppa totaled 14 with six rebounds and six assists.
Isiah Middleton picked up a season-high 11 points, while
Pedro Szuldman also had a season-best 10 points.
Thursday's matchup was all Mustangs from the jump, as Monroe took the lead in the first minute and never looked back. At the midway point of the first half, the Mustangs had already more than doubled up the Falcons, and a 12-0 run made it a 38-16 lead with 8:33 left in the half. The Mustangs made it rain threes throughout the half, picking up the pace later in the frame to take a commanding 62-31 advantage into halftime.
Monroe kept its distance from Lackawanna early in the second half, with a dunk by Washington making it an 89-56 score with 10:35 to play. The Mustangs put their foot back on the gas just past the midway point of the second frame, rattling off 15 straight points to cross the century mark and take a 104-59 edge. With 3:55 left, Palmer drained a long ball to surpass the team's previous high mark of the season of 111 points, giving the Mustangs a 113-72 lead. A dunk by Middleton later helped Monroe hit 120 points, with some free throws and one more layup by Middleton helping Monroe reach the final score of 125-81.
The Mustangs were hot from beyond the arc all night, making 13-of-21 (61.9 percent) of their three-pointers in the win. Monroe also shot 68.1 percent (47-of-69) from the field. Monroe pulled down 48 rebounds in the game, while Lackawanna managed just 19. The Mustangs outscored the Falcons in the paint, 62-18, while 11 offensive boards helped Monroe to a 23-2 advantage in second-chance points.
The Mustangs will ride the momentum of Thursday's productive evening and 11 straight wins into their biggest game of the season to date this Saturday, Feb. 17, when they visit rival Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pa., for the first of two matchups with the Bears this season. Saturday's tip-off is set for 3 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 (
@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (
@monroemustangs).
