BALTIMORE, Md., February 23, 2024 – After falling behind by 19 points at halftime, the Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team nearly battled all the way back in the fourth quarter, but fell just short in a 64-56 loss at NJCAA Div. II No. 4 CCBC Essex Friday evening.
The Mustangs and Knights were knotted up at 14-14 early in the second quarter before the Knights closed out the half on a 20-1 run to take a 34-15 lead at the break. The Knights then scored the first six points of the third quarter to stretch their lead to 25 points. A three by
Shanelle Smith then turned the momentum with a three, kickstarting a 15-2 run that got the Mustangs back within 12. The Mustangs stayed within 12 with a 49-37 score heading to the fourth.
Monroe scored the first four points of the fourth to make it an eight-point game. The Knights responded with four of their own to push the lead back to 12. Later, a jumper by Smith and a three by
Carlota Gomez-Alonso had the Mustangs back within six points at 55-49 with 4:40 to play. The Knights continued to hold off the Mustangs, but a layup by
Sharon Brown and a free throw with 1:27 left by Gomez-Alonso had Monroe back within five.
Ashley Dickey hit a crucial jumper for the Knights to make it a seven-point game with 44 seconds left.
Alycia Secchiaroli made one on the other end of the court for Monroe, who then had to foul with just 25 seconds to play.
Khalia Bryant made 1-of-2, but the Knights got a stop and then Ore Ogunwolere hit a layup to secure the eight-point win for the home team.
Gomez-Alonso secured her third double-double in the last four games with 11 points and 13 rebounds on Friday. Smith led the Mustangs with 16 points. Brown totaled nine points and nine boards.
Emma Wilson-Saltos pulled down a team-high 14 rebounds to go with six points and three blocks.
The Mustangs will look to break their recent skid on Monday, Feb. 26, when they close out the regular season at Harford Community College. Monday's tip-off is set for 5 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).
