NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., March 15, 2024 – The Monroe College Mustangs women's basketball team is looking to make its third straight trip to the NJCAA Div. I Women's Basketball Championship, and its first under the tutelage of head coach Camille McLellan. To do so, the Mustangs will have to defeat Spartanburg Methodist College on Saturday, March 16, in the 2024 NJCAA Div. I Mid-Atlantic District Championship game, which the Mustangs will host at the Monroe Athletic Complex.
 
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
2024 NJCAA Div. I Mid-Atlantic District Women's Basketball Championship
Monroe Athletic Complex – New Rochelle, NY
Saturday, March 16 – 12:00 PM
GAME PROGRAM
 
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
The winner of the 2024 NJCAA Div. I Mid-Atlantic District Women's Basketball Championship will earn the Mid-Atlantic District's automatic berth into the 2024 NJCAA Div. I Women's Basketball Championship, which will take place at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyo.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Monroe College – 18-10 (Region 15 / Region 20 Tournament Champion)
Spartanburg Methodist College – 20-5 (Region 10 Champion)
 
TOURNAMENT COVERAGE
Monroe Mustangs YouTube Channel
Live Stats
 
HOW WE GOT HERE
Monroe College reached the Mid-Atlantic District Championship game after winning the 2024 Region 20 Championship tournament last weekend down in Cumberland, MD. The Mustangs defeated host Allegany College of Maryland, 64-43, to claim the tournament title and the right to host Saturday's Mid-Atlantic District Championship game. The Mustangs have enjoyed a strong season, heading into Saturday's game with an 18-10 overall record. From January into mid-February, the Mustangs put together a winning streak of eight straight games.
 
Spartanburg Methodist College reached the Mid-Atlantic District Championship by winning the 2024 Region 10 Championship last Saturday..The Pioneers defeated Denmark Technical College with a dramatic 57-56 win in Denmark, S.C. Just one week prior, Denmark Tech defeated Spartanburg Methodist, 61-56, but the Pioneers avenged that loss to earn this trip to New York. The Pioneers have an impressive 20-5 overall record this season, going 4-2 in Region 10 play prior to the postseason. The Pioneers rode a nine-game winning streak from mid-December through early February. While finishing the season 11-3 at home, the Pioneers have an impressive 9-1 road record this season.
 
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
The Mustangs are averaging 62.4 points per game this season, while allowing just 54.8 points on average to opponents (23rd in NJCAA). Monroe ranks ninth in total rebounds per game with 46.1, and second in the nation with 20.1 offensive rebounds per game. The Mustangs rank 26th in the NJCAA with 12.2 steals per game.
 
Carlota Gomez-Alonso leads Monroe with 16.7 points per game this year, as well as 3.5 steals per game. Emma Wilson-Saltos is the team leader with 11.9 rebounds per game (12th in NJCAA), including the sixth-most offensive boards per game (5.9). She also leads Monroe with 1.4 blocks per game. Nicole Bencosme takes the team lead with 2.8 assists per game.
 
Spartanburg Methodist ranks 25th in points per game at an average of 76.1, while allowing 56.3 points per game to opposing teams (29th). The Pioneers average 42.5 rebounds per game, including 16.1 offensive boards per game (21st). They rank 15th with an average of 17.8 assists per game, and 17th with 13.1 steals per game.
 
Yasmine Cook is the Pioneers' team leader with 12.5 points per game. Layla Wall is averaging 3.9 assists to lead the team. Grace Ikenegbu is pulling down a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game. Aziyah Bell grabs 2.1 steals per game. Destiny Middleton is blocking 0.6 shots per game to lead the Pioneers.
 
RECENT MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT CHAMPIONS
(Northeast District prior to 2023-24, District C prior to 2019-20)
2022-23: Monroe College
2021-22: Monroe College
2020-21: Did not compete
2019-20: Monroe College
2018-19: Harford Community College
2017-18: Harford Community College
2016-17: Monroe College
2015-16: Harford Community College
                                                  
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).