Yuma, AZ - The Mustangs held their composure late and walked out of Yuma with a hard-fought 70–65 win over Arizona Western College on Friday afternoon. In a game that featured six lead changes and a tense final minute, the Mustangs leaned on execution, toughness, and timely scoring to secure the road victory.
The Mustangs controlled the tempo early, building momentum in the opening half behind efficient shooting and sharp ball movement. Monroe knocked down seven three-pointers in the first 20 minutes and shot just under 42 percent from the field, taking a 39-31 lead into halftime. Naceiar Kirksey was aggressive from the jump, while Nico Peña and Qingfang Pang provided timely scoring that kept Arizona Western from settling into a rhythm.
Arizona Western made its push in the second half, increasing defensive pressure and attacking the paint to slowly chip away at the deficit. The Matadors briefly grabbed the lead in the final minute after a deep three, setting up a tense closing sequence with the game hanging in the balance.
That's when Monroe responded.
Kirksey delivered the go-ahead basket with 42 seconds remaining, rising confidently for a jumper that swung the momentum back to the Mustangs. From there, Monroe stayed composed at the free-throw line, closing the game with a series of clutch makes while forcing a late turnover to seal the win.
Kirksey finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting, setting the tone offensively while also contributing on the glass. Peña added 11 points and six rebounds, while Pang chipped in 11 points and five rebounds of his own. Faquir Mosley provided a strong lift off the bench with 11 points, helping stabilize Monroe during key stretches of the second half.
Monroe capitalized on Arizona Western mistakes, scoring 51 points off turnovers and getting valuable production from its bench in a gritty road environment. The win improves the Mustangs to 11-4 on the season and showcased their ability to execute under pressure when it matters most.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 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).
