New Rochelle, NY - Monroe University turned a tight opening half into a 30 point victory on Thursday night, pulling away from Raritan Valley Community College for a convincing 94–64 victory at the MAC.
After taking a six-point lead into the break, the Mustangs completely seized control in the second half, pouring in 58 points while overwhelming Raritan Valley on both ends of the floor. Monroe shot nearly 64 percent after halftime and caught fire from beyond the arc, using timely three-point shooting and relentless defensive pressure to break the game open early in the period.
Naceiar Kirksey paced the Mustangs with 20 points and was a disruptive force defensively, finishing with five steals that consistently ignited the transition game. Tavien Tyler delivered a standout performance off the bench, scoring 15 points on a flawless 6-for-6 shooting in the second half, including three triples during a decisive run. Faquir Mosley added 11 points and six steals, while David Emetu chipped in 10 points to round out a balanced offensive attack.
Monroe's depth proved to be the difference, as the Mustangs dominated bench scoring and steadily wore down the visitors. Defensively, Monroe controlled the paint, limited second-chance opportunities and forced turnovers that led to easy looks on the other end. The lead grew steadily throughout the second half, eventually reaching as many as 32 points late.
Monroe improved to 14–4 on the season with the win, closing the night with authority after breaking the game open in the second half. The Mustangs' depth, ball pressure and shooting efficiency proved too much for Raritan Valley as Monroe turned a competitive first half into a decisive home victory.
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).
