Bryn Mawr, PA - The Monroe University Mustangs used a blistering start and a decisive second-half surge to pull away from Harcum College, 92-71, improving to 18-4 on the season.
Harcum opened the night with the first five points, but the Mustangs answered fast and loud. Naceiar Kirksey drilled Monroe's first triple at the 18:31 mark to spark the response, and Qingfang Pang followed with a three of his own moments later to put Monroe in front. From there, the Mustangs flipped the game on its head, stretching the margin to 20-5 with pace, pressure, and shot-making, including a Nico Peña three off a Faquir Mosley assist to cap the early run.
Monroe carried a 40-34 lead into halftime, then came out of the break and immediately broke the game open. Riley Dunn opened the second half with a layup, then Kirksey buried a three to push the lead to double digits. The Mustangs kept stacking stops and converting on the other end. Mosley knocked down a three, Dunn hit a triple, and Kirksey splashed another one from deep as Monroe ballooned the margin to 60-40 with 14:08 left. Later, Nick Williams threw down a dunk in transition with under six minutes left to make it 76-58, and the Mustangs never let Harcum threaten again on the way to the 21-point win.
Kirksey led all scorers with 29 points, going 11-for-11 at the line and knocking down four threes while adding four assists. Williams finished with 14 points, Fernando De Los Santos added eight, and Monroe got balanced contributions throughout while shooting 87.9% at the stripe (29-of-33) and totaling 20 assists.
Harcum was paced by Zion Moore's 28 points, while Yannick Andjombi-Chut chipped in 12 off the bench. Monroe's defense helped decide it, forcing 21 Harcum turnovers and turning those mistakes into separation in both halves.
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).
