NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.–The No. 16 Monroe University men's basketball team (25-4 overall) defeated Harford (15-14 overall) 108-81 in their regular-season finale on Thursday night. The win marked their 18th straight this season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

·      The Mustangs scored 51 points in the first half, with 14 coming from Nico Pena as he went 6-8 from the field and 2-3 from three-point distance.

·      Riley Dunn went 4-4 from the field in the first half, tallying nine points as well.

·      The Mustangs' defense held Harford to 42 points in the first half while the defense forced seven turnovers.

·      In the second half, the Mustangs tallied 57 points, with 14 coming from Pena and 13 coming from Tavien Tyler.

·      Pena went 5-7 from the field and 4-5 from three-point distance in the second half, while Tyler went 3-4 from three-point distance and 5-8 from the field.

·      The Monroe defensive presence increased in the second half, allowing Harford to score just 39 points while forcing turnovers to lead to the 108-81 victory.

STATS AND NOTES

·      The Mustangs picked up the 18th straight victory of the year.

·      Nico Pena tallied a single-game high of 28 points in the game.

·      Six Mustangs scored in double-digits with Pena (28), Naceiar Kirksey (17), Nick Williams (13), Tyler (13), Dunn (11) and Faquir Mosley (10).

·      Dunn tallied his fourth double-double of the year with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

·      Head Coach Jeff Brustad won his 602nd career game.

·      Monroe currently leads the all-time series 19-1 and has won the last 11 games against the Owls.

UP NEXT

·      The Mustangs return to action on Friday, March 6, when they travel to Bel Air, Maryland, to compete in the NJCAA East District Championship Tournament. Game-time and opponent are TBA.
 

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).