BEL AIR, Md.–The No. 1 seed Monroe men's basketball team (26-4 overall) opened the 2026 NJCAA Region 20 Tournament semifinals in style, dominating No.4 host Harford (16-16 overall) 94-62 on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Mustangs advanced to the tournament championship game on Sunday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

·      The Mustangs opened the first half scoring 43 points while holding the Fighting Owls to just 32.

·      Monroe's leading scorer, Naceiar Kirksey, led the Mustangs in the first half with 16 points, three boards, and went 5-5 from the free-throw line.

·      Faquir Mosley was the only other Mustang tallying double-digit points in the first half, tallying 11 with one board.

·      In the second half, Nico Pena dominated for the Mustangs, posting 13 points while going 3-4 from three-point distance.

·      Fernando De Los Santos posted four boards and seven posts in the second half, which aided in the Mustangs' point production as they tallied 51 in the second half alone.

·      The Mustangs' defense held the Fighting Owls to just 30 points, which guided the Mustangs to a 94-62 victory.

STATS AND NOTES

·      With today's win, the Mustangs advance to their eighth NJCAA Region 20 championship game.

·      Kirksey tallied his 10th 20-point plus game, recording 23 in the game.

·      The Mustangs increased their win-streak to 19 on the year with the win.

·      Monroe improves to 26-4 on the year with the win.

·      The Mustangs currently lead the all-time series 20-1 against Harford as they have won the last 12 straight.

UP NEXT

·      Monroe will face No. 3 seeded Harcum College on Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m. for the NJCAA Region 20 championship.