Strong Finish Lifts Monroe Mustangs Men’s Basketball to Big Region Victory over Harcum

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 13, 2020 – Some clutch baskets in the final minutes helped the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team secure a 73-67 victory over regional rival Harcum College Thursday evening at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 18-9 overall and 1-2 in region play with the win, while Harcum falls to 24-4 and 2-1. Harcum looked to have the hot hand early in Thursday's contest, as Nick Brennan and Dom London hit back-to-back threes to open the game and give the visitors a quick 6-0 edge. The Mustangs then took control, scoring nine straight points, including six by Elijah Mitchell and a three by Ja'Mani Eaton, to take a 9-6 lead with 15:58 still to play in the half. Both teams scored back-and-forth across the next four minutes, but a five-point run by Monroe gave the Mustangs an 18-13 edge. The Mustangs went on a run of seven straight points scored by free throws later in the half, taking a 28-19 lead with 5:27 left in the first. Brennan made a pair of free throws for the Bears to get within six, but the Mustangs netted the final four points of the half, taking a 36-26 advantage into the halftime break. Mitchell led the Mustangs with eight points at the break. Eaton was next with seven. Juan Felix Rodriguez scored four points to go with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Harcum took the momentum back early in the second half, outscoring the Mustangs, 17-6, to take a 43-42 lead with 14:26 to go. The Mustangs were able to regain control, taking a 55-50 lead, but the Bears quickly closed the gap to tie the game with 8:51 remaining. The Mustangs scored the next seven points out of a timeout to go up, 62-55. The Bears got back within two at 63-61, but the Mustangs scored the next three to go up by five. The Mustangs got a pair of clutch free throws from Mitchell and Marcus Thompson with time winding down to give them a 73-63 advantage with just 42 seconds left. The Bears scored the final four points of the game, but it was not enough, as the Mustangs held on to pick up the six-point victory. The Mustangs have another huge region game on the docket this Saturday, Feb. 15, when they visit ASA College in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tip-off for the crucial Region XV matchup is scheduled for 2 p.m.