NEW ROCHELLE, NY –The Monroe College men’s basketball team fell to #6 Harcum, 89-84, in a basketball game played in New Rochelle on Thursday. The Mustangs fell to the Bears by ten earlier in the season. Shackquiel Scott led Monroe with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Much like the rematch of Ali-Frazier, the second meeting between Harcum and Monroe had all the trappings of two top sides going at each other, and, like that classic tilt, this late-season meeting saw two even sides battle it out to the end and set up a potential third match in the upcoming Region XV tournament.
The first five on the floor for the Mustangs kept their familiar, frenetic pace, but it was the second line that pushed Monroe into the lead. Trailing 11-10, Hampus Ahlin slashed through the lane and dished to Ran Tut for a three-pointer to make it 13-11, Monroe; thanks to a kingly effort from Tut. After a defensive spot, Will Tavares found Uhlin who buried another trifecta and the Mustangs led, 16-11.
The Bears took control of the half from there, pushing the lead to double-digits. But, Monroe showed the heart of a champion and battled back as Jarron Chapman steal led to a no-look pass to Scott for an easy two that made the score 33-24.
Later in the first, trailing by ten, Tut finds Will Tavares for a three-point-play to make the score 41-34. This keyed a 7-0 run that pulled Monroe within 41-38. The other points in the run came from Lukas Landgren foul shots. The Bears pushed back from there and used a steal and a late basket to lead 48-38 at the half.
The game went back and forth in the early side of the second half as Monroe tried to erase the lead, while the Bears pushed back. The lead stayed around ten points until the 11:18 mark when a Lawahn Lewis steal led to a Tavares dunk that made the score 64-57. Later in the half, trailing by ten, Tyler Ancrum went behind the back with a dribble and scored a layup. On the ensuing possession, Chapman went to the line and made two freebies. That made the score 69-63 for Harcum with 8:26 left. After a steal, Ancrum drove and found Chapman for a deuce to make it a four point game, 69-65. After that, Ancrum went through the paint again, this time connecting with Scott for a thunderous dunk to make it 71-67.
Ahead 75-70 with 5:00 left, Harcum used a 6-3 run to make the score 81-73 with 2:55 remaining. Following two technical free throws from Monroe, a Lewis put back with 2:31 left made the score 81-77, Bears. A Scott layup with 1:22 on the clock made it a one possession game, 84-81, but the Bears held on for the 89-84 win.
Lewis and Tavares each finished with a dozen points. Landgren had seven points and seven rebounds. The Monroe College men’s basketball team returns to action on Monday, February 8, when they host Frederick Community College at 5:00 PM.