NEW ROCHELLE, NY — On Saturday, the Monroe College Men’s Basketball team used a strong second half to defeat ASA College, 76-69, and advance to the Region XV Championship game against Harcum College on Sunday. The Mustangs trailed by double digits in the first half before rallying for the victory.
ASA took an early advantage, jumping out to a 13-point lead with less than seven minutes left in the half. The Mustangs used the remainder of the half to trim the lead to six. Tyler Ancrum found Dani Koljanin for a layup that got Monroe within single digits, at 29-21. A Koljanin trifecta at 2:05 got the Mustangs within four, at 29-25. The Avengers answered with two quick baskets and led 33-25. Ancrum scored at the end of the half, making the score 33-27 at the break.
Jarron Chapman opened the second half with a three-pointer to get Monroe within three, at 33-30. ASA rallied and got the lead back to nine. The Mustangs countered, and a Will Martinez basket at 14:16 made the score 39-37, ASA. ASA scored a couple more baskets, but Ancrum connected with Felix Carlsson for another three at 11:56 to make the score 42-40.
Monroe tied the game at 42-42 when Chapman found Bryan Assie for a dunk with 10:44 left. Less than a minute later, Assie completed a three-point play and put the Mustangs ahead, 45-44. A couple of Koljanin free throws at 5:07 put Monroe ahead for good. Consecutive three-pointers from Hampus Ahlin and Koljanin put the Mustangs up by nine, 66-57. ASA got within four, but Chapman sealed the win with a dunk in the closing seconds to give Monroe the victory, 76-69.
Chapman made 4-of-5 three-pointers and finished with a game-high 21 points. Koljanin totaled 20 points and shot 7-10. Assie came off the bench to score 11.
The Monroe College Men’s Basketball team will face Harcum College on Sunday, March 5th, at 4:00 PM for the Region XV Championship.
