NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Monroe College men’s basketball team opened the 2017-18 campaign on the right foot, defeating Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) by a score of 94-48 as part of the Monroe College Classic on Friday at the Monroe Athletic Complex.
The Mustangs immediately ran out to a 6-0 lead, with all six coming from Clythus Griffith. Clifton Tracey capped off a 7-0 run just a few minutes later with a layup and a three to push Monroe’s lead to 18-3. CCRI hit double digits after Joshua Williams hit a layup at the 5:48 mark, but the Mustangs pushed their lead to 39-20 heading into the break.
Monroe’s lead hit 30 points when Jhery Matos slammed one down on a steal and a fast break to make it a 56-25 game with 14:22 to play. The lead reached its highest point in the final minute when Nukoy Singleton finished a three-point play with a free throw after a foul, giving Monroe the final score of 94-48.
Matos filled up the stat sheet for the Mustangs with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Tracey and Griffith matched with 12 points apiece, while Tracey and Bryan Assie shared the team-high of seven boards. Isaiah Ward added 11 points for the Mustangs, who shot 49.3 percent from the field.
Monroe will look to improve to 2-0 on Saturday, Nov. 11, when they host Manor College in the final game of the Monroe College Classic at the MAC. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. following the ASA College vs. CCRI matchup.