NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Monroe College women’s basketball team picked up the win in its home opener, as the Mustangs took down Gateway Community College by a score of 78-56 Saturday afternoon as part of the Monroe Classic at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 3-2 on the season with the victory.
The Mustangs doubled up the Lions in the early-going, taking a 12-6 lead with 7:07 still left in the first. After holding a 14-9 lead, the Mustangs scored eight of the next nine points to take a 22-10 advantage. Some back-and-forth scoring to finish the period left Monroe ahead, 24-15.
Monroe’s lead reached 12 once again at the 6:20 mark of the second quarter when Phyness Baldwin and Cristina Soriano scored back-to-back buckets to take a 32-20 lead. The Lions then turned things around with an 8-0 run to get back within four, but that was it for the visitors in the quarter, as the Mustangs finished the half on a 15-0 run to take a 47-28 edge into the break.
Samantha Hines had 13 points and six boards to lead the Mustangs at the break. Lisana Burnett added 10 points and another six boards, while Amani Williams contributed eight points and four assists.
Seven straight points for the Lions got them within 11 at 49-38 at the 7:29 mark of the third quarter. Jada Banks then drained a three, and Williams put one in off the glass to push Monroe’s lead back up to 16. After holding a 56-43 edge late in the frame, Monroe closed out the third with seven straight points to take a 63-43 lead into the fourth.
Early in the fourth, back-to-back layups by Baldwin and Soriano make it a 23-point game at 71-48 with just 6:24 left to play. The lead grew to as many as 25 points with three minutes left, and the Mustangs held on to win by 22.
Burnett finished with 10 points and 12 boards for a double-double, adding three assists in the win. Williams had a team-high 17 points and four assists, while Banks scored 16 points. Hines just missed a double-double with 13 points and nine boards. Tatiyana Parker picked up 10 rebounds and added four points.
The Mustangs will wrap up the Monroe Classic on Sunday, Nov. 19, when they host ASA College at the Monroe Athletic Complex. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.