MCC splits a pair at Monroe Winter Tip-Off

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The MCC men's basketball team split a pair of ballgames over the weekend, defeating Community College of Rhode Island in the opening round of the Monroe College Winter Tip-Off before falling to the host Mustangs in the title game.

The Tribunes are 4-2 on the season.

MCC opened with a convincing 87-64 victory over CCRI. The Tribunes opened a 10-point lead at the break and used a balanced attack to win going away.

Isaiah Davis led the way with 14 points to go along with a team-high seven rebounds. Damon Miraud and Davon Jackson chipped in with 12 points apiece, and Elijah Tillman added 10 points.

Ball movement was key, as MCC registered 25 assists on 34 made baskets. The Tribunes also forced CCRI into 38 percent shooting from the field, including 5-for-22 from beyond the arc.

MCC led much of the way in the title game against Monroe College, but a late Mustang run coupled with 21 Tribune turnovers helped the host team pull away for a 77-66 win.

The Tribunes led 39-34 at the break and extended their lead to 12 at 55-43 on a layup by Dykweil Bryan with 12:03 remaining. The Mustangs slowly cut into the lead, but MCC still held a 65-59 advantage with 4:58 left.

From that point on, Monroe College took control. Four free throws and a layup tied the score, and the Mustangs then nailed consecutive three's to take a six-point lead with two minutes left. It was the start of an 18-1, game-closing run.

Davis once again led the way with 12 points and seven rebounds for MCC. Anthony Hemingway was the only other player in double figures with 10.

Monroe College finished 29-of-46 from the free throw line while MCC attempted just 22 from the charity stripe, hitting 13.