MCC tops Mercyhurst to maintain WNYAC lead

ROCHESTER - The three-pronged attack of guards Majesty Brandon and Gilberto Cue, along with forward Mike Kelly Jr., has been the driving force for the MCC men's basketball team this season.

Saturday was no different, as the trio led the way to a 98-66 victory over Mercyhurst North East to keep the Tribunes firmly in first place in the Western New York Athletic Conference standings.

Brandon hit four 3-pointers and tallied a game-high 22 points, Cue chipped in with 18 points and six assists, and Kelly finished with 16 points and nine rebounds as Monroe moved to 10-2 in the conference and 19-5 overall. The Tribunes hold a one-game lead on Erie in the WNYAC standings.

MCC was hot from the outset and raced to a 19-point lead at the break. Brandon, Cue and Kelly combined for 36 of the team's 46 points in the opening half.

The Tribunes took care of the ball all day and committed just six total turnovers. Conversely, the Saints turned the ball over 18 times. That led to a number of transition opportunities for Monroe, which held a 28-3 edge in points off turnovers on the night.

Omari Brown led a strong contingent off the bench with 12 points for MCC. Kewan Platt contributed 11 points while Charles Prater added 10. Wes Nelson Jr. tallied eight rebounds and four assists, and Jaymes Jackson pulled down nine boards.