Smith Leads Monroe Past Erie

NIAGARA FALLS, NY - Ishmael Smith finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists to lead the No. 2 seed Monroe Community College men's basketball team (16-14) to an 85-68 victory over No. 3 seed Erie Community College in the semi-final round of the NJCAA Region III men's basketball tournament on Saturday afternoon. Demonte Johnson finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Khalid Moreland finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists to round out the scoring for the Tribunes. Hugo Silva led Erie with 19 points. 

Monroe outscored Erie 22-1 over the final seven minutes of the first half to take a 45-26 lead into the break. The Tribs never looked back cruising to the semi-final round victory and securing their spot in the NJCAA Region III Championship for the second straight year. 

Prior to the start of the game Smith was named 1st Team All Region, while Moreland was named to the 2nd-Team All Region. 

Monroe will take on No. 1 seed Niagara County Community College at 2pm on Sunday afternoon at Niagara for the Region III Championship.