HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The No. 16-seed Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team is heading to the Second Round of the 2023 NJCAA Div. I Men's Basketball Championship after the Mustangs took down No. 17-seeded South Georgia State College, 83-62, in the tournament's opening game Monday morning at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The 29-4 overall Mustangs now advance to take on top-seeded John A. Logan College on Tuesday.
Tyje Kelton and Hamdel Mohammed helped the Mustangs get off to a hot start, accounting for all of Monroe's first 10 points, including a pair of threes by Kelton, to take a 10-4 lead over the first five minutes. A dunk by Melvin Council Jr. had Monroe up, 14-8, but South Georgia State managed to close the gap, taking a 19-18 lead over the Mustangs with 7:20 to play in the half.
Ziare Wells and Keith Warren Jr. stepped up off the bench for the Mustangs to help them take control of the game later in the first half. Wells made a pair of free throws to put the Mustangs back up, 20-19, though Keith Lamar made a jumper for the Hawks to put them back on top. Warren then hit his first three of the game, but Carlos Hart quickly tied it up for South Georgia State. After the game was tied, 25-25, Warren hit another three to kick off a 12-0 run for the Mustangs, which including a three by Wells as well, giving Monroe a 37-25 advantage with 43 seconds left in the half. Hart closed out the half with a three-point play for the Hawks, but the Mustangs took a 37-28 advantage into the break.
Council hit a three early in the second half to give the Mustangs a 42-29 edge. South Georgia State scored the next eight points to get within five, but another three by Council halted the run. Hamdel Mohammed made a pair of free throws after that to make it a 10-point difference once again. After three points by the Hawks, the Mustangs went on an 8-1 run to take a 55-41 lead with 12:04 on the clock.
The Hawks responded with an 8-2 stretch to get back within eight of the Mustangs, but Monroe bounced back again with six in a row for another 14-point lead. With just under four five minutes to play, Lamar hit a three for the Hawks to get them within 12 points. The Mustangs then went on a 9-0 run to go up by 21 points with just 1:57 remaining. Hart made a couple free throws for the Hawks with 1:45 to go, but the returning Isac Ahnstrand made a three with 37 seconds to play for Monroe's final points. Zae Wiggins hit a jumper for the Hawks with 28 seconds to play, but the Mustangs were able to run out the clock from there to finish off the 20-point victory and advance.
Kelton and Mohammed both registered double-doubles in the win. Kelton had arguably his best game of his Mustang career, totaling 22 points and 10 rebounds while making four shots from deep. Mohammed added 11 points and 10 boards while also blocking two shots. Council stepped up in the second half, scoring 17 of his 19 points across the final 20 minutes to help the Mustangs pull away. Wells tallied 12 points off the bench to give the Mustangs a boost.
The Mustangs are now set for arguably the toughest challenge they could have this week in Hutch, as they will take on No. 1 John A. Logan College on Tuesday, March 21, in a Second-Round matchup at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. John A. Logan earned a bye to the Second Round as one of the Top 8 seeds in the tournament. Tomorrow's tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well the Monroe College marching band and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 11 teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).Print Friendly Version