By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---The No. 8 Express men's basketball team had Monroe College on the ropes in the second half, but saw a 15-point lead disappear in a 92-85 overtime loss in the Owens Tip Off Classic championship game.

The Express held a 50-35 lead following a 3-pointer from Martez Asberry (Douglas Academy/Detroit, Mich.) with 16:09 left, but Monroe College slowly chipped away at the lead. The Mustangs eventually tied it with 46 seconds remaining on a lay-up from Thomas Rivera, who made an ensuing free throw to make it 79-78.

Bikramjit Gill (Our Ascension of the Lord/Toronto, Ontario, Canada) answered right back for the Express with a lay-up, which gave the Express an 80-79 lead with 35 seconds left. Monroe's Michael Phillip made 1-for-2 at the line to give the Express one last chance at the end of regulation. 

Tony Boykins, however, missed a 2-point attempt while falling down as time expired to send the game to overtime.

Each team hit 3-pointers to open the overtime session, including one from Asberry, before Monroe College seized the lead for good. Monroe's final five points came at the foul line after the Express turned the ball over on an out of bounds play with a chance to tie or take the lead with 30 seconds left.

Andy Bachman (North Side/Fort Wayne, Ind.), who was named to the All-Classic team, finished with a team-high 19 points for the Express. He added eight rebounds before fouling out late in the second half.

Asberry added 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, and he was also named to the All-Classic team. Edmond Early Jr. (Thurgood Marshall/Dayton, Ohio) chipped in 13 points and five assists for the Express.

Monroe College was led by Tip Off Classic MVP Nehemias Morillo, who had 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Mustangs. Thomas Rivera, who was also named to the All-Classic team, added 19 points off the bench. Devin Martin also scored in double figures for Monroe with 17.

The Express fall to 3-1 with the loss. Their next action will be Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. against Kalamazoo Valley Community College at home.

Monroe College improved to 2-0 with the win.

Notes

In addition to Bachman, Asberry, Morillo and Rivera, Kellogg Community College's Vandale Jackson and Delta College's Justin Bernard were also named to the All-Classic team.