WARREN, Mich. – Back-to-back games and back-to-back victories for 13th year head coach Jay Ritchie and the Macomb Women's Basketball Team! One day after picking up an 83-56 road win, the Monarchs returned home to defeat the visiting Glen Oaks Vikings by a 62-51 final on Wednesday (Nov. 24).
The 11-point home win lifts the Monarchs back to .500 on the season at 3-3 overall. The Vikings fell to 1-4 with the setback Wednesday afternoon.
The Vikings started the game hot, shooting 60% from the field in the first quarter and 55.2% over the course of the game's first 20 minutes to take a 35-29 halftime lead over the Monarchs. In the second half, the Monarchs battled back to outscore the Vikings 18-7 in the third quarter and 15-9 in the game's final stanza to pick up the hard-fought 62-51 victory.
A relentless defensive effort helped turn the game around for the Monarchs as the Blue and White forced 40 turnovers overall (19 in the second half) to take a commanding 31-6 advantage in the points off turnovers department. The defense also forced the Vikings into difficult shots in the second half as the Monarchs held the visitors to six field goals over the course of the final 20 minutes to pick up the comeback win.
The Monarchs leading scorer, DeBraya Edwards (Detroit, Mich./Oakland CC), was at it again Wednesday, posting a game-high 16 points to accompany a team-best 11 rebounds to help lift the Monarchs to their second double-digit win in as many days. Edwards added four assists and four steals, while teammates Gabriella DiPiazza (Warren, Mich./Cousino) and Amy Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock) chipped in with timely buckets on their way to recording 11 points each. DiPiazza added four rebounds, three assists and tied Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) with a team-leading six steals. Jackson dished out a team-high six assists, grabbed five rebounds, and had four steals in 33 minutes of play.
Randi Martin (Eastpointe, Mich./Eastpointe) poured in nine points on 3-of-8 shooting from 3-point land, while Valina Hudgins and Hailey Harger (Sterling Heights, Mich./Cousino) closed out the scoring with eight and seven points, respectively.
