WARREN, Mich. – The accomplishments and noteworthy performances continue to pile up for Macomb Men's Basketball in year one of the Hassan Nizam era. On Saturday (Jan. 22), the 13th ranked Monarchs improved to 14-1 overall and 4-0 in the MCCAA Eastern Conference with a convincing 105-62 win over the visiting Schoolcraft College Ocelots (4-11, 1-4 MCCAA East).
How did the Monarchs remain undefeated in league play and earn a 43-point win? A heavy dose of Jiovanni Miles.
While it was another team win that featured imposing defense and a relentless 40-minute effort, sophomore guard/wing Jiovanni Miles (Novi, Mich./Wisconsin-Green Bay) took over, pouring in 50 points on 19-of-27 shooting overall and a 9-of-15 clip from behind the 3-point line. For Miles, the dominant 50-point performance set a new career-high. For the Monarchs, Miles' career day marked the second time in the past three games someone scored 50 or more points in a game for the red-hot program (Tariq Humes, 55 points vs. Alpena).
Miles was on fire from the jump, scorching the nets for 23 first half points on 9-of-11 shooting (4-of-6 3PM). The effort led the Monarchs to a 53-24 halftime lead as Miles kept pace with the visitors in the opening stanza. Miles wasn't the only Monarch connecting on their shots in the first half as the Blue & White shot 61% (22-of-36) to earn the 29-point halftime advantage.
Second half action saw Miles pick up where he left off as the sophomore tallied 27 additional points to get to his career-best total of 50 points. A well-rounded player, Miles also hauled in five rebounds and dished out three assists in the win.
With Miles and the Monarchs rolling, the Blue & White outscored the Ocelots 52-38 in the latter half to earn the 102-65 decision.
John Ukomadu (Bloomfield, Mich./Vincennes) posted 19 points (9-of-10 FGM), four rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Elijah Belle (Detroit, Mich./Davenport) followed closely with 17 points of his own and a season-high nine assists. Delano Williams (Mt. Clemens, Mich./Mt. Clemens) continued his comeback after a lengthy injury to record an efficient 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Williams added four rebounds and a pair of assists in 32 minutes of action.
Jaylen Daughtery (Detroit, Mich./Mott) led the Monarchs on the glass with nine rebounds and added four points, while Tom McNelis (Fraser, Mich./Fraser) and Shawn Brown (Oak Park, Mich./Oak Park) combined for 11 boards in the win.
The Monarchs continue a tough stretch of three games in five days Monday (Jan. 24) when they visit University Center to take on Delta College at 7:30 p.m.
News & Notes: Miles' 50-point outburst was five points shy of the program record set by Tariq Humes (55) last week … the nine 3-pointers made was one shy of the program record (Humes, 10) … the Monarchs played Saturday's game without reigning MCCAA Eastern Conference Player of the Week (Tariq Humes).
