LIVONIA, Mich. – Macomb Women's Basketball improved to 6-1 on the season and did so in emphatic fashion with an 86-42 road win over the Madonna University JV Crusaders Tuesday (Nov. 29) in Livonia. The Monarchs jumped out to a commanding 26-0 lead and led by as many as 47 points in the 44-point victory.

Up 26-2 after one quarter of play, the Monarchs were seconds away from holding the Crusaders scoreless over the opening 10 minutes before a late bucket fell for the home team. Every Monarch contributed early and often as the Blue & White used the blistering start to earn a 43-19 lead at the halftime break.  

Third quarter action saw the Monarchs outscore the Crusaders, 21-5, to earn a 64-24 advantage with only 10 minutes remaining in the contest. The Monarchs' strong play continued in the fourth and final quarter as the Blue & White went on to win by the 44-point decision, the second largest margin of victory this season.

As a team, the Monarchs shot a season-best 45.3% from the floor and a season-high 44.8% from 3-point territory. Ball movement was crisp throughout the night as the Monarchs assisted on 25 of their 31 made field goals. As part of a relentless effort, the Monarchs also out-rebounded the Crusaders, 53-37, including a 15-11 edge in offensive rebounds.

Bench scoring went in favor of the Monarchs (49-8), as did points in the paint (34-16), fast break points (17-6) and second chance points (14-2).

Rylee Thomas (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) paced all scorers with 16 points on a perfect 4-of-4 night from 3-point land, while Jasmine Ellis (Hazel Park, Mich./Michigan Math & Science) and Tamia Tounsel (Shelby Twp., Mich./Dakota) posted their first double-doubles at the collegiate level. Ellis recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds in her best game as a Monarch and Tounsel followed close behind with 10 points and 10 boards of her own in the winning effort.

Talia Krause (Clinton Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) posted a career-high 12 points and added three steals, while Ryleigh Sanom (Berkley, Mich./Berkley) chipped in with a collegiate-best of her own with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from 3-point territory. Amy Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock) and Jaelynn Jones (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson) followed with eight points each.

Jackson, the team's leader in steals, had five of the Monarchs' 15 steals.

Hannah Roberts (Roseville, Mich./L'Anse Creuse) pulled down nine rebounds, Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) had five boards and three steals and Kamryn Richards (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South) hauled in four rebounds while dishing out three assists in the road win.

The Monarchs return home for back-to-back contests inside the Sports & Expo Center this weekend. On Friday, the Monarchs host Cuyahoga Community College at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Blue & White welcome in North Central Michigan College for a 1:00 p.m. contest. Both games will be streamed live on MacombMonarchs.com/Watch.