WARREN, Mich. – The ninth-ranked Macomb Men's Basketball team led by as many as 17 points in a game they never trailed after the opening possession in an 80-67 home victory Saturday (Dec. 17) over the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cougars. The win elevated the Monarchs record to 11-3 on the season and halted the Cougars winning streak at seven games.
The Cougars entered Saturday's non-conference tilt receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division II Rankings.
The Monarchs took a 38-32 lead into the half and extended their lead out to 17 points with five minutes remaining before the Cougars made shots late to settle for the 13-point decision. Balance and depth was on display once again as the Monarchs' bench outscored the Cougars' bench, 28-14.
Offensively, the Monarchs distributed the ball to the tune of 21 assists on 25 made shots and shot 45% from the field. The Monarchs connected on 13 3-pointers, led by four each from
Linden Holder (Warren, Mich./De La Salle) and
Juwan Maxey (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance).
Cameron McEvans (Southfield, Mich./Southfield A&T) followed with three triples as the trio accounted for 11 of the Monarchs' 13 3-pointers on the afternoon.
Holder and McEvans paced the balanced Monarchs with 17 points each, while Maxey followed closely with 16. McEvans, who continues to ascend as the season progresses, had his best game as a Monarch. The sophomore guard posted a career-high seven assists to go along with the 17-point effort. Holder added three assists and a steal to his 17-point effort.
Tamario Adley (Detroit, Mich./De La Salle) returned to the active lineup and played the role of distributor with a team-high and career-high seven assists to accompany eight points and a pair of rebounds.
Jaylen Daughtery (Oak Park, Mich./Ferndale) ripped down seven rebounds and added six points, while
Tymias Williams (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) went for seven points and eight rebounds in the win.
The Monarchs return to action Dec. 30 at home against No. 3 and defending national champion, South Suburban College.
