WARREN, Mich. – Macomb Women's Basketball cruised to a 62-25 victory over North Central Michigan College Saturday (Dec. 3) to win their fifth straight and improve to 8-1 on the season. The 25 points scored by the visiting Timberwolves tied for the fifth fewest points allowed in Macomb Women's Basketball history and marked the third time this season the Monarchs have held the opposition to 33 points or less.

On Saturday, the Monarchs' stingy defense held the visitors to 11 field goals on 26.8% shooting and forced 34 turnovers to earn a decisive 40-12 advantage in points off turnovers. The turnovers also led to a host of transition opportunities and the Monarchs capitalized by outscoring the Timberwolves 23-2 in fast break points. The Monarchs attacked the basket all afternoon to earn a 46-14 points in the paint advantage.

Leading 29-17 at the half, the Monarchs defense clamped down to hold the Timberwolves to eight second half points, five in the third quarter and three in the fourth quarter.

Tamia Tounsel (Shelby Twp., Mich./Dakota) continued her impressive stretch with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Monarchs in both categories. Tounsel, who had 19 points and seven boards last night, also added four steals to round out an impressive week on the hardwood.

Tounsel was followed by Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) with nine points, while Kamryn Richards (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South) posted a balanced stat line of seven points, a team-high six assists and four steals. Amy Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock) checked in with seven points and Ryleigh Sanom (Berkley, Mich./Berkley) recorded five points to round out the scoring for the Monarchs who tallied five or more points in the 37-point win.

Talia Krause (Clinton Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) pulled down seven rebounds and Jasmine Ellis (Hazel Park, Mich./Michigan Math & Science) hauled in six of her own to help the Monarchs win the rebounding battle, 44-33.

The Monarchs recorded 24 steals, half of which came via Richards, Tounsel and Jaelynn Jones (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson) who swiped four steals each.

Hannah Roberts (Roseville, Mich./L'Anse Creuse) and Rylee Thomas (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) combined for seven points and four steals for the 8-1 Monarchs.

Notable: Saturday's victory was win No. 275 in the heralded 14-year career of head coach Jay Ritchie. With the win, Coach Ritchie's career record at Macomb moves to an impressive 275-95 (.743). 

Up Next: The Monarchs travel to Battle Creek Wednesday (Dec. 7) for a 5:30 p.m. non-conference tilt against Kellogg Community College.