UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Another day, another hard-fought conference game by Macomb Women's Basketball. On Monday (Feb. 14), the Monarchs traveled to University Center to take on the Delta Pioneers, a team receiving votes in the latest national rankings, and came up just short, 70-61. Tied in the third quarter and within one to two possessions most of the fourth quarter, Monarchs had their chances but couldn't pull off the road upset to end the night 11-12 overall and 4-8 in the MCCAA East. The Pioneers shifted their record to 16-6 overall and 8-4 in league play with the three-possession victory.
At 4-8 in the MCCAA East, the Monarchs end Monday a half game behind Mott (5-8) for the seventh and final playoff spot in the upcoming NJCAA Region XII District B Tournament. The Monarchs will host Mott Wednesday (Feb. 16) at 5:30 p.m. for a game that could decide who qualifies for the district tournament.
On Monday, the Monarchs were down 20-17 after one quarter and inched closer to trail at the half by a thin 31-29 margin. In the third quarter, the Monarchs tied the game at 42-42, but the Pioneers answered with a 6-0 burst as part of an 11-3 run to close out the frame. Trailing by eight entering the fourth, the Monarchs battled back to get within two points on two separate occasions but couldn't snag the lead as the Pioneers closed out the game to earn the nine-point win.
DeBraya Edwards (Detroit, Mich./Roseville) once again paced the Monarchs with 27 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Edwards added 10 rebounds for yet another double-doubled and recorded five steals and four assists as part of a balanced night on the court. Amy Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock) followed with 14 points (4 3PM), four assists and a pair of steals, while Chante Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) and Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) pulled down 10 boards each to go along with seven points and four points, respectively.
Rylee Thomas (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) tallied nine points on three triples and added two rebounds and two assists.