ALPENA, Mich. – After trailing 35-22 at the half, Macomb Women's Basketball put their determination on display once again as they climbed all the way back to take the lead before coming up just short in a 56-51 setback at Alpena. The loss, the Monarchs fifth in a row, sends the Blue & White to 11-10 overall and 4-6 in the MCCAA Eastern Conference. The host Lumberjacks moved to 10-11 overall and 6-5 in the MCCAA East with the five-point win.

At 4-6 in league play, the Monarchs are now a half game back of Mott (5-6) for the seventh and final region playoff spot.

After a sluggish start that resulted in a 13-point halftime hole, the Monarchs raced back to score the first nine points of the third quarter, forcing the Lumberjacks into a timeout. The momentum would remain with the Monarchs the remainder of the frame as the Blue & White went on to outscore the Lumberjacks 18-6 in the quarter to trail 41-40 entering the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, the Monarchs pulled ahead 47-45, but the Lumberjacks answered with six unanswered points to take a 51-47 lead and ended strong to hold on for a 56-51 victory.

DeBraya Edwards (Detroit, Mich./Roseville) put together a monster stat line with 27 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead the Monarchs in the narrow setback. Amy Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock) followed with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Rylee Thomas (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) checked in with six points and three assists.

Chante Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) and Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) pulled down six rebounds each.

The Monarchs return home to host the OCC Raiders Saturday (Feb. 12) at 1:00 p.m.