HIGHLIGHTS: YOUTUBE

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The 2021-22 season came to a close Tuesday (March 1) in a 76-59 setback at Delta in the quarterfinal round of the Region XII Great Lakes District B Tournament. The Monarchs, the tournament's No. 6 seed, battled the No. 3 seed Pioneers tough throughout before the hosts pulled away for the victory.

The Monarchs end their season with a record of 15-13 overall after finishing MCCAA Eastern Conference play at an even 8-8. The Pioneers improved to 20-7 on the season and earned a trip to Mott Community College for the tournament semifinals Friday (March 4).

For the third time in as many meetings this season, the Monarchs and Pioneers engaged in a competitive, back-and-forth game before the Pioneers made plays late down the stretch to pull away. The Monarchs led Tuesday's playoff tilt by five after one quarter, 19-14, but the Pioneers answered with a strong second quarter to take a 42-33 lead into the halftime break.

Second half action saw the Monarchs cut the deficit to two possessions on several occasions before the Pioneers used a 17-10 advantage in the fourth quarter to earn the win.

Amy Jackson, Macomb's single-season record holder for 3-pointers made, was on fire from distance throughout the quarterfinal contest, pouring in seven triples for a team-high 24 points. With seven more triples Tuesday, Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock) finishes the season with a record 84 3-pointers made, eclipsing the previous best of 75 3-pointers made by Ashley Wilson in the 2017-18 campaign. Jackson also ended the night tied with former Monarch All-American, Emily Swiercz, for fifth place all-time in career 3-pointers with 111 made.

Playing in her final game in a Monarch uniform, sophomore guard/forward DeBraya Edwards (Detroit, Mich./Roseville) impressed once again, posting another double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The stat-stuffing sophomore also added a team-best five steals.

Rylee Thomas (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) was next with six points and three assists, while Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) checked in with five points and four rebounds.

Thank you, Monarchs, for the memories this season! We look forward to seeing what the 2022-23 season has in store!