WARREN, Mich. – Macomb Women's Basketball got MCCAA Eastern Conference play underway Saturday (Jan. 14) against the seventh-ranked Ocelots of Schoolcraft College. After battling back to get within one-to-two possessions on several occasions, the Monarchs couldn't get shots to fall late as the Ocelots made a late push to earn a 79-52 victory.

The setback shifts the Monarchs record to 10-3 overall and 0-1 in the MCCAA East. Schoolcraft remained undefeated and moved to 10-0 (1-0) with the win.

The Monarchs shot 40% for the game (20-of-50), including a 60% clip in a second quarter that saw the Blue & White outscore the visitors by a 24-15 margin.

Tamia Tounsel (Shelby Twp., Mich./Dakota) opened league play with a team-high 11 points and added nine rebounds (four offensive), while Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) corralled nine rebounds of her own to accompany five points and three assists in 26 minutes of action.

Rylee Thomas (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) tallied nine points on 3-of-9 shooting from 3-point territory and pulled down three rebounds. Amy Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock) and Kamryn Richards (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South) each chipped in with eight points, while Jaelynn Jones (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson) and Jasmine Ellis (Hazel Park, Mich./Michigan Math & Science) followed with six and five points, respectively.

Jackson also added team highs in assists (4) and steals (3).

The Monarchs return to action Wednesday (Jan. 18) at home against Henry Ford College. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.