HIGHLIGHTS
WARREN, Mich. – Two OCC 3-pointers in the final 40 seconds proved to be too much to overcome as Macomb Women's Basketball saw their three-game winning streak come to an end in a hard-fought 59-52 setback to the visiting Raiders Saturday (Jan. 28) in Warren. The Monarchs, now 13-4 overall and 3-2 in the MCCAA East, played a back-and-forth game and held a two-point lead under two minutes to play before the Raiders got a couple key shots to fall late.
The Raiders left Warren with a 13-5 overall mark and a 2-3 record in the MCCAA East.
The Monarchs trailed 18-17 after the first quarter and flipped the score to a 34-33 advantage at the half thanks to hot shooting by
Amy Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock). The sophomore sharpshooter poured in 16 first half points on 6-of-9 shooting (four 3-pointers) to account for nearly half of the Monarchs output after 20 minutes of play.
The score was tied entering the fourth quarter after the Raiders edged the Monarchs, 9-8, in a defensive-minded third period. In the fourth, the Monarchs led 49-47 until a Raider basket tied it with 1:55 remaining. After a Raider 3-pointer, Jackson tied the game, 52-52, with 24 seconds left on the game clock. The tie was short lived as the Raiders got another 3-pointer to fall, this time with eight seconds remaining to seal the victory.
In all, Saturday's MCCAA East battle featured a tie score 12 times and 15 lead changes. Neither team led by more than two possessions until the final seconds of the contest.
After 16 points in the first half, Jackson finished with a game-high 21 points on five 3-pointers.
Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) recorded her first double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while
Tamia Tounsel (Shelby Twp., Mich./Dakota) followed with 11 boards of her own to accompany eight points and three assists.
Jasmine Ellis (Hazel Park, Mich./Michigan Math & Science) chipped in with six points on 2-of-4 shooting and pulled down two rebounds in the narrow setback.
The Monarchs remain home to host Wayne County Wednesday (Feb. 1). Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Sports & Expo Center.
