DETROIT, Mich. – Macomb Women's Basketball led by 11 at the break and pulled away in the early stages of the second half to earn a 69-47 victory at Wayne County Saturday (Feb. 25). The win, combined with a loss by Oakland Community College, lifts the Monarchs into sole possession of fourth place in the MCCAA Eastern Conference with two games remaining on the regular season slate.

The Monarchs reco­rd sits at 17-7 overall and 7-5 in conference play after the complete performance on the road. The host Wildcats fell to 2-20 overall and 1-11 in the MCCAA East.

The Monarchs were on fire in the opening quarter, shooting 50% overall and a scorching 66.7% from 3-point territory to take a 22-16 lead after 10 minutes of action. Rylee Thomas (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) got the Monarchs rolling with a pair of 3-pointers and a 2-for-2 effort from the charity stripe to account for eight of the team's 22 points in the first quarter.

Second quarter action saw the Monarchs cool off offensively, but the Blue & White turned up the heat defensively and held the Wildcats to nine points in the frame on 17.6% shooting. The strong defensive effort helped the Monarchs extend their lead to 11 at the break, 36-25.

The Monarchs took control after the half with a 7-0 run to start the third to open an 18-point lead. The 7-0 run ignited the Monarchs highest scoring quarter of the day as the Blue & White outscored the Wildcats, 23-12, to take a commanding 59-37 lead into the fourth and final quarter.

A strong fourth quarter effort resulted in the Monarchs largest lead of the day at 25 points and eventually secured the 22-point victory.

Thomas led all scorers with 17 points on five triples, while Amy Jackson (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock) followed with 14 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for her first double-double at the collegiate level. Jackson's career day didn't stop there as the recent Cleary University commit also dished out four assists and blocked a shot all while battling early foul trouble.

Jasmine Ellis (Hazel Park, Mich./Michigan Math & Science) was impressive throughout and finished the afternoon with 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a pair of blocks in 25 minutes of work. Rayonna Armstrong (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame Academy) checked in with eight points and seven rebounds and Tamia Tounsel (Shelby Twp., Mich./Dakota) pulled down nine boards to go along with four points. Valina Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) posted six points to accompany an 11-rebound effort, while Kamryn Richards (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South) recorded a balanced six points, six rebounds and six assists in the winning effort.

The Monarchs will play their regular season home finale Tuesday (Feb. 28) against MCCAA East leading Jackson College. The game will also be Sophomore Night as the women's basketball staff honors the careers of their sophomores moving on after this season. The sophomore night ceremony will take place approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled 5:30 p.m. tip-off.