DETROIT, Mich. – Macomb Women's Basketball set the tone early and led 26-10 after one quarter of play in a wire-to-wire victory at Wayne County Community College District on Wednesday (Jan. 31). The Monarchs won by a 53-38 final tally to improve to 12-6 overall and 3-2 in the MCCAA Eastern Conference. The Wildcats fell to 0-5 in conference play and 5-12 overall in the setback.

The 53-38 victory also marked the third time this season the Monarchs have held the opposition under 40 points.

The Monarchs shot out to a strong start, making five of their six 3-pointers on the night over the course of the opening 10 minutes to earn an early 26-10 lead. The hot start led to a 35-22 halftime edge before a defensive-minded second half saw the teams combine for 34 points over the final 20 minutes of action.

A stingy defensive effort throughout, the Monarchs held the Wildcats to 29.6% shooting overall, including a 20% effort in the second half alone. The Monarchs forced 21 turnovers and held the Wildcats to 13.3% shooting from 3-point land to help earn the 15-point victory.

Marissa Thomas (Toledo, Ohio/Perrysburg) posted another balanced stat line of 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals and was joined in double digits by Enddiea Reese (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) who poured in 13 points and added four rebounds in the win.

Tamia Tounsel (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) ripped down a game-high 14 rebounds to go along with nine points and four steals, while Sydney Garon (Shelby Twp., Mich./Henry Ford II) added six points and four rebounds and Kamryn Richards (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South) checked in with five points and three assists. MaKayla Downs (Chesterfield, Mich./L'Anse Creuse North) rounded out the scoring with three points.

The Monarchs return to Warren to host Jackson College, a team receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division II Rankings, Saturday (Feb. 3) at 1 p.m.