FLINT – Asiyah Jihad recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds and A'Liyah Forris posted a balanced 19 points, eight steals and seven assists to lead Macomb Women's Basketball to a 79-54 road win at Mott Community College on Saturday (Jan. 18).
 
The victory lifts the Monarchs to 10-7 overall and 2-1 in the MCCAA Eastern Conference.
 
Up 19-16 after the opening 10 minutes of play, the Monarchs created separation in the second quarter, outscoring the host Bears by a 22-11 margin to take a 41-27 lead into the halftime break. After the teams played to an even third frame, the Monarchs closed the game strong with a 23-12 advantage in the fourth and final quarter to earn the 25-point road victory.
 
KEY STAT: Pressure defense by the Monarchs was the difference in the game as the Blue & White forced 31 turnovers to earn a 35-10 points off turnovers advantage – the same point differential as the margin of victory.
 
Jihad added four assists, a pair of blocks and two steals to her 26-point, 10-rebound effort, while Forris knocked down a career-high five 3-pointers as part of her 19-point afternoon. Janiya McWilliams was next in the scoring column with 12 points, while Sydney Garon and Carissa Hankins rounded out the scoring leaders with seven points each.
 
McWilliams added six rebounds and five steals, while Garon and Hankins combined for six assists.
 
The Monarchs return to action Wednesday with a tough road tilt at No. 12 St. Clair County Community College. Tip-off for the conference contest is set for 5:30 p.m. in Port Huron.