WARREN – Make that five in a row for the Monarchs! Macomb Women's Basketball extended its winning streak to five games in a 76-57 home victory over Edison State Community College on Wednesday (Jan. 8) to wrap up non-conference play. The win pushed the Monarchs to 8-6 on the season ahead of Saturday's MCCAA Eastern Conference opener at home against Schoolcraft College. The league-opener will tip at 1 p.m. at the Sports & Expo Center.
 
Schoolcraft enters Saturday's contest receiving votes in the latest national poll.
 
After trailing in the opening minute, the Monarchs were able to take the lead early and never look back on their way to posting a 19-point home victory over an Edison State team that entered Wednesday with 11 wins. The Monarchs attacked the basket throughout and finished with a 32-20 advantage in points in the paint to secure the win over one of the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference's perennial powers.
 
The Monarchs owned the bookend quarters, posting an 18-9 lead after one quarter of play and later outscoring Edison State, 18-8, in the fourth to account for the difference in Wednesday's contest.
 
Asiyah Jihad was a force from the opening tip-off as the freshman forward went on to net a career-high 27 points on an impressive 10-of-12 effort from the floor. The ultra-efficient offensive outing was accompanied by a game-high 14 rebounds and three blocks as the North Farmington product continued to ascend in year one at the college level.
 
Vanessa Galovich also enjoyed a career night as the freshman wing went on to record a collegiate-best 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting to go along with five rebounds. The balance in the box score continued after the double-digit scorers as Sydney Garon added eight points, while Carissa Hankins and Zion Harris followed closely with seven points each. A'Liyah Forris followed with four points and fished out a team-high five assists in the win.