VINCENNES, Ind. – The fourth-ranked Macomb Men's Basketball team held the largest lead of the night on two occasions, including a sizeable advantage in the late stages of the contest, before the host and NJCAA DI No. 4 Trailblazers of Vincennes University mounted a furious rally to win in the final second, 74-72, on Tuesday (Nov. 4) in Vincennes, Ind.

In the all-time series, Macomb dropped to 0-4 against Vincennes in recorded matchup history. The last two meetings, however, have been decided by less than 10 points. Prior to Tuesday's tilt, the teams last met during the 2022-23 season with the Trailblazers winning, 66-58. Later that season, the Monarchs reached the NJCAA DII National Championship game.  

The Monarchs (0-1) held a 72-65 lead with 1:21 remaining, but were unable to withstand a 9-0 run by the host Trailblazers in the final moments. After a Monarch 3-pointer came up short with four seconds remaining in a tie game, the Trailblazers heaved the ball down court and found a man running free for a last-second layup and the win.

Redshirt sophomore guard Caron Williams led the Monarchs with a career-best 21 points and added three rebounds, while fellow sophomore Lajuan Holloway tallied a career-high 16 points, all coming in the second half, to go along with six boards.

Sophomore wing Malachi Irving had a solid all-around game for the Monarchs with 13 points, four rebounds, four steals, two assists and two blocks. Transfer guard Donald Wilburn was the other Monarch to reach double figures as he recorded 10 points and four rebounds in the hard-fought road tilt between a pair of programs that have been mainstays atop their respective national rankings.

Macomb will look to bounce back next week when they travel to NJCAA Region 12 foe Edison State Community College for a mid-week matchup in Piqua, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 and will follow the women's 5:30 p.m. contest.