LIVONIA – Macomb Women's Basketball led by as many as six in the first half and didn't relinquish their early advantage until midway through the second quarter in a 63-48 hard-fought setback at No. 13 Schoolcraft. The loss sent the Monarchs to 12-10 overall and 4-4 in the MCCAA Eastern Conference.
The 13
th ranked Ocelots improved 19-4 overall and 7-1 in league play after pulling away in the second half.
A total of 35 turnovers would plague the Monarchs on Wednesday (Feb. 5) as the host Ocelots turned the miscues into a 26-9 points off turnovers advantage to make up the difference in the contest.
After being tied after one quarter of play, 18-18, and trailing by two at the break, 27-25, the Monarchs couldn't string together the possessions needed as the nation's 13
th ranked team pulled away behind a 16-8 third quarter for the eventual 15-point decision.
The Monarchs were strong defensively, holding the Ocelots to 36.9% shooting while winning the rebounding battle by a 40-33 margin.
A'Liyah Forris paced the Monarchs offensively with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting and
Janiya McWilliams followed with 12 on a 4-of-7 effort to account for 31 of the 48 points scored on the evening.
Asiyah Jihad led the way on the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds.
The Monarchs visit Henry Ford College for a 1 p.m. tip-off against the Hawks on Saturday.
