DEARBORN – No.5 Macomb Men's Basketball saw their 18-point second half lead slip away on the road to the host and 21^st ranked Hawks of Henry Ford College in a 79-73 setback on Saturday (Feb. 8). The loss is the second in a row for the Monarchs, marking the first time in second-year head coach Christopher Burns' tenure the Blue & White have lost two straight.
 
The Monarchs ended the day at 19-4 overall and shifted into a second place tie in the MCCAA Eastern Conference at 6-3 in league play. The Hawks improved to 17-5 overall with the win and moved into sole possession of first place in the conference at 7-2.
 
Leading 39-29 at the break and 60-42 near the midway point of the second half, the Monarchs were in control for much of the contest before the Hawks took over late and ended the game on an 18-2 run over the final 5:40 of play.

Josh Hines paced the Monarchs' offensive output with 22 points and added seven rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists. Caron Williams followed with 11 points and four rebounds, Marlon Williams had 10 points and five boards and DaMaryon Fishburn grabbed 11 rebounds to go along with nine points and four assists. Jotham Nweke battled foul trouble to post eight points and six rebounds while the freshmen tandem of Jalen Jenkins and Malachi Irving combined for 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Monarchs return home to host Mott Community College on Wednesday (Feb. 12) at 7:30 p.m.