KALAMAZOO – A hard-fought MCCAA title game went in favor of the host and seventh-ranked Cougars of Kalamazoo Valley Community College by a 93-85 final on Saturday (March 1). The loss closed out the regular season at 25-5 for the Monarchs, the nation's eighth-ranked team. Friday's win by KVCC was the first in eight attempts over Macomb as the Monarchs won the seven prior meetings over the past three seasons, including a pair of victories to clinch back-to-back trips to Danville, Ill.—the home of the NJCAA Division II National Championship.
 
A third trip to Danville in as many seasons is still very much alive as Friday's contest was a regular season tilt for both teams. On Thursday (March 6), the East No. 1 seed Monarchs take on South No. 3 Lakeland Community College (Ohio) at 11 a.m. at Mott Community College to open up Great Lakes District C Tournament play. The winner of that contest moves on to the district championship game against whoever emerges from the other side of the bracket.
 
The Great Lakes District C title game will take place March 8 at 11 a.m. at Mott.
 
As for Saturday's MCCAA title tilt, the host Cougars caught fire early and took a 47-39 lead into the halftime break. The Monarchs responded and took a lead of their own in the second half, but the Cougars were able to answer one more time for the victory.
 
Josh Hines led the Monarchs offensively with 24 points and Marlon Williams posted his third double-double in as many games this week with 17 points and 13 rebounds. DaMaryon Fishburn had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Jotham Nweke recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards. Malachi Irving checked in with nine points and four rebounds and Jalen Jenkins had eight points, five rebounds and three assists.