FLINT – One win away from Danville! No. 9 Macomb Men's Basketball fought off an upset-minded Lakeland Community College team on Thursday (March 6) in the district semifinals, battling back from an eight-point second half deficit to win, 80-72, and advance to Saturday's Great Lakes District C Championship against No. 14 Mid Michigan College. Tip-off on Saturday is slated for 11 a.m. at Mott Community College.
 
Mid Michigan defeated Lansing in the first district semifinal of the day, setting the table for the fourth meeting of the season between the Monarchs and Lakers. The winner of Saturday's title tilt receives an automatic bid into the NJCAA Division II National Championship in Danville, Ill., March 17-23.
 
As for Thursday, the Monarchs struggled from the floor throughout but showcased their championship mettle down the stretch, outscoring Lakeland 40-24 over the final 15:34 of action to secure the victory.
 
Josh Hines led the Monarchs with 17 points and six assists. Early in the contest, Hines broke Macomb's single season scoring record with his sixth point of the afternoon. The redshirt sophomore guard ended the day with 675 points on the season, 12 more than the previous record of 663 points set by Branden McKenney in the 2009-10 season.
 
DaMaryon Fishburn followed with 13 points and five rebounds, Jotham Nweke was close to a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds and Davion Guity checked in with 10 points and a pair of rebounds.
 
Caron Williams tallied nine points, Jalen Jenkins added seven, Lajuan Holloway posted six points and five rebounds and Marlon Williams recorded a balanced six points, seven rebounds and four assists.