DETROIT, Mich. – Macomb Women's Basketball opened the home portion of their conference slate on a high note Saturday (Jan. 17) by defeating Mott Community College, 80-69, inside Wayne State University's Matthaei Center. 

With the win, the Monarchs moved their record to 13-5 overall and 2-1 in MCCAA Eastern Conference play. The Bears dropped to 6-9 overall and 0-3 in the MCCAA East with the 11-point loss.

Mott started strong and held a 20-17 edge after one quarter of play before the Monarchs' offense erupted in the second, outscoring the Bears by a 30-14 margin to take a 47-34 lead into the halftime break.

Second half action saw the Monarchs extend their lead to as many as 26 as the Blue & White entered the fourth quarter with a commanding 70-44 advantage. The Bears responded and got back to within single digits in the waning minutes before the Monarchs closed strong to earn the conference victory.

Janiya McWilliams had a breakout game for second-year head coach Kirk Carolan and the Monarchs, scoring a career-high 22 points, grabbing six rebounds and adding two assists. The former two-time Macomb County Tier 2 Player of the Year also had a block and a steal in 39 minutes of action. 

A'Liyah Forris registered 21 points on a red-hot effort from 3-point range and added three rebounds and three assists. The 21-point effort matched the former Cass Tech star's output in the 40-point win at Henry Ford earlier this weeek.

Asiyah Jihad added 14 points and eight boards, MyKenzi Harris had seven points, four rebounds and three steals, while Hannah Tamou and Vanessa Galovich tallied six and five points, respectively. 

The efficient day offensively ended with the Monarchs shooting 30-of-60 from the field and 12-of-30 from 3-point land. 

The Monarchs continue their three-game homestand Wednesday (Jan. 21) against St. Clair County Community College. Tip-off from Wayne State's Matthaei Center is set for 5:30 p.m.