PORT HURON, Mich. – Macomb Women's Basketball improved to 10-4 on the season and swept the season series with Grand Rapids Community College after defeating the Raiders by a 48-41 final on Friday (Jan. 2) at the St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Skippers New Year's Classic.
 
The Monarchs won their previous meeting with the Raiders this season – a 55-45 victory at the Montcalm Community College Shootout on Nov. 30.
 
Much like the first meeting, Friday's tilt was a methodical, defensive battle that saw the Monarchs take the lead early in a wire-to-wire win. The Monarchs were ahead 15-5 after one quarter, 28-12 at the half and led by as many as 18 points in a game the Raiders made close late.
 
A'Liyah Forris was lone Monarch in double figures scoring with 11 points and was followed by MyKenzi Harris with nine. Asiyah Jihad ripped down a career-high 22 rebounds to help the Monarchs win the rebounding battle, 52-47, and added seven points. Vanessa Galovich and Janiya McWilliams matched Jihad in the scoring column with seven points each.
 
McWilliams added seven rebounds and a pair of assists while Ruby Sandison corralled eight rebounds (five offensive) to go along with four points.
 
The Monarchs held the Raiders to 17-of-72 shooting (23.6%) from the field and 5-of-32 (15.6%) from 3-point territory.
 
The Monarchs take on Bay College, a team receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division II poll, Saturday at 11 a.m. at the SC4 Fieldhouse.