DOWAGIAC, Mich. – A tough shooting afternoon and untimely miscues doomed Macomb Men's Basketball in a 71-64 season-opening setback to NJCAA Division I Kennedy-King College on Friday (Oct. 30) at the Southwestern Michigan College Roadrunner Classic.
After digging out of a slow start, the Monarchs managed to get within six at the break, 39-33, thanks to a late surge that saw the Navy and White outscore the Statesmen, 11-5, over the final 4:30 of the opening frame.
The late momentum carried over into the early stages of the second half where the Monarchs erased the six-point deficit within the first minute and eventually took a 44-41 lead two minutes later. After a back-and-forth battle until the latter stages of the contest, the Monarchs went cold down the stretch and the Statesmen converted on back-to-back possessions in the final 90 seconds in the seven-point decision.
Kimari Barden recorded a double-double in his Macomb debut with 15 points and 12 rebounds, both of which were good for the team-high in each category on the afternoon. Barden shot 7-of-14 from the field and corralled a team-best four offensive boards as part of his impressive debut.
Caden Neves knocked down a trio of 3-pointers in the second half on his way to 12 points. The sophomore forward added six rebounds in his Monarch debut.
One of only three returners from last year's active roster,
Justin Gloster rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Monarchs with 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting and tied Neves on the glass with six rebounds. The sophomore forward blocked a pair of shots and added two assists to his season-opening stat line.
Sophomore guards
Braeden Holder and
Dante Wimberly added eight points each.
The Monarchs close out their time at the Roadrunner Classic on Saturday (Oct. 31) with a 1 p.m. battle against NJCAA Division I Richard J. Daley College (Ill.). Live stream coverage, via host Southwestern Michigan, will be available
here.
