Defense Key In Ocelots Upset Victory

LIVONIA, MI – The Ocelots played host to the 5^th ranked team in the country, the Macomb Monarchs.

On both sides, the points would come sparingly as Macomb would shoot 28.6% from the field and Schoolcraft wouldn't be much better at 29.0%. Things would be back and forth throughout the 1^st half as neither team would truly be able to pull away and things would be deadlocked at 23 a piece after 20 minutes on play.

In the 2^nd half, the offense would show up early for Schoolcraft, scoring 14 points in the first 4 minutes of the half. Schoolcraft would start the half on a 14-4 run to reach a double-digit lead. Things would hang around double digits for Schoolcraft for much of the half until things would get down to the wire. With 6 minutes remaining, a Marshall Thorn dunk would give Schoolcraft a 47-36 lead, over the next 6 minutes, Schoolcraft would be held scoreless, allowing the Monarchs to make a comeback. Macomb would tie the game up at 47 a side with 30 seconds left, the Ocelots would plan to hold the ball for the last shot until a turnover and foul would push Macomb to the line with a chance to take the lead. Macomb would split the free throws to take a 48-47 lead with 21 seconds left. With 4 seconds left, J'Vohn Walker would make his drive to the rim on be fouled on his layup try and be sent to the line. Walker would nail both free throws and Macomb would turn it over on the ensuing inbound pass to allow the Ocelots to dribble out the upset victory.

The upset victory marks the first time the Ocelots have officially taken down the Monarchs since January 11, 2020.

Schoolcraft looks to make it 2 conference wins in a row on Saturday as they travel to Mott for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off.