Ocelots Open MCCAA Play With A Win

LIVONIA, Mi- The Schoolcraft Ocelots opened up MCCAA league play by hosting the Monarchs from Macomb Community College.

After winning the opening tip of MCCAA play, Nevaeh Cable would open conference play with a layup to put Schoolcraft in the lead just 12 seconds into the contest. Over the next 3 minutes if play, Schoolcraft would go on a 10-3 run to lead 12-3 following a Macomb timeout with 6:04 left in the 1^st quarter. Over that run, 4 different Ocelots would score points. Macomb would come out of their timeout with their own mini run to get the game back to a 3-point game. The Ocelots would close out the 1^st quarter by extending their lead to 5 points (19-14). Aliyah Thilavanh would lead the Ocelots with 5 points in just 2 minutes off the bench. The 2n quarter would see back and fourth action all quarter. However, with 2:23 left in the 1^st half, Schoolcraft would get their lead to 10 points (34-24) before Macomb would close out the half on an 8-2 run as the Ocelots would go into half winning by a score of 36-32. Taylor Williams would lead Schoolcraft in the 2^nd quarter with 7 points.

For the first couple of minutes in the 3^rd quarter, the 2 teams would go back and fourth exchanging leads until the final few minutes of the 3^rd quarter as the Ocelots would close the quarter with a 55-51 lead. Demi Rodriguez would account for 5 of the 19 total points in the 3^rd quarter for the Ocelots. Rodriguez went 1-4 from 3 and 2-2 from the free throw line. Erin Young and Taylor Williams would also both hit 3's in the quarter. Defense would be key for Schoolcraft if they wanted to close out the victory in the 4^th quarter. The Ocelots would be up for the challenge as they would only give up 11 points, holding Macomb to just 21.4% from the field and forcing 4 Monarch turnovers while also registering a blocked shot. 3 different Ocelots, Kyra Lawrence, Demi Rodriguez, and Taylor Williams would each register 4 points. Schoolcraft would outscore the Monarchs 16-11 in the 4^th quarter to close out their 71-62 victory.

Rodriguez and Williams would tie for the team lead with 16 points each with Rodriguez also leading the team in rebounds with 13, earning herself a double double. Sharon Smith would account for 7 points and a team leading 4 assists in 32 minutes of action. Aliyah Thilavanh would  be the leader off the bench with 8 points and 6 rebounds in 15 minutes.

Schoolcraft returns to the floor on Wednesday, January 17, as they host Mott Community College (3-7, 0-1) with tipoff at 5:30 PM.