MCC holds on to edge ASA
The Tribunes avenge a loss in last year's districts. By Kurt Wirth.
ROCHESTER – Two crucial free throws from freshman Africa Williams with 19 seconds remaining helped push hosting No. 24 Monroe Community College (12-1) to a 70-67 victory against previously unbeaten ASA College (7-1) Saturday afternoon.
Closing on a 6-1 run in the final few minutes, the Lady Tribunes saw crucial plays from Williams and a couple of timely rebounds from freshman Bailey Hixson to secure the win.
The game was a tight struggle from the outset. After ASA jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the game, the Lady Tribunes didn't take the lead until two free throws from sophomore Deaisia Acklin came with 6:12 left in the first half. MCC held a 36-33 advantage at halftime.
In similar fashion to the first, the second half saw a 15-4 ASA stretch, giving the Lady Avengers a 55-47 lead with 10:09 remaining. As MCC settled into a zone defense, a jumper from sophomore Tyra Jones sparked a 12-2 run that would see a Hixson trey give the Lady Tribunes the lead once again.
Hixson led MCC with 14 points on a 4-of-9 effort from the floor, adding seven rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Dionne Coe recorded 11 points and sophomore Nubia Haynes grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for the Lady Tribunes.
Four Lady Avengers scored in double digits, led by sophomore Colleene Smith's 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
MCC now moves on to meet Monroe College (6-6) on Sunday at 2 p.m. while ASA will match up against Oakland Community College (1-4) at 10 a.m. on Sunday.