Lady Tribunes hold off Vincennes, advance to title game
MCC will face ASA with a trip to nationals on the line.
ROCHESTER - The MCC women's basketball team is one step closer to the national tournament after defeating Vincennes University 82-75 in the NJCAA District C semifinals on Monagan Court Saturday.
The Lady Tribunes (25-3) will take on ASA College at 2 p.m. Saturday in the title game. The winner advances to the NJCAA Division I national tournament, March 17-22, in Salina, Kan.
ASA defeated Harford Community College 92-89 in Friday's other semifinal. MCC and ASA met once in the regular season, with the Tribunes prevailing 70-67.
Ayana Ratliff poured in a game-high 25 points to lead Monroe past Vincennes. The sophomore point guard converted 8-of-10 free throws in the final 1:30 to help MCC hold off a late Trailblazer charge.
The Tribunes jumped out to a lead in the opening half. Layups by Tyra Jones and Rose Ayala, as well as a pair of baskets from Ratliff gave Monroe a 26-16 advantage. MCC led 28-22 at the break.
Both teams picked up the tempo in the second half. Vincennes cut the lead to 51-48 with 10:58 remaining, but the Tribs went on a 19-10 run over the next seven minutes to restore a double-digit lead. Bailey Hixson hit a pair of 3's, Ratliff had a three-point play, and Deaisia Acklin also connected from long distance during the spurt.
The Trailblazers found their range down the stretch, but MCC was able to put the game away at the line.
Jones finished with 13 points and seven rebounds and Hixson scored 11 for MCC. Nubia Haynes totaled 10 points, while Ayala had seven points and four blocks.