By Paul Garwood
Photo Credit: Macomb Monarchs

When November basketball starts feeling like March, you know you’ve got a game worth circling. That’s exactly what went down in the PE Complex in Vincennes, Indiana, where the Trailblazers held off a hungry Macomb Monarchs squad, 74–72, in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final possessions.

This one had everything—shot-makers, momentum swings, late-game composure, and two programs refusing to back down.

Macomb Shows Heart in the Opener

Macomb came into the night facing a tall order: Vincennes, a powerhouse at the JUCO level, defending its home floor with a 2–0 record. But the Monarchs weren’t intimidated. They out-hustled, out-fought, and out-executed at stretches—especially in the second half, where they dropped 45 points and nearly stole the game on the road.

Caron Williams was the tone-setter. Calm, confident, and attacking at all three levels, Williams finished with 21 points, hitting tough jumpers and getting to the line (5-of-5 FT) when his team needed stability.

Backcourt partner Lajuan Holloway played like a complete guard—scoring 16 points, distributing for 6 assists, and staying active defensively. His energy gave Macomb the tempo they needed to stay within striking distance.

The bench spark belonged to Malachi Irving, who gave them 13 points in 17 minutes and wasn’t afraid of the moment.

And you can’t overlook Donald Wilburn—a steady, efficient 10-point performance with playmaking and defense sprinkled in.

Macomb shot 77% from the line (20-of-26) and hit big shots throughout the final stretch.

They may have taken the loss, but they revealed their identity: competitive, resilient, and capable of battling anyone in the NJCAA landscape.