Macomb Dakota returned to the pinnacle of the Macomb Area Conference Red Division by securing a 70-65 victory against host Roseville on the road Thursday. This win positions the Cougars for at least a share of the division title, with only Port Huron Northern capable of catching them. For Port Huron Northern to claim a share, they must defeat Clinton Township Chippewa Valley at home on February 13, while Dakota needs to lose its final league game against Grosse Pointe South.
“It”s a great day around here in Cougars land,” expressed Dakota coach Paul Tocco, whose team now stands at 15-4 overall and 7-2 in the conference. “We went on the road and beat a very talented Roseville team, which has significant athleticism, helping us secure at least a tie for the conference championship. Every game in the MAC Red this year has been a challenge.”
Coach Tocco noted the unprecedented depth of the MAC Red this season, stating, “In all my years of coaching, I have never seen the MAC Red so deep. Historically, we”ve had great teams and players in our league, but this year, top to bottom, it is extremely competitive.” He also mentioned how even teams at the bottom, like Warren Lincoln, possess young talent capable of pulling off upsets.
As for the game itself, Dakota initially took a 19-15 lead over Roseville after the first quarter. The Cougars maintained their edge, outscoring the Panthers 22-20 in the second quarter to head into halftime with a 41-35 advantage. However, Roseville surged in the third quarter, launching a 20-10 run that put them ahead 55-51 as they entered the final period.
In a thrilling conclusion, Dakota rallied back, closing the game with a decisive 19-10 run to secure the five-point win. Senior forward Nehvir Njoku led the Cougars with a standout performance, contributing 21 points, 14 rebounds, five steals, and four assists. Additionally, backup guard Alfonzo Eguia came off the bench to add a significant spark with 13 points, three assists, and three rebounds.
Despite being limited by foul trouble, senior guard Tovin Williams managed to score 12 points and grab six rebounds, while senior forward Brayden Lee added 10 points and five rebounds. The Cougars faced challenges with both Lee and starting point guard Omar Kasmikha spending considerable time on the bench due to fouls, which opened the door for Eguia to step up and deliver a critical contribution.
“In a game like this, that”s exactly what you need. We encountered some foul difficulties tonight, particularly with Brayden Lee and Omar Kasmikha. We relied on players like Alfonzo Eguia for support, and he delivered in a big way when we needed it most. This was one of Alfonzo”s best games this season,” Tocco remarked.
For Roseville, sophomore guard Carter George was the standout performer, scoring 23 points, while junior guard Terrell Owens contributed 21 points. The Panthers fell to 13-5 overall and 5-4 in the conference, effectively eliminating them from contention for the title and leaving them tied for third place with Chippewa Valley as they head into their final game.
