Tribs pull away to defeat Erie

ROCHESTER - A 20-6 run midway through the second half broke open a tie game and was the catalyst behind another MCC victory, as the Tribunes pulled away from Erie CC 81-72 in a Western New York Athletic Conference clash Thursday evening.

Monroe improves to 11-0 in the WNYAC and 21-3 overall. The eighth-ranked Tribunes host Niagara County CC at 3 p.m. Saturday in the regular season finale.

The teams were tied at 47 with 14:50 left in the game when MCC embarked on its game-changing run.  It started with consecutive 3s from Izaha Jackson and Denzel Banks, and after an Erie triple, Jackson hit another 3 and a jumper to put Monroe up 58-50.

Banks followed with a layup. ShaQuan Bretoux then scored inside, knocked down a pair of free throws, and ended the run with a 3 as the Tribunes took command.

Erie cut the lead back to single digits late in the game, but could come no closer than eight down the stretch.

Jackson led a balanced attack with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Isaiah Davis hit four 3's and scored 14.  Bretoux tallied 13 points and six boards.

Darwin Trotman chipped in with 11, and Banks scored 10. Dykweil Bryan added nine points and six assists, and Damon Miraud had game-highs with 12 rebounds and five blocked shots.