The Coastal Empire Lady Monarchs enter the Women’s American Basketball Association playoffs riding a seven game winning streak thanks to recent road victories over the Macon Blue Diamond, Montgomery Lady Magic and the Tri City Blackhawks.

The Lady Monarchs defeated Macon 86-76 Sept.  21. Although they were out-rebounded 46 to 42, six of the eight players that dressed scored in double figures for the winners.

Makhala Jackson led the way with 16 points while Naqaiyyah Teague added a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Latia Hall scored 13 points, Brianna Gipson added 11 while Latia Fleming and Taqaundra Mike chipped in 10 points each. Hall and Gipson both pulled down seven rebounds.

On Sept. 28, the Lady Monarchs edged the Montgomery Magic 90-89.

According to head coach Jessie Fleming, his team trailed most of the contest. “We started off good and then our tempo switched to slow motion and we fell behind by as much as 14 points.” The Lady Monarchs trailed 49-44 at intermission.

With five seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game tied at 89, Teague stole the ball from a Montgomery player, takes one dribble and launched a half court shot but gets fouled in the process. With 0.5 seconds left, Teague makes one of three free throw attempts to seal the win.

The Lady Monarchs forced 20 turnovers and won the rebounding battle 45 to 29. Mike had 25 points and nine rebounds for the winners while Jackson and Hall scored 20 points apiece. Teague added 19 points and nine rebounds. Hall also contributed seven rebounds and five steals.

The following day, the team traveled to Columbus, Ga., where they destroyed the Tri City Blackhawks 115-71.

Jackson had 24 points, Teague scored 18, Gipson had 16, Mike chipped in 15, Jakayvea Akins scored 14 while Fleming and Hall added 11 points each.

The victories give the Lady Monarchs a 7-1 record as they head to the first round of the playoffs with a home game against Montgomery on Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. at the Shuman Recreation Center