By: The Fighting Scots opened up an 18-2 lead early on and won by a score of 82-60 on Tuesday night, claiming at least a share of the Midwest Conference regular-season title.
Box Score
MONMOUTH, Ill. – The Illinois College men's basketball team went behind early in the game to Monmouth College and could never catch up in an 82-60 defeat on Tuesday night. The win clinches at least a share of the Midwest Conference regular-season title for the Scots, who improve to 17-7 (14-3 MWC). The Blueboys drop to 7-17 (2-15 MWC) on the year.
Illinois College struggled away from home all season and the story was no different in the final road game of the year. Monmouth put the first seven points of the game on the board before
Max Stutsman got loose for a jumper after three minutes had elapsed. The Scots then reeled off the next 11 consecutive points to take an 18-2 lead with 15:30 remaining in the opening half. The offense eventually picked up for IC, but the Blueboys got no closer than 14 points and Monmouth went to halftime with a 52-32 advantage.
David Bauer opened the scoring in the second half, but Monmouth again put together a big run, scoring 10 in a row to take a 62-34 lead on Illinois College. The lead peaked at 31 for the Scots in the second half and the Blueboys played the final minutes in catch-up mode, though Monmouth was never in any real danger.
Bauer and
Mason Speer each ended with 13 points on the night to lead the Blueboys.
Sean McDonald had nine and Stutsman added eight. Monmouth was led by double-doubles from Justin Aluya (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Will Jones (15 points, 11 rebounds).
Illinois College wraps up the regular season on Feb. 17, taking on Grinnell College in Sherman Gymnasium at 1 p.m. The Blueboys will be celebrating Senior Day for Bauer, Stutsman,
Aaron Edwards and
Cody Hildebrand, as well as honoring Head Coach
Mike Worrell in his final game.
