In a game heard on WEZC Wednesday night, Johnny Dawson’s jumper at the baseline as time expired lifted the top seeded Monticello Sages to a win over Tolono Unity 44-42 in Class 2A boys basketball regional semi-final action from Unity High School.

The Sages forced a turnover with just over a minute remaining the game, and held the basketball with just under 20-seconds left, and the Sages called a timeout to set up one final play.

Dawson held the ball at the left sideline until about 10 seconds, drove around a triple team a screen to the top of the key, then lost the ball and forced him to the baseline. After fighting through tight defense on the baseline, Dawson threw up a jumper that only touched the bottom of the net and the Sages bench and fans stormed the floor.

Dawson finished with 15 points and five rebounds. Calvin Fisher added ten points for the Sages and Luke Stokowski finished with eight points and a single rebound after battling foul trouble most of the game.

The Sages were outrebounded 24-19, outscored in the paint 36-30, and only converted two-of-nine from three.

The Sages did not play their finest but survived during a week when teams like St. Joseph-Ogden and Bloomington Central Catholic (top seed in GCMS Regional) lost.

Jonathan Decker tallied a double-double for the Rockets with 16 points, 12 in the second half, and 12 rebounds.

JT Wheeler added 13 points and Steven Migut scored 11 points despite battling foul trouble much of the first half.

The Rockets finish their season 11-13 overall. Monticello will play Friday night opposite Argenta-Oreana who downed Tuscola 49-41 Wednesday night.

Game time is set for 7 pm. Hear it on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Monticello will enter action at 19-5 overall.