Trey Buzzell hit a three-pointer from the top of the key as time expired to lift Prairie Central to a 48-46 win over Monticello in Illini Prairie Conference boys basketball action from Fairbury Friday night.

Ben Cresap gave Monticello a 46-45 lead with 7 seconds left hitting a five-foot floater barreling over Bazzell in the process.

Prairie Central inbounded the ball and Monticello had the ball well defended on the sideline before Bazzell got it, dribbled to the top of the key and hit a step-back three over Tristan Foran who played good defense on the Hawks star in the second half.

Monticello played a very solid first quarter, holding Bazzell scoreless and trailed just 10-9 but Bazzell caught fire in the second scoring 14 of his game-high 27 points. The Hawks defense picked up as well holding the Sages to just six second-quarter points, outsourcing them 17-6 and took a 27-15 advantage to the break.

The Sages rebounded in the third, slowly chipping away at the Prairie Central lead fueled by fiery play from Cresap along with Foran and the Monticello defense holding Bazzell to just one field goal in the third and Monticello finally broke through in the fourth quarter taking a 35-34 lead on a Trevor Fox layup who got free in transition on a brilliant feed from Cresap. 

Cresap scored 11 of his team-high 22 points in the third quarter. Joey Sprinkle scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

In addition to Bazzell’s game-high 27 points, he also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. 

Monticello held the rebounding edge 26-24. 

The Sages committed 14 turnovers which led to 12 Hawks points. Monticello forced 12 turnovers and turned them into 11 points. 

Prairie Central outscored Monticello in the paint 24-22. 

The Sages used nine offensive rebounds to create eight second-chance points while the Hawks turned seven offensive boards into seven second-chance points. 

Each team shot 44-percent from the floor and each team shot 5-for-15 from distance. 

The Hawks may have had a more comfortable victory if it hadn’t been for a 3-for-9 finish from the foul line. 

Prairie Central improves to 9-3 overall while Monticello drops to 7-3 overall and 5-3 in the Illini Prairie Conference.

The Sages return to the hardwood this afternoon hosting Bismarck-Henning at the Sievers Center. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.