In a game heard on WEZC and dewittdailynews.com Friday night, it wasn’t pretty, but the Monticello Sages boys basketball squad came away with a Regional title Friday night with a 66-59 win over Argenta-Oreana in Class 2A postseason action from Unity High School.

The Sages used a 15-0 run to open up a 24-9 lead with 5:37 to play in the first half, but the Bombers fought back to take the lead in the third quarter and it was a back and forth game the rest of the way.

Neither team led by more than four until Monticello’s Calvin Fisher made an and-one free throw with 24 seconds left to give the Sages a 64-59 advantage and then Luke Stokowski’s layup with seven seconds left sealed the victory for the Sages and their fourth Regional title in the last five years.

Four players scored in double figures for the Sages, led by Fisher’s 21 points and 11 rebounds. Isiah Florey scored 17 points, Johnny Dawson added 13 points and Luke Stokowski also had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

After being outscored in the paint in the Regional semi-final against Unity, the Sages rebounded to dominate the paint against the Bombers, with a 38-16 edge and controlled the glass 35-18.

The Bombers shot 61% from three Friday night, going 11-for-18, however 12 turnovers resulted in 13 points for the Sages and Monticello scored 17 second chance points.

Argenta-Oreana was led by Derek Jones with 19 points. Pierce Bradford scored 17 points and dished out six assists. Brody Ulrey scored 12 points and hauled in six rebounds.

The Sages will take on Bismark Henning Tuesday night in Monticello. The Blue Devils beat Hoopston Friday night 62-45.

Game time Tuesday night is 7 pm from Monticello Middle School. Hear all the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

In the three-point showdown, Monticello’s Noah Wright advanced to the Sectional competition next week.