Ben Singleton fought through a double team and made a layup with 0.8-seconds left in regulation to break a 43-all tie and send fifth-ranked Monticello to their fourth straight regional title with a 45-43 win over GCMS in boys 2A regional final action from Hoopeston.

Leading 43-36, Monticello played sloppy basketball the final two minutes and nearly squandered an eight-point advantage late, but made enough plays to hold off eighth-ranked GCMS.

The two top-ten squads traded blows throughout the game swapping runs and trading big baskets all night.

Tied at 13 after the first quarter, Monticello led 23-17 halfway through the second quarter, but GCMS responded with an 8-0 run to close out the quarter and led 25-23 at the intermission.

The Sages opened the second half strong, opening up a 39-32 advantage with 3:15 left thanks to making their first eight shots of the second half.

Ben Freehill made back to back threes to tie the game with 1:07 left and GCMS allowed Monticello to hold for a final shot.

Singleton took the ball in the high post looking for outlets on the wing but when nothing opened up, he drove through a double team and hit a tough floater off the glass, and though the clock expired, officials put 0.8 seconds on the clock.

A last-ditch three by the Falcons as time expired game Monticello their fifth Regional title in six years.

Singleton led all scorers with 17 points. Calvin Fisher added 10 points and Luke Stokowski added nine points.

Fisher and Stokowski each had six rebounds.

The Falcons had three players score in double figures with Freehill leading the way with 13 points, Connor Birky added 12 points and Bryce Barnes added 11 points.

The Falcons end their season 23-5 overall.

Monticello improves to 24-1 and will take on St. Joseph-Ogden Wednesday night at the Maroa-Forsyth sectional.

Game time Wednesday is 7 pm and can be heard on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.