Trailing by 10 points heading to the fourth quarter without a field goal since the first quarter, the Monticello Lady Sages rallied past Tolono Unity for 35-23 win Thursday night in Illini Prairie Conference girls basketball action from the Sievers Center at Monticello High School.

The Lady Sages went scoreless in the second quarter as the Lady Rockets turned an 11-7 deficit to a 16-11 lead at the intermission and Monticello’s only points in the third quarter were two Rennie Fultz free throws, as Unity led 23-13 after three quarters.

The Lady Sages started the fourth quarter with a basket from Lydia Burger and Hailey Moore followed with a three to make it 23-18.

After Unity’s Taylor Henry made a pair of free throws to make the score 25-18, it was all Monticello the rest of the way.

Burger tallied two more baskets, Lizzie Stiverson made five of eight free throw attempts, Fultz added four more free throws and Sophia Beery’s three made it 26-25, giving the Lady Sages its first lead since the second quarter.

Fultz and Stiverson each finished with nine points. All of Stiverson’s points came at the foul line where she finished 9-for-12 and Fultz’s only field goal was a basket in the first quarter that she was fouled on, and made the free throw for a three-point play. 

Burger finished with eight for Monticello and Moore added five. 

The Lady Sages improve to 3-4 overall while the Lady Rockets drop to 1-7.

Hear more Monticello girl’s basketball action on WEZC next Thursday night when they host Prairie Central. Monticello takes on Warrensburg-Latham Saturday and then Pontiac Monday.