Matt Swartz helped fuel a 5-0 run to finish the third quarter and put Monticello ahead against IVC on the way to a 57-47 victory in the Illini Prairie Conference opener from Chillicothe Friday night.
Monticello fell behind 19-10 early in the second quarter and went ahead 22-21 at 3:03 of the second quarter however, IVC quickly took the lead back and kept Monticello at bay until Swartz hit a wing three with 18 seconds left in the third to tie the game at 36-36.
On the next possession, Swartz was fouled on a layup to give Monticello a 38-36 advantage going to the fourth.
IVC opened the fourth with a 3 to go up 39-38 but that would be the last advantage the Grey Ghosts would have. Monticello gradually pulled away thanks to active defense and excellent ball movement.
Trey Welter led the Sages in scoring with 12 points. Jack Weidner, Drew Sheppard, and Swartz each added eight while Will Ross scored seven points and Eli Craft and Tylor Bundy each added six points.
Swartz's second-half spark earned him the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt County Player of the Game.
IVC falls to 3-12 overall and 0-1 in Illini Prairie action.
Monticello is 9-6 overall and 1-0 in league play. The Sages travel to the St. Joe-Ogden Christie Clinic Shootout tomorrow afternoon to take on Newton at 3:30 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.
