In a game heard on WEZC and at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello played three exceptional quarters but could not finish off Maroa-Forsyth as the Trojans rallied to a 52-42 non-conference win Saturday afternoon in Maroa.
The Sages matched the physicality of an experienced Maroa-Forsyth team that was playing its fourth game in five days and was coming off a third-place finish at this week's Macon County Tournament.
Monticello led 34-30 going to the fourth quarter but the Sages shot a whopping 0-for-11 from the floor and got all six of its points at the foul line, being outscored 22-6 in the final frame.
Kaiden Maurer scored 12 of his game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter, including going 7-for-8 at the free throw line to close out the win.
The Trojans as a team came into the fourth quarter 4-for-9 at the line and closed the game going 13-for-19 in the final frame.
Grant Smith scored 14 points for Maroa-Forsyth.
Mitch Williams grabbed six rebounds. Smith, Maurer, and Zayn Giles each had five rebounds as Maroa-Forsyth outrebounded Monticello 33-32.
Trey Welter led Monticello with 14 points. Eli Craft came off the bench and had 10 points with seven rebounds. Ike Young grabbed a game-high 11 boards for the Sages.
Craft was the Serv Pro of Piatt/DeWitt County Player of the Game for his scoring effort and was a leader in matching Maroa-Forsyth's physicality and playing strong throughout the game.
Monticello did have nine assists on their 12 baskets and committed just eight turnovers. However, 25-percent shooting for the game, including 4-for-23 in the second half was too much to overcome.
The Trojans tried just six threes for the game, scoring 20 points in the paint.
Maroa-Forsyth goes to 3-3 overall while Monticello drops to 2-4.
The Trojans have a week off before taking on Warrensburg-Latham next Friday night at home and then have another Saturday game with Sullivan on Dec. 16.
The Sages will try to right the ship when they host Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond on Tuesday night at the Sievers Center. Tip time is 7 pm. Hear the action on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.
