In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Warrensburg-Latham used stingy defense to hold off Monticello 51-42 in non-conference high school boys basketball action Tuesday night in Warrensburg.

The Cardinals forced the Sages into 19 turnovers and turned those turnovers into 20 points. 

The Cardinals led 29-20 at the break and scored 10 of its 13 third quarter points at the free throw line. Warrensburg-Latham went 16-for-22 at the foul line on Tuesday.

A Monticello offense that has struggled during stretches this season was limited to single-digit outputs in two quarters but looked much better Tuesday.

Tyler Blythe returned to the Monticello lineup Tuesday and while the junior only scored three points and grabbed a rebound in seven minutes, the difference was noticeable as he attacked the basket and created shots underneath.

Trey Welter led all scorers with 17 points including buzzer-beating three-pointers to end the first and second quarters. The senior dished out five assists.

Ike Young was a rebound short of a double-double. The junior had 11 points and nine rebounds with two assists and two steals. Young was the benefactor of a better dribble-drive game Tuesday night as he had four straight points on layups - including a steal and coast-to-coast fast-break layup.

Young was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game.

The Sages ability to get to the basket better Tuesday resulted in 16 points in the paint.

Warrensburg-Latham shot 44 percent for the game and was led by Catrell Lee's 12 points. Brayden Hickey added 11 points. 

Warrensburg-Latham shot 5-for-12 beyond the arc. They improved to 10-2 overall. 

Monticello finished 43 percent shooting for the game and just 6-for-19 points beyond the arc. 

The Sages fall to 3-5.

It is off to Holiday Hoopla play starting next Tuesday for Monticello. The Sages will play two games on Tuesday with its first game at 11:30 am and then at 7:30 pm.

Hear all the Hoopla action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.