In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, the short-handed Monticello Sages could not take advantage of a career night for sophomore Matthias Rudolph as they fell 57-49 in Illini Prairie/Sangamo Conference shootout action Saturday in Williamsville.
Rudolph scored a career-best 19 points as he stepped into the starting lineup for the first time Saturday for Nolan Buehnerkemper who was out for personal reasons.
The Sages sophomore scored the four points and helped Monticello bounce back from an early deficit to lead 14-13 after the first quarter. He was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game.
Blue Jays' senior Griffin McClure scored 25 points to lead all scorers. The senior hit a big three late in the fourth quarter when Monticello had closed a once 12-point deficit to four.
A late Sages rally was aided by poor free throw shooting by PORTA-AC Central. They finished 7-of-17 from the foul line.
Monticello's offensive woes continued as the Sages shot just 38.5 percent from the floor and 3-of-25 from three.
Gatsby Grant scored 14 points for the Sages, who lost their third straight and have lost four of their last five games.
Saturday's shootout was the final installment of the event that has been taking place for roughly five years.
The Sages will host Pontiac on Tuesday night.
