In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello survived Champaign St. Thomas More 46-39 in Illini Prairie Conference high school boy's basketball from Champaign Friday night.

Coming off a solid win over Pontiac Tuesday night, Monticello was sloppy on offense and lackluster on defense. The Sages trailed most of the first half before a late rally tied the score at 20-20 at the intermission. 

The Sages started the second half strong, leading by as many as five points but the Sabres stayed close and went ahead 32-31 going to the fourth quarter.

Monticello started the quarter on a 5-0 run and never trailed again.

Ike Young and Gatsby Grant finished with 13 points apiece to pace the Monticello offense. 

Grant had a terrific third quarter with seven of his 13 in the frame, including a layup in transition that put the game out of reach.

Young scored eight of his 13 points in the second half.

The Sages shot 45 percent for the game but finished a dismal 8-of-21 at the free throw line and 2-of-12 from beyond the arc.

Nate Kaufmann, Owen Yeager, and Hayden Bates each scored 11 points for the Sabres. Kauffman did not start the second half due to a cut he sustained above his left eye in a midcourt collision just as time expired in the first half.

Monticello improves to 14-12 overall and 4-4 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They travel to Decatur to take on St. Teresa on Saturday at 6 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Monticello received the fourth seed in its Sectional and will begin Regional play on Wednesday, February 26 taking on the winner of a quarterfinal game between Westville and Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond at 7:30 pm.