In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello held Rantoul to just one third-quarter field goal and pulled out a 48-38 win in its Illini Prairie Conference opener Thursday night in Rantoul.

The Sages held a 21-19 advantage at the half and opened up a 29-21 lead halfway through the third quarter, leading by as many as 12 points in the second half. 

Matthias Rudolph scored 13 of his game-high 21 points in the second half, and Jake Motsegood (motz-good) added 11 points, playing excellent defense and finishing with five rebounds.

Despite being outrebounded 39-27 and 15-4 on the offensive glass, Monticello held the Eagles to just 29-percent shooting, and 2-of-22 from three.

Iysean Autman had 11 points to lead Rantoul.

Rantoul falls to 6-10 overall and 0-1 in the Illini Prairie Conference.

Monticello is 10-3 overall. They will host Maroa-Forsyth on Saturday at 4:30 pm.

It will be a double-dip on Saturday on WEZC and at dewittdailynews.com, as the girls' varsity tips at 3 pm with the boys' to follow at 4:30 pm.