MONROE - It wasn't pretty at times, but the Cheesemakers pulled out a 58-49 win over Milwaukee Custer Monday, according to head coach Pat Murphy.
"We can't afford to have guys in foul trouble. We rely on a certain rotation and when that rotation gets disrupted other guys have to do more than they are capable of doing," Murphy said, referring to having two starters combine for nine fouls. "And our offense played poorly. So we still have some work to do."
On the bright side, his players took what Murphy said was a record seven charges in the game.
"I was really proud of how we played defense out there. That's the most charges we've had by far. I told the guys that taking charges won the game for us," he said.
The Cheesemakers (6-1) were forced into 10 turnovers, many of which came during the first half. Trailing 18-14 midway through the second quarter, the Cheesemakers regrouped and Custer (0-7) was nearly knocked off the floor.
"Once we played our game, we played all right," junior guard Michael Barrett said, who had 14 of his game-high 24 points in the opening half. "(Custer is) so fast and aggressive. We just have to be able to handle the ball."
Barrett finished with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds.
The Cheesemakers went on a 9-0 run in the second to take a 23-18 lead. The string of points was capped with a tip-in by junior Drew Armstrong. A 6-feet, 6-inch forward, Armstrong has seen his play increase since the beginning of the season.
"(Playing more) means the coaches trust me more and I want to keep their trust going," he said.
Monroe led 27-20 at halftime and held its largest advantage, 10 points, numerous times in the second half. Custer brought the score to as close as 50-45 with under two minutes to play, but the Cheesemakers shot 8-for-10 from the free throw line in the final two minutes.
"(Custer) came two and a half hours to win a game. I had to keep reminding our guys that. They are well coached and they played all right," Murphy said. "It's neat to bring a style of basketball like this to Monroe. I believe the last Milwaukee school to come to Monroe and play was Milwaukee Lincoln back in the 60s."
Bryan Tordoff had 13 points, five rebounds, and three steals for Monroe. Kevin Frint added 12 points, and six boards. Larentez Daniels led Custer with 18 points.
Monroe next hosts Darlington (8-0) Jan. 7.
"Alex Erickson is probably one of the better athletes in the whole area. (Darlington is) undefeated and very talented. I know they want to beat us pretty bad. They are a close-by opponent. They'll bring a lot of people and they are going to want to get us," Murphy said.
"We can't afford to have guys in foul trouble. We rely on a certain rotation and when that rotation gets disrupted other guys have to do more than they are capable of doing," Murphy said, referring to having two starters combine for nine fouls. "And our offense played poorly. So we still have some work to do."
On the bright side, his players took what Murphy said was a record seven charges in the game.
"I was really proud of how we played defense out there. That's the most charges we've had by far. I told the guys that taking charges won the game for us," he said.
The Cheesemakers (6-1) were forced into 10 turnovers, many of which came during the first half. Trailing 18-14 midway through the second quarter, the Cheesemakers regrouped and Custer (0-7) was nearly knocked off the floor.
"Once we played our game, we played all right," junior guard Michael Barrett said, who had 14 of his game-high 24 points in the opening half. "(Custer is) so fast and aggressive. We just have to be able to handle the ball."
Barrett finished with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds.
The Cheesemakers went on a 9-0 run in the second to take a 23-18 lead. The string of points was capped with a tip-in by junior Drew Armstrong. A 6-feet, 6-inch forward, Armstrong has seen his play increase since the beginning of the season.
"(Playing more) means the coaches trust me more and I want to keep their trust going," he said.
Monroe led 27-20 at halftime and held its largest advantage, 10 points, numerous times in the second half. Custer brought the score to as close as 50-45 with under two minutes to play, but the Cheesemakers shot 8-for-10 from the free throw line in the final two minutes.
"(Custer) came two and a half hours to win a game. I had to keep reminding our guys that. They are well coached and they played all right," Murphy said. "It's neat to bring a style of basketball like this to Monroe. I believe the last Milwaukee school to come to Monroe and play was Milwaukee Lincoln back in the 60s."
Bryan Tordoff had 13 points, five rebounds, and three steals for Monroe. Kevin Frint added 12 points, and six boards. Larentez Daniels led Custer with 18 points.
Monroe next hosts Darlington (8-0) Jan. 7.
"Alex Erickson is probably one of the better athletes in the whole area. (Darlington is) undefeated and very talented. I know they want to beat us pretty bad. They are a close-by opponent. They'll bring a lot of people and they are going to want to get us," Murphy said.
