MILTON - The Monroe girls basketball team had a one-point lead in the second half, but couldn't hang on and lost a Badger South Conference opener to Milton 54-43 Tuesday.
Monroe (0-4, 0-1 Badger South) was tied with the Red Hawks at 15 before Milton closed the second quarter on an 8-2 run to take a six-point lead at the half. The Cheesemakers behind Brooke Adams, who scored a team-high 11 points, and sophomore Lexi Hilliard, who scored 10 points, took a 26-25 lead in the third quarter. The Red Hawks then went on a 12-0 run from the end of the third quarter into the fourth.
"They had two runs that we couldn't overcome," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said.
The Cheesemakers have lost two games by six points or less and are improving on offense, but are searching for their first win.
"It's hard when you lose these close games," Mathiason said. "Part of that is the learning curve we are under. It's part of the process of understanding that every play is important. If you lose your focus for one or two times and they get a basket, it's an uphill climb. I'm proud of the way the girls played hard all the way to the end."
The Cheesemakers made 16 of 25 free throws. Milton was led by Bailee Collins, who scored a game-high 12 points and Carley Albrecht who added 11 points.
"All you can do is keep putting yourself in position," Mathiason said. "We have to keep putting it all together and keep knocking on the door."
Monroe (0-4, 0-1 Badger South) was tied with the Red Hawks at 15 before Milton closed the second quarter on an 8-2 run to take a six-point lead at the half. The Cheesemakers behind Brooke Adams, who scored a team-high 11 points, and sophomore Lexi Hilliard, who scored 10 points, took a 26-25 lead in the third quarter. The Red Hawks then went on a 12-0 run from the end of the third quarter into the fourth.
"They had two runs that we couldn't overcome," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said.
The Cheesemakers have lost two games by six points or less and are improving on offense, but are searching for their first win.
"It's hard when you lose these close games," Mathiason said. "Part of that is the learning curve we are under. It's part of the process of understanding that every play is important. If you lose your focus for one or two times and they get a basket, it's an uphill climb. I'm proud of the way the girls played hard all the way to the end."
The Cheesemakers made 16 of 25 free throws. Milton was led by Bailee Collins, who scored a game-high 12 points and Carley Albrecht who added 11 points.
"All you can do is keep putting yourself in position," Mathiason said. "We have to keep putting it all together and keep knocking on the door."
