DARLINGTON - Monroe senior big man Joe Latimer had a career night on Tuesday to lead the Cheesemakers to a 58-49 non-conference win over Darlington.
The game was a very physical matchup, according to Monroe assistant coach Brian Bassett. Darlington led by one at halftime, but foul trouble hurt the Redbirds in the third quarter, where they were outscored by eight. Darlington had 23 fouls in the game, while Monroe had 21.
"It was a very rough game," Bassett said. "There were a lot of fouls called each way. Darlington shot really well from the free throw line (13 of 18). That's how they stuck around with us. "
Latimer led all scorers with 37 points. Darlington coach Mike Hopkins said that Latimer's skill, combined with his team's foul trouble, led to his scoring outburst.
"We start a 6-3 kid and a 6-4 kid, and they both fouled out. He went to the free throw line and made his shots there," Hopkins said. "We allowed him to get inside position, and when you give a good basketball player inside position he's going to take advantage of it."
Darlington had two players score in double digits. Cody Hardyman led the Redbirds with 19 points, while Cole McDonald added 15. Hopkins said he has been pleased with the play of Hardyman, the Redbirds' junior point guard.
"Cody Hardyman's been somebody who didn't figure to be our starting point guard, but he's earned that," he said. "He had 15 points our last game against Fennimore, and he had another good night tonight. He's made the most of that opportunity."
Monroe improved to 5-1 with the win. The Cheeseamakers will look to pick up their first conference win when they hit the road again on Friday to take on Fort Atkinson.
Darlington (2-5) hosts Mineral Point on Thursday.
The game was a very physical matchup, according to Monroe assistant coach Brian Bassett. Darlington led by one at halftime, but foul trouble hurt the Redbirds in the third quarter, where they were outscored by eight. Darlington had 23 fouls in the game, while Monroe had 21.
"It was a very rough game," Bassett said. "There were a lot of fouls called each way. Darlington shot really well from the free throw line (13 of 18). That's how they stuck around with us. "
Latimer led all scorers with 37 points. Darlington coach Mike Hopkins said that Latimer's skill, combined with his team's foul trouble, led to his scoring outburst.
"We start a 6-3 kid and a 6-4 kid, and they both fouled out. He went to the free throw line and made his shots there," Hopkins said. "We allowed him to get inside position, and when you give a good basketball player inside position he's going to take advantage of it."
Darlington had two players score in double digits. Cody Hardyman led the Redbirds with 19 points, while Cole McDonald added 15. Hopkins said he has been pleased with the play of Hardyman, the Redbirds' junior point guard.
"Cody Hardyman's been somebody who didn't figure to be our starting point guard, but he's earned that," he said. "He had 15 points our last game against Fennimore, and he had another good night tonight. He's made the most of that opportunity."
Monroe improved to 5-1 with the win. The Cheeseamakers will look to pick up their first conference win when they hit the road again on Friday to take on Fort Atkinson.
Darlington (2-5) hosts Mineral Point on Thursday.
