FREEPORT — The Monroe girls basketball team  (1-7, 0-4 RVCV) has struggled this season with scoring, having put up more than 40 points just once so far — in a 52-43 season-opening win over Benton.

Since then, the Cheesemakers have been held to less than 30 four times, including a 64-point defeat at East Troy before the holiday break.

On Jan. 2, Monroe nearly pulled off a nail-biting win at home against Wisconsin Heights, falling 44-40.

The Vanguards went into half with a slim 23-20 advantage. Monroe kept the game close in the second half thanks to a pair of 3s by Brinley Roidt and Laura Quinn, and a couple of late baskets from Sophie Conway.

Alexis Gertsch led Monroe with 10 points, followed by Conway with seven.

Two days later against Freeport in the annual Snack Bowl, success was harder to come by.

The Pretzels dominated the game, winning 84-17. Freeport shut Monroe out in the first quarter while also celebrating sophomore Paityn London, who crested the 1,000-point mark for her career.

Freeport’s lead grew to 35-0 before the Cheesemakers got on the board on an Alexis Gertsch 3-pointer with 7:24 left in the second quarter.

Up next for the Cheesemakers is Edgerton (9-1, 5-0 RVCR) on Jan. 7, followed by a road game at Evansville (4-7, 2-3 RVCR) on Jan. 14. Monroe returns to its friendly confines Jan. 17 against Brodhead (4-6, 3-2 RVCR).