MONROE — Senior Mekhi Brown knocked down two free throws with six seconds remaining to give the Monroe Cheesemakers a thrilling 61-59 win over the Edgewood Crusaders in nonconference boys basketball on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Senior Logan Taylor helped the Cheese establish an early lead with a turnaround jumper and a straight-on three to take a 12-5 lead. Edgewood tied it at 14-14, but Brown connected on a field goal to give Monroe a 16-14 lead with 10:50 remaining in the first half. Edgewood nailed a three, but Taylor made a pair of field goals to tie the game at 22-22 with 7:30 to go before halftime. Brown’s three-point play with 30 seconds left in the half gave Monroe a 35-32 halftime lead.

In the second half, Brown hit back-to-back corner three-pointers giving the Cheese a 38-35 lead with 15:30 to go. Taylor drained a three-pointer to put Monroe in front 38-36. Senior Will Keehn converted on a three-point play and Brown scored a basket with around 10 minutes left to give Monroe a 52-45 lead.

But, the Crusaders fought back and rallied with a 14-7 run to tie the game at 59-59 in the final minute. Brown drove to the basket and was fouled with six seconds left in regulation. He made both free throws to put Monroe ahead 61-59, leaving the Crusaders with one last chance. A last-second heave from three to win at the buzzer missed and Monroe captured a hard-fought 61-59 win.