BENTON — Jayden Brown’s half-court, game-winning heave hit the front of the rim, as Juda fell to Benton 68-66 on Tuesday, Jan. 2. 

The Zephyrs and Panthers were tied at 66, when Eli Blaine stole the ball from Brown and turned it into two points. The turnover and layup left just 2.6 seconds left on the clock for Juda to score. Brown got the pass in to Easton Hess, received the ball back and chucked up a shot that hit the front of the rim as time expired.

Braydon Steinmann (19), Brown (17) and Hess (15) led Juda. Collectively, the Panthers made 12 3-pointers and went 10-for-18 from the free-throw line.

Juda has not won a game this season but lost two games by four points or less.

ALBANY 46, JOHNSON CREEK 42

JOHNSON CREEK — With its nonconference win over Johnson Creek on Tuesday, Jan. 2, Albany extended its winning streak to seven games. 

Kaden Zurfluh (14), Ty Durtschi (13) and Drew Sertle (11) led Albany. On the boards, three players grabbed a team-best five rebounds — Brayden Bakken, Sertle and Durtschi. Johnson Creek committed 21 fouls, putting Albany to the line 25 times. The Comets made 11 of those shots.

MONROE 76, LODI 66

MONROE — The Cheesemakers took advantage of Blue Devil fouls in a nonconference victory on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Lodi committed 28 fouls, sending Monroe to the line 40 times, where the team made 26 of those shots. 

Logan Taylor scored 17 points, going a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. Ryan Mathiason, who scored 16 points, went 8-for-12 from the line. Brandon Bassett tallied 16 points with four 3-pointer, and Mekhi Brown recorded 13 points.

ST. AMBROSE 68, MONTICELLO 47

MONTICELLO — The Ponies outscored the Guardians 38-30 in the paint but still dropped a nonconference game on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Ryer Indergand paced the offense with 24 points, while Alex Roe led with six rebounds. 

In other local boys basketball action, Black Hawk fell to Shullsburg 73-31 on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

ARGYLE-PECATONICA 81, EAST DUBUQUE 56

EAST DUBUQUE, Ill. — Kylie Butler and Brooke Wellnitz combined for 52 points in a nonconference contest on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Loretta Tisch also finished in double figures with 11 points. Wellnitz and Tisch also led on the boards with seven and five rebounds, respectively.

PLATTEVILLE 71, MONROE 25

PLATTEVILLE — The Cheesemakers had 19 defensive rebounds in a nonconference loss to Platteville on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Junior Sophie Golembiewski led Monroe with nine points and six rebounds. Six of her points came from beyond the arc.