MONROE — For the second straight game, the Cheesemakers came from behind, defeating the Reedsburg Beavers 64-61 on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
The first possession of the game was indicative of the entire first half, as Monroe turned the ball over and Reedsburg went down the court to score. The Cheesemakers turned the ball over seven times in the first half, allowing the Beavers to score seven points.
Charlie Wiegel put Monroe on the board with a mid-range shot, and James Seagreaves followed with a dribble drive off a Tucker Markham screen for two more. The Cheesemakers got the ball under the basket on a Beaver foul, but Danny Pickel intercepted the pass and went down the court for two points. He was fouled in the process and made the subsequent and-one.
The miscue kicked Monroe into action, though, as the team went on a 10-0 run to take a 14-10 lead. George Brukwicki led off with a three followed by two points for Ryan Mathiason from the block. Markham’s first points gave Monroe the lead at the 11-minute mark, and Brukwicki’s second three extended it.
The lead lasted but two minutes, as Reedsburg responded with buckets from Ethan Horkan and Jalen Roman. A three from Bo Bestor put the Beavers back on top 17-14. Although a pair of free throws from Keatin Sweeney got Monroe within one, Reedsburg made back-to-back threes for a seven-point lead.
The Cheesemakers showed some life at the end of the half, though, as Brukwicki passed to Markham, received a screen from Seagreaves and got the ball back for a reverse layup. On the final possession of the half, Brandon Bassett cut to the basket untouched for two. The bucket put Monroe within six at 28-22 going into the locker room.
Out of the half, Monroe went on a 12-5 run to take its first lead. Markham and Sweeney scored on back-to-back possessions. On a side-out play, Markham then drained a three. Sweeney and Bassett followed suit to take a 35-33 lead five minutes in.
Reedsburg regained the lead but a minute later with a three from Bestor. Pickel added on with his own three on a kickout from Logan Yanke. Seagreaves got Monroe back within one, though, with a pump fake and drive followed by a steal for another two.
While the Beavers tried to pull away, Markham had a response for every Reedsburg score. Pickel dropped another three, but Markham swished his own on the other end of the court. Roman split the defense for a basket, but Markham made a step-back shot.
Back-to-back threes from Horkan and Evan Thompson put Reedsburg up by six again. The Beavers reached bonus with just under five minutes left in the game, and Roman took advantage by going 2-for-2 at the line.
Wiegel and Markham worked together to take back the lead with just three minutes left. Wiegel drained a three then kicked it out to Markham for another three. To go up by three, Markham stole the ball and turned it into two points for the Cheesemakers. After a bonus free throw from Thompson, Wiegel made his second shot from beyond the arc.
Reedsburg didn’t go quietly, though, as Roman sank his own three to make it a one-possession game. With under a minute to go, the Beavers fouled to gain possession of the ball. At the line for bonus, Wiegel made both of his shots. Roman once again put Reedsburg within two, but he picked up his fourth and fifth fouls in succession. Sweeney cashed in on one of those opportunities, proving to be just what Monroe needed.
Although Reedsburg held for the last possession of the game, Eddie Alonso’s game-tying buzzer-beating three hit the back of the rim and bounced out, as Monroe came out with the win.
Markham led the squad with 20 points, shooting 50% from beyond the arc. Sweeney also finished in double figures, going 2-for-3 from 3-point range with three free throws. Wiegel added 10 points of his own with a pair of threes and free throws. On the boards, Seagreaves grabbed nine rebounds — all defensive.
