MONROE — The Lady Cheesemakers are trying to stay afloat in the conference race and took care of business Feb. 2, knocking off second-place Stoughton 58-41.

Monroe (12-5, 7-3 Badger South), the 10th-ranked team in the state, dominated the second half to close out the win. The Cheesemakers led 21-18 at halftime, but exploded for 37 points in the second half while holding the Vikings (10-7, 7-3) to just 23.

“We knew in a large part ahead of us that seeding would be involved, so we wanted to catch them,” Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. “Stoughton plays tough and composed.”

Grace Tostrud kept Monroe afloat in the first half, hitting four of her game-high five 3-pointers against Stoughton’s zone defense. Tostrud and Sydney Hilliard each finished with 15 points, while Hilliard notched a double-double with 12 rebounds. 

Mathiason said that it was the Cheesemakers’ defense that really took care of business. 

Peighton Trieloff and Emma Kissling, Stoughton’s leading scorers, were held to just two points combined, with Kissling doing the scoring.

“We didn’t give them easy looks. I’m proud of our effort,” Sam Mathiason said.

Emily Benzschawel scored 14 points for Monroe, which got eight points and six boards from Megan Benzschawel and six points and eight rebounds from Grace Mathiason.