MONROE — DeForest made a season record 15 3-pointers in its 81-64 victory over Monroe on Friday, Jan. 13.
“This year’s team has faced many teams that have had career nights from the 3-point line,” Monroe head coach Brian Bassett said. “Deforest, Mount Horeb and Stoughton hit 15, 12 and 18 against us. The problem is that we are giving up too many good looks early in the game, which gives them confidence and shooting is contagious.”
James Seagreaves gave Monroe its only lead of the game at 2-1 before the Norskies drained 3-pointers in their next six possessions. Jackson Accuardi and Brody Hartig tallied three each.
Each possession, though, the Cheesemakers had a response. Brandon Bassett and George Brukwicki’s shots got Monroe within two points, while Seagreaves scored on back-to-back possessions to close within one. Seagreaves also crashed the boards for an offensive put-back, but the gap quickly widened.
“Most of the season we have been able to score inside on most of our opponents,” Brian Bassett said. “The problem has been all season we are trading 3s for 2s.”
Although DeForest slowed on the perimeter, the team still went on a 12-0 run to take a 33-15 lead. Hartig and James Hodge were instrumental to the run. Hartig completed a three-point play at the free-throw line and made another three from beyond the arc. Hodge, on the other hand, got the steal and turned it into two points, followed by another basket.
Tucker Markham went to the line with a foul from Hodge, where he made both shots. Not long after, Markham returned to the line for bonus. Although he missed his shot, Seagreaves grabbed the rebound and put it back in for two.
In its next two trips to the line, Monroe went 4-for-4. Charlie Wiegel and Seagreaves made two free throws each.
“After not going to the line much over Christmas break and Mount Horeb, we have been going to the line much more than our opponents the last three games,” Brian Bassett said. “Our free throws and aggressiveness going to the basket are the two things giving us a chance to stay close and within striking distance.”
Despite the efforts to stay in the game, Monroe trailed 49-31 at halftime.
The Norskie lead swelled to 21 points twice in the opening minutes of the second half with buckets from Hartig and Hodge.
The Cheesemakers slowly chipped away with buckets from Seagreaves and Brukwicki. Markham then scored on a missed free throw from Seavgreaves. Markham added another three points with a basket and free throw.
Brukwicki and Kobe Kleinert exchanged 3-pointers before Brandon Bassett found Wiegel cutting to the basket for two points. With his trips to the free-throw line, Seagreaves cut the lead to 10 with 7:39 left. A minute later, Wiegel put the Cheesemakers within 10 points again with a three.
It took DeForest just three minutes to extend its lead to 20 again. Accuardi had an offensive put-back for two then went to the line for an and-one after making another basket. Despite missing shot, teammate Mason Keyes grabbed the rebound and put it back in for two. Accuardi scored again and Kleinert had an offensive put-back.
After a pair of free throws from Seagreaves, Brian Bassett put his subs in for the remaining two minutes. Off the bench Jakar Broitzman scored three points. Parker Isely had an opportunity at the free-throw line but did not cash in.
Seagreaves led Monroe with 24 points as one of four players in double figures. With nine rebounds, he was one shy of a double-double. Markham was the second-highest scorer with 12 points, going 4-for-7 from the free-throw line. Wiegel trailed with 11 points and five rebounds, while Brukwicki tallied 10 points.
