MONROE — The Cheesemaker offense continues to improve, but its efforts didn’t stack up to Platteville, resulting in a 67-32 loss on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Heading into the game, Monroe averaged just nine points in the first half, 15 points in the second and 24 overall. The Cheesemakers surpassed all these markers, scoring 16 points in each half for a grand total of 32 points.

“Our biggest improvement over the last few weeks has been our movement and efficiency on offense,” head coach Patrick Kenny said. “We’re getting higher-quality shots by attacking the basket and we’ve spent a lot of time working on our shooting over the last month, which has led to an improved effective field goal percentage by 15 points.”

Sophia Douglas put the Cheesemakers on the board and, after a timeout, went on to score six of the first eight points. The other two game from an offensive put-back from Abbey Matley.

“Sophia did a great job creating passing lanes and moving without the ball to get an open look, and our guards did a really nice job playing with their eyes up and finding her,” Kenny said. “She and Delaney also kept the pressure on the offensive glass and created second chance points.”

With a three from Taylor Jacobson and bucket from Delaney Fortney, Monroe got within two points of Platteville at 15-13. The Hillmen closed out the half on a 17-3 run, though, for a 16-point lead at halftime.

Platteville opened the second half, scoring 12 unanswered points before a Cheesemaker timeout. Out of the break, the Hillmen scored another four points before Monroe answered with a three from Lindsay Leuzinger. It was followed by a quick Cheesemaker bucket.

The Hillmen kept their foot on the gas, scoring in six of their next seven possessions. In comparison, Monroe scored on three of them. In the last six minutes, the Cheesemakers outscored the Hillmen 5-4, but the damage had been done.

“We were very flat on offense and defense,” Kenny said of the second-half performance. “Defensively, we were late to closeouts, taking away cutting angles and getting into passing lanes, and Platteville was able to get the ball inside with ease on. Offensively, we weren’t moving well and were sloppy with the basketball leading to unnecessary turnovers. Against good teams, you can’t give them extra possessions and easy looks at the basket.  They certainly capitalized on our mistakes.”

Jacobson led Monroe with 10 points, including one 3-pointer. Leuzinger accounted for the other two threes in her six-point total. Douglas, who had six points in the first half, scored two in the second for an eight-point total. Sophie Golembiewski, Kristina Haumer, Matley and Fortney had two points each.

Platteville had four players in double figures, led by Camryn Nies with 18 points. Lizzie Poller and Maddie Carl tallied 12 points each, followed by Ellie Temperly with 10.