BRODHEAD - With the game on the line, Brodhead junior Kylie Moe looked to drive to the basket.
Moe scored a game-high 35 points and made 13 of 16 free throws to propel the Cardinals to a 55-49 non-conference win over Monroe Saturday. Moe hit 7 of 8 free throws in the fourth quarter to help the Cardinals rally from an 11-point deficit.
"She's a heady player and knows how to handle the ball," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said of Moe. "There were a couple of times we had to foul. With the hand-checking rules this year, she was able to take advantage of that."
Monroe (0-3) was on the brink of getting its first win against Brodhead (1-1), which has won the Rock Valley South Conference four straight years. Mathiason hopes the Cheesemakers can build off the game.
"I like the way the kids competed and played hard," he said. "Hopefully, the kids can learn from it."
Brodhead coach Brian Kammerer was fortunate to see his team come back to win, playing without junior Amber Pickel who has missed the first two games with a sprained ankle.
"When we are down nine at the half to come back and get a win, when they (Monroe) had us on the ropes, shows our character," Kammerer said.
It's no secret who the Cardinals want with the ball late in games.
"Kylie is our go-to player," Kammerer said. "She has one of the best shots I have seen. I think our team knows when it comes down to crunch time, the ball has to touch Kylie's hands."
Early on, it looked like the Cheesemakers were primed to get a road win. Monroe junior Maddie Kallgren made a halfcourt 3-point shot before the buzzer to give the Cheesemakers a 30-21 lead at the half.
Monroe sophomore Lexi Hilliard scored a team-high 16 points and drilled three 3-pointers. Monroe senior Alacia Keegan scored 10 points, junior Brooke Adams chipped in seven points and freshman Sydney Mathiason added five points. With the 6-foot Keegan and 6-0 Mathiason, the Cheesemakers had a size advantage in the post they wanted to exploit.
"Sometimes you say you should get the ball inside, but in the nature of the game, it's not as easy," the coach said. "We have to take advantage of our passes."
The Cardinals went on an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter sparked by Moe and freshman Erin Nyhus. Moe drilled a 3-pointer and Nyhus had a basket to help the Cardinals take a 46-43 lead. Nyhus finished with 13 points.
The Cheesemakers shot just 12 of 26 from the free throw line compared to the Cardinals' 21 of 32.
"We missed 14 free throws and were 4 of 13 in the fourth quarter," Mathiason said. "In the fourth quarter, when we needed to find a basket, we had a hard time getting a conversion."
Moe scored a game-high 35 points and made 13 of 16 free throws to propel the Cardinals to a 55-49 non-conference win over Monroe Saturday. Moe hit 7 of 8 free throws in the fourth quarter to help the Cardinals rally from an 11-point deficit.
"She's a heady player and knows how to handle the ball," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said of Moe. "There were a couple of times we had to foul. With the hand-checking rules this year, she was able to take advantage of that."
Monroe (0-3) was on the brink of getting its first win against Brodhead (1-1), which has won the Rock Valley South Conference four straight years. Mathiason hopes the Cheesemakers can build off the game.
"I like the way the kids competed and played hard," he said. "Hopefully, the kids can learn from it."
Brodhead coach Brian Kammerer was fortunate to see his team come back to win, playing without junior Amber Pickel who has missed the first two games with a sprained ankle.
"When we are down nine at the half to come back and get a win, when they (Monroe) had us on the ropes, shows our character," Kammerer said.
It's no secret who the Cardinals want with the ball late in games.
"Kylie is our go-to player," Kammerer said. "She has one of the best shots I have seen. I think our team knows when it comes down to crunch time, the ball has to touch Kylie's hands."
Early on, it looked like the Cheesemakers were primed to get a road win. Monroe junior Maddie Kallgren made a halfcourt 3-point shot before the buzzer to give the Cheesemakers a 30-21 lead at the half.
Monroe sophomore Lexi Hilliard scored a team-high 16 points and drilled three 3-pointers. Monroe senior Alacia Keegan scored 10 points, junior Brooke Adams chipped in seven points and freshman Sydney Mathiason added five points. With the 6-foot Keegan and 6-0 Mathiason, the Cheesemakers had a size advantage in the post they wanted to exploit.
"Sometimes you say you should get the ball inside, but in the nature of the game, it's not as easy," the coach said. "We have to take advantage of our passes."
The Cardinals went on an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter sparked by Moe and freshman Erin Nyhus. Moe drilled a 3-pointer and Nyhus had a basket to help the Cardinals take a 46-43 lead. Nyhus finished with 13 points.
The Cheesemakers shot just 12 of 26 from the free throw line compared to the Cardinals' 21 of 32.
"We missed 14 free throws and were 4 of 13 in the fourth quarter," Mathiason said. "In the fourth quarter, when we needed to find a basket, we had a hard time getting a conversion."
