OREGON - The Monroe Cheesemakers found themselves leading by just two points at halftime in a low-scoring Badger South matchup with the Oregon Panthers Thursday night.
The team needed something extra for the second half and got it - an outstanding defensive effort that allowed just 10 points in the second half to pull away with a 45-26 win over Oregon.
"We're still a work in progress," Monroe head coach Pat Murphy said. "If we make some of our layups and free throws we would've been in better shape in the first half."
The Cheesemakers' defense shined in the second half, stifling Oregon's two best players, Jason Hinz, who scored eight points, and Adam Gorman, who went scoreless in the second half.
"That was a big key," Murphy said. "We definitely hung our hat on our half-court defense and that'll be a big key for us against Edgewood on Tuesday."
Junior Bryan Tordoff was clutch for the Cheesemakers, going 12 of 14 from the free throw line and nearly outscoring Oregon on his own with 22 points. Freshman Alex Barenklau added eight points and senior Kevin Frint scored seven for Monroe.
With the win, the Cheesemakers improve to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the Badger South. Monroe hosts Madison Edgewood Dec. 22.
Monroe's junior varsity team lost to Oregon, 35-31, while the freshmen won, 44-30.
The team needed something extra for the second half and got it - an outstanding defensive effort that allowed just 10 points in the second half to pull away with a 45-26 win over Oregon.
"We're still a work in progress," Monroe head coach Pat Murphy said. "If we make some of our layups and free throws we would've been in better shape in the first half."
The Cheesemakers' defense shined in the second half, stifling Oregon's two best players, Jason Hinz, who scored eight points, and Adam Gorman, who went scoreless in the second half.
"That was a big key," Murphy said. "We definitely hung our hat on our half-court defense and that'll be a big key for us against Edgewood on Tuesday."
Junior Bryan Tordoff was clutch for the Cheesemakers, going 12 of 14 from the free throw line and nearly outscoring Oregon on his own with 22 points. Freshman Alex Barenklau added eight points and senior Kevin Frint scored seven for Monroe.
With the win, the Cheesemakers improve to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the Badger South. Monroe hosts Madison Edgewood Dec. 22.
Monroe's junior varsity team lost to Oregon, 35-31, while the freshmen won, 44-30.
