OREGON - After entering halftime with a 10-point lead, the visiting Cheesemakers had to fight off a rallying Oregon team in the second half to pull away with a nail-biting 38-37 win Thursday night.
The game was all-too familiar for coach Pat Murphy and his team, as the battle between the two teams was reminiscent to last year's matchup, which also went down to the wire.
"This was another typical Badger South conference game," Murphy said. "Last year's game was just as intense as tonight's, and you come to expect that from these types of teams."
In struggling to match the Cheesemakers pace in the first half, the Panthers stormed back late in the game to make for an exciting end to what would be a nail-biting finish.
After Oregon missed an opportunity to tie the game with only seconds remaining, the Cheesemakers were able to capitalize from the free-throw line to give them the edge.
"We found a way to make some key free throws late in the game," Murphy said. "Fortunately, that was the deciding factor for us."
Charlie Kind scored 11 points for the Cheesemakers, who also received solid efforts from a number of players.
With the win, Monroe moves to 6-6, 2-3 Badger South on the season, and will have yet another stingy matchup against conference foe Edgewood Saturday, Jan. 18.
The game was all-too familiar for coach Pat Murphy and his team, as the battle between the two teams was reminiscent to last year's matchup, which also went down to the wire.
"This was another typical Badger South conference game," Murphy said. "Last year's game was just as intense as tonight's, and you come to expect that from these types of teams."
In struggling to match the Cheesemakers pace in the first half, the Panthers stormed back late in the game to make for an exciting end to what would be a nail-biting finish.
After Oregon missed an opportunity to tie the game with only seconds remaining, the Cheesemakers were able to capitalize from the free-throw line to give them the edge.
"We found a way to make some key free throws late in the game," Murphy said. "Fortunately, that was the deciding factor for us."
Charlie Kind scored 11 points for the Cheesemakers, who also received solid efforts from a number of players.
With the win, Monroe moves to 6-6, 2-3 Badger South on the season, and will have yet another stingy matchup against conference foe Edgewood Saturday, Jan. 18.
