PORTAGE - Sam Mathiason said the Monroe girls basketball team had an opportunity to get a road victory Thursday night.
But the Cheesemakers' defense wasn't up to the task in the fourth quarter, when Portage took control for a 51-46 triumph in a Badger Conference crossover contest.
"I thought we did a nice job on effort. We battled all the way to the end. We just couldn't get that big stop to give us a chance to win," Mathiason said.
Senior Brooke McBain scored 12 points and classmate Abbey Foulker added 10 for Monroe (1-7, 0-3 Badger South), which is winless on the road this season.
Monroe enjoyed a 12-10 lead after one quarter before falling behind 29-25 entering halftime. The Cheesemakers battled back and tied the game at 37-37 entering the fourth quarter.
The Cheesemakers and the Warriors traded scores through the first four minutes of the fourth and the score was tied at 40 with four minutes remaining. That's when the Warriors went on an 11-6 run to close out the game.
"Whenever you're that close, it's tough. You have to find a way to get that win," said Mathiason.
Darlington 51, Mineral Point 40
MINERAL POINT - Darlington received 48 points from the trio of Amy Jorgenson, Cassidy Chambers and Claire Scott in SWAL action.
The game was tied at 38 entering the fourth quarter, when the Redbirds outscored them 13-2.
"In the third quarter, we had some good shots, we just couldn't get them to fall," Darlington coach Mike Chambers said. "I think we figured out if we keep battling, good things will happen."
Cassidy Chambers led all scorers with 19 points, Jorgenson had 15 and Scott dropped in 14 for Darlington (5-5, 3-2 SWAL).
Hannah Lawinger scored 11 points to lead Mineral Point.
Darlington (5-5, 3-2 SWAL) will host Dodgeville in a non-conference game Tuesday.
But the Cheesemakers' defense wasn't up to the task in the fourth quarter, when Portage took control for a 51-46 triumph in a Badger Conference crossover contest.
"I thought we did a nice job on effort. We battled all the way to the end. We just couldn't get that big stop to give us a chance to win," Mathiason said.
Senior Brooke McBain scored 12 points and classmate Abbey Foulker added 10 for Monroe (1-7, 0-3 Badger South), which is winless on the road this season.
Monroe enjoyed a 12-10 lead after one quarter before falling behind 29-25 entering halftime. The Cheesemakers battled back and tied the game at 37-37 entering the fourth quarter.
The Cheesemakers and the Warriors traded scores through the first four minutes of the fourth and the score was tied at 40 with four minutes remaining. That's when the Warriors went on an 11-6 run to close out the game.
"Whenever you're that close, it's tough. You have to find a way to get that win," said Mathiason.
Darlington 51, Mineral Point 40
MINERAL POINT - Darlington received 48 points from the trio of Amy Jorgenson, Cassidy Chambers and Claire Scott in SWAL action.
The game was tied at 38 entering the fourth quarter, when the Redbirds outscored them 13-2.
"In the third quarter, we had some good shots, we just couldn't get them to fall," Darlington coach Mike Chambers said. "I think we figured out if we keep battling, good things will happen."
Cassidy Chambers led all scorers with 19 points, Jorgenson had 15 and Scott dropped in 14 for Darlington (5-5, 3-2 SWAL).
Hannah Lawinger scored 11 points to lead Mineral Point.
Darlington (5-5, 3-2 SWAL) will host Dodgeville in a non-conference game Tuesday.
