MONROE - Cold shooting in the second half doomed Monroe in a 44-27 loss to Oregon Tuesday and left Monroe coach Pat Murphy searching for answers.
Oregon used a 22-2 second-half run to build a 17-point lead the Cheesemakers couldn't overcome. The Cheesemakers shot 18.7 percent (3 of 16) and committed 13 turnovers. The Panthers outscored the Cheesemakers 28-8 in the second half.
"You never want to get beat up on your home court," Murphy said. "Any time you step on the court you want the other team to notice you. They were on a mission tonight in the second half. In any sport, the more aggressive team gets the breaks and they were obviously the more aggressive team.
"I told our team afterwards we got out-worked. We didn't respond to anything. I did a bad job of preparing them in practice for this game. They made plays and we didn't."
It was the tale of two halves. The Cheesemakers shot 42.1 percent (8 of 19) in the first half and led 19-16 at the half after senior Jacob Flannery made a fadeaway jumper before the buzzer. Monroe senior Logan Weckerly scored a team-high eight points, which all came in the first half. Weckerly hit two 3-pointers.
Monroe 6-foot-6 junior Ben Latimer, who is battling a sprained ankle, played limited minutes, and senior Desmond Ford, who has battled an illness didn't start.
"In the second half we came out scared," Weckerly said. "We needed some guys to step up in the second half. I think Latimer and Desmond were a little tired. He (coach Murphy) was trying to get someone out there willing to step up and score."
The Panthers' second-half surge was sparked by some hot outside shooting. Oregon junior Ben Weiland made two of the Panthers' four 3-pointers in the third quarter. Weiland drilled his second 3-pointer late in the third quarter to give the Panthers a 30-21 lead.
"We didn't expect him to come out and do that," Weckerly said of Weiland. "Once he made one 3-pointer, we had to get a hand up in his face. I will give him props."
Oregon senior Peter Kissling scored on a layup and senior Marcus Tobias scored on a putback with 6 minutes, 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Panthers a 34-21 lead.
The Cheesemakers trailed by as many as 21 points in the second half. Oregon junior Charlie Soule scored a team-high 12 points and had nine rebounds. Tobias added 10 points and Weiland chipped in nine points. The Cheesemakers went about 14 minutes of game time with just one basket. Latimer scored down low with 2:36 to go to snap the cold spell.
Monroe will host conference rival Stoughton Thursday, Jan. 29 and will then play at Badger South Conference leader Monona Grove Tuesday, Feb. 3.
"We don't have a lot of time to stew over it," Murphy said.
Oregon used a 22-2 second-half run to build a 17-point lead the Cheesemakers couldn't overcome. The Cheesemakers shot 18.7 percent (3 of 16) and committed 13 turnovers. The Panthers outscored the Cheesemakers 28-8 in the second half.
"You never want to get beat up on your home court," Murphy said. "Any time you step on the court you want the other team to notice you. They were on a mission tonight in the second half. In any sport, the more aggressive team gets the breaks and they were obviously the more aggressive team.
"I told our team afterwards we got out-worked. We didn't respond to anything. I did a bad job of preparing them in practice for this game. They made plays and we didn't."
It was the tale of two halves. The Cheesemakers shot 42.1 percent (8 of 19) in the first half and led 19-16 at the half after senior Jacob Flannery made a fadeaway jumper before the buzzer. Monroe senior Logan Weckerly scored a team-high eight points, which all came in the first half. Weckerly hit two 3-pointers.
Monroe 6-foot-6 junior Ben Latimer, who is battling a sprained ankle, played limited minutes, and senior Desmond Ford, who has battled an illness didn't start.
"In the second half we came out scared," Weckerly said. "We needed some guys to step up in the second half. I think Latimer and Desmond were a little tired. He (coach Murphy) was trying to get someone out there willing to step up and score."
The Panthers' second-half surge was sparked by some hot outside shooting. Oregon junior Ben Weiland made two of the Panthers' four 3-pointers in the third quarter. Weiland drilled his second 3-pointer late in the third quarter to give the Panthers a 30-21 lead.
"We didn't expect him to come out and do that," Weckerly said of Weiland. "Once he made one 3-pointer, we had to get a hand up in his face. I will give him props."
Oregon senior Peter Kissling scored on a layup and senior Marcus Tobias scored on a putback with 6 minutes, 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Panthers a 34-21 lead.
The Cheesemakers trailed by as many as 21 points in the second half. Oregon junior Charlie Soule scored a team-high 12 points and had nine rebounds. Tobias added 10 points and Weiland chipped in nine points. The Cheesemakers went about 14 minutes of game time with just one basket. Latimer scored down low with 2:36 to go to snap the cold spell.
Monroe will host conference rival Stoughton Thursday, Jan. 29 and will then play at Badger South Conference leader Monona Grove Tuesday, Feb. 3.
"We don't have a lot of time to stew over it," Murphy said.
