The Monmouth College men’s basketball team rallied late but couldn’t catch up to Knox in a 79-72 home loss on Saturday. Jordan Metcalf (Aledo, Illinois) posted a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double in the setback.
The teams traded baskets early with the Scots on top 7-4 before a 5-0 run from Knox. The Prairie Fire led 16-13 before the Scots got a 3-pointer from Ganon Greenman (Alpha, Illinois) and a bucket from Will Ewald (Lincoln, Illinois) for an 18-16 lead.
With the game tied at 20, Metcalf scored and got fouled but missed the free throw. Knox took a 23-22 lead on a free throw lead as Metcalf went to the bench with 11 points and two fouls.
The teams traded baskets with neither leading by more than four. Knox went on top 31-29 with 2:05 to play in the half. After a layup for Knox, Ewald made three free throws to cut the Knox lead to 33-32. Both teams scored on the next possession and Knox hit a shot at the first half buzzer for a 37-34 halftime lead.
Knox went up 40-34 out of halftime with a 3-pointer but Metcalf answered with a 3-point play the old fashioned way. Knox scored four straight for a 44-37 lead then pushed the lead to 48-39. Metcalf got another 3-point play but Knox responded with a 7-0 run to take a 55-42 lead.
After a Monmouth time out, the Prairie Fire pushed the lead to 17 and forced a 10-second violation. A putback by Declan Flynn (Monmouth, Illinois) cut the Knox lead to 65-51 and the points stalled for both teams. Jonathan Oradiegwu (Richmond, Texas) made two free throws to cut the lead to 67-55 with 4:58 to play.
Metclaf blocked a shot and in transition, Ewald buried a 3-pointer, cutting the lead to nine. Kendall Brasfield (Chicago, Illinois) grabbed a steal and Oradiegwu was fouled on a layup. He split free throws with Knox leading 67-59. Metcalf scored on the next possession to get the Scots within six as the clock approached three minutes.
Knox converted a 3-point play before Metcalf scored in the lane. With a 72-65 lead and 1:01 to play, Knox went to the line in the bonus. They missed the first but got the rebound and converted both free throws for a 74-65 lead.
Ewald hit a 3-pointer with 36 seconds left to cut Knox’s lead to 75-68. The Prairie Fire made four straight free throws from there as the Scots got late buckets from Brasfield and Ganon Greenman but couldn’t get closer than seven.
Metcalf made 10-of-13 field goals and 6-of-8 from the line for 24 points to go with 11 rebounds and five blocks. Ewald scored a career-high 15 points while Oradiegwu finished with nine. Ganon Greenman celebrated his birthday with a career-high seven points.
MONMOUTH MOMENTS: The Scots had won eight straight against Knox at Glennie Gym dating back to Jan. 7, 2012, coach Skrivseth’s first home game in the rivalry. Skrivseth is 14-5 against Knox, tied for the most wins he has against any opponent. Metcalf went over 20 points for the fourth time this season, finishing with 26His career and season high came on Dec. 19 with 28 points against Blackburn. Metcalf also had a career-high five blocks. Metcalf posted his fifth double-double of the season with 26 points and 11 rebounds. The Scots made 21 free throws, two shy of the season-high. Monmouth will play four games next week with road games at Illinois College, Cornell and Grinnell plus a Sunday home game against Grinnell. The next game is Tuesday at Illinois College with a 5:30 p.m. start.
***Report Courtesy of Nathan Baliva, Monmouth College***
