Shots and ladders: Scots are Midwest Conference champions
Ryan Phillips - Staff Writer
The Monmouth men’s basketball team secured an outright Midwest Conference title last week, defeating Cornell (81-65) and Grinnell College (100-97). The victories marked the team’s 20th win of the season, tying a school record.
Zay Brown scored the first points for the Scots against the Cornell Rams, followed by a three-pointer from Declan Flynn for a 9-8 lead. Cornell responded with a run when Rams’ Jayden Meeker made a layup and a dunk, extending their lead to 17-11. Cameron Thomas answered with a two-pointer, followed by Brown, and a three-pointer from Jordan Hill. Thomas and Kyle Taylor then each added a three-pointer to push the score to 28-23.
The next big play came from Brennen McNally, who hit a three-pointer, followed by two jumpers from Brown and a jumper from Hill, increasing the lead to 41-32. Flynn then assisted Hill for another three-pointer with just six seconds left in the half. The Scots were ahead, 44-32, at halftime.
At the beginning of the second half, Brown scored seven points as Cornell’s defense struggled. Meeker answered with a three-pointer from the corner. Except, Hill added another three-pointer with 14 minutes left, helping the Scots lead 56-47.
With seven minutes to go, McNally drained a three-pointer and followed it with a layup. Brown scored four quick points, hitting two shots off the glass, extending their lead to 75-61. Flynn then secured the Midwest Conference Championship for the Scots with a layup.
The Scots won 81-65, and the student section flooded the court, waving the Scots' flag as they watched the players cut down the net.
Against Grinnell College, the Scots started seniors Damarian Stark, McNally, Ganon Greenman, Junior Sylvestre, and Jay Brown in honor of Senior Day. Retired Iowa women’s basketball coach, Lisa Bluder, was in attendance too.
The game went into overtime tied at 87. With five minutes remaining, Thomas started the overtime with a layup. Taylor stole the ball from a Grinnell player, and Hill quickly converted two points and gave the Scots a 92-90 lead.
McNally, Flynn, and Hill combined for 6 points, putting the Scots ahead 98-96 with 43 seconds to play. After some controversial calls from the officials, Thomas made two free throws to seal a 100-97 victory.
Brown combined for 51 points in the two games. Monmouth will host the 2025 Midwest Conference Championship on Feb. 28, with events continuing throughout the weekend, alongside the track and field championships in the fieldhouse.