Monmouth-Roseville’s Titans started this tournament in near sub-zero temperatures with a loss to a stacked Illini Bluffs team on Tuesday morning at 9am. By Friday night, they were competing for (and winning) the Consolation bracket trophy. Bench points were the story in this game. Monmouth got fresh blood in the lineup more often, to the tune of 35 total minutes and their bench scored 14 points (Darrion Smith had nine, Nick Lewis-Bresnahan had five). Illini West got eight total minutes out of their bench and manufactured zero points. The Titans shot 51% from the floor and Illini West’s Chargers shot just 37%.
Monmouth-Roseville (9-7) had two double-digit scorers in CJ Johnson (15 points) and Nico Avendano (14 points). Johnson shot 6-for-6 for FGs and also had a game-high eight rebounds. Jerome Jackson dished a team-high five assists. The Titans led the entire game.
Illini West (9-7) ends their tournament with a four game tournament run and a runner up finish in the Consolation bracket. The Chargers had three players finish with 11 or more points: Gannon Bergmann (19), Drake Mudd (12), and Nolan Deitrich (11). Bergmann also pulled down seven rebounds, to lead his team. Colby Robertson and Deitrich had three steals each.
Monmouth-Roseville wins the Consolation trophy, their 21st MWHT trophy in team history (and 8th as a co-op with Roseville).
Box Score
Monmouth-Roseville Info
Illini West Info
Chris Derry
December 30, 2022
