But turnovers became a factor in the second quarter and Madison eventually cruised to a 54-33 win.
“We definitely wanted to slow it down,” said Monroe assistant varsity coach Chad Allen. “Our whole goal right now is to take great shots. That’s what we’re trying to do, and it also slows the game down.”
In the first half alone, Monroe passed the ball 135 times. But it had eight points to show for all that work, to go along with 10 turnovers.
It was during a minute-long stretch in the second quarter, when five Hornet miscues led to 10 Madison points, that the defensively stingy Mohawks forced Monroe to throw the freezer to the curb.
Madison had a 26-8 lead at halftime.
“I thought Monroe would do something to delay the game. It was a good strategy, and Chad did a great job,” Madison coach Jeff Smith said. “But the credit goes to our kids. We put the defensive pressure on them and that turned things our way.”
Mark Maloney and Josh Foster led Madison in scoring with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Eight of the nine Mohawks who took to the floor scored at least a point.
Monroe (0-11, 0-6 SWBL Buckeye) was led by Zach Pate’s 13-point effort. David Routson was next with five, while Ramon Boyce and Kevin Sloneker each added four.
Zach Fugate, who had been Monroe’s leading scorer this season, was not on the Monroe sideline for the third straight game. Asked whether Fugate had left the team, Allen declined to comment.
Allen was coaching in place of head coach Denny Ferguson. Monroe Athletic Director Dave Bauer said Ferguson missed the game due to a back injury, and is awaiting a doctor’s report to determine Ferguson’s availability for the remainder of this season.
Madison (12-0, 6-0), ranked third in the latest Division III state poll, will next play Saturday at Middletown Christian. Monroe next plays Friday at Carlisle.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.
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