Warriors Fall to Monroe

Hutchinson, Kan. -- In a matchup of two teams with identical 30-3 records, Monroe (NY) College sent Indian Hills to the consolation bracket of the NJCAA Division I Basketball Championship with an 81-69 victory in the first round of the tourney.

Monroe broke away from an early 5-5 tie with 15 straight points. The Warriors were forced to play catchup after that. They got to within five points at halftime and were down 50-49 with 9:15 to play.

Brandon Spearman's attempt to give the Warriors the lead was off the mark and Monroe immediately went on a 12-1 run. Indian Hills got no closer than eight points after that.

The Warriors' chances were hurt by cold shooting -- 33% from the field and 58% from the free throw line.

Monroe guard Davon Marshall attempted 20 free throws, one more than the entire IHCC team. Marshall made 15 of his 20 foul shots and led all scorers with 34 points. Teammate Orlando Sanchez, who also played on last year's Monroe team that lost in the national semifinals, added 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Indian Hills got a double-double from Jameel McKay who scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Gary Ricks, Jr. nailed four 3s and had 12 points and Spearman had 11.

The Warriors will take on East Mississippi on Wednesday afternoon to try to extend their season.

MONROE 81, INDIAN HILLS 69

INDIAN HILLS Brandon Spearman 4 2-2 11, Gary Ricks, Jr. 4 0-0 12, Michael Haynes 0 0-0 0, D.J. Bennett 2 1-2 5, Kieran Woods 0 0-0 0, Jameel McKay 9 1-4 19, Roderick Bobbitt 1 1-2 4, Dustin Hogue 1 6-9 8, Ronnie Stevens 1 0-0 2, Trinson White 3 0-0 8, Gary Ross 0 0-0 0 Team 25 11-19 69

MONROE Davon Marshall 8 15-20 34, Drimir Ferguson 2 1-2 6, Marco Bourgault 1 0-0 3, Orlando Sanchez 8 2-2 18, Maurice Ndour 5 2-2 12, Anthony Banks 1 0-0 2, Terrell Eaddy 1 1-2 3, Thomas Feeney 0 2-2 2 Team 26 24-31 81

Halftime score: Monroe 39, Indian Hills 34; Three-point field goals: IHCC 8 (Ricks 4; White 2; Spearman, Bobbitt 1), MC 5 (Marshall 3; Ferguson, Bourgault 1)