DIXFIELD — It has taken some time this season, but Monmouth boys’ basketball team has started to put things together, and showed as much with a solid performance Wednesday night in a Mountain Valley Conference game against Dirigo.
A well-balanced offense had four players reach double figures, led by Travis Hartford with a game-high 21, as the Mustangs had all the answers in a 68-56 triumph over the Cougars at Defoe Gymnasium.
Juniors Cooper Chiasson led Dirigo (1-5) with a team-high 20 points and point guard Luke Lueders added 13 points. The Cougars stayed within striking distance through three quarters and trailed 38-36.
Each team has struggled to get on track this season and are accustomed to dealing with the adversity. But the Mustangs had an extra gear Wednesday scoring 14 straight points to open the fourth quarter to earn their first win.
Monmouth (1-6) relied on senior standout Hunter Richardson to direct the show by driving toward the basket, drawing attention, and then passing the ball outside. Richardson was a force with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals.
“We had some great ball movement around the court,” Richardson said. “We had talked with Mat Foulke and Avery Amero in practice about getting out wide and on the wings.”
Monmouth came out in the fourth and Amero (11 points, 8 rebounds) drained a three-pointer and a basket. Hartford made a free throw and Richardson made a pair.
“We had talked about creating space outside the (lane). In the fourth, we stayed patient and maintained our composure,” said Monmouth coach Wade Morrill, whose squad lost a 61-59 heartbreaker to Oak Hill on Monday.
“Any time you have Hunter driving and penetrating, he is going to draw attention from teams’ (defenses), and he was able to kick it back out.”
Monmouth took advantage of the physical, fast-paced game and benefited from numerous uncontested shots. The Mustangs made seven treys, including 3 by Foulke (18 points) from the right baseline. Amero and Hartford hit back-to-back treys to give the Mustangs a 52-36 lead.
“We are a second-half team and our transition game really worked at the beginning of the fourth quarter,” said Richardson, who made 8-of-9 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Dirigo was shut out until Chiasson scored inside with 4:36 remaining.
Monmouth took full advantage of the Cougars committing fouls
“I think (we suffered) from a lack of effort tonight,” Dirigo coach Travis Magnusson said.
The Cougars made 13-of-26 in second half, but missed several high percentage plays.
“Also, you can’t take any thing away from Monmouth, because they are a lot better team than their record is and they have been in some games,” Magnusson said. “But, there is a lot of parity in the conference. I think we have the talent to be successful, but you have to be ready too play.”
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