Coming off a tough loss at Sherrard, the road got no easier for the Macomb High boys basketball team Saturday night at “The Shoebox” in Monmouth.
Host Monmouth-Roseville led the Bombers 30-29 at halftime, but Macomb clamped down in the second half on the way to recording a 59-48 non-conference victory.
The Bombers improved to 12-7 on the season, while Monmouth- Roseville dropped to 7-9.
“It was a very tough game, especially guarding their interior players,” said Macomb High coach Jeremy Anderson. “It was a really good win for us.”
The opening 16 minutes were tightly contested as the Bombers held a slim 14-13 lead after the first quarter before the Titans edged their way in front 30-29 at halftime.
Macomb grabbed the upperhand in the third period, holding Monmouth-Roseville to eight points, including just two baskets.
“Our defensive intensity picked up in the third quarter,” said Anderson. “That led us to getting some good shots at our end.”
Five different players scored baskets as the Bombers outscored the Titans 16-8 in taking a 45-38 heading into the final frame.
Macomb maintained control down the stretch, sinking 8-of-10 from the free throw line.
For the game MHS finished 18-of-26 from the free throw line, compared to 12-of-23 for Monmouth-Roseville.
Drew Watson topped Macomb with 19 points, 16 coming in the opening half. He sank four 3-pointers and made seven of his eight free throw attempts.
Carter Havens also reached double figures, finishing with 11 points, including 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
Isaac Leinbach added seven points, all in the second half, while Nolan Hoge also scored seven points for the Bombers.
Kellen Martin chipped in six points, followed by Nick Elbe with five and Cooper Hobson with four.
“We had seven guys score which is nice to see that balance,” said Anderson.
Lars Bergren topped Monmouth-Roseville with 16 points.
Nick Huston and Elliott Rogers added nine points apiece for the Titans.
The sophomore contest saw Monmouth-Roseville notch a 40-34 victory.
The Titans led 9-5 after the opening period and 23-21 at halftime.
The Bombers led 30-29 heading into the fourth quarter, only to see Monmouth-Roseville outscore MHS 11-4 to notch the win.
Luke Chapla led Macomb (8-7) with 16 points. Corey Robinson added six points, followed by Cameron Keene and Levi Helling with five points each.
Carter VanVleet rounded out the Bomber scoring with two points.
Andrew Snyder and Liam Parker topped Monmouth- Roseville with 11 and nine points respectively.
The Bombers return to The Hangar Tuesday to face Canton before hosting Illini West in a Prairieland Conference South Division on Friday.
On Saturday, the Bombers head to Kewanee to face the Boilermakers.
