Iowa commit McKenna Warnock led Monona Grove to a key road conference win in the Badger South on Friday night, scoring 39 points and grabbing 20 rebounds to help the Silver Eagles defeat Wisconsin commit Sydney Hilliard and Monroe 73-64 in overtime.
It appeared at multiple points during the contest that Monona Grove would be able to pull away, with 11 made three-pointers pushing the Silver Eagles to three different nine-point leads in regulation, but Monroe was able to battle back and chip away. The first run came just before halftime, when a nine-point Monona Grove lead nearly evaporated as Monroe brought it within one at the break, 29-28.
In the second half, Monona Grove came out swinging, as Warnock and the Silver Eagles buried three after three in building two different nine-point leads. However, Monroe was able to weather the blows, and answered with some timely baskets of their own. Emily Benzschawel scored 10 points in the second half to pace the Cheesemakers, setting them up for a chance to tie with 15 seconds remaining. Grace Tostrud hit a three from the right wing to tie the game at 60 with five seconds remaining, and Monona Grove's desperation heave from halfcourt rimmed out at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.
The extra frame went the way of the Silver Eagles, with Hilliard and Megan Benzschawel fouling out as Monona Grove hit nine of 12 free throws to seal the 73-64 win over Monroe.
Hear from Monona Grove head coach Tyler Kuehl below.
MONROE: 28|32|4=64
MONONA GROVE: 29|31|13=73
Monroe Scoring: Sydney Hilliard 16, Grace Tostrud 15, Emily Benzschawel 12, Megan Benzschawel 10, Grace Mathiason 6, Sydney Updike 3, Chloe Bunker 2
Monona Grove Scoring: McKenna Warnock 39, Seanna Curran 12, Daryan Johnson 6, Peighton Nelson 4, Peyton Blang 3, Jenny Gorton 3, Kaylee Kellogg 3, Julia Bruns 3