Men's Basketball Falls to Loras, 84-79

Jonathan Oradiegwu Paces Scots with 19 Points

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill (11/11/2021) — The Monmouth College men's basketball team led more than they trailed on Wednesday night but fell to Loras College 84-79 at Glennie Gymnasium. The loss drops the Scots to 0-2 to start the season as they embark on a five-game road trip.

Monmouth led for nearly the entire first half as Jonathan Oradiegwu (Richmond, Texas) scored 12 points in the first 20 minutes. Briar Greenman (Alwood, Illinois) contributed with 10 and the Scots made 4-of-9 from beyond the arc in the opening half. Jordan Metcalf (Aledo, Illinois) was in foul trouble early and took just one shot in the first half. Loras made a late run in the half and the game went into the break tied at 37.

Loras scored the first four points of the second half before Monmouth answered with a 5-0 run for a 42-41 lead. The game was tied at 48 before the visitors went on an 8-0 run for their largest lead of the game. Monmouth's Kendall Brasfield (Chicago, Illinois) went on a personal 5-0 run with a 3-pointer and a layup.

The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes before Loras went on a mini-run to take a 73-65 lead with 4:44 to play. Jadyn Ellison (Hudson, Illinois) hit a three and Metcalf had a bucket in the lane. Metcalf added a couple free throws but Loras hit two 3-pointers late in the shot clock before hitting crucial free throws.

With the Scots down by six, Declan Flynn (Monmouth, Illinois) buried a 3-pointer to cut the Loras lead to 82-79 with 6.1 seconds left. Loras hit both free throws to push the lead back to five and the Scots didn't get a shot at the buzzer.

Oradiegwu led Monmouth with a career-high 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out four assists. Metcalf had 12 points while Braswell finished with 11 and Greenman had 10. Flynn made three 3-pointers for nine points.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: The Scots shot 58 percent from the field for the game and made 10-of-18 (55.6%) from behind the arc...Loras outrebounded the Scots 26-17 and they grabbed 10 offensive boards.The Scots had 25 bench points...Both teams had 18 turnovers...The Scots had 17 assists on 29 made baskets...The game featured seven lead changes and nine ties...Monmouth played 11 players and 10 of them scored...The next five games are on the road for the Scots with three in Iowa...Monmouth plays at Coe next Wednesday...The next home game is against Beloit on Saturday, Dec. 4.