Plumer's Career-High 23 Points Leads Scots Comeback Over Knox

Scots turn 11-point deficit into 71-70 win

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (01/28/2024) — The Monmouth College men's basketball team rallied from 11 points down to knock off rival Knox College 71-70 on Saturday afternoon. The Scots (12-8, 6-5) got a career-high 23 points from Turner Plumer (Canton, Illinois) in the win.

David Williams (Loves Park, Illinois) scored the first points of the game with two free throws. Knox led 5-2 when Plumer scored off glass and WIlliams tied the game at 7 with a 3-pointer. Max Maring (Port Byron, Illinois) hit a 3-pointer and Plumer scored again but Knox pushed the lead to 17-12 halfway through the first half. Down seven, Kyle Taylpr (Moline, Illinois) hit a 3-pointer but Knox answered with one of their own. Williams and Plumer scored in a 4-0 run before Knox made free throws for a 26-21 lead. Plumber cut it to 26-23 but the Prairie Fire went on an 8-0 run to lead by 11. Plumer ended the run with a basket and two free throws to cut the halftime lead to 34-27.

Monmouth missed a couple layups to start the second half before Taylor hit a 3-pointer and a mid-range jumper to trim the lead to 36-32. Williams hit a 3-pointer and Monmouth tied the game at 38. Declan Flynn (Monmouth, Illinois) got a steal and lay-up for a 40-38 Scots lead before Knox hit a 3-pointer. Jordan Hill (Chicago, Illinois) scored the next four points for Monmouth and Knox regained the lead at 46-44. Taylor made two free throws and Ganon Greenman (Alpha, Illinois) completed a 3-point play for a 49-46 Monmouth lead.

Hill hit a 3-pointer for a 52-51 lead and Plumer added two free throws with 6:37 to play. Maring got a fast-break layup for a 56-51 lead and Hill made two free throws to maintain a 5-point lead. Hill put the Scots up 60-55 with a jumper from the free throw line and Maring made two free throws. Knox scored at the rim and called timeout with 2:19 to play and the Scots up 62-57, Plumer made a pair of free throws and rebounded a Knox free throw miss. Leading 64-60, the Scots broke the press for a Plumer dunk but Knox hit a 3-pointer with 20.8 seconds remaining. Williams made one free throw and Knox scored at the rim to cut the lead to 67-65. Taylor hit a pair of free throws but Knox scored with 2.2 seconds left for a 69-67 game. Taylor hit both free throws for a 4-point lead and Knox hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the 71-70 final.

Plumer scored 23 points while Taylor had 14. Hill and Williams both scored 11 to get four Scots in double figures. Plumer led the Scots with eight rebounds while Jason Huber (Carpentersville, Illinois) had three assists and Taylor added three steals.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Hill has scored in double figures 13 times this season, six times in MWC action. All 11 of his points came in the second half. Plumer has scored in double figures 10 times, including six MWC games. Plumer has at least 20 points in two straight games and the 23 are a career-high, as are his 38 minutes played. Taylor has been in double digits 12 times this season. Williams has been in double figures six times. Monmouth forced 20 turnovers and committed just six. The Scots were 21-of-24 at the line, led by Plumer's 7-of-9 and Taylor's 6-of-6. The game featured eight lead changes and nine ties. Monmouth is 7-3 in the last 10 against Knox overall and 17-6 under coach Skrivseth. The Scots lead the all-time series 135-93 and are 10-2 at home under Skrivseth. The teams play again in Galesburg on Feb. 6. Monmouth is next in action against MWC leading Illinois College on the road on Wednesday.