Scots Put Four in Double Figures to Beat Blackburn

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (11/22/2023) — The Monmouth College men's basketball team put four in double figures to beat Blackburn College 79-70 on Tuesday night. The Scots (2-3) are off for the holiday before starting conference play next Tuesday.

Jordan Hill (Chicago, Illinois) started the game with a bucket and after Blackburn took the lead, Hill scored again. Declan Flynn (Monmouth, Illinois) hit a 3-pointer for a 7-6 lead and Turner Plumer (Canton, Illinois) made a layup. Blackburn took an 11-9 lead and Monmouth responded with baskets from Hill, Plumber and Brennen McNally (Paw Paw, Illinois) for a 15-11 lead. Kyle Taylor (Moline, Illinois) made a layup and the Scots pushed the lead to 24-13 as Jason Huber (Carpentersville, Illinois) hit a 3-pointer. Blackburn hit a pair of 3-pointers to cut the Monmouth lead to 26-24 and they knocked down another to lead 27-26. Ryne Schimmel (Moline, Illinois) put the Scots back on top with a layup and McNally made two free throws for a 30-27 lead. David Williams (Loves Park, Illinois) made a layup and the Scots took a 32-31 lead into halftime.

Plumber scored at the rim to start the second half and Blackburn responded with two straight 3-pointers to lead 37-34. Hill scored but the Beavers hit another 3-pointer and pushed the lead to six with a putback. Plumer scored again and Williams hit a 3-pointer but Blackburn responded with a 3-ball of their own. WIlliams cut the Beavers lead to 46-43 with a free-throw line jumper and Hill hit a jump shot. Williams made a reverse layup to put the Scots back on top but Blackburn hit another 3-pointer, their fifth of the half. Max Maring (Port Byron, Illinois) tied the game with two free throws

With the clock under 10 minutes, Hill hit a 3-pointer to put the Scots on top 52-49. Taylor also knocked a 3-pointer then fired an outlet pass to Williams for a two-handed dunk and a 57-51 Monmouth lead. Huber made a layup, missed the ensuing free throw and made another layup for a 4-point possession as McNally assisted on both baskets. Plumer got a steal and a dunk for a 64-55 lead as the Beavers called timeout with 4:58 to play. McNally and Plumer combined to make three free throws for a 67-57 lead. Blackburn completed a 3-point play but Taylor splashed a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:50 to play. A technical on the Beavers coach led to a free throw by Williams and a 71-60 Monmouth lead. WIlliams beat the shot clock with a layup and added two free throws for a 75-64 lead with 50 seconds left. Monmouth knocked down a handful of free throws to finish off the 79-70 win.

Williams led the Scots with 18 points and Plumer added a career-high 17 points. Hill scored 13, Taylor had 10 and Huber scored nine points. McNally led the way with eight rebounds, four assists and five steals.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: The home team has won the last three games. Williams had a season-high in points. He has scored in double figures three times and has scored at least nine points in all five games. Plumer's previous career high in points was 13 from last Tuesday against Concordia Chicago. McNally had a season-high in rebounds, steals and assists. The five steals are the most by a Monmouth player this season. The Scots are off for the Thanksgiving holiday and return to action next Tuesday with the Midwest Conference opener at Lake Forest.