Basketball Teams Defeat Knox in Weekend Sweep

February 1, 1998
The Monmouth College basketball teams each took another important step towards the Midwest Conference postseason tournament as the Fighting Scots posted a weekend doubleheader sweep of arch-rival Knox at home.

The women claimed a 64-50 victory on Friday night to extend their current winning streak to four games. In breaking a three-game losing skid to the Prairie Fire, the Scots (11-5, 6-2) have now won ten or more games in three of the last four seasons and are only three victories shy of the school records for most wins in a season (14 by the 1988-89 squad). Monmouth is in second place in the MWC South Division, trailing only Lake Forest (7-1) and three full games ahead of Knox for the second tournament berth.

Four women hit for double figures against Knox, led by center Karen Valentas (Chicago,IL/ Mother McAuley) with 16 points. Valentas, who grabbed 10 rebounds, and forward Christy Keller (Crystal Lake,IL/CL Central) (10 points, 14 rebounds) each turned in a double-double performance for the Scots. Monmouth was able to hold the Fire to 35% shooting and 50 points with a stellar defensive effort, which forced 24 Knox turnovers.

On Saturday it was the men's team's turn to play Knox in front of a loud and partisan crowd, bolstered by the annual alumni game which preceded the varsity contest. Monmouth (9-7, 6-2) jumped out to a commanding 17-point lead by halftime and led by as many as 20 points. Despite a cold stretch midway through the second period, the Scots controlled the ball in the final few minutes to secure their fifth consecutive win and sixth victory in seven games since the holiday break.

Sophomore Kent Froebe (Tremont,IL/HS) led the team with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Eric Matthews (Knoxville,IL/HS) added 18 points and Trevor Hiel (Prairie City,IL/Bushnell-PC) chipped in 14. With the victory and Lake Forest's loss at St. Norbert on Saturday, Monmouth is now in sole possession of first place in the MWC South Division.

The women play Eureka at home in a non-conference game on Tuesday night while the men travel to Jacksonville for an MWC game against Illinois College on Wednesday. Both teams are home again at Glennie this weekend for conference doubleheader action as the Scots play host to St. Norbert on Friday (men at 5 PM, women at 7 PM) and Lake Forest on Saturday (women at 2 PM, men at 4 PM).

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