By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
Ty Pence scored a career-high 25 points on Tuesday, leading the Spartans to their sixth consecutive Illini Prairie Conference win.
Pence nailed four three-point shots in SJ-O’s 57-52 win at home over Monticello. The game marked the fourth time in the past six games that the freshman led the team in scoring.
Chance Izard chipped in with 10 points. Payton Cain had eight points and Jordan Kelly finished with seven points.
SJ-O held a 19-18 halftime edge and broke from a 22-22 deadlock by virtue of an 11-0 run that extended into the early seconds of the fourth period.
Cain and Drew Coursey each pulled down eight rebounds. Cain had three assists and Coursey provided three steals.
The Spartans helped their cause by hitting 21 of 25 free throws.
Pence cleared five rebounds and Izard handed out three assists.
The Spartans (16-6) put their 6-0 league record on the line on Friday in a game at Pontiac.
On Saturday, SJ-O will participate in the Sangamo Conference/Illini Prairie Conference Shootout with a 4:30 p.m. game against Auburn at the Rocket Center, in Tolono.
