MONTICELLO, Ark. – Facing a difficult road game to launch 8-4A Conference play, the Warren Lumberjacks fell in a close back-and-forth battle to the Monticello Billies Tuesday night, January 3, 2023 by the final of 48-44.
Coming off the back of a huge win over the Ouachita High Warriors in the Commercial Bank SouthEast Arkansas Holiday Classic at Drew Central, Warren once again hit the road to Monticello.
Top photo: Senior point guard Malik Day scored seven points and posted five rebounds against Monticello. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.
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The Lumberjacks came out of the blocks fast Tuesday evening. Jayden Ridgell buried a three to give the orange and black an early lead. Jalin Lee, Neon’dre Thomas, Antonio Jordan, and Malik Day all got on the board as well in the first to provide Warren a 14-5 lead after the first quarter.
Warren hit just two baskets from the field in the second quarter. Monticello stormed back to tie the ballgame at 22-22 at the midway point.
Another cold shooting third quarter from Warren hampered efforts further. Monticello took the lead in the third period and extended it to ten points at 36-26 Billies.
The Jacks didn’t go quietly. Four Lumberjacks contributed in the fourth to come within two of Monticello. However, Monticello closed out the night with some clutch shooting, going on to defeat Warren 48-44.
Antonio Jordan recorded his second double-double in a row. The sophomore scored 21 points and posted 14 rebounds.
Senior point guard Malik Day had one of his best performances of the season to-date. He scored seven points and really commanded the offensive end of the floor well for the Jacks. Day also tallied five rebounds.
Neon’dre Thomas gathered eight rebounds and scored six, while Jalin Lee put in other positive defensive ballgame. Lee scored five on the night.
Jayden Ridgell had three and Jordyn Ingram scored two.
As a team, Warren went just nine of 22 from the free-throw line.
The loss moves the orange and black to 2-4 overall on the season and opens their 8-4A Conference account at 0-1. The Lumberjacks face another difficult road game Friday, January 6 as they tip off against Stuttgart in a second 8-4A matchup. That game will start immediately following the Lady Jacks vs. Stuttgart game that begins at 5:30 p.m.
