The Columbus Blue Devils typically have all the answers at home, but on Friday the Monroe Golden Tornadoes proved too difficult a challenge. They managed a 50-46 victory over the Blue Devils. Given Monroe's advantage in MaxPreps' Georgia basketball rankings (they are ranked 25th, while Columbus is ranked 164th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Monroe's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was James Adams, who scored six points along with five rebounds and two steals. Justin Burns was another key contributor, scoring eight points along with two steals.
Columbus' defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Robert Hartford, who scored ten points along with six rebounds and three steals. Hartford has been hot recently, having posted two or more steals the last three times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Savon Kelly, who scored nine points along with seven rebounds.
Monroe is on a roll lately: they've won 13 of their last 16 matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 20-5 record this season. As for Columbus, their loss ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 16-9.
Monroe does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Columbus, they will be playing at home against Crisp County at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Crisp County is coming into the matchup with five straight defeats on the road, meaning Columbus will have to defend against a team hungry for a win.
