The game at Pecatonica on January 3rd was close throughout the first half for the Monticello Ponies – with the Ponies holding a 6-point lead at once point and the halftime score was tied at 26. However, the Vikings came back out to the court in the second half reinvigorated, going on an 11-4 run in the first five minutes of the half. The Ponies fought to catch up but were unsuccessful and lost the game, 42-58.

"In the second half we gave them too many opportunities on offensive rebounds and Ruegsegger got hot from 3, hitting 6 in the game. They finished the game shooting well from the free throw line to pull away and win," said Coach Mark Olson.

Devin Holtz led the Ponies with 12 points, while Jeffery Ace scored 10 points and Simon Blohowiak and Peter Gustafson each put 7 points on the board. Ace and Reece Rufer pulled down 5 rebounds apiece.

On January 5th, the Ponies hosted Belmont. In the first half, the Ponies took the lead over the Braves on a 3-point shot by Peter Gustafson with a little over 8 minutes left in the half. The halftime score was Monticello, 30, Belmont 20. The Ponies came out in the second half and went on a 7-0 run. Monticello would stretch their lead to 21 points with 5:22 left and go on to win the game, 58-41.

"We did a nice job of attacking the rim against Belmont and challenging defensively to open up a 10-point lead at halftime and never looked back," remarked Olson.

Peter Gustafson poured in 20 points for the Ponies and pulled down 7 rebounds, while Reece Rufer added 18 points to the score and pulled down 11 rebounds and Jeffrey Ace scored 8 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. Simon Blohowiak ended the game with 7 rebounds.

The Ponies hosted Barneveld on January 8th, play at Argyle on January 11th and host Juda on January 17th. They currently have a conference record of 2-2 and are 6-4 overall.