Box Score Monmouth dropped into a tie for the final Midwest Conference Playoff spot after tasting early foul trouble that permeated into the second half as they dropped an 83-77 decision to Beloit at Glennie Gym.
 
With just 3 games left in conference play, the Scots came into the night in sole possession of fourth place.
 
Senior big man Matt Juhola jump-started the Scots in the first half posting 8 points and 3 rebounds in just 9 minutes of action.
 
Late in the first half, Beloit pushed their lead to 10 as the Scots shot just 29.4 percent from the floor, 25 percent from three.
 
The Buccaneers managed to hold the league's top rebounding team in check at a rate of 24-19. Forcing five Fighting Scots turnovers in the first half, the Bucs headed into halftime up 36-27.
 
The Fighting Scots burst onto the scene in the second half, scoring 50 points in just 20 minutes.
 
Early in the half, sophomore off-guard Paul Engo III jumped the passing lane and took it coast-to-coast for the dunk to ignite the Scots just two minutes into the half.
 
Freshman Lamont Mitchell built on that effort pouring in 12 second half points, 15 for the game, and led the attack for the Scots. Engo added another bucket with a minute remaining to trim Beloit's lead to 75-72, but the Bucs drained a jumper 30 seconds later and posted a 6-for-6 effort from the line in the final half minute to hang on for the win.
 
The Fighting Scots end the day tied for fourth place with Lake Forest after the Fosters beat Grinnell on the road. Monmouth, now 9-7 in conference, heads to Jacksonville, Ill., Wednesday and hosts Lawrence Saturday for their regular season closer.