Montes Lights Up Blue Devils In Lakers Rout

LIVONIA, Mich. – Julio Montes II dropped 38 points to help Roosevelt run away from Lawrence Tech 92-67 on Friday on the first day of the Bernie Holowicki Classic hosted by Madonna in Livonia, Mich.

The Blue Devils opened the scoring with a pair of free throws a minute into the contest, but Montes gave the Lakers (2-0) the lead for good with a 3-pointer nearly a minute later. The sophomore guard scored 19 points in the first half while connecting on 6 of 10 from the field, including making three of his five attempts from behind the arc. He sank 8 of 12 shots in the second half, including another three 3-pointers, to set his career high in points. Montes' 38 points are the second-most in a game in Roosevelt history trailing only Jake Ludwig's 42 points on Jan. 2, 2019.

Sangolay Njie came off the bench to make a large first half impact with 16 points and seven rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. The transfer forward made all six of his shots in the first half and went on a personal 7-0 run to put Roosevelt up by double digits for the first time midway through the first half. He finished the game one rebound shy of a double-double with 18 points and nine boards in 19 minutes of action.

Roosevelt shot nearly 60 percent from the field in the first half and outrebounded Lawrence Tech 20-12 as it built a 21-point halftime lead. Although the Lakers didn't force many turnovers from the Blue Devils, they did limit Lawrence Tech to 33 percent shooting in the first half and just two offensive rebounds. The Blue Devils shot slightly better in the second half, but the Lakers still held them to 8 of 26 from 3-point range in the game.

Cody Mitchell asserted his presence in the second half with seven points and eight rebounds, including three on the offensive end. He finished with nine points and a team-best 12 rebounds while Malcolm Townsel added 11 points as the third of three Lakers to finish in double figures. Maurice Commander had an off shooting night, but made up for it with a team-high five assists to go along with five rebounds and six points.

The Lakers are back on the court Saturday against Madonna with tipoff scheduled for 3 p.m. on the second day of the Bernie Holowicki Classic.