MARYSVILLE — Monroe kept it interesting, but the all-senior Tomahawk basketball team ably defeated the Bearcats, clinching the league’s third district playoff slot.

“They’re good,” said M-P coach Bary Gould. “They should have a better record.”

With a solid three-point shot, Monroe guard Tim Ohlsen kept the Bearcats competitive, hitting two treys in the first quarter and a third not long after halftime to lead all scorers with 20 points.

But Tommie seniors Troy Toler and Nick Forsythe combined for a 12-point first quarter, with a three-pointer from Forsythe breaking the 9-9 tie going into the second quarter.

Six second-quarter points from senior Spencer Elwell, along with a smattering of scoring from five more Tomahawks, helped open the lead to eight by halftime.

“It was kind of a balanced night,” Gould said. “Our freshman got in.”

The freshman in question was 6-3 forward Ryan Shannon, who scored two points and saw some of his first varsity minutes on a night otherwise honoring the players three years his senior. The win leaves Gould with a perfect record on senior night in his four years heading the basketball program.

Toler led M-P with a team-high 13 points, including two three-pointers, while Elwell had 12 points and nine rebounds. Forsythe matched Toler’s two treys for a total of 10 points.