MONROEVILLE - While Fort Dale coach Reggie Mantooth is enjoying a seven-game win streak with his girls basketball team, the boys varsity squad has been heading in the opposite direction.

Fort Dale dropped its third in a row Tuesday night despite a late comeback attempt to fall to its rival Monroe Academy, 61-51.

&#8220We broke down a lot on defense and gave them some easy baskets tonight,” Mantooth said.

Battling foul trouble throughout the game, the Eagles erased a double-digit halftime Volunteer lead to draw make the deficit five points heading into the final period.

But it was clear that Fort Dale was running out of gas. The Eagles did not have the same spring in their step as they did earlier in the game.

Fort Dale's shooting went ice cold at the most inopportune time in the final period. The Eagles were held without a field goal for almost five minutes. Fort Dale finally converted a field goal attempt with 3:38 left to play on a Casey Weston layup. But that was only after Monroe rebuilt a 13-point lead.

Davis Watts led Fort Dale with 21 points, while Weston had 17.

Senior point guard Brady Newton was one of three Eagles in early foul trouble by the half. With four fouls by the half, Newton lasted 57 seconds in the second half before fouling out. He was later joined by Barry Boan and Bobby Martin by the 1:37 mark of the fourth period.

&#8220When you have the heart of your team foul out so early, it hurts our rotation, defensive intensity and leadership,” Mantooth said of Newton's early disqualification. &#8220This game taught us that we need to be tougher and not take things for granted on the road. We just need to focus on winning our area games.”

Josh Rotch was one of three players to finish with double figures for Monroe Academy (11-6). Rotch led the Vols with 19, while Michael Norris added 15. Todd Kilpatrick finished with 10.