MADISON, WISC. - Just when it looked like the nation's third-ranked team was about to grab control late in the second half of Wednesday's North Central Community College Conference matchup at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium, the Madison College men's basketball team put together an epic run to close out an 81-65 upset of Rock Valley College. The WolfPack outscored the Golden Eagles 24-6 behind six 3-pointers to secure arguably its most impressive win of the season. Freshman Alex Easterday buried a career-high six 3-pointers for a game-high 28 points.

The second half opened with Madison College leading by six points, which eventually reached nine on Nathaniel Buss' long range shot, when Rock Valley College's (19-4, 4-3) Malique Ross got the hot hand and scored ten consecutive points in a 13-4 run that tied the game at 49 at the eight minute mark. Nearly five minutes later, the Golden Eagles used a transition three to take a 59-57 lead, their first since scoring the first point of the game on a free throw. Over the final seven minutes that produced the 24-6 burst, the 'Pack shot 9 of 14, scored 19 straight points, and finished with six consecutive made baskets. Of the five 3's made during the sequence, Easterday nailed four of them, while Kye Burcham and Sean Suchomel each had one.



Madison College opened the game with a 7-1 run that RVC answered to make it 9-8 almost six minutes in. The advantage surged to double-digits on Easterday's first hit from deep with under seven minutes left in the half, then peaked at 11 when Tyree Young took a rebound coast-to-coast and finished with a circus layup through traffic for a 30-19 edge. Buss splashed in a long two late in the half to put the WolfPack up six at the break.



Easterday, an Elkhorn, Wisconsin, native, went 11 for 16 from the floor and 6 of 8 outside the arc en route to his four 20-plus scoring effort of the season. Not in the starting lineup for just the third time this season, the 6'3" guard played 34 minutes off the bench.

Three others scored in double-figures.  Suchomel tallied 14 points on 6 of 11 shooting with a pair of three-pointers. It's the first year guard's seventh game of ten or more points in the last 11 played. The Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native was also one of three players to tie for team-high honors with seven assists. 

Sophomore forward Deshawn Black narrowly missed his second double-double of the year with 13 points and nine rebounds. He also swatted a team-leading three Golden Eagles shots, setting a new career-high for blocks.

Young, however, did post a double-double of ten points and a career-best 13 boards. It's the first double-double of the season and second career for the all-conference guard. Young matched Suchomel and Nathaniel Buss with seven assists, while also collecting three steals. 

For the tenth time this season, the WolfPack shot 50% or better, hitting 33 of 62 (53.2%) shots overall and 10 of 20 (50%) attempts from beyond the arc for the fifth game with at least ten triples. Madison College assisted on 23 of the 33 baskets and completely dominated Rock Valley in the rebound category with a 43-26 advantage. It contributed to a plus-16 differential in points in the paint. Thanks mostly to Easterday's performance, the home bench outscored the visitors by a 33-7 margin.

The win is the second in the last three meetings between the I-90 rivals, though Madison College still trails in the all-time series, 27-16. Since joining the same conference, the Golden Eagles have won 13 of 19 meetings. 

Up Next:

Madison College (13-7, 3-4) starts the second half of the N4C schedule on Saturday, January 27 with a contest against four-time defending league champion Triton College (19-3, 7-0). The Trojans are currently ranked #4 in the latest NJCAA Division II Poll and already own a 74-58 win over the WolfPack from earlier this month. Triton College is has won 16 straight over the 'Pack and is 20-2 all-time when playing head-to-head. Tip off in H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is slated for 3:00 p.m. 

Saturday's game is also part of the 12th Annual Madison College Jam the Gym, featuring a full day of basketball and fun with WolfPack alumni. Click on the story link for more information on the day's events, or to register. 

The game will be streamed live at MadisonCollege.TV, as well as via the Madison College Athletics Facebook and YouTube pages.

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