Two of the Madison College women's basketball team's most exciting games this season have been played against in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College, with both contests needing to be decided in overtime. Thursday, the two teams will meet again, only this time it'll be in the playoffs.

Playing a ranked Stormers team on the road, the WolfPack took the opening game of this year's series, 104-97. Gabrielle Hood and Chelsey Schulenburg led the way for Madison College, combining to score 54 points.

Next time out, Milwaukee, playing on the road, beat a then-ranked WolfPack, 100-94. Madison College had no answer for Ashley McHenry in the loss, as the sophomore guard would score 44 points on 15-of-24 shooting.

"Game one, we played some good defense and got out to a lead early, making MATC play from behind," said WolfPack head coach Jessica Pelzel. "Game two, we got down early and had to claw back. We were horrible from the free throw line and that was eventually the difference."

Now, the stakes are even higher, as Thursday's winner will advance to the NJCAA Region IV Tournament's championship game. "I expect we will both play hard tonight," said Pelzel. "The game should be played with a lot of emotion. I think whoever can make free throws and take better care of the ball will win."

Tonight's semifinal game is slated to be played in Glen Ellyn, Ill. So far this season, the 'Pack is 1-2 when playing on a neutral floor.

Madison College will enter this evening's matchup on a three-game winning streak, having beaten Harper College to conclude their regular-season and then again in their playoff opener. Milwaukee is 8-1 in their last nine, including the win over Madison College, having fallen only to top-ranked Rock Valley College in their regular-season finale.

Tipoff time for tonight's NJCAA Region IV Tournament semifinal game is 5 p.m. The championship game will be played Saturday, March 1 at 1 p.m.