MADISON, WISC. - Things were beginning to look bleak for the Madison College men's basketball team Wednesday at Redsten Gymnasium after new in-state foe Bryant & Stratton College (NJCAA Division II) turned a one-point halftime deficit into a nine-point second half lead with a 16-6 run. But the WolfPack had an answer, and it came in the of an impressive 22-3 burst that turned a nine-point hole into a ten-point advantage in a matter of seven minutes, 24 seconds. Then after a wild finish, Madison College held on for an 88-85 win in the first ever meeting with the Bobcats.

The momentum seizing run was fueled by four 3-pointers, including two by freshman Marquis Harris, as the 'Pack connected on ten shots from long range in the game. Though it was nearly not enough. The double-digit lead dwindled back to a tie game just four minutes later, and eventually saw Bryant & Stratton College (5-3) assume a two-point lead at 81-79 on a layup with 1:40 remaining. On the next possession, WolfPack sophomore Zach Adkins set up freshman Stavon Staples for a critical three-pointer that gave the home team the lead for good.

That said, the Bobcats had a chance to tie with a inbounds under their own basket and down three with three seconds to play; however, the entry pass sailed straight out of bounds on the sideline, giving possession back to the WolfPack.

The two teams combined for 52 fouls and 64 free throw attempts in a game that saw eight lead changes and six ties.

Four players reached double figures for Madison College (4-4), led by a career-high 19 points for Stavon Staples, who has scored ten or more in three straight games. The Madison, Wisconsin, native buried a season-best 4-of-8 shots from outside the arc and was 7-for-14 overall, including an emphatic dunk midway through the second half. Fellow first year guard Marquis Harris also went for a career-high in points, tallying 16 with half of his made shots being from 3-point range. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Harris also had a team-leading six assists.



Sophomore Shane Waldon and freshman Paul Schmelzer III both had 14 points, though they got there in completely different ways. Waldon was 6-for-7 from the floor, with every shot taken from inside the paint. Schmelzer hit a bevy of long-range two-pointers and was 1-for-7 beyond the arc. The former Monona Grove (WI) Silver Eagle scored seven straight points to end the WolfPack's key second half run, finishing with a dozen points after halftime. Waldon's statline included a season-high 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

Seven other members of the WolfPack found their way into the scoring column as the home team hit for 47-percent (31-66) overall, 31-percent (10-32) from three, and 55-percent (16-29) at the free throw line. Madison College owned double-digit leads on several occasions in the first half, but saw the Bobcats close the half on a 20-8 run.

Following three straight home games, Madison College is back on the road Saturday, December 3 to face undefeated Elgin Community College (9-0). The Spartans, now a Region IV opponent, own a two-game win streak over the WolfPack, who are 1-2 in the time series. The three games have all been played within the last three seasons. Game time in Elgin, Illinois, is set for 3:00 p.m.

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