The Madison College women's basketball team was a single game away from making their eighth national tournament appearance on Tuesday night, but Region XII champion Mid Michigan Community College had other plans. In the NJCAA Division III District B Championship game, in front of a standing-room only crowd, the visiting Lakers shot the lights out, scoring 57 points over the final two quarters. MMCC's second half domination also included
forcin 18 WolfPack turnovers.The #4 'Pack fell 91-78 to end their season at an impressive 27-4, posting the fewest losses in a season since the 2009-10 national championship team.
On Tuesday night, the WolfPack trailed by three points after the first quarter, and by two points at the half. After halftime, the visiting Lakers pulled away, outscoring Madison College 29-13 in the third quarter as they shot 7-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-6 from three. In the final quarter, the WolfPack scored 33 points to Mid Michigan's 28, however, the game was already in hand.
Madison College was paced by
Rachel Slaney's career and season-high 32 points. Slaney was 10-for-20 from the field and 10-of-11 at the free throw line, while also grabbing five rebounds and dishing out seven assists.
Jenna Endres joined Slaney in double-figures with 12 points. Second year teammate
Mandi Sargent added a game-high 12 rebounds - for her sixth double-digit rebound game of the season - to go with her six points. Madison College shot 44% for the game, while Mid Michigan hit 47.5% from the field, including almost 46% from beyond the arc.
Eighth-ranked Mid Michigan advances to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in Lincroft, NJ from March 10-12.