ROCKFORD, ILL. - With an opportunity to grab control of the race atop the North Central Community College Conference standings, the Madison College women's basketball team dropped a narrow 63-57 matchup against defending N4C champ Rock Valley College on Wednesday. Both teams entered at 6-0 in the league, with the loss snapping a seven-game win streak for the #3 WolfPack and the win extending a ten game streak for the #2 Golden Eagles.

Madison College (15-4, 6-1) was on top for nearly all of the first half after grabbing an early 6-0 lead, and held as much as a seven-point advantage in the second quarter on two occasions before settling for a 31-28 advantage at the halftime break. Rock Valley College (20-3, 7-0) was able to stay close throughout the third quarter, eventually grabbing their first second half lead in the final three minutes.

Rachel Slaney opened the fourth quarter with a layup to tie the game at 47, but the Golden Eagles responded with a 12-5 burst to grab an eight point edge entering the the last couple of minutes. A 5-0 run for the WolfPack closed the gap to 60-57 with just over a minute to play, however, RVC made 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch to close out the win.

It was a tough shooting night for both teams, as the Golden Eagles hit just 33 percent for the game and Madison College converted 37 percent. A major difference could be found outside the three-point arc, where the WolfPack missed all ten of their attempts in the game and Rock Valley College made 6-of-17. The 'Pack also struggled from the free throw line, going 13-for-26 (50%) to tie the mark for the lowest percentage in a game this season, both of which resulted in losses.

Rachel Slaney and Peyton Trapino both had double-doubles and were the lone players to score in double figures. Slaney tallied 23 points and 13 rebounds, to go along with four assists and five steals to lead the team in three of the four categories. The sophomore All-American went 9-for-10 at the stripe, but was 7-of-18 overall. Slaney's six offensive rebounds were one off matching a season high and the double-double is her 13th of the season.

Trapino, who was named NJCAA Region IV Player of the Week on Tuesday, went for 12 points and 11 rebounds, while also pacing the WolfPack with five assists. The freshman sank five of her 11 field goal attempts, but was only able to convert 2-of-8 free throw tries. The former DeForest (WI) HS athlete extended her streak of double-digit scoring games to seven in a row as she notched her second consecutive double-double.

Madison College took advantage of 18 RVC turnovers to score 16 points compared to five points off 15 miscues for the home team. The Golden Eagles held a 10-3 advantage in second chance points as they narrowed the gap in the all-time series to an 18-17 advantage for the WolfPack, although RVC is now 11-4 in regular season conference meetings.

After a brief two game road trip, Madison College will entertain NJCAA DII Triton College (9-13, 2-5) to begin the second round of games in the N4C. The WolfPack and Trojans will tip off at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28 inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium, where Madison College has never lost to Triton in seven games played. The 'Pack holds a 14-2 all-time record, including an 88-74 win to begin conference play on January 4.

The game will be broadcast live on MadisonCollege.TV and via the Madison College Athletics Facebook page.

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