COON RAPIDS, MINN. - The Madison College men's basketball team accomplished its primary goal at this past weekend's Anoka-Ramsey Community College Tournament, earning a pair of wins improve their best start to a season since 2014-15. The tournament opener Friday night required extra time before the WolfPack finished off a 69-67 overtime defeat of the host Rams, while Saturday's game saw the 'Pack coast to a resounding 89-57 defeat of St. Cloud (MN) Technical & Community College. Freshman Anthony Johnson provided a huge boost off the bench in both games, averaging 18.5 points and 6.0 rebounds.

Game #1: Madison College 69, Anoka-Ramsey Community College 67 (OT)

Neither Madison College nor Anoka-Ramsey (0-3) were able to secure much of a lead throughout the first half as the Rams opened with a 6-0 run, but the WolfPack closed with a one-point lead. The same held true throughout the second half as the teams traded leads nine times and featured five ties, including 62-62 at the end of regulation. The teams combined for 11 points over the final five minutes of regulation. Sophomore Deshawn Black made the front-end of a one-and-one free throw to tie the game with six second left, but missed the potential game-winning free throw ahead of a missed three at the buzzer by the Rams. The 'Pack scored first in OT with a Nathaniel Buss layup 90-seconds in and never looked back. Tyree Young knocked down 3-of-4 free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

First year forward Anthony Johnson demonstrated his long-range shooting touch, making all three of his attempts from beyond the arc as part of a career-high 19-point outing. The Beloit, Wisconsin, native was 7-for-11 overall with a pair of free throws and also secured five rebounds. Black, the other forward, was the only other player in double-figures with 15 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting, but finished 1-for-5 at the stripe. All eight players that saw game action scored at least one basket. Freshman guard Sean Suchomel led the effort on the glass with a season-high nine rebounds, and Buss, another freshman guard, aided the offense with a season-high five helpers.

Madison College struggled mightly at the free throw line with just nine makes in 22 (40.9%) attempts, and also made just 6-of-19 (31.6%) 3-pointers. In addition to some rough shooting on both sides, the two teams combined for 41 turnovers. The WolfPack won the battle on the boards by a 36-31 margin, which contributed to an 8-3 edge in second chance points and a plus-six effort in points in the paint. The win evens the all-time series at four, and ends a two-game win streak for ARCC.

Game #2: Madison College 89, St. Cloud Technical & Community College 57

Saturday's game saw Madison College score 18 consecutive points midway through the first half to take command against St. Cloud Tech (0-2). Leading 11-9, the WolfPack built a 20-point lead and carried a 21-point advantage into halftime. Another second half push drove the lead to as high as 35 points after a Anthony Johnson three-pointer made it 89-54 in the last two minutes, though the 'Pack was ahead by 30 points as early as 7:25 into the half. Madison College was 8-for-20 (68%) from deep as part of a 47.1% (32-68) performance overall, and 17-for-25 (68%) at the free throw line. The WolfPack forced 21 Cyclones turnovers and cashed them in for a 25-8 edge in points off turnovers, while also posting a 36-20 lead in interior scoring.

Five players scored in double-figures, led by a pair 18-point performances from freshmen Anthony Johnson and Brandon Robinson. Johnson went 8-for-14 with two 3-pointers, while Robinson was 7-of-12 with one triple and makes in all three free throws. The duo also tied for team-high honors in rebounds with seven each. Sophomore Jezzriah Burton buried three 3-pointers and four free throws en route to 17 points, his first double-digit game since the season opener. He also had six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Deshawn Black was right behind with 12 points, six boards, and two blocks. Tyree Young rounded out the double-figure scoring with ten points, and dished out a team-leading six assists to help the 'Pack to their first-ever win over the Cyclones.



Up Next:

Madison College (3-1) continues its difficult non-conference schedule with a trip to NJCAA Division I Sauk Valley Community College (1-3) on Wednesday, November 15. The WolfPack have won two of the last three meetings, including an epic 103-101 contest last season. However, the Skyhawks won 12 of the previous 13, and own a 6-23 advantage in the all-time count. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Dixon, Illinois.

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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