DIXON, ILL. - The ninth-highest individual scoring total in program history was not enough as the Madison College men's basketball team lost 74-65 at Sauk Valley Community College on Wednesday. The setback snaps a brief two-game winning streak for the WolfPack, who are now 6-24 all-time against the NJCAA Division I Skyhawks.

Tied at 58 with 5:33 left to play, Sauk Valley (2-3) rattled off 11 consecutive points to build an insurmountable lead. The game featured six ties and five lead changes, most of which occurred throughout the second half. Madison College built a small four-point advantage late in the first half before allowing a five-point swing over the final 30 seconds to head to the locker room down by one. The largest lead for either team through the first 15 minutes of the second half was just five points leading up the Anthony Johnson's two free throws that pulled the 'Pack to even ahead of SVCC's big run.

Johnson went 13-for-17 from the floor with a pair of three-pointers and a 5-for-9 effort at the free throw line to reach his 33 points, becoming the 14 player in school history to reach the 30-point plateau. Coming off the bench, the former Beloit Memorial HS standout also led the WolfPack with seven rebounds and two blocks. Over the past three games, Johnson is averaging 23.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Sophomore guards and former Nicolet HS teammates Jezzriah Burton and Tyree Young were the only other players in double-figures. Burton scored five of his 11 points from the free throw line, while Young posted a 4-for-7 outing overall with one 3-pointer en route to ten points. Second year forward Deshawn Black had six points and match Johnson with a team-high seven boards. Freshman guard Sean Suchomel did not score, but tallied six helpers to lead in that category.

Madison College shot 49% (24-49) overall, but struggled from deep (3-15) and at the line (14-25). The Skyhawks were worse from the floor (24-56), but converted four more three-pointers (7-18) and five additional free throws (19-25). The WolfPack owned a 34-18 edge in interior scoring, however, committed a season-high 24 turnovers that SVCC turned into 18 points.

Up Next:

Madison College (3-2) returns to H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium for a Saturday, November 18 showdown with NJCAA DII Columbus State (OH) Community College (5-1). The Cougars are one of the highest scoring teams in the nation, averaging better than 102 points to start the season, and are riding a five-game win streak. The 3:00 p.m. game will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs. 

The game will be streamed live at MadisonCollege.TV, as well as via the Madison College Athletics Facebook and YouTube pages.

Follow WolfPack men's basketball: Facebook | Twitter