MADISON, WISC. - The Madison College women's basketball team chipped away at a double-digit deficit to hold the second half lead Saturday at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium before succumbing in overtime by a 74-65 final against NJCAA Division I Highland Community College. The Cougars forced OT with a buzzer-beating jumper and outscored the WolfPack 14-5 in the extra session to send the #9 'Pack to an 0-2 start for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

For the second straight game, Madison College got off to a slow start, scoring just five points in the first quarter and trailing by ten. The deficit grew to as much as 14 in the second quarter before the WolfPack began to claw back into the game. The home team closed the half with a 15-7 kick that closed the gap to seven points at the break and gave the 'Pack momentum to start the third quarter, which translated into a 9-0 start to grab their first lead of the game at 31-29. The teams would trade ties (6) and lead changes (6) over the next 15 minutes.

Up by four in the final 30 seconds, Madison College let their lead slip away with a pair of turnovers. A Highland foul sent Megan Corcoran to the line with four second remaining, and the sophomore knocked both down to put the WolfPack ahead 60-58. The Cougars inbounded to freshman Wynter Townsend and the guard weaved her way to a free throw line jumper that went through at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

Corcoran led Madison College for a second straight game with 21 points on 5-of-19 shooting. Her effort was aided by a 10-for-14 performance at the free throw line. The second year player also finished tied for the team-lead in assists with three, matching guard Danee Collier.

Freshman Caitlyn Gilbertson tallied her first career double-digit scoring game with 12 points, scoring half from the field and half at the charity stripe. The former Belmont HS athlete was 3-for-4 shooting and 6-of-8 at the line, while also grabbing nine rebounds to fall one board short of her first double-double. That honor did fall to fellow first year Jaylin Stueber, who registered ten points and a team-best 11 rebounds. 



Madison College owned an impressive 20-point advantage at the free throw line, converting 22-of-34 attempts compared to a 2-for-3 mark for the Cougars. Highland Community College (1-0) was called for 18 more personal fouls. The WolfPack was plus-seven in the rebound category, but minus-15 in turnovers after committing 29 miscues. That led to a 23-12 margin in points off turnovers that heavily favored the visiting team.

Despite the loss, the 'Pack still owns a 17-15 advantage in the all-time series after winning three straight head-to-head matchups prior to this season.

Up Next: 

Madison College (0-2) takes their act on the road for the first time this season when they participate in the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Tournament in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, this weekend. The WolfPack open Friday at 5:00 p.m. against the host Rams (0-2), who are #4 in the NJCAA DIII Preseason Poll. Anoka-Ramsey owns a 7-4 edge in the head-to-head series, though the 'Pack has won the last two meetings, including last year. Game two of the weekend is Saturday at 10:00 a.m. against St. Cloud (MN) Technical & Community College (0-0). The team's only prior meeting was last year in the same event and was won by Madison College.

Both games will be streamed live at MadisonCollege.TV, as well as via Facebook and YouTube.

Follow WolfPack women's basketball: Facebook | Twitter