MADISON, WISC. - In a battle of ranked teams to finish out the regular season, a banked in shot that beat the buzzer also beat the Madison College women's basketball team in a 62-61 setback against Rock Valley College in Redsten Gymnasium. The #1 Golden Eagles erased a 13-point second half deficit to steal the road win and finish their seventh consecutive North Central Community College Conference championship with an undefeated record, including a sweep of the regular season season with the #6 WolfPack for the first time since 2014. The loss snapped a four-game win streak - including a 2-0 forfeit win over Harper College - and came in front of the season's largest crowd, on hand for Sophomore Day and the 11th Annual Jam the Gym Alumni celebration.

Madison College (20-6, 11-3) turned a 6-all tie in the first quarter into a 16-6 lead with ten straight points, including six consecutive by Rachel Slaney. The Golden Eagles fought back to end the quarter on an eight point run thanks to a pair of three-pointers by Jaycee Cleaver. Nearly halfway through the second quarter the game was even at 23-23 and again the WolfPack found another gear. Buoyed by seven points from Peyton Trapino, the 'Pack surged ahead before the break with a 15-4 burst to take a 38-27 lead.

The momentum carried through to the third quarter as Madison College built a 13-point lead as late as three minutes and 42 seconds remaining in the quarter. Rock Valley (26-3, 14-0) then showed why they are ranked as the top team in the nation, scoring 12 of the next 16 points to enter the fourth within five points. The game truly turned at the halfway point of the fourth quarter when WolfPack All-American Rachel Slaney was called for her fifth foul. In a truly gut check moment, the remaining members of the 'Pack scraped and clawed with the Golden Eagles to maintain a lead. With the score 61-60 after a RVC basket, Madison turned the ball over and allowed an offensive rebound on a missed jumper with nine seconds remaining. Following a series of time outs, Rock Valley ran a play the ended with Cleaver banking in a long two from a very tight angle on the left wing that beat the buzzer and put the Golden Eagles ahead for the first time since the first quarter. WolfPack coach Lois Heeren signaled timeout and was able to advance the ball to the frontcourt after the officials placed four-tenths of a second back on the clock, enough time for a catch and shoot. The role fell to freshman Peyton Trapino, but the DeForest, Wisconsin, native missed long on a corner three to end the game and even the all-time series between the two programs at 18 wins a piece.
 
Sophomore Rachel Slaney, who was honored prior to tip off with fellow second year Jamie Falk as they prepared for their final home game, finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, seven steals, three assists, and a block before fouling out. The Barneveld, Wisconsin, native made 5-of-14 shots and was 5-for-7 at the free throw line, but saw her string of six-straight double-doubles come to an end. Slaney did reach double-figure scoring in 25 straight games and ends the regular season with the team lead in points (25.3), rebounds (12.7), assists (4.2), steals (3.9), and blocks (1.0).

Freshmen Megan Corcoran and Peyton Trapino were the only other WolfPack players in double figures with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Corcoran made all six of her free throws, and combined with Trapino and Slaney to go 3-for-9 from long range. The trio also had 18 of the team's 25 turnovers, the most by Madison College since handing it over 26 times in a November 22 loss to then top-ranked Rochester CTC. In her final home game, Jamie Falk contributed four points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal. The native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, made both of her field goal attempts.
 
The WolfPack slightly outshot the Golden Eagles in every category, but were outrebounded by four and committed three more turnovers. Rock Valley was plus-three in points off turnovers and plus-four in points in the paint as they picked up their 17th-straight N4C victory.

Both teams will earn first round byes in the NJCAA Region IV Division III Tournament, which starts with quarterfinal games on Tuesday. Madison College will be the #2 seed and take on the winner of the 3-vs-6 game featuring Elgin Community College (2-22) at Joliet Junior College (18-10) in a semifinal. Rock Valley College will serve as the #1 seed and the tournament host for the semifinals and championship  The WolfPack, last year's Region IV DIII champion, will tip off Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Rockford, Illinois. 

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

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