ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL. - A double-digit first half lead did not hold up for the Madison College men's basketball Wednesday night in an 81-79 overtime loss at Harper College. The WolfPack needed an Alex Easterday three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation just to force the extra session before allowing a follow-up bucket in the final seconds of OT to suffer their fourth loss in five games in the North Central Community College Conference. The win by the Hawks is their first in league action this season, and brings Harper within a game in the all-time series with the 'Pack, which stands at 11-10.

Madison College controlled the first half, opening the game on a 10-2 run and building a 32-18 advantage with less than seven minutes remaining in the half. Unfortunately, Harper College (3-17, 1-4) cut the differential in half with an 11-4 surge to close the half.

The second half saw the WolfPack once again go up by double-digits when Tyree Young's layup made it 46-36 nearly six minutes in. Roughly four minutes later the game was tied at 49, the first of eight ties and four lead changes over the final nine-plus minutes. Trailing 70-67 and with the ball for the final possession, Madison College turned to Alex Easterday, who had not scored since the halfway point of the first half. The freshman came through with a corner three to even the game and force overtime.



The score remained tight throughout the extra period and was tied at 77-77 entering the final minute. After a Hawks layup with 45 seconds to play, Young answered with a pull-up jumper off glass to make it tied with 19 seconds remaining. It set up a wild sequence over the final moments that saw Harper tip in the game-winner and come up with a defensive stop as the final buzzer sounded.



Sophomore Deshawn Black enjoyed a career-night, setting a career-best with 19 points and season-high of 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the year and second of his career. The 11 rebounds were one shy of his career high from last season. The product of Sun Prairie HS knocked down 9 of 12 shots and a free throw to reach his third consecutive double-digit scoring game. Black also recorded three steals, two assists, and a block.

First year guards Sean Suchomel and Alex Easterday both poured in 14 points as they combined to make 8 of 18 field goals, 3 of 7 three-pointers, and 9 of 14 free throws. Suchomel, another Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native, scored nine points in the second half and OT, while Easterday tallied 11 points in the game's first 12 minutes before hitting the key triple at the end of regulation. The duo had six and seven rebounds, respectively.

Freshman Marcus Riser came off the bench to drop in 13 points and grab six boards. He is averaging 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds through five games since joining the team. Second year point guard Tyree Young registered ten points and six assists.

Madison College committed 22 turnovers and shot 46.9% (30-64) overall, while the Hawks were an impressive 34 for 61 (55.7%) from the field. The WolfPack also controlled the boards by a 37-26 margin, including a 13-5 edge in offensive boards that contributed to a 15-7 advantage in second chance scoring.

The loss is just the second in the last seven meetings with Harper College.

Up Next:

Madison College (11-7, 1-4) opens a four-game homestand in N4C play on Saturday, January 20 against the College of DuPage (3-12, 1-4). After playing four of their first five conference games away from home, the WolfPack is back at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium where they are 5-2 this season. The Chaparrals and the 'Pack are dead-even through 20 games in their all-time series, though Madison College has picked up wins in four of the last five and three straight. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.

Saturday's doubleheader also marks Camper Reunion Day, with free admission to any youth player that attended a 2017 Madison College basketball camp. The camper also gets free admission for one parent.

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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