MADISON, WISC. - Freshman Jayla Connor came through in the clutch on Tuesday night with a layup in the final minute to give the Madison College women's basketball team a 71-69 victory over visiting Rochester Community & Technical College (MN) in H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. Connor was one of three first year players to score in double-figures as the trio combined to net 49 of the team's points. After starting the season 0-3, the WolfPack has now won four straight games to sit above .500 for the first time.

Trailing 11-10 just beyond the midway point of the first quarter, Madison College watched the visiting Yellowjackets use a barrage of three-pointers to take a 23-12 advantage. Facing a five-point deficit after the first quarter, the 'Pack turned things around in a hurry with a six-point swing to take the lead and trigger a 24-13 scoring advantage in the quarter that handed the home team a 42-36 edge at the break. Not much changed during the third quarter, but Rochester CTC (1-2) mounted a rally in the fourth quarter by scoring the first seven points to even the game at 59-59. Still tied at 69-all with 31 seconds remaining, coach Lois Heeren called a timeout and the ensuing play saw Connor, a Madison, Wisconsin, native, drive down the left side of the lane to score a scooping layup and give the 'Pack the lead. Rochester would miss a potential game-winning three in the final seconds to give Madison College their first win in three years against RCTC and extend their lead in the all-time series to 22-9.



Connor finished with 16 points on 6 of 17 shooting and a 4 for 8 effort at the free throw line. She also had a team best four assists and four steals, to go along with five rebounds. First year forward Evonne Strahm paced the 'Pack with 19 points and nine rebounds to narrowly miss her third double-double. The former Barneveld High School athlete converted 8 of 14 field goal attempts and was 3 for 5 at the line. Strahm's statline also included two steals, one assist, and one block. Aniah Williams rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points on 6 for 15 shooting and a pair of free throws. Sophomores Caitlyn Gilbertson and Tianna Sackett each added nine points.

The WolfPack were a combined 30 for 71 (42.3%) overall, but struggled to a season-low 1 for 12 performance from outside the arc. Rochester knocked down seven triples and made two more free throws. Madison College was plus-two in total rebounds, blocked five more shots, and committed six fewer turnovers. 

Up Next:

Madison College (4-3) will return from the holiday break to close out a four-game homestand against in-state foe Bryant & Stratton College (4-1). The Bobcats started the season ranked #20 in the NJCAA Division II Poll and have also won four consecutive games. The two teams have split their previous two meetings, with Bryant & Stratton claiming last year's contest in Milwaukee. Tip off is at 5:30pm inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium on Wednesday, November 28.

All home Madison College women's basketball games can be streamed live at MadisonCollege.tv.

Follow WolfPack women's basketball: Facebook | Twitter