MADISON, WISC. - It may not have been pretty, but the Madison College women's basketball team managed to keep their win streak alive with a 64-61 over Western Technical College on Wednesday night at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. Playing the 96th all-time meeting against the Cavaliers, the WolfPack saw a double-digit lead evaporate before rallying late to close out the win with the game's final six points improve to 75-21 in their most played rivalry. The 'Pack has won seven straight on the year and five consecutive over WTC.

Madison College seemed to have it all going in the right direction early as they raced out to their largest lead of the game at 21-8 when Evonne Strahm's jumper inside of three minutes left in the first capped an 8-0 run. However, Western Tech (4-3) ended the quarter with an identical eight-point surge to close within five entering the second quarter. A 14-2 stretch in the second quarter returned the lead to double-digits, which it remained at 40-30 as the game reached halftime. Behind 18 second half points from Kerrigan Lyga, Western Tech chipped away at the Madison College advantage, eventually tying the game at 51-51 a minute into the fourth quarter. With just over four minutes left to play, the Cavaliers owned a 61-58 edge, but it would be the homestanding WolfPack to slam the door shut down the stretch. A 6-0 run to end the game while WTC missed their final seven shots gave the 'Pack a second consecutive three-point win over their in-state rivals from La Crosse, Wisconsin.



Madison College missed all ten of its three-point attempts, marking the first game this season without a make from beyond the arc. The WolfPack still managed to shoot 41.5% for the game on 27 of 65 shooting, and added a 10 for 21 effort at the free throw line. The Cavaliers were 36.1% (26-72) overall, 23.8% (5-21) from distance, and 40% (4-10) at the charity stripe. Finding no success on the perimeter, the 'Pack controlled the game from the paint with a 46-40 edge in interior scoring, a 13-10 lead in second chance points, and a massive 59-35 differential in total rebounds. Western claimed a 24-14 advantage in point off turnovers, with Madison College committing 26 turnovers for the eighth game this season with 20 or more miscues.

Four players scored in double-figures for coach Lois Heeren's club, led by an 18-point night from freshman forward Jayla Connor. The former Madison East High School athlete converted 8 of 10 shots and 2 of 4 free throws, while also leading the team defensively with three blocks and three steals, as well as with three assists. Connor, who also grabbed with four rebounds, has scored at least ten points in six straight contests.

Aniah Williams dominated stretches of the first half when she scored 14 of her 17 total points. The first year guard from Beloit, Wisconsin, tallied nine boards to narrowly miss her first career double-double. Williams went 0 for 5 from long range, failing to score from three-point territory for just the second time this season.

Double-doubles are starting to become common place for forward Evonne Strahm, who registered her third consecutive and fifth of the year with 16 points and 13 boards before fouling out of the game. And fellow freshman Johnetta Walters scored ten points for just the second time this year as the Madison West High School product made 5 of 10 shots and secured six rebounds. 

Up Next:

Madison College (7-3) is off until Monday, December 10 when they resume their three-game homestand with another in-state matchup against UW-Waukesha (1-5). The former conference rivals have not met since 2015 and the WolfPack has bested the Cougars in 31 of the 44 previous meetings. Tip off at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is set for 5:30 p.m.

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