MADISON, WISC. - Unlike the last first two times the Madison College men's basketball team played Rock Valley College this season, the offense simply was not there in a 76-59 loss in the NJCAA Region IV Division III Semifinals at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. The third-seeded WolfPack was outscored 30-11 over the final ten-plus minutes of the first half, creating a insurmountable deficit against the second-seeded Golden Eagles, who eventually lost in the championship game to top-seeded Joliet Junior College. Madison College, which reached the Region IV semifinals in back-to-back seasons for the first time since doing so in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns.

Trailing 11-10 through eight minutes, the Madison College offense went cold and connected on five of its next 15 shots and committed four turnovers, while Rock Valley College proceeded to convert 11 of 17 attempts to turn the one-point lead into a 20-point halftime differential.

The WolfPack attempted to rally and close the gap throughout the second half. The first surge saw five straight points trim the deficit to 13, and six minutes later another five-point run cut it to a dozen points. One possession later, freshman Sean Suchomel scored inside and the score stood at 59-48. However, it was all Golden Eagles from there, as they responded out of a 30-second time out with a 17-11 finishing kick to keep the 'Pack at bay.

Sophomore Tyree Young was named to the Region IV All-Tournament Team after posting 19 points on 8 of 14 shooting with one 3-pointer and a 2 for 3 effort at the free throw line. The 5'11" guard from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, finished the season with a team-best 17.6 points per game. Young also registered seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.



Alex Easterday was the only other player to score in double-figures with 11 points, hitting 5 of 8 attempts from the floor. All seven WolfPack players scored in the game, and combined to shoot 42.1% (24-57). Madison College's 3 for 17 performance from beyond the arc, their worst long-range shooting effort since a 1 for 17 outing on January 10 against Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Suchomel leading the charge in two other statistical categories, collecting eight rebounds and four assists. The 'Pack managed to score a 38-28 lead in points in the paint.

Playing with a significant size advantage, Rock Valley controlled the glass with a 39-31 edge in total rebounds to contribute to picking up their second win in three games against Madison College this season. The Golden Eagles are also 2-1 in head-to-head postseason meetings.

Rock Valley College (27-6), ranked #4 in the NJCAA Division III Poll, went on to fall by a 74-70 margin to #9 Joliet Junior College (26-6) in the title game. The Wolves, who needed a buzzer beater to get past Milwaukee Area Technical College in the semifinals, advances to the NJCAA District II Championship against NJCAA Region XII winner Columbus State Community College on Saturday, March 3 at Ohio Christian University. 

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