RIVER GROVE, ILL. - In its toughest test of the season so far, the Madison College men's basketball team suffered its second-worst loss of the year in a 112-72 decision at five-time defending North Central Community College Conference champion Triton College on Saturday. The Trojans, who won the NJCAA Division II National Championship last year and moved up to Division I this season, snapped the WolfPack's three-game win streak and extended their own win streak over the 'Pack to 18 straight.

For 15 minutes, Madison College went toe-to-toe with Triton and owned a five-point lead on two occasions in the first half. Trailing 31-30 with about five minutes to play in the half, the WolfPack was outscored by a 19-7 count to head into the break. That same momentum carried into the second half with Triton College (18-2, 6-0) opening play with a 20-3 surge that propelled the home team to a 62-point half and the most points in a game against Madison College since giving up 116 to Cincinnati State Technical & Community College on December 29, 2012.

Three players scored in double-figures, led by sophomore Nathaniel Buss' 17 points. The former Verona Area High School athlete knocked down five 3-pointers as part of a 6 for 10 effort overall.

Forwards Adam Anhold and Mark Simmons tallied 11 and ten points, respectively. Simmons, a native of O'Fallon, Missouri, established a new career-high with a 4 for 6 effort that included his first collegiate three-pointer. 

The WolfPack were 24 of 59 (40%) on the day and 8 for 20 (40%) from distance. The Trojans shot 55% overall and 47% from outside with ten converted triples. Twenty Madison College turnovers resulted in a 41-12 Triton edge in points off turnovers. They also owned a 54-26 margin in interior scoring. 

Up Next:

Madison College (10-8, 4-2) remains on the road for a Wednesday, January 23 matchup at in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College (18-3, 5-1). The WolfPack own a 64-48 all-time lead over the now NJCAA Division II Stormers thanks to sweeps of the past two regular season series. MATC-Milwaukee is currently ranked #18 in the NJCAA Division II Poll. The game will be played at Alverno College's Reinman Gymnasium at 8:00 p.m.

You can watch the MATC-Milwaukee video stream on YouTube live here.

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