COON RAPIDS, MINN. - The finale of the two-day Anoka-Ramsey Community College Tournament brought the first win of the season for the Madison College women's basketball team, who went 1-1 on the weekend trip. The WolfPack faltered late on Friday and dropped a 78-59 contest to the host Golden Rams, but recovered on Saturday to upend St. Cloud Technical & Community College by a 70-57 count. The trio of Aniah Williams, Julia Bruns, and Lilly Dorman all scored in double-figures in both games. 

Game #1: Anoka-Ramsey Community College 78, Madison College 59 - Friday, November 8

Squaring off with the #8-ranked team in the NJCAA Division III Preseason Poll, Madison College hung tough against Anoka-Ramsey Community College. The home team used a 9-0 in the opening quarter to gain some separation, and pushed the lead to 21 with an 18-3 surge to open the second quarter. However, the WolfPack fought back and scored the final 16 points of the half to close the gap to 36-31 at the break. Less than three minutes into the third quarter, Madison College got a three-point play from Lilly Dorman to jump ahead 42-41, and the two teams would end the quarter locked in a 51-51 ballgame. The fourth quarter, though, would not be so kind to the WolfPack as the Golden Rams used an 8-0 at the start to propel themselves to a 27-8 differential in the quarter. The final ten minutes saw the 'Pack turn the ball over nine times and shoot 3 for 12 from the field.

Sophomore Aniah Williams poured in a season-high 18 points on 5 of 14 shooting with a pair of triples and a 6 for 11 effort at the free throw line. The former Beloit Memorial High School athlete also had four boards, one assist, one steal, and the team's only blocked shot. Dorman, a sophomore, posted her first career double-double with 13 points and ten rebounds. The Madison, Wisconsin, native and transfer from NJCAA Division III Hibbing Community College, converted 6 of 9 field goal attempts and was 1 for 3 at the charity stripe. Dorman also led the team with two assists. Freshman Julia Bruns, a product of Monona Grove, High School, made 4 of 9 tries overall, 1 of 4 from long range, and 1 for 2 at the line.

Madison College was 20 for 49 (40.8%) overall, 3 of 11 (27.3%) beyond the arc, and 16 of 26 (61.5%) from the free throw line. Much like their season-opening loss against McHenry County College, the WolfPack was again plagued by turnovers, committing 32 miscues that led to a 27-9 advantage in points off turnovers. Anoka-Ramsey CC (2-0) also bested the 'Pack in second chance points by an 11-5 margin, while the road team held a 32-22 lead in points in the paint.

The WolfPack have dropped two straight to the Golden Rams and trail the all-time series by a 9-5 tally.

Game #2: Madison College 70, St. Cloud Technical & Community College 57 - Saturday, November 9

Back on the floor 13 hours later and again Madison College found itself it hard-fought battle. Trailing 21-13 late in the opening quarter, the WolfPack got hot and scored 20 consecutive points from the first quarter into the second to assume a 33-21 lead. Still ahead by six after halftime, the Cyclones found their way back with a 9-0 run to go ahead by one. Yet, once again, the 'Pack answered the bell and used five straight points by Julia Bruns to ignite a 14-point burst to find another double-digit lead. The Cyclones got as close as 56-50 three minutes into the fourth quarter before Madison College run it back to an 18-point edge with a 14-2 run to help close out the first win of the season.

Four players scored in double-figures, led by Bruns and Aniah Williams with 14 points each. Both players made a pair of 3-pointers in the win. Bruns finished 5 for 12 overall and 2 of 3 at the free throw line, while Williams connected on 4 of 17 shots and 4 of 5 free throws. Bruns also had five rebounds and a team-high four steals. Dorman followed her double-double with a 12-point, four-rebound performance as she was 6 for 11 from the field. However, freshman Kyianna Baker did reach a double-double for the first time in her career, racking up ten points and 13 rebounds. The Stoughton, Wisconsin, native now boasts two double-digit rebound games after grabbing ten in the season opener.

For the game, Madison College shot 33.8% (27-80) overall, 26.1% (6-23) from long range, and 45.5% (10-22) at the stripe. The WolfPack outrebounded the opposition by a 54-49 margin, and while the teams combined for 54 turnovers, it was Madison College that owned a 24-12 advantage in points off turnovers. They also were better in second chance points by a 10-5 count and owned the paint by a 34-22 margin in scoring.

The WolfPack has won two straight over SCTCC (0-2) and leads the head-to-head series 3-1.

Up Next:

Madison College (1-2) remains on the road for a matchup against NJCAA Division I Sauk Valley Community College (0-2) on Tuesday, November 12. The two teams have played nearly every year since 1986, with the Skyhawks leading the all-time series by a 19-14 tally. The WolfPack have won four in a row, including a 68-65 decision in Madison last year. Tip off is at 5:30 p.m. in Dixon, Illinois.

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