MADISON, WISC. - The 2019-20 season opener did not go as planned for the Madison College women's basketball team, who committed their highest turnover total in nearly one full year and lost 80-83 to NJCAA Division II McHenry County College on Tuesday night at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. The WolfPack handed the ball over 31 times in the game, the most since a 36-turnover effort on November 9 of last year against Anoka-Ramsey Community College, who sits next on the 'Pack schedule this weekend. The loss extends a streak of season-opening setbacks to three straight, all of which have come against the Scots as they now lead the all-time series by a 3-2 margin.

Madison College fell behind early as McHenry County College (1-0) raced out to a 17-3 lead behind 13 points from sophomore Alyssa Iverson, who finished with a game-high 35 points. The deficit sat at ten following the first quarter thanks to the first of four 3-pointers by freshman Julia Bruns. The differential stretched as high as 16 and narrowed as close as nine in the second quarter, however, the 'Pack trailed 44-29 at the break and tallied nine turnovers in each of the first two quarters. The Scots pulled away even more in the third quarter, outscoring the home team by a 24-12 margin.

The WolfPack finished 18 of 51 (35.3%) from the field, knocked down 7 of 17 (41.2%) from beyond the arc, and managed to convert just ten of 25 (40%) at the free throw line. Of their 18 made baskets, only five came via an assist, while MCC made life difficult with nine blocked shots and eight steals. The Scots, who turned the ball over 11 times, owned a 28-8 advantage in points off turnovers and a 12-2 edge in second chance points thanks to 21 offensive rebounds. 

Bruns, a native of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, led the WolfPack with 13 points in her collegiate debut. The 5'9" guard went 4 for 9 from the floor and missed just one attempt from long range, while also grabbing five rebounds.



Returning All-American Aniah Williams pitched in with 12 points on 4 of 10 shooting overall and 1 for 5 from three-point territory. The 5'8" guard from Beloit, Wisconsin, struggled to a 3 for 9 effort at the free throw stripe, but did come up with the team's only two blocked shots on defense. Seven other WolfPack players found their way into the scoring column, including freshman guard Kyianna Baker with six points and a team-high ten rebounds

Up Next:

Madison College (0-1) will make their annual trip to Coon Rapids, Minnesota, to compete in the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The WolfPack will open on Friday, November 8 against the host Golden Rams (0-0), who opened the year as the #8-ranked team in the NJCAA Division III Preseason Poll. Anoka-Ramsey Community College leads the head-to-head series by an 8-5 tally, including an 89-52 decision last year. That game will tip off at 5:00 p.m., and will be followed by a 10:00 a.m. start for their tussle with St. Cloud Technical & Community College (0-0) on Saturday, November 9. The 'Pack is 2-1 over the past three years against the Cyclones, and earned a 68-44 victory last season.

Both games will be live streamed here.

Follow WolfPack women's basketball: Facebook | Twitter