CHICAGO, ILL. - The free throw line became an all-too-comfortable spot for the Madison College men's basketball team on Saturday, as they used a school record for makes and attempts to defeat NJCAA Division I Malcolm X College by an 85-80 final. Taking advantage of 34 personal fouls on the Hawks, the WolfPack went 40 for 53, and was led by freshmen Allen Robinson and Jason Williams, the latter of which posted his third double-double of the season. The win snaps a two-game losing streak for the 'Pack, and improves them to 2-0 all-time against Malcolm X College after the teams met for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

The game was tight throughout, featuring nine ties 11 lead changes. Malcolm X College (4-4) built a narrow five-point lead over the game's first five minutes, however, the WolfPack pulled even at 12-12 on a 7-2 run over the next three minutes. Madison College put together a 6-1 surge late in the half to go up by a six before the Hawks closed with four straight points to make it 37-35. Through the first half, the visitors were 15 of 18 at the free throw line. The second half opened with six consecutive points by the Hawks to take the lead, which they stretch to a game-high eight points at 55-47 with 12:37 remaining in the contest. Madison College answered with a 14-2 push to go back in front, eventually building a seven-point advantage when Robinson knocked down a three-pointer as the clock moved inside of 5:30 to play. Following one last push from the Hawks to tie the game up at 76-76 with 90-seconds remaining, the 'Pack finished the win with a 9-4 run that was scored entirely from the free throw line.

Robinson was a perfect 11 for 11 at the stripe as part of a team-leading 20-point effort, his third of the season. The Goose Creek, South Carolina, native made 4 of 14 shots from the floor with one 3-pointer, while also grabbing five rebounds and blocking a team-high two shots.

Williams, a product of Evansville, Indiana, went for 18 points and ten rebounds. The 6'5" forward was 3 of 9 overall, but posted a 12 for 18 mark at the free throw line that places him in a tie for third most makes in a single game in program history.

Off the bench freshman Dayton Coleman dropped in a season-high 15 points, converting 5 of 7 shots from the field and 3 of 4 from long ranks. He also went 2 for 4 at the free throw line and pulled down five rebounds. The guard from Champaign, Illinois, now boasts three double-digit scoring games this season. 

Sophomore Shamar Newman was the fourth player to reach double-figures in the scoring column with 11 points. The transfer from NJCAA Division III Central Lakes College went 3 for 4 overall and 5 for 6 at the line, to go along with five rebounds. Reserves Marcus Kartes and Datril Thompson each had a team-high three assists and were part of nine different players to score for Madison College. 

The WolfPack were 9 for 11 at the free throw line over the first 15 minutes of the season half, then dropped in 16 of 24 over the final five minutes en route to the record-setting performance that also saw Madison College shoot a season-best 75.5%. The visitors also won the rebound battle by a 45-36 total and were plus-four in points in the paint.

Up Next:

Madison College (5-6) will resume its second-longest rivalry when it concludes a three-game road trip on Wednesday, December 4 at Western Technical College (1-3). The WolfPack are winners of five straight and own a 67-33 advantage after a 90-77 victory in the 100th all-time meeting last season. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Seminary Gym in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

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