CHICAGO, ILL. - An impressive finishing kick propelled the Madison College men's basketball team to the finish line Saturday as they earned an 86-79 come-from-behind victory over NJCAA Division II Wilbur Wright College in a North Central Community College contest. A season-best six players scored in double-figures as part of a balanced attack that generated a 13-5 run to close out the game. The WolfPack has won four consecutive in the head-to-head series, which they lead by a 17-4 tally.

Wilbur Wright College (5-13, 1-3) opened the game with a 10-0 run as the WolfPack missed their first five shots and committed three turnovers. Madison College trimmed the deficit to a single possession on several occasions throughout the first half, but were never able to get over the hump. Freshman Jordan Boyd hit back-to-back shots to ignite a 10-2 run that brought the 'Pack within a point at 34-33 with 5:20 to play in the half. The Rams answered by scoring nine straight points as part of a 12-5 stretch that ended the half with the hosts up by seven. Six minutes into the second half, Madison College secured its first lead of the game when Davion Washington sank a three-pointer, got a steal, and knocked down a jumper to cap an 11-3 push. The two teams went back-and-forth over the next 11 minutes, and with 3:10 left in the game, Wilbur Wright College held a 74-73 lead. Sophomore Earl Lewis would splash a three-pointer and follow with a pair of free throws for a four-point lead. By the time Lewis hit another from the stripe with a dozen seconds left, the WolfPack had put together a 13-3 run to steal the road win.

All five starters netted double-figure points, led by sophomore Shamar Newman with 17 points. The 6'3" forward/guard was 7 of 9 from the field and 3 for 4 at the free throw line for his sixth double-digit effort in the last seven games, pushing his season average to 10.2 points. Newman, a former Milwaukee Hamilton High School athlete, also registered six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a blocked shot.

Lewis, a Madison, Wisconsin, native, poured in 16 points, to go along with four rebounds, four assists, and five steals. He made three of his four field goals from beyond the arc and was 5 for 6 at the charity stripe. Lewis is averaging 18.7 points over the last three games.

Freshman Marcus Kartes made four 3-pointers for the fifth time this season en route to 14 points. Over the last five games, the native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is hitting at a 60% clip from long range with 15 makes in 25 attempts.

Washington, a second year guard from Madison East High School, filled the stat sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and five steals. He has now scored in double-figures in three of the past four outings.

The only non-starter to reach ten or more points was Boyd, as the guard from London, England, went 4 for 7 overall and 2 of 2 from three-point range as part of a career-high 12-point effort. The 6'4" small forward now boasts back-to-back double-figure scoring games, while also securing six rebounds for a second straight night.

Forward Jason Williams narrowly missed his seventh double-double when he finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. The freshman from Indiana was 4 for 9 with three free throws for his sixth consecutive double-digit game.

Madison College drained 11 of 25 (44%) three-pointers to mark the fourth time this season they have had ten or more. Both teams finished with 36 points in the paint, while the WolfPack were one-point better off turnovers and the Rams were two-points better in second chance points. 

Up Next:

Madison College (9-8, 2-2) will begin a four-game homestand at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium on Wednesday, January 15 when they host the College of DuPage (3-15, 1-3) in another N4C showdown. The WolfPack has swept three consecutive regular season series and own an eight-game win streak as part of a 15-10 lead in the all-time series. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

All home Madison College men's basketball games can be streamed live at MadisonCollege.tv.

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