MADISON, WISC. - The Madison College men's basketball team earned its tenth win of the season Saturday with a come-from-behind 85-81 defeat of Joliet Junior College in a North Central Community College Conference matchup at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. Freshman Jason Williams led four players in double-figures with 20 points as the WolfPack were able to avenge an earlier loss to the Wolves and snap a three-game skid in the head-to-head series. The seventh win in 32 all-time meeting with JJC capped a four-game homestand with a 1-3 record. The double-digit wins mark means Madison College has reached the 10-win plateau in six consecutive seasons. 

The two teams battled back-and-forth over the games first few minutes until Madison College put together a quick 5-0 run to gain some separation, which they carried into a nine-point lead with 12:30 left in the half. Joliet Junior College (10-14, 3-5) slowly crept closer until eventually securing a 28-27 edge, and managed to hang on to a narrow lead until taking a 45-38 differential into halftime. The Wolves came out firing to start the second half, hitting four consecutive three-pointers to open the half and assume a 55-38 advantage. Following a quick timeout, the 'Pack answered with 3's by sophomores Earl Lewis and Davion Washington. Still down ten with just over eight minutes to play, Madison College began its rally with an 18-8 push that tied the game at 76-76 inside of four minutes. Williams tallied seven points during the come-from-behind surge, and freshman Marcus Kartes knocked down a three-pointer that gave the WolfPack the lead for good at 79-78. The home team finished the game with a 9-3 run.

Williams reached 20 points for the third time this season and the first time since November 5 as he converted 9 of 14 shots and sank a pair of free throws. The 6'5" forward has tallied ten or more points in ten consecutive games, and also finished Saturday's game with five rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and a steal.



Lewis, Washington, and Kartes each successfully hit a trio of three-pointers in the game as all three finished in double-figures. Lewis posted 19 points on 6 of 12 shooting overall and was 4 of 4 at the free throw line en route to his sixth double-figure outing in the last seven games. Washington registered 14 points thanks to a 5 for 10 effort overall for his fourth game with ten or more points in the last seven contests. The Madison-natives tied for the team-lead with five assists.

Kartes, a freshman guard, extended his streak of double-digit scoring games to eight in a row with 11 points, making all but one of his four shots from long range. Fellow first year Malcolm Reed reeled in six rebounds to lead the team in that category.

Madison College outscored the Wolves 40-26 in points in the paint, and was plus-five in second chance points and plus-three in points off turnovers.

Up Next:

Madison College (10-11, 3-5) will try to avenge another loss from earlier this month when it travels to Rock Valley College (15-9, 6-2) for a N4C showdown on Wednesday, January 29. The Golden Eagles earned an 87-73 decision in Madison on January 4 for their fifth straight victory in the head-to-head series, which stands at 33-16 in favor of RVC since 1974-75. 

Follow WolfPack men's basketball: Facebook | Twitter