JOLIET, ILL. - As both teams poured in three-pointer after three-pointer in Thursday's North Central Community College Conference opener, the Madison College men's basketball team was unable to overcome a 20-point halftime deficit en route to an 83-71 loss at Joliet Junior College. Playing for the first time in 26 days, four players scored in double-figures and the WolfPack made their second most shots from long range in a game this season, but it was not enough as the team's three-game win streak was ended. The setback also snapped a two-game win streak against the Wolves, who lead the all-time series by a 25-6 margin.

Madison College led 6-5 early when Joliet Junior College (8-9, 1-0) began to separate with an 18-5 run that gave the home team its first double-digit lead. Still a 13-point game late in the half, the Wolves closed with seven consecutive points for a 47-27 differential at the break. The deficit grew to 28 over the first six minutes of the second half, however, the WolfPack would not go down without a fight. Trailing 78-53 with about eight minutes to play, the 'Pack began slowly cutting into the JJC lead with a 7-0 run and two 5-0 runs, but cut never get the differential inside of 12 points.

Sophomore Davion Washington had his best scoring game since a the first week of the season as he dropped in 24 points on 9 of 14 shooting and was a career-best 5 for 8 from outside the arc. The guard from Madison, Wisconsin, now has five double-digit scoring games this season, including three with more than 20 points.

Freshman Marcus Kartes posted a career-high 16 points thanks to four 3-pointers that were part of a 6 for 8 shooting effort overall. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native has four games this season with four shots from distance, however, this was the first time since November 9. Kartes, a 6'3" guard, also had seven rebounds.

Forwards Shamar Newman and Malcolm Reed rounded out the double-digit scoring with 13 points each. Newman, a sophomore from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was 5 for 13 with a pair of three-pointers and four assists, while Reed, a freshman from Barneveld, Wisconsin, converted 6 of 15 shots with one triple. Reed also posted six rebounds and led the team with a career-best five assists. Freshman forward Max Keyeski made his first career start and was tops in rebounds with eight to establish a new season-high. The Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native also had three points and three assists.

Madison College knocked down 12 of 24 (50%) attempts from three-point territory for their second-highest three-point total in a game this season. It came as part of a 46% (28-61) shooting performance overall. The WolfPack was out-rebounded 41-31 and ended the game with five more turnovers than the Wolves, who also buried 14 three-pointers. Joliet Junior College had a 20-9 edge in points off turnovers and a a 10-5 lead in second chance scoring, with the 'Pack narrowly controlling the interior scoring by a 30-28 margin.

Up Next:

Madison College (7-7, 0-1) will play its first home N4C contest on Saturday, January 4 against rival Rock Valley College (10-7, 1-0). The Golden Eagles swept the season series last year as part of a four-game win streak in head-to-head matchups, and also lead the all-time series by a 32-16 count. Tip off is at 3:00 p.m. inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium.

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

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