JOLIET, ILL. - The North Central Community College Conference schedule opened with a 75-64 road loss for the Madison College women's basketball team as they returned to the court Thursday at Joliet Junior College. The WolfPack's first game since December 13 saw three players score in double-figures and two secure double-digit rebounds, but ended a brief two game win streak. The Wolves have taken three of the last four over the 'Pack, who still lead the all-time series by a 19-14 tally and a 15-11 count as conference opponents.

Madison College, following a 20-day layoff from competition, played well from the outset and put together a 13-5 run to break an 8-8 tie over the final six minutes of the first quarter. Joliet Junior College (6-11, 1-0) answered in the second quarter with a 16-3 surge that put the home team on top by five, and they maintained a three-point edge at the half. The third quarter proved to be crucial, with the Wolves breaking the game open behind a 14-2 run to begin the half. The Madison College deficit reached 16 before trimming it back to nine heading to the fourth quarter. Over the final ten minutes the road team pulled within seven points on three occasions, with the last coming on a Mrylena Stewart jumper with 21 seconds to play. However, Joliet Junior College made its final two shots from the field to slam the door shut on an 11-point decision.

Sophomore Aniah Williams recorded a game-high 19 points on 7 of 19 shooting overall. The guard from Beloit, Wisconsin, also finished 1 for 9 from long range and 4 for 10 at the free throw line. Williams now boasts 11 games with ten or more points this season, including three in a row.

Stewart, a sophomore guard from Madison, Wisconsin, notched her third double-digit scoring effort with 13 points off the bench. The transfer from NJCAA Division II Southeastern Community College (IA) converted 5 of 18 shots from the field, was 1 for 8 outside the arc, and 2 of 3 at the charity stripe. Stewart dished out a team-high five assists, giving her three straight games with at least that many dimes.

Forward Olivia Marron also came off the bench and registered her first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The freshman from La Farge, Wisconsin, knocked down 5 of 12 shots and was 1 for 4 at the free throw line for her fourth double-figure scoring game in the last five outings. The career-high effort on the glass was spearheaded by a five-rebound effort on the offensive end. Sophomore Lilly Dorman also had 11 rebounds, including eight offensive. The former Madison East High School athlete has 23 rebounds over the last two games, and now owns four such performances. She also had six points and a team-best two blocked shots.

Madison College shot 29.5% (26-88) overall, but struggled to shoot from three-point territory with a 2 for 21 mark that produced the second-lowest percentage in a game this season at 9.5%. The WolfPack was also 10 of 24 at the free throw line for another second-lowest percentage of the winter at 41.7%. Joliet Junior College took advantage of 24 'Pack turnovers and posted a 19-8 edge in points off turnovers, while also overcoming a 60-57 shortfall in rebounding to outscore the visitors 12-8 in second chance points. Madison College did own a 40-34 lead in points in the paint and were plus-11 in bench scoring.

Up Next:

Madison College (8-5, 0-1) will play at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium for the first time in 2020 on Saturday, January 4 when they host N4C rival Rock Valley College (11-6, 1-0). The Golden Eagles are currently ranked #4 in the NJCAA Division III Poll and have six straight games over the WolfPack to take a 22-18 lead in the all-time series. Tip off is set for 1:00 p.m.

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

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