RIVER GROVE, ILL. - Some times the ball just doesn't go in, and Wednesday night proved to be one of those night for the Madison College men's basketball team. The WolfPack shot a season-low from the field and suffered their largest loss of the season with a 123-60 setback at Triton College, which is ranked #18 in the NJCAA Division I Poll. The 'Pack was led by sophomores Earl Lewis and Shamar Newman, who combined to score 35 points. The Trojans shot a blistering 70% from the field and hit 15 three-pointers en route to their 21st straight win in the head-to-head series, which stands at 27-2. 

Triton College (23-5, 11-1), the six-time defending North Central Community College Conference champions, raced out to a quick 19-3 lead after the WolfPack evened the score at 2-2 on Dasean Penn's basket to finish their first possession of the game. The score grew more lopsided with a 22-0 Trojans run over a 7:30 stretch that saw the 'Pack come up empty on 18 consecutive shots. Freshman Malcolm Reed ended the drought, and Lewis ended the half by knocking down a triple to make it 58-19. The second proved to be much more competitive, however, the home team opened the final 20 minutes by scoring the first ten points. The differential peaked at 70 with 5:24 remaining before the WolfPack outscored Triton College by an 18-11 tally to end the game.

Lewis, a 6'1" guard, came off the bench to register 18 points, three rebounds, and a team-high three assists. He converted 6 of 18 shots overall, made 3 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc, and hit all three free throw tries to post his fourth straight game in double-figures and hit 14th such effort of the season.

Newman, a 6'3" forward/guard, was good on 7 of his 14 shots, including 2 of 3 three-pointers, and sank a free throw to score 17 points. It's just the second game this season in which the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native has sank multiple long range shots, helping him reach ten or more points for the 15th time.

Freshman Max Keyeski had two points and a team-best five rebounds.

Madison College finished 23 of 79 (29%) for the game with seven 3's, while Triton College posted 69% (46-66) shooting overall, was 15 for 22 (68%) from distance, and made nine more free throws than the WolfPack. The home team was plus-17 in total rebounds on their way to handing the 'Pack its worst loss of the season, and their worst loss since a 129-64 setback against Highland Community College in the 1995-96 season.

Up Next:

Madison College (12-14, 5-8) will face another stiff test in their regular season finale on Saturday, February 15 with a trip to in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College (26-1, 12-0). The Stormers currently lead the N4C and are ranked #2 in the NJCAA Division II Poll. They defeated the WolfPack 108-89 in Madison last month to extend their winning streak in the series to three, while Madison College owns the all-time lead at 64-51. The game will be played at Reinman Gymnasium at Alverno College in Milwaukee and is set for a 3:00 p.m. start.

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