MADISON, WISC. - Riding a two-game win streak, the Madison College women's basketball team was unable to keep the wave of momentum going despite a hard-fought effort in a 74-59 loss to the Loras College JV inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium on Thursday night. The WolfPack hung shot-for-shot with the Duhawks until an 8-0 run to end the third quarter gave the visitors control of the game and a 3-2 lead in the all-time series.

The first half was a close battle throughout, featuring 12 lead changes and four ties. A 6-0 run midway through the first quarter turned a three-point deficit into a three-point advantage, however, an eight-point surge later in the quarter put the Loras College JV (3-2) up seven. Down three starting the second quarter, the back-and-forth affair continue the Duhawks knocked down a long range shot in the final minute to take a one-point point lead into halftime. Loras College held a narrow advantage during most the ten-minute period until the 'Pack pulled even at 42-42 with a five-point swing. The Duhawks answered with their 8-0 push to set the table for a fourth quarter that never saw the Madison College get any closer than seven points.

Sophomore Olivia Marron and freshman Laurissa Pickel led the WolfPack offense with 13 points each. Marron, a forward from La Farge, Wisconsin, was 5 for 9 with three free throws and four rebounds. Pickel, a former Weston HS athlete, came off the bench to convert 5 of 12 shots and also hit three free throws. 

Lauren Thole also came of the bench to contribute nine points and five boards, while Taylor Ripp aided the cause with eight points and a team-high seven rebounds. Brianna Hendricks was tops with four assists.

For the first time this season, Madison College had fewer than 20 turnovers in the game, finishing with 15 miscues, 11 of which came in the second half. The WolfPack owned a narrow 32-30 edge in points in the paint, however, the Duhawks were plus-ten in points off turnovers and seven better in second chance points. 

Up Next:

Madison College (2-8) will finish the 2021 portion of its schedule, and a busy stretch of six games in 12 days, with a road game at Region 4 opponent Kishwaukee College (4-4) on Saturday, December 11. The WolfPack own a four-game win streak and a 16-8 advantage in the all-time series with the Kougars. Tip off is at 1:00 p.m. in Malta, Illinois. 

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