CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILL. - The first-ever meeting between the men's basketball programs of Madison College and Prairie State College ended with a 74-66 victory for the host Pioneers on Saturday. The loss ends a two-game win streak for the WolfPack, who narrowed the game to five points with three minutes to play despite posting their worst outside shooting effort of the season by going 3 for 17.

The first half featured nine lead changes and four ties as the two Region 4 foes went back-and-forth. With the game tied at 12, Prairie State College (2-4) went ahead with a 7-0 run, however, the 'Pack was able to pull even again at 25-25. After sophomore Trevon Liggins completed an and-1 opportunity to give Madison College a 30-29 edge late in the half, the Pioneers tallied the last six points to own a 35-30 lead at the break. Four minutes into the second half and Prairie State owned the game's first double-digit lead, however, it would not last long with a 10-2 run for the WolfPack narrowing the gap to a single basket at 47-45. The Pioneers answered immediately with a 19-5 surge to build the game's biggest lead of 16. A pair of free throws by Telin Porter and Jordan Boyd ignated one last push from the visitors, who tallied 11 consecutive point to create a five-point differential before PSC finished off the win over the final three minutes.

Three players reached double-figures in scoring, led by a pair of 14-point outings from freshman Keith Hoffman and sophomore Arrion Curothers. Curothers, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, hit on 8 of 10 free throw attempts, as well as 3 of 5 shots from the floor en route to a career-best scoring total. The 6'2" guard was also tops in rebounding with a career-high nine boards. Hoffman was 5 of 17 overall with a three-pointer and three free throws. He was right behind Curothers with eight rebounds.

Sophomore Malcolm Reed registered 11 points on 3 of 8 shooting overall and a 5 for 7 effort at the charity stripe. It's the third double-digit scoring game this season for the Barneveld, Wisconsin, native. Porter finished with nine points and six rebounds, while Ma'Teo Holland led the team with four assists.

In addition to nine more points from beyond the arc, Prairie State College also held a 38-26 lead in points in the paint, 17-10 edge in second chance points, and 19-10 in points off turnovers. The hosts were eight better on the glass overall and in offensive rebounds. Madison College used the free throw line to keep the game close with a 23 for 30 mark at the line.

Up Next:

Madison College (6-4) is back home on Tuesday, December 7 to host UW-Richland. The two programs have played 83 prior times dating back to the 1970-71 season, and have not played since 2008. The WolfPack leads the all-time series by a 51-22 count. Tip off inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is at 7:00 p.m.

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