MADISON, WISC. - Points were at a premium Tuesday night inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium, and when the final buzzer sounded, the Madison College men's basketball team had grinded out a 61-54 victory over Rock Valley College for their first North Central Community College Conference win of the season. The WolfPack, who are receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division III Poll, took advantage of 31 points from guards Arrion Curothers and Telin Porter en route to topping the #13-ranked Golden Eagles. The win trims the all-time series deficit for the 'Pack to 34-18 and gives Madison College two wins in the last three meetings.

The tightly contested game featured 14 lead changes and seven ties, with the largest lead being seven points. With the game even at 10-10 seven minutes in, the WolfPack used three-pointers from Porter and Keith Hoffman to gain some separation during a five-minute stretch that saw the teams combine to shoot 2 for 9 and commit four turnovers. A pair of Porter free throws later in the half put Madison College up 21-14, however, #13 Rock Valley College (11-5, 0-1) responded with an 8-0 run to take the lead. The home team answered the bell to score six of the last eight points of the half to take a 27-24 advantage into the locker room.

The second half was a truly back-and-forth affair, including a more than three-minute stretch that saw six lead changes and two ties midway through the half. The game turned in the home team's favor when sophomore guard Trevon Liggins splashed a corner three to put Madison College up for good. That basket was part a game-ending 17-7 surge that included a 5 for 6 effort at the free throw line to put the game away. 

Curothers, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, scored a career-high 16 points for his third double-digit output this season. The 6'2" guard was 5 for 7 from the floor and 6 for 8 at the charity stripe, while also dishing out a team-leading four assists. Porter was right behind Curothers with 15 points and eight rebounds. The Houston, Texas, product hit two long range shots as part of a 5 for 10 performance and added three free throws en route to his tenth game with ten or more points.

Forward Keith Hoffman posted his sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. The 6'8" freshman also went 5 for 10 with a pair of three-pointers.

Madison College reeled in a 43-32 advantage on the boards, and a narrow 12-10 lead in second chance points. 

Up Next:

Madison College (13-5, 1-1) will play its first N4C road game on Tuesday, January 25 with a trip to the College of DuPage (4-10, 0-1). The Chaparrals swept the 2019-20 season series, while the WolfPack own a 15-12 edge in the all-time series. Tip off is at 7:00 p.m. in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Stream the game live here.

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