LA CROSSE, WISC. - The first three-plus minutes of Wednesday night's in-state showdown with Western Technical College provided a storyline for the rest of the contest as the Madison College women's basketball team was unable to climb out of an early hole en route to a lopsided 94-60 loss. Four players posted ten points to pace the WolfPack in the 99th all-time meeting with the Cavaliers, who have won three straight head-to-head games. The Pack, who has lost now dropped back-to-back outings after a five-game win streak, still leads the all-time series by a 75-24 count.

Western Technical College (4-1) raced out to a 13-0 lead as they converted six of their first eight shots over three minutes of play, while the WolfPack missed their first five shots and committed seven turnovers before sophomore Mikala Williams ended the drought with a three-pointer. Madison College finished the opening quarter with four field goals and a dozen turnovers, and the Cavaliers were 11 of 23 overall and led 26-13. Those trends continued through the second quarter, as the home team grew their lead to as high as 23 points before taking a 48-28 differential into halftime.

The two teams played even basketball in the third quarter, with both netting 20 points, which marked the highest scoring quarter for Madison College and the lowest for Western Tech. Freshmen Cora Hansen and Kaylee Anzalone each had five points and six different players contributed, however, the Pack was only able to close the gap to 17 on a few different occasions. A 15-4 surge in the fourth put the game out of reach and sent the Cavaliers on their way to the 34-point win.

The quartet of Williams, Hansen, Taylor Ripp, and Reyna Knox each scored ten points for the WolfPack. Williams finished 4 for 11 with a three-pointer, and also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out four assists, and nabbed three steals. Hansen, who was back playing in her home town of La Crosse, Wisconsin, tallied six of her ten points from the free throw line, and matched Williams with seven boards.

Ripp went 5 for 7 from the field to reach double-figures, and secured six rebounds. Knox came off the bench to knock down a pair of long-range shots en route to ten points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Madison College was out-rebounded 64-33 in the game, and the Cavaliers took advantage with a 27-7 edge in second chance points. The home team also turned 29 WolfPack miscues into a 28-12 lead in points off turnovers. The Pack posted their lowest shooting percentage of the season at 26.7% (20-75).

Former Madison College player Tanya Kaufmann is in her first season as head coach at Western Tech. Kaufman was the team captain and MVP of the 2011-12 WolfPack, earning all-conference honors and being named to the Region 4 All-Tournament Team. She was also a NJCAA All-Academic and Academic All-N4C recipient.

Up Next:

Madison College (5-6) is back home Saturday, December 3 for a Region 4 showdown with Prairie State College (1-7). The WolfPack defeated the Pioneers by a 72-53 margin last year in Chicago Heights, Illinois, in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Tip off inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is set for 1:00 p.m. and can be streamed live at MadisonCollege.tv.

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