MADISON, WISC. - In need of a win after consecutive losses, the Madison College women's basketball team turned to their defense on Saturday, turning up the intensity in a 63-47 defeat of visiting Prairie State College inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. The WolfPack forced 26 turnovers and held the Pioneers to 26% shooting from the field as they improved to 2-0 all-time against PSC with a sweep of a home-and-home series.

Freshman guard Emma Paulson scored the game's first bucket with a driving layup more than 90 seconds into the contest, and Madison College led from that point on. The WolfPack slowly pushed the advantage to double-digits late in the first quarter, taking an 18-8 lead on a jumper by first year forward Cora Hansen. Prairie State College (1-8) climbed to within four on two occasions early in a low-scoring second quarter that ended with a 8-2 run for the Pack and a 30-20 lead at the break.



Madison College appeared to be running away with the game in the third quarter, scoring the first 13 points of the half to assume a 44-21 advantage with less than three minutes remaining, however, the Pioneers found a groove and closed the quarter with a 9-0 surge. The home team managed to keep the differential in double-figures throughout the remainder of the game, and even returned it to a 20-point lead after a Kaylee Anzalone three-pointer capped a run of seven-consecutive points.

Hansen, a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, made 7 of 16 shots and a pair of free throws to tally a career-high 16 points. She tallied ten of her points in the first quarter en route to a third-consecutive double-digit scoring effort. Hansen also finished with six rebounds and two assists.

Jordanna Davis came off the bench to add 13 points, six of which came in the fourth quarter. The WolfPack's other La Crosse, Wisconsin, native was 6 of 14 with a free throw and secured six boards.

Anzalone buried three of the team's four makes from beyond the arc en route to 11 points on 4 of 10 shooting overall. She added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Sophomore Taylor Ripp racked up her second third double-double of the season with ten points and a career-best 15 rebounds.

The WolfPack took advantage of 26 PSC turnovers and created a 23-13 edge in points off turnovers, while also owning the paint by a 42-28 margin in scoring. Madison College shot 37% (26-69) for the game, made 4 of 17 (23.5%) from long range, and knocked down 7 of 11 (63.6%) free throws. Prairie State College shot 26% for the game, marking the third worst opponent shooting percentage this season for the Pack, and 14% from distance.

Up Next:

Madison College (6-6) is at Loras College on Thursday, December 8 for the team's second trip to Dubuque, Iowa, for a matchup with a NCAA Division III JV squad after falling at the University of Dubuque on November 9. The Duhawks own a 3-2 edge on the WolfPack over the past ten years. Tip off is at 6:00 p.m.

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