ROCKFORD, ILL. - In a key game for postseason positioning, the Madison College men's basketball team couldn't overcome an extended scoring drought in the first half and lost 78-51 at Rock Valley College on Tuesday night. The North Central Community College Conference and Region 4 contest featured a double-double by freshman Keith Hoffman as the WolfPack and Golden Eagles split their regular season series for the second straight season.

The matchup between border rivals remained close through the game's first seven minutes and stood at 14-10 in favor of Rock Valley College (15-8, 3-4) when sophomore Trevon Liggins hit a layup with 12:31 to play. They would not score a field goal again until there were four minutes left in the half. The Golden Eagles took advantage with an 18-1 run to gain control of the game. The WolfPack trailed 36-18 at the break, and would still trail by 18 after a Nik Feller three-pointer just over seven minutes into the half. That would be as close as the visiting team got over the final 12 minutes as the deficit swelled to as much as 29.

Hoffman, a 6'8" forward, registered 14 points and 13 rebounds for the eighth double-double of season for the Stevens Point, Wisconsin, native. He also tied a career-best with three blocks.

Sophomore Arrion Curothers went 5 for 10 from the field to post 12 points and a team-high three assists. Fellow second year Malcolm Reed recorded ten points and six rebounds on 5 for 9 shooting.

Madison College struggled to get the ball in the basket, going 19 for 65 for their second-lowest shooting percentage of the season at 29.2%. That included a 3 for 28 showing from beyond the arc that tied for the fewest triples made in a game this season. The WolfPack did hold advantages in points off turnovers (16-12) and second chance points (9-8), while RVC was tops in points in the paint (34-20).

The all-time series now stands at 35-18 in favor of RVC.

Up Next:

Madison College (14-9, 2-5) is back inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium for the final home game of the regular season on Thursday, February 10 against the College of DuPage (6-13, 2-4) for another key N4C and Region 4 showdown. The Chaparrals eeked out a 63-61 win on January 25 in Illinois for their third straight win against the WolfPack, who hold a narrow 15-13 lead in the all-time series. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. 

Thursday will also be Sophomore Night, with second year players Jordan Boyd, Arrion Curothers, Ma'Teo Holland, Trevon Liggins, and Malcolm Reed being recognized at halftime.

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