MADISON, WISC. - Trailing for a majority of the game, the Madison College men's basketball team nearly completed a huge comeback from a 15-point deficit in a 79-73 setback Tuesday night against Rochester Community & Technical College. The annual pre-Thanksgiving meeting inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium saw four WolfPack players score in double-figures as they clawed to within four with less than three minutes remaining before the Yellowjackets, ranked #6 in the NJCAA Division III Poll, pulled out their fourth consecutive win over the Pack and now lead the all-time series by a 20-13 margin.

Sophomore transfer Monte Mayberry opened the game with his first career points, knocking down three-pointer from the top of the key to give the WolfPack an early advantage. The teams continued to trade baskets over the next five-plus minutes until Rochester Community & Technical College (1-2) used a basket and a made free throw to take a 13-12 lead. That three-point play triggered a 10-0 run for the Yellowjackets. A Tyler Mitchell layup inside of four-minutes to play in the half ignited a five-point push for the home team to close to within 32-31. Still a one-point game at 40-39 with less than two to play after a Romelle Bell score, RCTC closed the half with an 8-2 surge to lead 48-41.



Eight consecutive points by Rochester early in the second half extended the differential into double-digits, where it peaked at 15 as the clock moved inside of 14 minutes to play. The WolfPack slowly chipped away at the deficit by scoring 19 of the next 27 points, and sophomore Deante Luster swished a pair of free throws to make it a two-possession game at 73-69 with 2:29 remaining. However, RCTC banked in a contested three-pointer to regain momentum and close out the road win.

Luster came off the bench to lead Madison College with 19 points on 7 of 14 shooting with a three-pointer. He was 4 for 6 at the free throw line.

Fellow second year wing Peter Gustafson also came off the bench to post season-high's of 17 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.The Monticello, Wisconsin, native, made 6 of 10 field goal tries, including his only attempt from beyond the arc, and was 4 of 5 at the stripe.

Freshmen guards Mitchell and Bell posted scoring totals of 15 and 10 points, respectively. Mitchell, a native of Dallas, Texas, dished out a team-best six assists, while Bell, from Chicago, Illinois, added five boards and four assists.

Forward Justin Pleasant racked up 11 rebounds for his fourth double-digit rebound game in six outings. He also had six points.

Madison College finished the game shooting 45% (26-57) overall, 44% (4-9) from long range, and 68% (17-25) at the free throw line. The WolfPack has average 16.1 made free throws and 25.7 attempts from the charity stripe so far this season. 

Up Next:

Madison College (3-3) returns to the road after the Thanksgiving break with a Thursday, November 30 game at Region 4 foe Harper College (3-5). The former conference rivals will meet again in early-February. The WolfPack own a ten-game win streak and a 21-10 all-time lead over the Hawks. Game time in Palatine, Illinois, is at 7:00 p.m.

Follow WolfPack men's basketball: Facebook | Twitter