CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILL. - In a Region 4 game that saw 17 ties and 18 lead changes, the Madison College men's basketball team was unable to hold onto a late second half lead - or complete an very late comeback effort - in a 73-32 loss at Prairie State College on Saturday. Freshman Tyler Mitchell scored a career-best 24 points, and fellow first year Justin Pleasant registered his third double-double in eight games played this season. The Pioneers are 3-0 all-time against the WolfPack, with all three meetings coming over the past three years.

Neither team led by more than four points throughout the duration of the first half. Mitchell sank a three-pointer in the game's second minute to go-ahead 6-2, and a PSC triple nearly five minutes in handed the Pioneers a 12-8 advantage. Madison College answered with eight straight points to regain a 16-12 lead. The WolfPack remained in front by four as the clock moved past ten minutes, when the teams exchanged a series of ties and one-point advantages outside of two moments: a 33-30 lead for PSC after a made three and a 38-35 differential in favor of the Pack after Peter Gustafson converted a layup in the last minute.



The back-and-forth nature of the game carried on during the second half, and when freshman Mason Kleinsmith knocked down a jumper with less than seven minutes remaining, Madison College became the first team to own a lead greater than four in the game as they were up 62-56. Prairie State College (3-5) responded with a 14-2 surge that turned a six-point lead into a six-point deficit following two made free throws with less than two minutes remaining. Romelle Bell brought the visitors within two points on two separate occasions in the final minute, hitting a triple and later a layup, but PSC answered each time. A pair of late free throws by Mitchell brought the game to its final score.

Mitchell made 9 of his 19 field goal attempts, including one 3-pointer, and was 5 for 7 from the free throw line to reach his 24 points, besting his previous high of 19 from the season's second game at Illinois Valley Community College. The native of Dallas, Texas, also had four rebounds and two assists.

Pleasant, who is from Beaumont, Texas, tallied 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. The 6'5" forward converted 3 of 8 shots and all seven of his free throws.

Bell also reached a career-high point total as the Chicago, Illinois, native, was 5 for 6 overall with a three-pointer and 4 of 7 at the stripe to reach 15 points. The 6'3" guard also secured six boards, five assists, and a team-leading four steals. Kleinsmith led the team with eight assists, while scoring seven points.

Madison College outrebounded PSC by a 35-25 margin and owned a 30-24 lead in points in the paint, however, the Pioneers made seven more shots from beyond the arc. The WolfPack shot 44% (25-56) overall, 20% (2-10) from distance, and 74% (20-27) at the line.

Up Next:

Madison College (4-4) is back home on Thursday, December 7 to take on the Loras College JV. The WolfPack is 3-1 all-time against the Duhawks. Tip off inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is at 7:30 p.m. and can be live streamed at MadisonCollege.TV.

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