MADISON, WISC. - The Madison College men's basketball team stood strong in a matchup against the defending NJCAA Division II national champions, but ultimately took an 83-62 defeat against South Suburban College on Saturday inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. Second year players Nik Feller, Tyler Haak, Keith Hoffman, Teagan Kirsenlohr, Telin Porter, Jackson Slayton, and Cortez Telfered were celebrated in a pregame ceremony (video above) for their commitment to Madison College as the Sophomore Class of 2023. The WolfPack, currently receiving votes in the NJCAA Division III Poll, are now 1-1 all-time against the Bulldogs, who sit at #8 in the NJCAA Division II Poll.

Following two minutes of scoreless basketball, South Suburban College (23-4) exploded for 12 straight points to seize immediate control of the game. Tyler Haak's driving layup got the WolfPack on the board after 4:30 without a point. The differential remained less than 15 until the Bulldogs used an 8-2 run to push the differential past 20. A pair of Nik Feller free throws made the score 43-21 at halftime.

Following an early layup by SSC to start the second half, Madison College engineered a 13-4 surge that saw Feller knock down a three-pointer to bring the deficit back down to 15 with 15:27 to play. The game remained very competitive over the next five minutes as the team's exchanged baskets. Six consecutive points from the Bulldogs returned the differential to 23 points, and it remained over 20 for the remainder of the game to end the WolfPack's five-game win streak.

Freshman Deante Luster led Madison College with 17 points, hitting 7 of 16 shots with a three-pointer and two free throws. The native of Columbia, South Carolina, has posted double-digit points in seven consecutive games. He also had four rebounds and a team-leading three assists. 

Hoffman went 3 for 9 from the field and made 10 of 14 free throws to finish with 16 points. The forward/center now has two games this season with ten free throws made this season. Hoffman also secured a team-high seven boards to surpass 450 for his career, while sitting at 889 points to remain 11 points shy of becoming the first player in school history with 900 points and 450 rebounds.

Feller made two of the team's three 3-pointers and tallied 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal. 

Madison College finished the game shooting 34% (18-52) overall, 17% (3-17) beyond the arc, and 82% (23-28) at the stripe, giving the Pack five straight games with an 80% mark or better at the free throw line. The Bulldogs held leads in points off turnovers (22-8), second chance points (12-6), and points in the paint (34-20).

Up Next:

Madison College (14-11, 4-2) will play two more road games to wrap up the regular season, starting with a North Central Community College Conference and Region 4 Division III contest on Thursday, February 16 against Harper College (4-22, 0-7). The makeup game from a January 19 postponement also comes nine days after the WolfPack defeated the Hawks by a 79-61 tally in Madison for their eighth straight win in head-to-head meetings. The all-time series stands at 19-10 in favor of Madison College. Tip off is at 5:00 p.m. in Palatine, Illinois.

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