MILWAUKEE, WISC. - A tough second quarter and a three-minute scoring drought in the fourth quarter proved to be too much to overcome for the Madison College women's basketball team on Sunday, as they fell 69-62 at in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College to close out the North Central Community College Conference schedule. Taylor Ripp led three players in double-figures, however, the Stormers finished off their first regular-season series sweep of the WolfPack since the 1980-81 season. Despite dropping four of the last five meetings, Madison College still holds a commanding 75-17 edge in the all-time series.

Taylor Ripp and Reyna Knox got things going for the WolfPack, who led for nearly the entire first quarter except for three ties during the first ten minutes. The advantage peaked at five when sophomore and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native, Mikala Williams hit a jumper to close the quarter with a 19-14 lead. An Emma Paulson basket in the second quarter made it a seven-point lead, however, a more than five-minute stretch without a basket for the visitors allowed the Stormers to go on a 10-0 run and take a three-point edge. Eight consecutive points by MATC-Milwaukee followed a Knox free throw as the home team went on to outscored the Pack 18-5 in the quarter to take a 32-24 advantage into halftime.

Playing with a little fire in the third quarter, Madison College got an early three-pointer from freshman Kayla Staveness and followed with another Knox basket to make it a one-possession game. The Stormers maintained a lead throughout the third quarter, and even pushed it to as high as ten before the Pack closed the quarter by scoring 12 of the final 16 points. Trailing 48-46 entering the fourth, Madison College eventually got within 52-51 as Kaylee Anzalone buried a triple with 7:42 to play. They would not score again until the 4:55 mark, allowing Milwaukee Tech to go on a 12-0 surge and take control of the game.

Ripp posted 15 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in the loss. The Lodi, Wisconsin, product, was 5 of 15 shooting and made 5 of 7 free throws.

Knox, another Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native, hit on 4 of 11 shots with a three-pointer and three free throws en route to 12 points, two boards, two assists, and a steal. The double-digit scoring effort snaps a string of seven consecutive games with three points or less.

Paulson rounded out the scorers in double-figures with 11 points, making 4 of 12 shots and all three of her free throws. She struggled from distance and missed all six attempts beyond the arc. Paulson dished out a team-high three assists and matched Williams with three steals. Williams and Staveness both had nine point, with Staveness hitting three 3-pointers and Williams also securing seven rebounds.

Madison College shot 34% (21-62) overall, 23% (6-26) from long range, and 77% (14-18) at the free throw line. The teams combined for 52 turnovers in the game, with the WolfPack owning a 29-20 edge in points off turnovers. Milwaukee Tech (17-11, 6-2) did win the rebound battle by a 55-26 margin, and held a 17-7 lead in second chance points and a 48-22 advantage in points in the paint.

Up Next:

Madison College will close out the 2022-23 regular season on Tuesday, February 21 with a road game against Rock Valley College (21-6). The Golden Eagles are currently ranked #12 in the NJCAA Division II Poll and lead the all-time series with the WolfPack by a 27-18 margin that includes an 11-game win streak dating back to 2015-16. Tip off in Rockford, Illinois, is set for 5:30 p.m. and can be streamed live here.

Region 4 Tournament: 

Madison College has been awarded the #3-seed in the 2023 NJCAA Region 4 Division III Tournament, which will be played at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois, on February 24 and 26. The WolfPack (8-18, 1-6) will take on #2-seed Joliet Junior College (11-18, 5-3) in a 3:00 p.m. semifinal game. The Wolves swept the regular season series and have won four straight games over the WolfPack, who own a 22-18 edge in the all-time series. The two teams have played seven times in the postseason, with JJC boasting a 4-3 mark that includes a win in last year's Region 4 Tournament. The winner will advance to play the winner of the 1:00 p.m. semifinal between #1-seed College of DuPage (13-14, 6-1) and #4 Harper College (3-22, 0-7).



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