MADISON, WISC. - The Madison College men's basketball team took full advantage of the added emotions of Sophomore Day on Saturday, and earned a much needed 68-65 Region 4 win over Black Hawk College to end a six-game losing streak. Second year players Deante Luster, Peter Gustafson, and Monte Mayberry were recognized inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium for their commitment to the program, and then Luster and Gustafson led the team with a combined 35 points to earn the team's first win since December 7.

Neither team led by more than two possessions throughout most of the first half, which featured three ties and nine lead changes. After a free throw gave Black Hawk College (10-8) a 23-22 lead with 4:20 to play before the half, freshman Justin Pleasant knocked down a jumper to ignite a quick 9-1 run that built a 31-24 edge for the WolfPack. Two more BHC free throws sent the team into the locker room separated by five points.

After the Braves worked the differential to just two early in the second half, Madison College eventually pushed their lead to 41-33, and would have an eight-point advantage on several occasions. The lead swelled to a game-high nine when Luster hit the first of two free throws to make it 61-52 with 6:29 remaining, however, Black Hawk College responded with a 13-4 surge capped by a three-pointer to tie the game at 65-65 inside of 90 seconds to play. Pleasant came through with a clutch layup, and Gustafson went 1 for 2 at the line with 18 seconds remaining to hold off the Braves.



Luster, a former Sun Prairie HS athlete, was tops with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. He finished 6 of 14 with a three-pointer and was 5 for 6 at the charity stripe.

Gustafson was right behind with a season-high-tying 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting and a 5 for 8 effort at the line. The Monticello, Wisconsin, native also had eight rebounds and a team-leading two blocked shots.

Pleasant, a native of Beaumont, Texas, made 6 of 10 shots and three free throws to produce 15 points. 

Mayberry finished with five rebounds and a blocked shot.

Madison College outrebounded the Braves by a 52-42 margin, and posted a 38-28 lead in points in the paint.

The victory evens the all-time series with the Braves at one win each.

Up Next:

Madison College (6-10) continues a three-game homestand on Tuesday, January 23 with a Region 4 rematch against the College of DuPage (13-8). The Chaparrals outlasted the WolfPack 74-71 in Illinois on January 4, narrowing the Madison College lead in the all-time series to 17-16. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m. inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium and can be streamed live at MadisonCollege.TV.

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