MADISON, WISC. - The 105-69 final score of Wednesday's Region 4 showdown between Madison College and its newest in-state rival Blackhawk Technical College was not indicative of how close the game actually was inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. Six players scored in double-figures for the WolfPack, who surpassed 100 points for the first time this season as they extended their overall win streak to four and maintained a perfect mark in region play through five games. The victory also gives the Pack a 15-2 lead in the all-time series with the Talons as the team renewed a rivalry last played 40 years ago. Two days earlier, Madison College learned it was receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division II Poll.

Blackhawk Technical College (0-4) did own a 3-2 lead after sinking their first shot of the game from outside the arc, and the advantage held for nearly 30 seconds before freshman George Whaley IV scored his second consecutive layup to ignite an 8-0 run that included a rim-rocking dunk from Ryen Jones. A 9-0 surge a few minutes later pushed the gap to 19-8; however, Talons freshman Kai Bickham kept the visitors within striking distance with a barrage of three-pointers as he went 5 for 5 from long range in the first half. The differential dwindled to a one possession game at 29-26 with 7:25 to play in the half when the WolfPack engineered a 17-6 rally to go up by 14 on a Carson McCormick three-pointer.



With a 50-41 lead at halftime, Madison College scored nine of the first 11 points of the second half before putting together a 14-2 run midway through the second half. The Talons closed to within 21 a few times before the home team put the game away with a 19-6 closing stretch.

Sophomore Amir Ford led the balanced attack with his first career double-double of 18 points and ten rebounds, establishing career-highs in both categories. The Lovejoy, Georgia, native and transfer from Bryant & Stratton College was 8 for 11 overall and 2 for 4 at the free throw line. He also had one assist and one block. 

Whaley, a guard from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, made seven of his ten field goal attempts, including a three points and two free throws to reach a career-best 17 points. It's the fourth double-digit game this season for Whaley, who also had three assists and three steals.

Jevon Campbell, a freshman guard out of Lincoln Park, Michigan, was perfect on the night en route to a career-high 15 points. He was 6 for 6 overall, 2 for 2 outside the arc, and 1 for 1 at the free throw line.

The other double-digit scorers were Jones with 14 points, and then a dozen points each by McCormick and JP Pleasant. Jones added six rebounds and four assists. McCormick knocked down three of the team's six 3-pointers, and Pleasant earned his second double-double of the season with 12 rebounds.

Madison College dominated the glass with a 51-23 differential in rebounding that included 18 offensive boards and led to a 24-0 advantage in second chance points. The WolfPack also racked up a 64-16 edge in points in the paint thanks to a season-best 58.6% (41-70) shooting percentage. They were also 6 for 15 (40%) from distance and 17 of 25 (68%) at the line, while the Talons shot 36% (23-63) on the night, which included a 13 for 29 (44%) effort from long range. They also made 10 of 15 (66%) free throws.

Up Next:

Madison College (5-1) plays game two of a four-game homestand on Saturday, November 23 against Region 4 foe Kishwaukee College (3-2). The Kougars own a 17-9 advantage in the head-to-head series after a win last year snapped a seven-game win streak in the series for the WolfPack. Tip off is at 3:00 p.m. inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium and can be live streamed at MadisonCollege.TV.

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