CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Three days after the Madison College men's basketball team shot the lights out inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium en route to a season-opening win, the shoe was firmly on the other foot Monday in a 100-66 setback at Kirkwood Community College. The Eagles, ranked #6 in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll, made 13 three-pointers, while the WolfPack sank just five and committed 18 turnovers. The game marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

After sophomore JP Pleasant and freshman George Whaley IV each sank a layup to give the visiting WolfPack a 4-2 lead, Kirkwood Community College (2-0) answered with a 14-1 surge to build an 11-point lead less than seven minutes into the game. Second year guard Cullen Rauls followed another Pleasant basket with a three-pointer to get back within six; however, the Eagles generated a 9-0 scoring run as the differential grew to as high as 25 before a Whaley triple in the final minute made it 52-30 at halftime. In the second half, KCC kept the Pack at bay as they slowly increased their lead into the 30s.

Pleasant dropped in a team-high 15 points on 5 of 9 shooting, to go along with a 5 for 8 effort at the free throw line. The 6'5" forward also had four rebounds.

Rauls made three of his four field goals from beyond the arc and sank a pair from the charity stripe to score 13 points.

Whaley, a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, added 11 points with a 4 for 8 effort that included two makes from distance and one free throw. 

Freshman Ryen Jones led the team with six rebounds and four assists, and was one of three players with five points.

Madison College finished the game shooting 45% (23-51) from the field, 28% (5-18) outside the three-point line, and 53% (15-28) at the free throw line. Kirkwood posted percentages of 49% (32-65) overall, 38% (13-34) from long range, and 57% (23-40) at the stripe.

Kirkwood Community College won the battle on the boards by a 40-27 margin, which translated to a 23-13 edge in second chance points. The Eagles also won the turnover battle by eight, resulting in a 14-6 advantage in points off turnovers. In addition to the high total of three-pointers, the home team owned a 36-24 margin in points in the paint.

Up Next:

Madison College (1-1) continues a challenging early-season road trip on Thursday, November 7 with a Region 4 showdown at #18-ranked Waubonsee Community College (0-0). The Chiefs lead the all-time series by a 9-2 tally. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and can be live streamed here.

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