SUGAR GROVE, ILL. - The Madison College men's basketball team rebounded from Monday's road loss to a ranked opponent with an impressive 80-64 upset win over Waubonsee Community College in a Region 4 contest on Thursday night. The WolfPack dictated much of the game and saw four players score in double-figures en route to taking down the Chiefs, who entered the season as the #18-ranked team in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll. Despite the victory, the Pack still trail the all-time series by a 9-2 tally. 

Trailing 6-2 early, Madison College put together a 27-5 run to assume an 18-point lead after a layup by freshman Ryen Jones. The differential dipped to 34-22 going into halftime, and a stretch of sloppy play coming out of the break resulted in a 9-2 surge for Waubonsee Community College (0-1) that made it a two-possession game less than four minutes into the half. Sophomore transfer Cullen Rauls answered with a pair of three-pointers sandwiched around a Jones dunk to trigger a 20-2 push that put the visitors in cruise control. Madison College held a lead of 20 or more until the final few minutes when Waubonsee Community College narrowed the gap to as little as 14.

The WolfPack were 31 of 65 (47%) for the game, 9 of 22 (41%) from outside the three-point arc, and 9 for 14 (64%) at the free throw line, while also holding the Chiefs to 33% (24-72) overall, 19% (7-37) from distance, and 69% (9-13) at the stripe. Additionally, Madison College owned a 40-32 edge in points in the paint, while also out-rebounding the Chiefs by eight.

Sophomore JP Pleasant tied his career high with 20 points, to go along with a team-leading nine rebounds for the forward from Beaumont, Texas. He was 9 of 18 overall with a three-pointer and a free throw.

Cullen Rauls sank three 3-pointers as part of a 7 for 13 night with a couple of free throws that added up to 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Jones, a first year forward from Lawrenceville, Georgia, poured in a career-best 14 points with six field goals, one of which came from long range. He also contributed six rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

Freshman guard George Whaley IV posted 11 points, six rebounds, and a team-leading five assists. Carson McCormick, a 6'1" guard, struggled to find his shot; however, he led the team with a career-high eight rebounds.

Up Next:

Madison College (2-1) returns to H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium on Tuesday, November 12 with a Region 4 showdown with the College of Lake County (1-1). Despite winning the last three meetings, the WolfPack trail the head-to-head series by a 6-3 count. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. and can be streamed live at MadisonCollege.TV.

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