DES PLAINES, ILL. - The Madison College men's basketball team put the finishing touches on one of the best starts in program history with a 73-51 win over Region 4 foe Oakton College to close the 2024 portion of their schedule with nine straight wins and a 10-1 record. Guards Cullen Rauls and Carson McCormick scored 40 combined points to pace the WolfPack, who remain ranked #19 in the NJCAA Division II Poll. Playing against the Owls for the first time in 25 years, the Pack now leads the all-time series by a 2-1 count.

A quick 7-0 burst that opened with McCormick three-pointer and closed with a Ryen Jones dunk put the WolfPack ahead 11-4 just over five minutes into the game. Another 9-2 surge late in the half pushed the differential to 13; however, Oakton College (6-9) scored the final five points of the half to make it a 31-23 lead for the Pack.

Madison College started the second half fast with five points in the first minute. The Owls answered with nine consecutive points to narrow their deficit to three at 41-38 with 12:30 to play. Nine of the next 11 points belongs to the WolfPack, who eventually built a double-digit advantage of 57-46. That came as part of a larger 21-5 push to close the game and leave town with a 22-point decision. 



Sophomore transfer Cullen Rauls led the offensive effort with 22 points, giving the 6'1" guard his ninth game with double-digit points and his third with more than 20 points. The Fall River, Wisconsin, native, was 7 for 13 overall and 2 for 7 beyond the arc, while also converting all six free throw attempts, to go along with three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

McCormick splashed in four 3-pointers as part of his 7 for 13 effort from the floor en route to 18 points. It's the fifth game this season with at least four hits from beyond the arc for the former Janesville Craig HS athlete.

Two others were also in double-figures as JP Pleasant and Ryen Jones added 11 and ten points, respectively. Pleasant, a Beaumont, Texas, product, secured his third double-double with 14 rebounds, tying his career best.



Madison College shot 28 for 61 (46%) overall, 6 of 28 (21%) from long range, and 11 of 12 (91%) at the free throw line. The Owls finished 36% (19-52) from the floor, 26% (7-27) from three-point territory, and 60% (6-10) at the charity stripe. 

The WolfPack committed a season-low eight turnovers, resulting in a 19-4 advantage in points off turnovers. They also racked up a 40-14 lead in points in the paint.

Up Next:

Madison College (10-1) will return from the holidy break to begin the 2025 portion of their schedule on Saturday, January 4 with a home game against #9-ranked Ellsworth Community College (13-2). The Top 20 showdown will mark the second meeting between the two teams after the Panthers beat the WolfPack in Iowa Falls, Iowa, a dozen years ago. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium and can be live streamed at MadisonCollege.TV.

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