MADISON, WISC. - In the brief five-game rivalry between Madison College and Bryant & Stratton College, the in-state rivals had four games decided by three points or less. While the final differential Thursday night inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium may have surpassed that at four points, the intensity remained in what finished as an 80-76 win for the Bobcats despite the WolfPack finishing the final three minutes with just four players. All five available Madison College players scored in double-figures as the all-time series was evened at 3-3. Madison College has now played 11 games this season with a final margin of six or fewer points, and they are 4-7 in those contests.

The matchup featured three ties and three lead changes in the game's first eight minutes, with neither team leading by more than four points. Freshman Justin Pleasant had the hot hand early for Madison College, hitting his first five shots. That run included three consecutive three-pointers midway through the half, the last of which pushed the advantage to 24-18. Sophomore Deante Luster's layup with 8:20 remaining gave the Pack an eight-point edge, but a 12-2 run by Bryant & Stratton College (17-8) put the visitors up 32-30. The Bobcats eventually assumed a six-point lead with 2:11 to play in the half, however, second year win Peter Gustafson ignited quick seven-point swing with a jumper and a three-pointer to give the home team a one-point lead at 43-42 at the break.



Bryant & Stratton College regained the lead in the opening minute of the second half, and maintained a two-possession differential outside of three occasions when the WolfPack pulled even. The game became even more interesting when Pleasant was whistled for his fifth foul with 3:03 to play and Madison College trailing 71-69. After a Tyler Mitchell three-pointer, Gustafson converted a layup to give the home team a 74-73 advantage with 1:56 to play. Coming out of a timeout, the Bobcats knocked down a corner three to trigger a 7-0 burst before Mitchell drained a jumper at the buzzer. Between the Gustafson and Mitchell baskets, the Pack missed three shots and a free throw down the stretch.

Luster finished with a game-high 24 points, hitting 10 of 23 tries from the floor and 3 of 12 beyond the arc. The 6'3" wing added five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Pleasant, who transferred from Bryant & Stratton College, was a perfect 3 for 3 from long range after entering the game just 1 for 7 in the category on the season. He registered 15 points, a team-high six rebounds, four assists, and two steals before fouling out.

Mitchell added 14 points and four assists, followed by Antoine Coleman with 12 points, four boards, and a career-high five dimes. Gustafson rounded out the scoring with 11 points, to go along with five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocked shots.

Madison College shot a season-best 55.2% (32-58) from the floor, were 8 of 20 (40%) from deep, and sank 4 of 8 (50%) free throws. The Bobcats made four more three-pointers and eight more free throws in the game, while also taking advantage of 18 offensive rebounds to build an 18-11 lead in second chance points.

Up Next:

Madison College (9-13) closes out a brief two-game homestand on Saturday, February 10 with a Region 4 game against Morton College (16-8). The WolfPack has never beaten the Panthers in two prior meetings during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons. Game time inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is set for 1:00 p.m. and can be streamed live at MadisonCollege.TV.

Follow WolfPack men's basketball: Facebook | Twitter