MADISON, WISC. - The Madison College men's basketball team used a balanced, team-first brand of basketball Saturday en route to a 85-52 Region 4 victory over Illinois Valley Community College inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. Four players each finished with a dozen points for the #21-ranked WolfPack, who also set a new season-high with 28 assists. The victory splits the all-time series with the Eagles through its first two games played.

Trailing Illinois Valley Community College (7-16) by a 6-2 count early, Madison College turned a Carson McCormick three-pointer into a 28-2 run and a 20-point lead with just under eight minutes to play in the first half. Sophomore JP Pleasant scored nine points during that stretch, and after the Eagles hit a three-pointer, Pleasant answered with a triple of his own to give him 12 points in the game's first 13 minutes. The team's traded baskets for the rest of the first half, which ended with IVCC trimming the differential to 15 at 44-29.



The WolfPack wasted no time putting the game out of reach in the second half, following an early Eagles layup with an 18-0 surge that was highlighted by three 3-pointers from sophomore Cullen Rauls. Another run of seven straight points pushed the lead to 36 with less than ten minutes to play, and three consecutive field goals later in the half extended the differential to a game-high 37 at 77-40 with 5:30 left on the clock.

Pleasant, a Beaumont, Texas, native, was the first to a dozen points as he made 5 of his ten shot attempts, including a three-pointer and a free throw. The 6'5" forward also led the team with six rebounds and five assists, the latter setting a new season-high.

McCormick and Rauls each made their 12 points exclusively from beyond the three-point arc, as they were a combined 8 for 9 from distance. McCormick, who now boasts six games with at least four hits from three-point range, added four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Rauls' second performance with four 3s was accompanied by four boards, two assists, two steals, and a blocked shot. 

Freshman guard George Whaley IV rounded out the quartet of double-digit scorers with 12 points, converting an efficient 5 of 7 shots overall and 1 of 2 from outside the arc and at the stripe. He also contributed a team-high six rebounds, along with four assists and a steal.



Madison College shot 58% (36-62) overall for their seventh game this season - and second straight - at better than 50%. Their 11 for 22 (50%) shooting display from three-point range is their sixth game in 2024-25 with ten or more makes from downtown. The WolfPack finished with a 44-33 edge in rebounding, a 22-13 lead in points off turnovers, and a 40-14 advantage in points in the paint.

Up Next:

Madison College (15-3) will play the third game of a five-game homestand on Tuesday, January 28 when they welcome Harper College (4-18) to H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. The WolfPack have won 13 straight over the Hawks and lead the all-time series by a 24-10 margin. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. and can be live streamed at MadisonCollege.TV.

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