MADISON, WISC. - Twenty days after Madison College slogged through a 43-33 win on the road, they finished off a sweep of the regular season series with Harper College by claiming an 80-63 Region 4 win inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium on Tuesday night. Freshman Carson McCormick drained five of the team's dozen 3-pointers, fellow first year George Whaley IV nearly matched the program's assists record, and the WolfPack, who moved up a spot to #20 in the latest NJCAA Divison II Poll on Monday, forced 28 turnovers by the Hawks. The win gives the Pack a 14-game win streak and a 25-10 lead in the all-time series with Harper College.

McCormick had the hot hand early, scoring the team's first five points en route to 14 first half points. With the game tied at 11-11 after more than six minutes of play, first year guard Jevon Campbell drilled a three-pointer and the WolfPack never trailed or tied again. Back-to-back McCormick bombs and a Cullen Rauls jumper gave Madison College a double-digit lead at 23-13 with 8:32 to play in the half. The Hawks narrowed the gap to five points; however, the home team closed the half with a 19-5 push to take a 45-26 lead into halftime.

The visiting Hawks battled tough through the first ten minutes of the second half, bringing the differential as close as 11 points with 9:23 to go. Sophomore JP Pleasant keyed a quick six-point run as the Pack's defense dug in to keep the Harper College (4-19) comeback at bay. The defense-to-offense of Madison College was on display with about five minutes remaining as second year forward Amir Ford used all of his 6'7" frame to block what appeared to be an easy layup, and it led to a fastbreak bucket at the other end for Pleasant. The advantage peaked at 20 several times throughout the game, including when Ryen Jones closed out the Madison College scoring with another fastbreak layup to make it 80-60 with 1:22 left in the game.



McCormick finished with a team-high 17 points as he shot 6 for 14 from the field and made 5 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc. The native of Janesville, Wisconsin, now boasts four games this season with at least five 3-pointers. He also had two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Rauls posted 16 points before leaving the game in the second half with an injury. He made 3 of his 6 baskets from three-point range and also made a free throw. The second year transfer added four boards, four assists, and a steal.

Ryen Jones closed out the double-digit scoring as the freshman came off the bench to contribute 14 points with an efficient 7 for 9 performance that included a pair of fastbreak dunks. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native also racked up a team-leading five rebounds and three steals. 

Guard George Whaley IV scored three points, but also dished out a career-best 11 assists, falling one shy of the program's single-game record of 12 set in 2019. He becomes the ninth player in team history to amass double-figure assists in a single game.



The WolfPack finished the game 30 of 63 (47%) for their fourth consecutive game at better than 40% from the field. The home team also shot 44% (12-27) from distance as they produced their seventh game with ten or more hits from outside the arc. At the line, Madison College was 8 for 17 (47%) and is now 18 for 39 (46%) over their last three outings. The 28-8 edge in turnovers translated into a 26-6 differential in points off turnovers, while the Hawks took advantage of a 41-26 lead in rebounding to post a 9-0 edge in second chance points.

Up Next:

Madison College (16-3) continues a homestand inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium on Saturday, February 1 with a Region 4 clash against Carl Sandburg College (15-8). The WolfPack, who have won four straight games overall, defeated the Chargers 84-72 in November, trail the all-time series by a 6-1 tally. Tip off is slate for 2:00 p.m. and can be live streamed at MadisonCollege.TV.

Prior to the game, the Madison College Athletics Department will celebrate Gary "Big Dog" Breneman's 50 years of service to Madison College with a special scholarship announcement. 

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