MADISON, WISC. - Approaching the final week of the 2024-25 regular season, the Madison College men's basketball team has also faced its toughest stretch of opponents over the past couple weeks while also battling some key injuries. Thursday night's Region 4 battle at Rock Valley College saw the #21-ranked WolfPack run out of steam in the second half for a 77-60 decision that marks their third consecutive loss. The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series with a 39-18 advantage.

After an early Rock Valley College (16-11) three-pointer, JP Pleasant converted a pair of free throws and Carson McCormick drilled a three of his own of an assist from George Whaley IV to give Madison College a 5-3 lead in the game's first 90 seconds. That would mark their only advantage of the night, as the Golden Eagles eventually hit another triple to regain the advantage and never gave it back. A 9-0 run by RVC a couple minutes later made it 17-7 before Jevon Campbell sandwiched a couple of three around one more from Ceegan Rauls over a two-minute stretch to pull the visitors back within five with 11:49 to go in the half. The Pack did not score for the next four minutes until Rauls and Pleasant both connected from deep to turn a ten-point deficit into a 30-24 ballgame with 5:53 to play. Both teams went cold over those final minutes as Pleasant outscored the Golden Eagles 5-2 to close the gap to 32-29 at the half. 



The two teams traded baskets and short runs to start the second half. Whaley and Campbell made consecutive baskets inside that drew Madison College within two at 38-36; however, the Golden Eagles answered with a three-pointer. Over the next 12 minutes, Rock Valley College engineered scoring runs of seven, six, eight, and nine straight points as they pushed the differential as high as 25 at 74-49 with 3:03 to go. The WolfPack ended the game with an 11-3 surge before the final horn sounded.

Pleasant scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the first half as the 6'5" forward from Texas went 6 for 14 overall, 2 for 3 from outside the arc, and 2 for 2 at the free throw line. He also contributed six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.

Campbell was the only other player to score in double-digits for the Pack, posting ten points with two of his three baskets coming from long range. The Lincoln Park, Michigan, native, made both of his free throws en route to his fourth game with at least ten points. Campbell also led the team with a career-best eight rebounds, to go along with three assists, two steals, and a block.

Amir Ford went for six points and four rebounds in his first career start, and Rauls added eight points, four rebounds, and a team-high four assists off the bench.

Madison College was 21 for 57 (36%) on the night, 9 for 21 (43%) from three-point range, and 9 for 13 (69%) at the stripe. The WolfPack committed a season-worst 21 turnovers, which led to a 22-10 lead in points off turnovers for the Golden Eagles.

Up Next:

Madison College (18-6) will close out the home portion of their regular season schedule on Saturday, February 15 with a Region 4 game against the College of DuPage (18-9). The all-time series has the WolfPack with a narrow 18-16 lead; however, the Chaparrals have won six of the last nine get-togethers. Tip off inside inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is at 3:00 p.m. and can be live streamed at MadisonCollege.TV.

Saturday's game will also be Sophomore Day, after the celebration was moved a week due to last Saturday's cancelation. There will be a pre-game ceremony recognizing this year's three-member Class of 2025.



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