GLEN ELLYN, ILL. - Plans to end a late-season skid and gain momentum into the postseason were thwarted on the road Thursday as the Madison College men's basketball dropped their regular season finale at the College of DuPage by an 81-68 score in a Region 4 showdown. The WolfPack held an eight-point lead in the first half until the Chaparrals put together a 23-4 run to take control. JP Pleasant and Jackson Bertagnoli each scored 18 points to lead the way; however, COD swept the season series with two wins in five days and pulled even at 18-18 in the all-time series.

Despite trailing early, Madison College took its first lead of the game on a three-pointer from Pleasant less than four minutes into the contest to go ahead 10-8. That triple, followed by another from the 6'5" forward a few possession later, sparked a 12-2 run and built a 17-10 advantage. The College of DuPage (21-9) answered with six straight points; however, the Pack maintained a slim lead that eventually grew to eight points. Still up by eight at 32-24 with 5:00 to play, the game changed as the Chaparrals closed the first with a 16-2 run and own a 40-34 differential at the break.

The scoring surge continued for COD to start the second half as they tallied seven of the first nine points to go ahead by a 47-36 score. Buckets by Carson McCormick and George Whaley IV made it a seven-point game. Unfortunately, the Chaps never relinquished the lead and kept Madison College at bay as the deficit only dipped inside of ten on two occasions in the final 12 minutes. DuPage held its largest lead at 79-61 after a pair of free throws with 90 seconds remaining.

Pleasant's 18 points came as a result of a 5 for 14 shooting effort that included his second game of the season with three hits from beyond the arc. He scored 12 of is points in the first 20 minutes, and also added four rebounds.

Bertagnoli tied his career-best with his second consecutive game with 18 points. The Janesville, Wisconsin, native, was an efficient 8 for 10 from the field and 2 for 4 from long range, scoring 13 points in the second half. 

Whaley added 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting and a 3 for 4 effort at the line, while also coming up with three rebounds and four steals.

Theo Scholfield joined Bertagnoli off the bench to put in 11 points to tie his career-high, and also reeled in nine rebounds. McCormick led the team with three assists.

Madison College finished the game shooting 47% (27-57) overall, 37% (6-16) from three-point range, and 80% (8-10) at the stripe. The WolfPack held a 40-32 lead in points in the paint, while the Chaparrals were plus-four in points off turnovers, and plus-16 in bench scoring.

Up Next:

Madison College (18-9) is in line to host a NJCAA Region 4 Division II Tournament Quarterfinal on Thursday, February 27 inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. The bracket with seeds, matchups, times, and locations will be released on Sunday.

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