MILWAUKEE, WISC. - The Madison College men's basketball team had won six straight games since a lopsided home loss to Bryant & Stratton College back on January 15. Thursday night's Region 4 rematch saw the #20-ranked WolfPack put a better foot forward; however, the #18-ranked Bobcats came away with a 104-87 victory to take the regular-season series. Freshman George Whaley IV poured in a career-high 23 points to lead four players in double-figures. Bryant & Stratton College now boasts a 5-3 advantage in the all-time series.

Back-to-back three-pointers by JP Pleasant and Ryen Jones got the WolfPack started in the right direction and with an early 6-2 lead. The first half advantage grew to as high as six at 18-12 after Pleasant completed a three-point play with 14:23 left in the half. Less than two minutes later, Bryant & Stratton College (22-5) had erased the deficit using a 10-0 surge to go ahead by two baskets. The remaining 11-plus minutes of the half saw the two teams produce five ties and six lead changes until BSC sank a free throw before halftime to go ahead 48-47.

The Bobcats tallied the first six points of the second half and never relinquished the lead. Madison College narrowed the differential to five numerous times; however, midway through the half, BSC built a double-digit lead. The home team's advantage continued to grow, especially as they made trip-after-trip to the free throw line. Bryant & Stratton College led by as much as 24 at 97-73 with over four minutes remaining, and eventually settled for the 17-point decision.

The two teams combined for ten technical fouls, 65 total fouls, and shot 94 free throws, with Madison College going 24 for 38 (63%) and BSC hitting 38 of 56 (68%). The WolfPack were 28 of 62 (45%) overall and 7 for 19 (36%) from distance, while the Bobcats shot 54% (30-55) from the floor and 28% (6-21) beyond the arc. In addition to a 47-33 edge in rebounding, Bryant & Stratton College also held a 27-10 lead in fast break points.

Whaley, a 6'1" guard from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, knocked down 7 of 13 shots with one 3-pointer and was 8 for 11 at the charity stripe en route to a career-best 23 points. He also added two rebounds and two steals. Whaley owns 12 games with ten or more points this season.

Pleasant has scored in double-figures in ten of the last 13 games after putting up 16 points on 6 of 12 shooting with three 3-pointers, matching his career-best from a game against BSC last season. The native of Beaumont, Texas, registered four boards and an assist.

Freshmen Jackson Bertagnoli and Theo Schofield both came off the bench to score ten points. The duo combined to go 9 for 12 at the free throw line, with Schofield pulling in a team-leading six rebounds and Bertagnoli matching Carson McCormick with four assists.

Up Next:

Madison College (18-4) will be home for the next two games, starting with Saturday's non-region contest against Dakota County Technical College (7-16). The two programs have never played before. Tip off is at 3:00 p.m. inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium and can be live streamed at MadisonCollege.TV.

Prior to the game, the WolfPack will honor its three-member Sophomore Class of 2025. Saturday's doubleheader will also feature a recognition and celebration of Black History Month by the Madison College Athletic Department.

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