Madison College Wolfpack

MASON CITY, IOWA - For the first time in four years, the Madison College men's basketball team lost their season-opener as they narrowly took defeat 97-88 at North Iowa Area Community College on Tuesday night. Sophomore Cam Williams led six players in double-figures, while fellow second year Carter Sullivan posted a double-double that included the most rebounds in a single game in seven years. The Trojans lead the all-time by a 3-0 margin, with the previous two setbacks coming in 2011 and 2012.

The score remained within one possession for the first nine minutes of the game until freshman Evan Lord knocked down a three-pointer with 10:46 to play in the opening half to give Madison College an 18-13 lead. The WolfPack held a slim lead until North Iowa Area Community College (1-2) went ahead 34-33 on a three-pointer of their own with 4:15 remaining in the half. Despite pulling even on two more occasions, Madison College would trail 46-40 at the half as NIACC closed out the final 90 seconds with an and-1 and a three-pointer.

The Trojans scored the first four points of the second half to assume the game's first double-digit lead at 50-40, a differential that eventually peaked at a doze after a three-pointer made it 60-48 with 15:47 on the clock. Sophomore transfer Elijah Gorman answered with a triple of his own to ignite a 9-0 run and get the WolfPack back in the game. Another Gorman long range hit inside of eight minutes remaining cut the deficit to a single point a 70-69; however, a quick 10-2 push by NIACC once again created some separation. Freshman Lee Brooks was ready with an answer, scoring seven straight points to pull within 80-78. North Iowa Area slowly rebuild a ten-point advantage with a 91-81 score at the 1:55 mark. One last Gorman three-pointer with 30 second left pulled the Pack within five, but the Trojans went 4 for 4 at the free throw line down the stretch as Madison College missed two final looks at three-pointers.

Madison College made 14 three-pointers as they shot 37% from distance as they tied the team's highest single-game total from last season. They were also 30 for 71 (42%) overall and 14 of 18 (77%) at the stripe, compared to 50% (30-60) overall, 61% (11-18) at the arc, and 74% (26-35) at the free throw line for NIACC. The WolfPack dominated the glass 43-29, while the Trojans had advantages of 38-28 in points in the paint and 14-3 in points off turnovers.

Williams, a guard from Fitchburg, Wisconsin, posted 19 points on 6 of 13 shooting with a pair of three-pointers and a perfect 5 for 5 at the free throw line. He also added eight rebounds.

Sullivan finished with 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds as the Stoughton, Wisconsin, native, becomes the fifth player in program history to pull in 17 or more boards in a single game. He was 6 for 13 from the field and 3 for 3 at the line, while adding one three-pointer. Sullivan also led the team with career-best six assists.

Lee scored 14 points and Saquan Commings added 13 in their collegiate debuts, with Lee adding six rebounds and Commings dishing out four assists. Gorman made all 12 of his points from behind the arc and fellow second year Isaiah Robinson finished with 11 points. 

Up Next:

Madison College (0-1) will host its home opener on Thursday, November 5 against Anoka-Ramsey Community College (0-0). The WolfPack and Rams have split ten previous meetings, the last of which came in 2019. Game time inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed live at MadisonCollege.tv.

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