OGLESBY, ILL. & JANESVILLE, WISC. - The Madison College men's basketball team earned two wins against Region 4 competition over the weekend, defeating Illinois Valley Community College by an 84-58 final on Friday and turning around for a 108-73 rout of Blackhawk Technical College on Saturday. Sophomore George Whaley IV was one of the top scorers in both games as the #18-ranked WolfPack have some momentum entering the final week of the 2024-25 regular season.

Game #1: #18 Madison College 84, Illinois Valley Community College 58

In a make-up game from the prior weekend, Madison College trailed 18-12 more than midway through the first half when six quick points tied the game and forced an IVCC timeout. Sophomore Wil Dietrich sank a corner three-pointer to give the WolfPack a 22-20 lead and start a 16-4 stretch to close the first half with an 11-point halftime lead at 35-24.

Increased defensive pressure in the second half led to some steals and a series of three-pointers by Carson McCormick and Braylen Blue. Four minutes into the half and Madison owned a 49-29 lead. A Whaley triple pushed the lead to 52-31 and forced another IVCC timeout. The differential never dipped inside of 20 over the final 12 minutes, which saw the WolfPack push the advantage to as high as 28 before settling for the 26-point win.



Whaley was the only player to score in double-figures for the WolfPack, who saw 13 players score in the game. The second year guard from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was 6 for 8 overall with a pair of three-pointers to reach 14 points. He has scored ten or more points in 16 games this season. Whaley also secured four rebounds.

Blue and McCormick each had nine points, with the latter sinking a team-high three 3-pointers. Reserves Noah Compan and Kaden Coppage led the way on the glass with five rebounds each. 

Madison College is 2-1 all-time against the Eagles.

Game #2: #18 Madison College 108, Illinois Valley Community College 73

Looking for the regular season sweep of the Talons after a 104-74 win on January 10, Madison College got out to a fast start with a 12-2 lead after four minutes of play. Freshman Isaiah Robinson made his first career start and drained a three-pointer during that stretch. A 9-0 run later in the half made it a 23-7 advantage before the defense kicked in to hold the Talons with our a field goal for five minutes as they engineered a 12-2 surge. Freshman forward Mesiyah Ashley hammered home a dunk off an assist from George Whaley IV to end the half with a 57-29 lead. 

Madison College continued to push forward in the second half, with sophomore transfer Braylen Blue scoring the first five points to go up by 33. Blackhawk Tech (0-24) got as close as 25 points with about 12 minutes to go; however, that was as close as it would get before the Pack extended the differential to 38 before taking the 108-73 victory.



McCormick and Whaley each finished with 16 points to pace the WolfPack. McCormick was 4 for 6 from beyond the arc for his 11th game this season with four or more three-pointers. He tacked on three rebounds and three assists. Whaley came off the bench to make 5 of 6 shots from the field and 6 of 9 at the free throw line, while also racking up four boards, three assists, and a steal.

Blue and Robinson were next with 11 points each. Blue, a second year guard from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, went 4 for 9 overall and converted all three free throw attempts, to go along with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Robinson made two of his four buckets from outside the arc and hit a free throw, while also amassing three rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

Freshman Carter Sullivan rounded out the double-digit scorers with ten points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. Freshman Luke Rayner, a forward from Brisbane, Australia, reeled in a career-high ten rebounds and scored four points. Cam Williams was tops with five assists as part of a statline that included six points, three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.

Madison College shot 55% (39-70) on the day for their 14th game at 50% or better, and also was at 40% (8-20) from long range and 76% (22-29) at the stripe. The WolfPack controlled the paint with a 58-32 lead in interior scoring and a 58-47 edge on the glass. Madison was also plus-20 in fast break points (31-11), while their bench outscored the Talons reserves by a 54-25 margin.

Up Next:

Madison College (19-5) will host consecutive home games to close out the regular season, starting Tuesday, February 17 against Rock Valley College (21-7). The Golden Eagles are ranked #25 in the NJCAA Division II Poll and lead the all-time series by a 39-18 tally with five straight wins over the WolfPack. Tip off inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is set for 7:30 p.m. and will stream live at MadisonCollege.tv.

Tuesday night will also be Madison College Student Parent Night with family-friendly activities in the concourse outside the gym.

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