MADISON, WISC. - It required a come-from-behind effort Saturday inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium as the Madison College men's basketball team wrapped up the regular season with a 77-74 Region 4 victory over Carl Sandburg College to secure the program's first 20-win season since 2016-17 and 19th overall. The WolfPack trailed by as much as 14 in the second half before rallying for the win, securing a season sweep of the Chargers and narrowing the all-time series to 6-5. Prior to tip off, Jackson Bertagnoli, Braylen Blue, Jevon Campbell, Antoine Coleman, Noah Compan, Kaden Coppage, Wil Dietrich, Carson Jensen, Carson McCormick, and George Whaley IV were recognized as the ten-member Sophomore Class of 2026.

Carl Sandburg College (21-9) held the advantage for much of the opening half, including a six-point lead after a layup more than six minutes into the game. A pair of Wil Dietrich free throws midway through the half narrowed the gap back to one, but the Chargers responded with a 14-4 burst to build a 36-25 lead with five minutes to go. The differential remained 11 at halftime as Sandburg took a 45-34 edge into the break.

Early in the second half, the Chargers went up by 14 after five quick points made it 50-36. The game turned a few minutes later with Blue followed up a three-pointer with an and-1 three-point play to ignite a 10-0 run and put the WolfPack up 55-54. Despite the next seven points going to Sandburg, Madison rattled off 16-5 burst capped by a Noah Compan dunk off a steal and pass by Jackson Bertagnoli during full court pressure. The Chargers, however, refused to go away, and eventually tied the game at 74-74 with 75 seconds to go. After both teams came up empty on their next possessions, an offensive rebound and save along the baseline by Bertagnoli extended an offensive set and allowed Carson McCormick to score on a pull-up jumper to go up two. Blue then came through on the defensive end with a deflection and a steal, which led to a free throws for Compan with 8.1 seconds to play. The second year transfer made the first of the one-and-one, but missed the second, allowing Sandburg an opportunity to attempt a game-tying three-pointer that hit the back of the rim and bounced out as time expired.



Bertagnoli registered 20 points for his sixth game with ten or more this season. The native of Janesville, Wisconsin, was 9 for 13 overall and 2 for 3 from long distance, while also adding three assists, three steals, two rebounds, and one blocked shot.

Compan added 16 points, 11 of which came in the second half, as he was 4 for 7 from the field and 8 of 9 at the free throw line. The transfer from NIACC has eight double-digit scoring game this season and had seven rebounds to tie freshman Carter Sullivan for the team lead.

Blue also came through with 11 second half points en route to 15 points for his 12 game with ten or more points. The transfer from Salt Lake Community College completed his stat line with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Madison College was 27 for 58 (46%) on the day, 6 for 23 (26%) from beyond the arc, and 17 of 21 (81%) at the free throw line. Defensively, they forced 18 CSC turnovers, which led to a 15-8 lead in points off turnovers. The Pack also held a 26-11 advantage in bench points. In all, the game featured seven ties and five lead changes.

Up Next:

Madison College (20-6) will have a double-dose of déjà vu when the Region 4 Division II Tournament begins Thursday, February 26 with quarterfinal games. The WolfPack earned the tournament's #7 seed and will host #10-seeded Carl Sandburg College just five days after they played, and it will mark the second consecutive year the Chargers have traveled to Madison for the postseason opener. Madison College has won five straight in the head-to-head series, including wins of 82-69 and 77-74 during the regular season, as well as 103-84 in last year's Region 4 Quarterfinals. Tip off inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium is set for 7:00 p.m. and will stream live at MadisonCollege.tv.



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