WolfPack men’s basketball bounces back

Team responds to 3 straight losses with series of wins

Brooke Rayford, Staff Writer

The Madison College men’s basketball team has recovered from its recent three game slide, now having won its last four games.

Madison College defeated Wilbur Wright College, Harper College, Fox Valley Technical College and Joliet Junior College to improve its record to 15-6 overall and 5-3 in conference.

The wins follow tough losses to Milwaukee Area Technical College, Triton College and Rock Valley College. But between now and Valentine’s Day, the WolfPack will have a chance to avenge each of those losses.

In Madison College’s closest recent game, Jerrod Walton and Brian Bearden led their team to a 71-66 victory over Harper College at home on Jan. 28.

Walton and Bearden both scored 12 points to lead a balanced Madison College attack. They were the only players in double figures, but 11 players scored in the game for the WolfPack.

When Harper rallied to tie the game at 58 with just under three minutes left, Bearden and Walton hit back-to-back jumpers to give Madison College a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Walton currently leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.8 point a game, while Bearden is second at 11.2 points a game.

The team’s next home games are Feb. 11 against Triton College and Feb. 14 against Milwaukee Area Technical College. The games follow a Feb. 7 road trip to play perennial powerhouse Rock Valley College. Madison College lost to Rock Valley in their first match-up this season, but managed to provide their ranked opponent a strong challenge before falling, 82-65.

Madison College 82, Joliet Junior College 76

Just off of a three game losing streak, Madison College needed to make some changes and indeed it ended up in their favor against Joliet Junior College Wolves on  Jan. 24. The WolfPack were behind before the half 44-40, at one point down 13 points.

However, Madison College came back in the second half with defensive energy as a team outscoring the Joliet from the bench 40 to 17.

The Wolves shot .483 from field, Madison College controlled the boards with 44 rebounds and forced more turnovers to pull off with the win.

Jerrod Walton had 19 points to go along with his rebounds 13 rebounds and Kristian Zimmerman a total of 14 points with a 89 percent at the line.

Madison College 77, Fox Valley Technical College 62

The WolfPack did not get ths win easy in this replay against the conference Fox Valley Technical College Foxes on Jan. 26.

Madison College had a slight gap during halftime (33-27) and came back to keep the pressure on the Foxes. With the overall shooting percentage close the WolfPack again showed off defensively with more rebounds and steals, keeping Fox Valley behind 15 points in the end.

Brian Bearden scored 15 points from the field with 5/6 at the foul line. Jack Jelacic and Jerrod Walton tag-teamed per 12 total rebounds a piece.

Madison College 58, Wilbur Wright College 49

Madison College hit its season peak after this win against Wilbur Wright College Rams with four straight wins. Before the halftime break the WolfPack led 27-21.

The Rams kept the Madison College defense to intensity low, however the WolfPack bench had another path to victory, outscoring Wilbur’s bench 24 to 9.

Leading again, Jerrod Walton ended the game with 25 points and 10 rebounds, Brian Bearden totaling 12 points and 6 rebounds.