Finishing Strong

Madison College women’s basketball team wins 5 of 6 entering tournament play

Madison+College+guard+Shaquita+Lee%2C+22%2C+attempts+to+steal+the+ball+from+a+Milwaukee+Area+Technical+College+opponent+during+her+team%E2%80%99s+78-49+victory+at+home+on+Feb.+16

Leah Heidemann

Madison College guard Shaquita Lee, 22, attempts to steal the ball from a Milwaukee Area Technical College opponent during her team’s 78-49 victory at home on Feb. 16

Joseph Craker, Sports Editor

After taking victories from five of the last six games of the season, all by double digits, WolfPack women’s basketball head into the postseason with a 19-7 record and a 10-4 record in N4C Conference play.

The highlight of this positive run of form is most certainly the scoring dominance that has been on display.  The WolfPack averaged a 22 point margin over their opponents for the last six games.  The most notable instance of this superiority came during an 85-44 win at home against the College of Dupage Chaparrals.

The ‘Pack put on a show in a packed H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium for the annual Jam the Gym game.  Madison College got out to a 21-12 lead after the first quarter and kept the momentum going for the entirety of the game.  Aniah Williams claimed her fourth N4C game this season with 30 plus points, and also grabbed 6 rebounds and 9 steals on the night.

Shaquita Lee scored 24 points of her own, and completed her third career double-double with 10 rebounds.  Lee also led the way in the assists category with four.  Mary Raemisch claimed a team-high 13 rebounds, and Tianna Sackett scored 18 points to round off the night.

It was not all sunshine and rainbows over the final six games, however.  The ‘Pack’s only loss during the final leg of the season came at the hands of #4-ranked Rock Valley College Golden Eagles.  The 76-89 loss is evident of the fact that Madison College has struggled against teams with similar records in the top-heavy N4C.  While Rock Valley College claimed their ninth consecutive conference title, the WolfPack was at one point within reach of the champions.

The game was tied at 48 early in the third quarter, but a 14-3 scoring run saw Rock Valley secure the win. 

Notable statistics during the loss include a rebound margin of 33-51 in favor of the Golden Eagles.  Furthermore, Rock Valley bested Madison College in the second chance points category 28-15.  Lastly, the ‘Pack went 5-20 from three point range, and only made 1 of 6 free throws on the night.  Shaquita Lee led the scoring with 26, followed closely by Aniah Williams with 23.  Lee also recorded 9 steals and 9 blocks.

Going into the postseason, the WolfPack will need to figure out how to knock off those difficult ranked teams if they are going to make a deep playoff run.