An impressive season for the Madison College men’s basketball team came to an early end in postseason play with an 85-67 loss to a familiar foe, Carl Sandburg College, in the NJCAA Division II Region 4 Quarterfinals on Feb. 26.
Madison College had beaten Carl Sandburg twice during the regular season, including a home game on Feb. 21 that gave the WolfPack its 20th win of the season.
Heading into the regional game, Madison College knew Carl Sandburg liked to shoot from three-point range. In the two games the teams played during the regular season, the Chargers took a whopping total of 49 three-point shots.
But in those losses, Carl Sandburg only made 17 of those attempts, or 34.6 percent of them.
In the regional game, Carl Sandburg hit 13 of its 23 three-point shots, including 9 of 15 in the first half to open an early double-digit lead. That 56.5 percent three-point shooting helped them pull the upset over the host WolfPack.
After opening the game with a pair of three-pointers, Carl Sandburg sank four straight later in the half to claim a 23-11 lead just over 9 minutes into the game. That lead grew to 37-17 before Madison College went on a run to close within 43-31 at halftime.

Early in the second half, Madison College pulled within 53-43, but that was as close as the game got. The rest of the way, Carl Sandburg led by as much as 21 points.
Freshman Carter Sullivan was the top scorer for Madison College with 12 points, all of which came in the first half.
George Whaley IV added 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. It was his 17th double-digit scoring game of the season.
Freshman Cam Williams came off the bench to score 10 points for the WolfPack, hitting three of his seven shots and all four of his free throws.
Madison College shot 24 of 53 (45%) overall and 7 of 18 (39%) from beyond the three-point line, but trailed Carl Sandburg’s hot shooting of 32 of 56 (57%) from the field and 13 of 23 (56%) from three-point range.
Sophomore Carson McCormick was the leading scorer for the WolfPack this season with 350 total points, an average of 13 a game. Whaley was close behind with 344 points or 12.7 a game. Sullivan led the team in rebounds with 176 total and 6.5 a game.
This year was the first time since 2016-17 that the Madison College men’s basketball team won 20 or more games. The 20-7 record was the best winning percentage since the team went 25-7 in 2007-08. In each of those seasons, though, Madison College was competing as a Division III team.

Madison College 77, Carl Sandburg College 74
Madison College rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to post a 77-74 victory over Carl Sandburg College at home of Feb. 21.
Jackson Bertagnoli led the WolfPack with 20 points, hitting nine of 13 shots including two three-pointers. Noah Compan added 16 points, while Braylen Blue scored 15.

Rock Valley College 99, Madison College 75
A 19-5 run to close out the first half put Rock Valley College up by double-digits and gave the visiting Golden Eagles the boost they needed for a 99-75 victory over Madison College on Feb. 17.
Carter Sullivan led the WolfPack with 13 points, while Carson McCormick added 12 and Jackson Bertagnoli scored 10.

Madison College 108, Blackhawk Technical College 73
Five players scored in double figures as Madison College dominated Blackhawk Technical College, 108-73, on Feb. 14. Carson McCormick and George Whaley IV both scored 16 points to lead the WolfPack.