The Madison College men’s basketball team had a great start to its game against the College of DuPage on Jan. 23, racing to an early lead that paved the way to a 41-25 margin in the first half.
The last minutes of the first half were amazing for the team as they went on a 20-9 run, to seemingly take command of the game.
But despite the large Madison College lead, DuPage fought back the entire second half forcing the WolfPack to sweat out a 83-81 victory.
Deante Luster, who finished with a game-high 20 points, gave Madison College its biggest lead of the game at 18 points with a layup to open the second half.
If his point average wasn’t enough, Luster showed the crowd just how talented he is when at 6-feet, 3-inches he was able to get a rebound off of DuPage’s tallest player who stands a 6-feet, 11 inches.
Four other WolfPack players scored in double figures in the game. Antoine Coleman had 16 points, Peter Gustafson had 14, Justin Pleasant had 11 and Tyler Mitchell had 10. Every point was needed as DuPage continuoualy fought back.
With only 4 minutes of the game left, DuPage upped their energy.
During these last few minutes, the calls on fouls were never ending. DuPage was on the line, then Madison College followed. Within two minutes, DuPage was able to gain 10-points just from free throws.
Although Madison College hit enough free throws to keep the lead, DuPage pulled within two points by hitting a 3-pointer with 1 second left in the game.
Madison College now stands at 9-13 overall. Its final two games of the season will be at home against Rock Valley College on Feb. 15 and Milwaukee Area Technical College on Feb. 20
Bryant & Stratton College 80, Madison College 76
Despite having just five players available for the game, Madison College gave Bryant & Stratton College all it could handle before falling, 80-76, on Feb. 8. The WolfPack, in fact, had to play the final 3 minutes with just four players when Pleasant fouled out.
All five players scored in double figures for Madison College, led by Luster’s 24 points. Pleasant scored 15 points, Mitchell added 14, Coleman had 12 and Gustafson netted 11.
Joliet Junior College 77, Madison College 72
Madison College led for most of the game, but Joliet Junior College rallied late in the fourth quarter to post a 77-72 victory over the WolfPack on Feb. 6. Monte Mayberry scored 21 points and became the fifth player in school history to hit seven or more 3-pointers in a single game.
Luster had a big night as well, with 19 points and a team-high eight rebounds. He became the 16th player in school history to score 800 points or more in their career. Mitchell added 17 points for the WolfPack.
Madison College 86, Harper College 55
Sophomore Deante Luster had his third-straight 30-point game as Madison College defeated visiting Harper College, 86-55, on Feb. 3. Freshman Armon Freeman came off the bench for his second double-double of the season, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Mitchell and Gufstafson both added 11 points.
Ripon College JV 85, Madison College 75
A second half rally fell short at Madison College lost to Ripon College JV, 85-75, on Feb. 1.
After falling behind, 51-34, at halftime, the WolfPack pulled close in the second half but was unable to pull off the upset. Luster scored 33 points to lead the WolfPack, while Coleman added 13.
Madison College 110, Rockford University JV 71
Madison College led wire-to-wire in a 110-71 victory over Rockford University JV on Jan. 25.
Luster scored 31 points to lead the WolfPack, while Mitchell scored 25. A total of five WolfPack players scored in double figures in the game as the team scored its season-high point total.