Sam Close racked up 28 points to lead the Middleton Cardinals past the Madison West Regents 62-48 in Big 8 boys basketball play on Thursday night.
Middleton led 25-17 at halftime before pulling away on the home court in the second half.
With the win, Middleton stayed within a half game of fourth place, a crucial point since the top four teams in the sectional get home court through regionals. West, after upsetting rival and former Division 1 #1 Madison East last Friday, fell into a tie for seventh place with Verona.
Middleton also avenged a December 4 loss to the Regents, in which Madison West won 79-78.
You can listen to the Middleton-Madison West broadcast below.
Elsewhere in the Big 8, Madison La Follette scored a win over Beloit Memorial in dominating style, 97-46. The Lancers remain a game back of Madison East for the Big 8 lead, with the teams set to meet February 15. Speaking of Madison East, the Purgolders swept Madison Memorial with a 56-50 win. East pulled away for a big win over the Spartans, 66-49, back in December.
Sun Prairie had little trouble with last-place Janesville Parker, winning 66-40 to stay in fourth place, a half-game behind Madison Memorial. Verona nipped Janesville Craig 82-73 to pull into a tie for seventh place with West in the Big 8. The Big 1070's next Madison Taxi Game of the Week will feature Verona taking on Madison La Follette on Tuesday, January 29.
In the Badger North, Mount Horeb drubbed Baraboo 66-29 to stay in first place. DeForest needed overtime to put away Sauk Prairie 59-56, while Waunakee defeated Reedsburg 68-40 in a match for third place in the conference. Further down the standings, Beaver Dam defeated Portage 54-46 to jump up into a tie for fourth place with Reedsburg.
In the Badger South, Conference-leading Oregon held off Milton 58-51, while Monona Grove topped Watertown 61-51.
You can see tonight's full scoreboard from WisSports.net by going here.