The Triton men's basketball team continues to be an unstoppable force in the
North Central Community College Conference (N4C). The Trojans secured it's fifth straight N4C conference championship by easily dismantling the College of DuPage 98-66 Saturday at the Collins Center. Triton,
ranked No. 2 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II poll, improved to 24-3 overall and a perfect 12-0 in conference play.
The Trojans run of winning consecutive N4C titles is impressive as Triton has won 41 N4C games in a row dating back three years. The Trojans last N4C lost occurred on Valentine's Day of 2015 at Rock Valley College, who ironically is Triton's next opponent on Valentine's Day this Wednesday. During this current stretch of five straight N4C crowns, the Trojans conference record is 64-4 (.941).
In addition to the conference dominance, the Trojans have added to their school record home winning streak. Triton has now won 68 consecutive games at the Collins Center.
The home contest with DuPage was even more special as the program honored sophomores
Jerel Pitts,
Corey Shepherd,
Meriton Bunjaku,
Creig Atkins,
Issaiah Hayes and
Deonta Terrell prior to the game. The Trojans did not disappoint the "Sophomore Day" crowd by overwhelming the Chaparrals from start to finish en route to a 54-36 halftime lead.
Six Triton players were in double-figures led by Terrell, who appears to be the front-runner for conference MVP. Terrell finished with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field along with five assists. Atkins had 16 points and four assists. Shepherd added 13 points. Freshman
Najee Brown-Henderson poured in 11 points. Coutese Cooper and
Alondes Williams scored 10 points apiece.
The Trojans shot 54 percent from the field (38-71) and dished out 23 assists as a team.
Things will not be as easy for the Trojans the final three games of the regular season with the next two on the road at 23-win Rock Valley Wednesday and then a trip to face a much-improved Wright College squad on Feb. 17. Triton's final home regular season game Thursday, Feb. 22 against South Suburban College will likely determine the top seed of the Region IV Division II tournament as the Trojans and Bulldogs have identical 24-3 records.
