Trojans Cruise By IVCC to Advance to Region IV Title Game

When the Triton men's basketball team is firing on all cylinders like they were during the second half of Sunday's NJCAA Region IV District 3 semifinal game vs. Illinois Valley Community College, they are almost unbeatable. Top-seed Triton shot 58 percent from the field (24-of-42) over the final 20 minutes, outscoring the No. 5 seeded Eagles 57-25 to cruise to a 105-66 win at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove.

The Trojans (28-4) ranked No. 3 in the latest NJCAA Division II poll advance to their fifth straight regional final. Triton will face Olive-Harvey College (26-6) Saturday at 5 p.m. for the Region IV title and a spot at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Danville, Il.  The game will be played at Waubonsee's Erickson Hall. The No. 3 seeded Panthers held off Moraine Valley Community College 94-90 in their semifinal game on Sunday. The Trojans defeated Olive-Harvey 77-70 in their lone meeting Dec. 5 at the Collins Center.

Triton only trailed once the entire game but only led 48-41 at halftime because IVCC (19-13) made five three-point field goals to stay close. The Trojans used a 13-0 run capped by an Alondes Williams bucket at the 12:26 mark to open a 66-48 advantage. From there, Triton's steady pressure and depth continued to wear down the Eagles as many of their looks from beyond the arc became short. IVCC shot 1-for 16 from three-point land in the second half.

The Trojans had six players in double-figures led by sophomore Deonta Terrell with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Najee Brown-Henderson had a solid all-around game with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and five assists. Williams' finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Devin Blake added 11 points off the bench. Creig Atkins and Corey Shepherd scored 10 points apiece. Atkins also had a game-high seven assists.

For the game, Triton shot 54 percent from the field (41-of-76) compared to the Eagles 31 percent (20-of-64). The Trojans made all 13 free throws attempted and had a whopping 27 assists as a team.

Saturday's championship game will be streamed live by Waubonsee. Veteran local sports broadcaster Mark Krueger will call the game alongside our very own Tim McKinney who will provide color commentary.

Link to Saturday's broadcast

District 3 Bracket