Triton rallies to slam the door late at Highland

It was a struggle for most of the afternoon for the Triton College men's basketball team Jan. 22 in Freeport in their critical Region IV Division showdown against Highland Community College.

The Trojans were outplayed for 35 minutes and were down by as many as 12 points. However, the Cougars could not put Triton away as a key late defensive adjustment by head coach John Clancy paid dividends.

Clancy, switched a to 1-3-1 zone which was the catalyst of a late game surge for the Trojans in their 71-62 victory to maintain control atop the Region IV standings.

"For most of the game Highland had us on our heels," Clancy said. "Playing in Freeport is no easy task but I was proud that our guys despite not playing our best really did a great job down the stretch to close the game out. We went to a 1-3-1 zone in the last three minutes that bothered Highland and we made our free throws (20-of-26 for the game 14-of-17 in 2nd half) while taking care of the ball late to steal one on the road."

Triton (16-3) chipped away at the Highland (11-6) lead throughout the second half and finally took a brief 53-52 lead on a Patrick Suemnick three with six minutes remaining.

The Cougars would then score six of the next nine points before Suemnick hit a jumper in the lane to tie the game at 58 with 2:50 to play in regulation.

Then the Trojans clamped down defensively to close the contest on a 13-4 run. A Daylan Hamilton three-pointer took the air out of the Cougars to put Triton up 63-59 with just under two minutes left.

Suemnick, along with Deangelo Elisee who made some key baskets inside the final ten minutes led the Trojans with 14 points apiece. McKeithen finished with 13 points. Hamilton scored 11 points and JJ Kalakon added 10 points in balanced Triton offensive attack.

The Trojans continue to make strides in the national rankings. Triton is No. 18 in the latest NJCAA Division I poll released Jan. 24 and are No. 7 in the JUCO Advocate media poll released Jan. 23.

"I am really happy that our players, program and Triton College are getting recognition on a national level by moving up to No. 7 in the media poll," Clancy said. "They have done everything and more we have asked of them on and off the court and I am grateful their efforts are being rewarded but we still have so much room for growth and progress."

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