..
James Smith
55
Southeastern Community College SOUTHEAS 20-5
62
Winner Triton College TRITON C 23-3
Southeastern Community College SOUTHEAS
20-5
55
Final
62
Triton College TRITON C
23-3
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Southeastern Community College SOUTHEAS 23 32 55
Triton College TRITON C 29 33 62

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Trojans crack top 10 after win over Southeastern Iowa

Triton has their highest ranking since moving up to NJCAA Division I

Points were tough to come by in the NJCAA Division I top 15 showdown between the Triton College men's basketball team and Southeastern Iowa Community College Feb. 13 at the Collins Center.
 
In a contest that had a national tournament feel, the Trojans showed their mental and physical toughness to win 62-55 and earn the season sweep over a quality Blackhawks squad.
 
The victory has propelled Triton (23-3) to No. 10 in the latest NJCAA Division I poll released Feb. 14. The ranking is the highest for the program since the move up to Division I beginning the 2018-19 season.
Southeastern Iowa (20-5) who entered the game with the Trojans ranked No. 11 dropped to No. 15 in the new poll after the defeat.
 
"We were able to beat twice one of the best teams in America," said Triton head coach John Clancy. "Southeastern is loaded with guards and bigs who can play. I could not be more proud of our toughness and the togetherness we showed."
 
The Trojans did control the lead most of the way but never could completely put the Blackhawks away, who they defeated 74-72 in the first meeting in Iowa.
 
Triton broke a 7-all tie with a 9-0 run to go up 16-7 midway through the first half before Southeastern Iowa responded with the next eight points to pull within 16-15.
 
Consecutive buckets by Teonta McKeithen gave the Trojans a 29-20 advantage late in the first half before a three by the Blackhawks in the closing seconds sent the teams into halftime with Triton up 29-23.
 
The Trojans came out strong to start the second half with a 9-2 run sparked once by McKeithen with a pair of treys to give Triton their biggest lead of the contest at 38-25 with less than three minutes gone by in the second half.
 
However, Southeastern answered with a 17-6 spurt to rally within 44-42 with 7:23 to play in regulation.
 
But Triton got some clutch long rang shots down the stretch from Cobie Montgomery, John Ittounas and Brandon Muntu to hold off any comeback hopes for Southeastern Iowa.
 
McKeithen led the Trojans with 14 points. Montgomery added 13 points. JJ Kalakon scored 11 points. Cam Denson finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Both teams struggled from the field, but Triton's defense did a little better to hold the Blackhawks to 35.6 percent (21-59) shooting from the field. The Trojans were 39.6 percent (21-53).
 
"That was an elite level defensive effort by our guys being locked into a game plan and sticking with it. I'm so proud of our fight. This was a big win for our program."
 
Follow Triton Athletics on Twitter @TritonTrojans1 or on Instagram @Triton_College_Athletics
 
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