Triton crushes Daley in playoff opener

There was very little drama in the postseason opener for the Triton College men's basketball team as the top seeded Trojans cruised to a 131-39 win over Daley College in a Region 4 Quarterfinal game Feb. 24 at the Collins Center.

Triton, ranked No. 10 in the latest NJCAA Division I poll improved to 25-4 as the 92-point difference broke the school record for the largest margin of victory in a single game.

The Trojans will host Sauk Valley Community College in the semifinals Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in River Grove.

A Brandon Muntu three-pointer put Triton on the board first, followed immediately by a Bulldog bucket to make it 3-2. That would be as close as the No. 8 seed Daley (6-16) would get. The Trojans over the next 10 minutes would go on a 40-0 run to break the game open en route to a commanding 74-19 lead at halftime.

Triton used the game to rest a few key players as Cobie Montgomery, Cam Denson and Daylan Hamilton did not suit up as the Trojans dressed just eight players.

Patrick Suemnick led the Triton onslaught with 32 points on 15-of-20 shooting from the field. The West Virginia signee also grabbed 12 rebounds.

JJ Kalakon had an impressive evening with 29 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field along with eight rebounds and five assists.

Daeyon James scored 19 points off the bench. Teonta McKeithen finished with 17 points. Sophomore center Deangelo Elisee added 14 points. Muntu was two points short of a triple-double with 8 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.

Triton swept the two regular season meetings against the No. 4 seeded Skyhawks. The Trojans won 75-59 Nov. 17 at Sauk Valley in Dixon. Then the rematch in River Grove on Jan. 5, Triton won 88-55.

The semifinal winner will advance to play for the Region 4 championship on Monday, Feb. 28 where the higher seed will host.

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