Taking an entire half to shake off the rust from their holiday layoff, the Triton College men's basketball team rode the long-range hot hand of
Devon Barnes and the all-around play of
Kimahri Wilson to a 72-59 victory over regional rival Highland Community College Jan. 7 at the Collins Center Gymnasium.
Barnes woke up a somnolent Trojans offense with five second half-three pointers, while Wilson was crucial at both ends in a 14-0 run through midway in the second half that broke open the close game.
In their first game since December 13, the Trojans slogged through the mud with 29 percent shooting in the first half. But the Cougars, a top competitor in Region 4, shot just 31 percent in the same period. Triton led 27-22 at the half.
The Trojans still led just 35-33 four minutes into the second half with the Cougars taking the ball out when they went on their big run. Wilson was the triggerman and Barnes the finisher.
Point-guard Wilson made consecutive layups. He then fed Barnes for his first three-pointer for the Trojans' largest lead to date at 42-33. Carrying out coach
John Clancy's defensive switches, Wilson then made consecutive steals that lead directly to four more Triton points. Barnes' second three-pointer completed the 14-0 run, and the hosts were not challenged the rest of the game.
"Our first game back, we knew there was a little bit of rust," said Clancy. "I thought we did a better job rebounding in the second half. That was a good opponent. The run we went on, changing defenses (paid off). "
Triton eventually opened up a 22-point lead as Barnes drained another trio of three pointers. He led the Trojans with 17 points, all in the second half.
Meanwhile, Wilson was a clutch performer. His only two baskets touched off the run. But he added five rebounds and his quick hands tied guard
Brandon Muntu (10 points) for game-high honors with six steals. Overall, the Trojans had 20 steals.
Ethan Pickett (12 points) and
Keyondre Young (10 points) each had three thefts, while Barnes had two.
"We wanted to be the aggressor," Clancy said. We forced them into 27 turnovers, which obviously is a good number. I thought we did a better job converting (turnovers) in second half. It was a good way to kick off 2023. There was a lot to like in this game."
A chief victim of the Trojans' tight defense in their mid-game run was the Cougars' Cyrus Huggard-Noel. The Toronto product led Highland with 13 points – but none in the second half.
The Cougars will have to wait a month to attempt revenge. Triton will travel to Freeport for the rematch on February 4.
The victory was poignant after Clancy's grandmother, Ruth Clancy, passed away hours before the game at 94. She ranked as one of the Trojans' most avid fans.
"We get a win today in her memory," Clancy said. He smiled wistfully. "I don't think she would have been pleased with the free-throw shooting and the defense late in the game," he added, ever the grandson of a demanding coach in the stands.
Follow Triton Athletics on TwitterÂ
@TritonTrojans1Â or on InstagramÂ
@Triton_College_Athletics
(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle)
Â
