Trojans fly past Southeastern in the second half

The star power of the Triton College men's basketball team shared the floor with opportunistic bench players as the 9-0 Trojans further boosted their undefeated status and Top 20 ranking in a 88-62 victory over Southeastern Community College (IA) on Nov. 29 at the Jordnt Athletic Complex.
 
The likes of backups Antonio Lisenbee and William Scott might have been even more crucial to the Triton victory over the Blackhawks (7-4), who often play close games against their River Grove rivals. Forward Lisenbee and guards Scott and AJ Dixon kept the pace going until leading Trojans top scorer Amar Augillard – who had only two points before intermission -- got hot in the second half.
 
The balanced production was needed in a close game that did not start going the No. 18 Trojans' way until the middle of the second half. The Blackhawks, who had kept the game close throughout the first half and trailed just 36-33 at the break, had a spurt to tie the contest 40-40 early in the second half. Then Triton went on a 22-9 run to open up the lead, secured a 20-point margin and cruised to the final score.
 
The Trojans outscored Southeastern 52-29 in the second half.
 
Lisenbee was active in nearly 23 minutes of court time with 14 points and a team-leading 11 rebounds. Scott matched Lisenbee's minutes, notching a trio of three-pointers among his 11 points. Dixon logged 30 minutes, leading the Trojans with 16 points along with seven rebounds and four assists.
 
"Antonio had eight offensive rebounds – he was awesome tonight," said Triton head coach Brian Burns. "William Scott had a good game (after returning from injuries). We had five guys in double figures."
 
Augillard had 13 points in the second half to help his benchmen clinch the victory. Dior Conners had been active in the first half with 11 points, adding two more later on.
 
"My teammates told me to keep playing and keep shooting," Augillard, who paces Triton with 21 points per game. "We were all new to each other. We're getting better and better every day."
 
Burns had to sweat only momentarily in the second half
 
"When we were up at halftime, we were just 6-for-23 from three, but we knew they'd start falling in the second half," he said. "It was a good second-half for us."
 
Triton kept Southeastern Iowa's firepower largely in check. Ajani Blyden led the Blackhawks with 13 points. Only two other players cracked double figures.
 
The eventual near-blowout was uncommon for Trojans-Blackhawks contests. The biggest margin of victory in the series, now tied at 4-4, has been 10 points with all others decided by single-digit margins.
 
Triton will play at Southeastern in two months, on January 27.
 
"Keep adding to our resume with good wins," Burns said. "We need to defend home court. And it will be harder going there."

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(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle)