Third quarter dooms Trojans against Danville

When the Triton College women's basketball team fell behind visiting Danville Area Community College 17-6 at home on December 2, they knew they needed to expend a ton of energy to get the lead back.

That the Trojans did, as Jordyn Coleman and Trinity Barnes provided enough offense to counter a 2-3 defensive zone to take a 28-25 lead midway through the second quarter. But the burst did not last into the second half.

The Jaguars broke open a close 36-33 halftime lead with a 28-8 third quarter.  Coach Drew Winston was just fortunate not to lose any more players to injury after the eventual 79-54 final was logged. He had been dealing with enough hurts going into the game.

"We asked for some big minutes out of some reserve players," Winston said. "We have some players on the court trying to fight through injuries.

"We just couldn't weather the storm in the third quarter. We exerted too much energy from the first half. It was a little bit tough on them."
The Trojans were so best with injuries that one of the team's two "bigs," 6-foot Lauryn Hunt, twisted her ankle in warmups, and couldn't play until the second half. Hunt toughed out six minutes and on many other days probably would have totally sat out.

"We do have a lot of heart," Winston said. "We have been dealing with injury and illness the whole year. It's just been a little difficult, but we'll figure it out."

Coleman and Barnes did their best to keep the Trojans in the game. The freshman center from Indianapolis tallied 15 points and 11 rebounds. Barnes led Triton in scoring with 16 points. Jalyn Jimenez totaled nine points and a team-leading five assists.

Leading Jaguar scorer Keiara Gregory exceeded her average with a game-high 29 points. Rylee Dowers collected a trio of three-pointers among her 18 points during the decisive third quarter.

The Trojans were beset by turnovers the entire game. They amassed 21 to the Jaguars' 11.

But no matter which players take the court, Winston sent a post-game reminder of "accountability."

"It's four quarters, not one or two," he said.  "Everyone's expected to do their job. That message has to be sent in the locker room."

The Trojans resume action at home against regional rival Moraine Valley College on Tuesday, December 5. Game time is 6 p.m. at the Jorndt Athletic Complex Gymnasium.

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(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle)