For the Triton College men's basketball team, the waiting was hardest part leading up to their NJCAA Division I Championship second round game March 25 in Hutchinson, Kan. against Trinity Valley Community College (TX).
The No. 7 seeded Trojans received a first-round bye. However, that meant Triton was scheduled to play the sixth and final game of the day at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. A scheduled 9:30 p.m. tip did not get officially going until 9:59 p.m.
And after some early jitters with a group of players all being on that big of a stage for the first time, the Trojans settled down to take control of the game in a 105-87 victory that ended shortly after midnight.
Triton, 32-2, will move on to the quarterfinal round to face the No. 2 seed, South Plains College (32-2) from Levelland, TX, Wednesday, March 27 at 2:15 p.m. The game will stream live on ESPN+.
"I thought it would take a minute for us to find our rhythm," said Trojans head coach
Brian Burns. "But the team did a good finding that (rhythm) quicker than I anticipated."
Triton started the game with two turnovers and a 1-for-8 start from the field. Then the Trojans turned the tables on the Cardinals who had their issues taking care of the basketball with eight turnovers themselves five minutes into the contest. Triton cashed in with 14 of their first 15 points off Trinity Valley (27-8) miscues en route to building a 20-6 lead following a deep three-pointer from
Amar Augillard.
Triton would not trail from that point, leading 45-37 at halftime, the Trojans quickly built the advantage back up to 13 points at 54-41 on a long two-point field goal from
Dylan Williams. Trinity Valley would not get any closer than within 11 points the rest of the way.
Augillard led all scorers with 35 points as the Trojans had three other starters in double-figures which makes life easier the Region 4 Player of the Year.
"Tonight ended up being my night," Augillard said who finished 10-of-16 from the field and 11-for-12 from the free throw line. "With our team and how talented we are, you never who's night it could be."
Williams ended up 21 points, five assists and four steals.
Dior Conners scored 17 points, including connecting from long distance three times.
AJ Dixon had 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Tolu Samuels added eight points and nine boards for the Trojans.
For the game Triton was 37-of-45 as a team from the foul line and out-rebounded the Cardinals 46-32.
Things get more difficult for the Trojans who will play against another Texas opponent in South Plains.
"They're really good," Burns said. "Coach (Hayden) Sowers does a great job and they probably have the best big man in the county in Malique Ewin among other solid players. It's going to be a battle, no doubt. There are no easy games once you get to Hutch and we need to be locked in."
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