Trojans outpower the Chargers for 16th win

Triton College women's basketball standout Jordyn Coleman continues to build her season portfolio and assurance of a future NCAA Division I athletic home.

But as dominating as Coleman's play has evolved, she won't be able to take the Trojans deep into the postseason all by herself – especially since star guard Jayla Rankin tore her meniscus January 15 at Kankakee and is lost for the season.

Triton head coach Drew Winston has built up depth in his roster to counter such a negative outcome. The depth was on display Jan. 30 in the 16-3 Trojans' 82-66 victory over Carl Sandburg College at the Jorndt Athletic Complex gymnasium.

While Coleman tallied 28 points on 11-for-17 shooting, adding 14 rebounds, teammates Jazzmine Smith (23 points) and Jada Branch (14 points, including four three-pointers) helped stave off a competitive Sandburg roster.

Trying to take advantage of a home-heavy schedule through the postseason, the Trojans had to hustle just to forge a 31-28 halftime lead against 15-8 Sandburg. The visitors had taken several narrow leads until Branch's three-pointer in the final minute gave Triton a lead they would keep the rest of the way.

Smith had a good first half with 12 points to compensate for a quiet start for Coleman. But once the second half got underway, Coleman caught fire with 21 points after intermission. Branch hit two more three pointers to hold off Sandburg's attempts to keep pace, while Smith added 11 more points. She had a trio of three pointers.

"We're just playing together," Smith said. "We're playing as a team."

Coleman realized she could take over in the middle, but also touted teammates stepping up in Rankin's absence.

"It was really just locking in during the second half," she said. "Losing Jayla really hurt our team. But we have other guards who can step up and fill her spot."

Coleman's all-around play already has attracted offers from Division I Delaware State, the University of North Alabama and Northwestern State University of Louisiana. However, she can afford to be patient in her choice. Other Division I schools, including Indiana State, Tarleton State, Appalachian State and Temple are continuing to scout Coleman with more offers likely to come.

"It feels amazing," she said of her appeal to four-year schools. "All my hard work is paying off and I want to thank Triton, my teammates, coaches and my family."

The Coleman-Smith-Branch threesome was needed to offset the production of Sandburg's Antonia Kisler, who had 26 points. Branch added a team-leading six assists and five steals, while Aliana Brown had five assists. Mariah Phelps had seven points and five steals.

The Trojans' next home games are Sunday, Feb. 1 at Noon against Black Hawk College of Moline and Thursday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. against Truman College of Chicago.

Follow Triton Athletics on Twitter @TritonTrojans1 or on Instagram @Triton_College_Athletics
 
(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle)