Triton College men's basketball coach
Brian Burns is more than happy to win in a workmanlike fashion instead of offensive fireworks as he and his Trojans prepare for the Region 4 Division I championship game against Kankakee Community College on Saturday, March 8.
"We're not as potent offensively," Burns said. "We rely on our defense. On offense, we have to manufacture points. If we have to win a grind-it-out game, we can."
Despite a gaudy 27-4 record that included a 20-game winning streak and a 15-0 record at home, Burns always will take the measured results of a 74-61 victory over rival Highland Community College in the regional semi-finals on Thursday, March 6.
The No. 7 NJCAA Division I ranked Trojans benefited from a three-point flurry from stars Dejuan Anderson and
Vijay Wallace that put the game away midway through the second half. But the way the hosts had to win at the Jorndt Athletic Complex gymnasium was more personified in center Pietok Machar. Crafting perhaps his best all-around game of the season, Machar used his 6-foot-10 frame to provide matchup issues.
While Anderson and Wallace were quiet in the first half with just nine points combined. Machar was a force inside with 10 points and 13 rebounds with no visiting Cougar able to really handle him. He would go on to have a season-high 16 rebounds and 14 points with Highland sharpshooter Jason Kimbrough the only way to counter with 25 points as the game's high scorer.
"No doubt – he got us going early," Burns said of Machar helping to stake the Trojans to a 33-23 halftime lead.
Triton could not put Highland (15-17) away as the second half proceeded. The Cougars cut the lead to eight points midway through. But then Wallace and Anderson found a semblance of their long-distance range. Anderson's first three-pointer of the game gave Triton a 68-52 lead before Wallace launched a three-point clincher to make it 71-52 with 4:30 to go.
Wallace led the Trojans with 19 points and five assists. Andeson finished with 14. Forward
Tolu Samuels helped out Machar inside with five blocks along with nine points.
Burns is thankful the Trojans have stopping power as they attempt to make it back to the national tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.
"This is probably the best defensive team we've had in my seven years here," he said.
Crowds have been building all week at the Jordnt Athletic Complex gymnasium for both the men's and women's regionals. Burns hopes to reward the Triton faithful with a Saturday Night Special in the championship game at 7:30 p.m.
The game will stream live on the
Triton College Athletic HUDL page with Region 4 and IBCA Hall of Famer Tim McKinney on the call.
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(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle) Â
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