Triton College conquers Region IV Division I with championship in first year back
JOLIET, ILL. - One year after winning the NJCAA Division II National Championship for the first time in program history, the Triton College men's basketball team took on a new challenge by moving up to Division I. On Monday night at Joliet Junior College, the top-seeded Trojans found a way to conquer the first major hurdle, winning the 2019 NJCAA Region IV Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Championship with a hard-fought 78-71 victory over second-seeded and two-time defending region champ, Highland Community College. Triton College, which had won six Region IV Division II crowns, is atop the Division I bracket for the first time since 1985-86.
Despite trailing by as much as nine points during the first half, Triton College closed the deficit to just two at 35-33 by halftime. Sophomore Ralph Cruz buried a three-pointer to spark a 12-0 run midway through the second half, giving the Trojans the lead for good as it keyed a 45-36 scoring difference in the second half
Cruz hit 6 of 9 three-pointers to finish with 23 points and nine rebounds en route to being named Region IV Tournament Most Valuable Player. Alondes Williams added 15 points and five assists, while Quinlan Bennett tacked on nine points and seven rebounds, as both players joined Cruz on the Region IV All-Tournament Team. Trevell Cunningham also pitched in with 15 points and several clutch free throws down the stretch.
Highland Community College was led by Luka Barisic's 30 points, followed by 14 points from Andrew Lewis and 11 points by Deang Deang as the Cougars finish the year 23-6.
Triton College will host Region XVI winner Moberly Area Community College (MO) in the NJCAA District IV Championship on Saturday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. The Trojans are 30-3 and the Greyhounds are 26-6. The winner advances to the 2019 NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships (aka "The Tournament") in Hutchinson, Kansas, from March 18-23, 2019.
The play of the game!! @alondeswilliam with the windmill dunk to cap @MensTriton 12-0 run in the 2nd half that gave the Trojans the lead for good. Doug Ruhs and Tim McKinney on the call for @tritoncollege Radio!! @RoadToHutch @NJCAABasketball #WeRTriton #TrojanPride pic.twitter.com/aCFDE049vD
— Triton Athletics (@TritonTrojans1) March 5, 2019
All-Tournament Team
Jamall Gill - Malcolm X College
Luka Barisic - Highland Community College
Deang Deang - Highland Community College
Alondes Williams - Triton College
Quinlan Bennett - Triton College
Region IV Tournament MVP
Ralph Cruz - Triton College
Coach of the Year
Steve Christiansen - Triton College