M-Basketball: #3 in D2 Triton College powers their way to victory over #1 in D3 Rock Valley
Box Score Two of the best junior college programs in the state of Illinois and in the country both happen to be in the same conference, the North Central Community College Conference (N4C). However, both programs are very different. Triton College men's basketball is a scholarship Division II program who is ranked #3 in the country for their level and is located in River Grove, a stones throw from the west side of Chicago. Rock Valley College men's basketball is a non-scholarship NJCAA D3 program who has been ranked #1 in the country since October 27th, 2014 and is located about 85 miles to the west of Chicago. Triton likes to play an up-tempo, sometimes uncontrolled style of play in which their defense creates offense. Rock Valley likes to play a fast, yet controlled style of play and thrives in the half court. On Wednesday night the two teams met as Rock Valley entered with a 19-1 record and Triton with a 18-2 record.
After the first half ended the game was tied at 40. However, it was all Triton in the second half as the Trojans outscored the Golden Eagles 50-34 to win the game 90-74.
(
Elijah Williams and Head Coach
Craig Doty - RVC Athletics)
Triton overpowered RVC on the glass, out-rebounding the Golden Eagles 42-39 which included hauling in 14 offensive rebounds. Additionally, Triton shot 19 second half free throws compared to 0 for the Golden Eagles despite RVC pounding the ball inside to big man
Elijah Williams who finished with a game-high 24 points (11-12 FG) and a game-high in rebounds with 13.
"We simply have to play better," head coach
Craig Doty said. "This team is the best practicing team I've ever coached. They bring it every day in practice. Our assistants do a tremendous job with game scouts and preparation so our guys know exactly who their opponent is. Also, we have one of the most talented groups I've ever coached. We just aren't rebounding like we did earlier in the season and we aren't valuing every possession. A little adversity isn't a bad thing. We will be just fine. We love our guys."
Rock Valley committed a season-high 19 turnovers. RVC shot 46% from the field while Triton shot 45.1%.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday at College of DuPage. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
