First Timer Triton Advances To Quarterfinals
Hutchinson, KS – For the final entry into the 2022 NJCAA Men’s DI Quarterfinals, it was the No. 11 Seed Triton College (IL) against No. 6 Seed Indian River CC (FL). Indian River was making their second straight appearance at the big dance, after qualifying last year for the first time in program history.
Triton was making their inaugural trip to Hutch, although it was their third Region 4 Championship since jumping to the DI level after a DII National Championship in 2018.
Last year, Indian River State, made it to the quarterfinals before bowing out to fellow Region 8 member Chipola 78-75.
In a game seeing six ties and 9 lead changes, The Pioneers from Fort Pierce, FL took a one point lead into the intermission, 40-39. Their largest lead was 5.
After the break, the Trojans found their gait, taking the lead on their first possession from a Patrick Suemnick dunk. It was a lead they would never relinquish. Growing to as much as 15 with just under four to play.
Indian River was able to cut it to six with under a minute left, 90-84. But Triton scored the last seven to make the final, 97-84.
Triton ups their record to 29-5, while Indian River drops to 28-5. Triton earns a date with #3 Kilgore College (TX) Thursday, March 17 at 8:00 CDT.
Leading the stat sheet for Triton was Suemnick who went for 21 with 9 boards. Four others had double figs including Cam Denson with 16 and doubled that up with 12 rebounds. Next up was Teonta McKeithen and JJ Kalakon with 14 apiece. McKeithen also collected 7 missed shots. Cobie Montgomery ended with 13 points and Deangelo Elisee added 12. Kalakon and John Ittounas led the team with 5 helpers.
Indian River receive 18 from Jonathan Cisse accompanied by 7 rebounds. Tyeree Bryan and Bendji Pierre each had 17. Pierre was team high in rebounds with 10. AJ Cajuste contributed 15 points and game high 9 dishes.
The elite eight are set. Here are the other pairings for Thursday’s games: Salt Lake vs. Odessa at Noon, Dodge City vs. Northwest Florida at 2:00, Harcum vs. Chipola at 6:00.
