Triton breaks through for first Region 4 crown in five years

RIVER GROVE, ILL. - Since winning the Region 4 title in 2020-21, Triton College had lost four straight championship games until finally breaking back through with a 68-57 win over defending champion Olive-Harvey College to claim the 2026 Region 4 Division I Women's Basketball Tournament. Its the Trojans second championship in Division I and fifth overall. Head coach Drew Winston was named the Region 4 Coach of the Year. (Recap: Triton)

Triton College held the top overall seed in the tournament and began postseason play with a 99-52 defeat of #8 Richard J. Daley College in the quarterfinals. The semifinal matchup with Kennedy-King College resulted in an 85-59 victory to reach the title game for a sixth straight year. 

In the championship, the Trojans jumped out to an 18-10 lead after the first quarter, and expanded their advantage to 37-20 at halftime. The second half saw Triton College hold off any comeback efforts by OHC to win by 11. Jayla Rankin led the way with 23 points, followed by 21 points from Jazzmine Smith. 

The victory earned Triton an automatic berth into the NJCAA North Central District Championship against Region 13 winner Williston State College on March 14. Playing on their home floor, the Trojans took a 20-11 lead in the second quarter. The Tetons answered with a 20-9 surge to own a two-point advantage at halftime. Triton College would win the third quarter for a 48-47 differential heading to the fourth quarter, which Williston State went on to win - along with the game - for a final score of 70-62. Rankin was again the team's top scorer with 18 points, along with 16 by Jada Branch and 13 from Alivia Brown.

Triton College finished the season with a 24-10 record

Follow Region 4: Facebook | X | Instagram