Undefeated Start Leads to #4 National Ranking for Triton Men

After a run to the Region 11 Championship game last season, the Triton Men are off to a 9-0 start to begin their 2025-2026 campaign. Averaging 102.4 points per game and having scored over the century mark six times, their high scoring offense has them ranked #4 in the nation.

First year coach, Mason Denholm, is happy with where his Tritons are early in the season. "I'm excited for our group to have a strong start to the season with a good non-conference schedule to get us ready for ICCAC play. We found a way to beat two nationally ranked opponents along with multiple different tests," said Denholm. "I think we've played great team basketball and that has translated into wins for this group."

The Tritons opened the season with a dramatic 93-91 victory over Milwaukee Area Technical College for Coach Denholm's first win and have went on to victories over Marshalltown, North Central Missouri, Edison State, Community Christian (MI), Mount Mercy JV, KCKCC, and their first conference win over Northeast. 

"We have had great balance so far in each game, with at least four players in double figures every game and seven different players have all had games with double figure scoring," said Denholm. "When you can do that, you make it tough for the opposing defense to focus on any one player. That really speaks to the team mentality of this group and playing for each other."

With six players averaging double figures in scoring, sophomore, Jordan Cain is leading the way for the Tritons with 16.8 ppg, 6.4 rebounds per game, 16 steals, and 12 assists. Fellow sophomore, CJ Mitchell, leads the Tritons with 54 assists, 21 steals, and is averaging 14.1 ppg. Tashun Pender has made an immediate impact averaging 14.1 ppg, 9.1 rebounds per game, 9 blocks, and is shooting 64% from the field. Aleix Sempere (13.9), Jalen Wynter (11.6), and Dorian Pruitt (10.2) are also averaging double figure ppg. 

"I'm really looking forward to what this group can accomplish together as we move forward through the rest of our season," said Denholm. "The ICCAC conference is the best league in NJCAA DII basketball and it's not close. Our league currently has five teams nationally ranked with four being in the top ten, three of the top five. Every night if you don't come prepared and show up with your best, you'll get beat. There are incredible coaches and high-level players in the league which makes it incredibly difficult, yet fun to compete against each and every night."

Up next for the Tritons is a conference matchup on Wednesday (12/3) with Western Iowa Tech. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 PM at Hodges Fieldhouse.