By: Emilie Jenson

Public Information Coordinator 

Inver Grove Heights, Minn. – The Iowa Central Men kept a steady pace with the Blue Knights of Dakota County here Saturday.

The Tritons (5-17 overall, 2-10 ICCAC), who trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, went on an eight-point run to bring the game within one before the Knights scored the next five. The Tritons trailed 37-38 with 10 seconds remaining in the first half when a 3-point shot by Jordan Fenderson gave Iowa Central the lead, 40-38.  Two free-throws by Dakota County's Ronnelle Porter tied the game at 40 going into the half.

The Tritons couldn't quite hold the Blue Knights in the second half after a brief 43-40 lead in the first minute of play. The Knights took the lead early in the second half, holding it for the remainder of the game. The Tritons never trailed by more than six points in the second half, cutting the Knights lead to four before falling 80-84 in a decision that came down the final 13 seconds.

Fenderson led the Tritons with 18 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Deuce Blake added 16 points and Randy Latham had 12 for the Tritons. Freshman guard Riley Edwards added eight points off the bench and ID Coleman added seven.

The Tritons will next face No. 7 Ellsworth at home on Wednesday in Hodges Fieldhouse. The Panthers defeated the Tritons 96-82 in their previous meeting on December 2.