No. 1 Trailblazers Stay Perfect with Win Over Previously Unbeaten Kankakee

VINCENNES, Ind. — The No. 1 Vincennes University Men's Basketball team protected its top national ranking and extended its undefeated start to 8–0, taking down previously unbeaten Kankakee Community College 78–55 Saturday night inside the P.E. Complex. The win continued a strong November surge for the Trailblazers and came against a Cavaliers squad that entered the matchup rolling.

VU built a 36–26 halftime lead and steadily widened the gap behind efficient scoring, physical rebounding, and balanced contributions across the rotation. The Trailblazers shot 50.8% from the field and controlled the interior with a dominant 48–28 advantage in points in the paint. VU also produced 14 second-chance points and assisted on 23 of 31 made field goals.

Sophomore standout Dayton Williams continued his elite early-season form, delivering 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks on 9-of-15 shooting. Sophomore Lorenzo Malagnini powered VU early and finished with a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double, going 8-of-13 from the field and controlling the interior.

NJCAA Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin, now in his 16th season, said Malagnini's early presence was a major catalyst. "Lorenzo was a horse early," Franklin said. "He was carrying us offensively because we didn't have a lot of life anywhere else. They were sending everybody at him. That should create easy shots for others, and we struggled with that at times. But the fact that he drew that much attention is a good thing — it means we're doing what we want to do inside."

Freshman Alex Montes provided an offensive lift off the bench with 9 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal, giving VU needed perimeter scoring. Sophomore Jalen Calloway added 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, while freshman Jaloni Johnson chipped in 6 points off the bench, knocking down 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.

Franklin praised the impact of Montes and Johnson as the Trailblazers continued to establish their depth. "Alex makes things happen. He's aggressive, he attacks, he's passionate," Franklin said. "And Jaloni, those corner threes were big tonight. When we were a little stagnant, he pushed it from four up to about ten. That matters."

Defensively, the Trailblazers held Kankakee to 35.5% from the field and just 2-of-11 from three forcing nine turnovers. The Trailblazers also decisively won the battle on the glass 44–27 (9 offensive, 35 defensive).

Vincennes will next host Pellissippi State Community College on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. ET, their final contest before the Thanksgiving holiday. "We're number one in the country for a reason," Franklin said. "In junior college basketball, that's a unique deal. You've got to be awful good to be in that spot, and this group has earned it. Now we need to get people out here and create the energy that a special season deserves."

Hear more from Coach Franklin by clicking here.

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