Robbins’ layup off Talton assist gives Trail Blazers one-point upset of nationally ranked Stormers

QUINCY — On a day when Jeremiah Talton was the game’s leading scorer, it was his lone assist that cemented the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team’s victory over a nationally ranked opponent.

With the ball on the baseline underneath the Trail Blazers’ basket, Milwaukee Area Technical College owning a one-point lead, and only seconds remaining, Talton found fellow freshman Logan Robbins for an open layup for the go-ahead basket in an 86-85 victory over the No. 3 Stormers in the final game of the Town and Country Inn and Suites Classic at the Student Activity Center.

“(Milwaukee Area Tech) switched and (Logan) was wide open,” Talton said.

Robbins, who scored 14 points off the bench, wasted little time converting in the clutch.

“To be honest I thought I had a guard on my hip and had it to get (the shot) up quick,” Robbins said. “(Jeremiah) made a great read and got me the ball.”

John Wood coach Brad Hoyt wasn’t anticipating Robbins would have a wide-open look at the basket.

“You never expect you’re going to get a layup in that environment,” Hoyt said.

It was a game the Trail Blazers (8-5) nearly let slip away. Milwaukee Area Tech (9-2) scored on three consecutive possessions to erase a five-point deficit in the final 90 seconds to take an 85-84 lead.

“Luckily they ran out of time,” Hoyt said. “We just kind of held on for dear life for the final minute and a half. That’s what close, high-level basketball is about. You have to make a play or two towards the end and we made a play or two. They made a play or two. We just happened to have the ball last.”

Talton led all scorers with 31 points, converting 9 of 14 field goals including five 3-pointers, and made 8 of 10 free-throw attempts.

“I came out hot and my teammates were finding me, and then everything else opened up. It worked out well,” Talton said.

Said Hoyt, “He’s finding opportunities in what we do at a really high level right now. If he gets the ball with or without space he’s dangerous. He made some big shots in some huge spots. He’s our guy. I think everyone knows that. He came through again tonight.”

The victory was a far cry from a lackluster 82-73 loss to Kansas City (Kan.) Community College on Friday night.

“If people came to watch us Friday and then Saturday, they’d have to think, ‘What happened (Friday)?’” Hoyt said. “It was two different personalities between the team. At the end of the day, our effort was better, and if our effort is better, we’ll figure out the execution as we go through the year.”

Hoyt would not proclaim Saturday’s win as his team’s best this season but he was proud of the way JWCC bounced back.

“It was probably the most resilient win we’ve had,” Hoyt said. “think we’ve had some better moments. November is for learning and December is for growing. We’re trying to grow into our roles, grow into our rotations. We’re still trying to figure that out.”

Said Robbins, “We knew we could be better and I think we showed that. I feel like beating any ranked team is always a step forward. You’re always trying to get better as a team.”

Darrius Bolden also finished in double figures with 10 points and added five assists. Talton had a game-high eight rebounds and had three steals.

“Anytime you beat a quality program like (Milwaukee Area Tech), it’s absolutely a great thing,” Hoyt said.