The red-hot Iowa Central men continued their winning ways here Saturday inside Hodges Fieldhouse with an 81-58 victory over Iowa Lakes.

With the victory, the Tritons (19-11 overall) advanced to the Region 11 semifinals where they will face fourth-ranked Des Moines Area (29-2) on Wednesday in Boone.

Jordan Cain led four players in double figures, scoring 16 points while going 6-for-6 from the free throw line. He also had three steals, as Iowa Central forced 20 turnovers and had 15 steals as a team.

Irakli Akhalaia had 11 points with both Lane Campbell and Daviyon Gaston scoring 10 each. The Tritons, who have won seven in a row, are 11-4 at home this year.

“I was really proud of them,” ICCC head coach Ryan Kirsch said. “We’re playing some of our best basketball on defense right now. I have all the respect for Iowa Lakes as they are one of the top teams in our conference year in and year out.”

For the Lakers (19-12), who swept the season series vs. the Tritons, Jayden Jones scored 18 with Jhordan Ryan adding 10.

Cain had 14 of his points in the opening half, as Iowa Central built a 43-36 advantage. Gaston had 10 with both sinking two 3-pointers. Over the final 20 minutes, it was Akhalaia and Jalen Wynter who shouldered the offensive load with each scoring eight including four combined triples.

“We got going from three in the second half,” Kirsch said. “We kept the rebounding number close and did a good job of battling (on the glass).”

In the other semifinal, No. 3 Kirkwood battles Ellsworth. The championship game is set for Saturday with the highest-remaining seed serving as host.

During the regular season, the Bears swept two games vs. the Tritons, winning 70-57 and 79-62.