CEDAR RAPIDS — The storybook season for the Iowa Central men will take them to Kirkwood here Saturday with a shot at the Region 11 championship.

After knocking off No. 3 Des Moines Area in the semifinals this past Wednesday night, 83-76, the Tritons will meet the fourth-ranked Eagles for gold. Tip is set for 4 p.m.

Ryan Kirsch, in his first season as Iowa Central (20-11 overall) head coach, spent four seasons on the bench as an assistant at Kirkwood, helping them win the 2019 national title.

Jordan Cain led the way for the Tritons in the upset of DMACC, scoring 27 of the 51 team points in the second half as Iowa Central erased a 10-point halftime deficit and were down by as many as 19.

Cain finished with 36 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and three assists while Aleix Sempere Serrano had 14 points and five rebounds. Jalen Wynter added 11 points.

Kirkwood (28-3) eliminated Ellsworth by 20 in the semifinals as Traijan Sain scored 21.

During the regional tournament, the Tritons have twice topped teams that swept them during the regular season in DMACC and Iowa Lakes.

Iowa Central and Kirkwood split its two meetings, with the Tritons winning here in December, 83-62, and the Eagles picking up a 71-64 victory in Fort Dodge.

The winner between Iowa Central and Kirkwood qualifies for the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament, which takes place March 17-22 in Danville, Ill.

Overall, the Eagles have won three national titles and advanced to nationals 13 times, which is the third-most among NJCAA Div. II schools. The Tritons last reached the field in 2012 and also qualified in 1990.