Coach Joe Kuhn and his staff have their team playing suffocating defense. 

The Wolves held College of DuPage to 15 first-half points taking a 21-lead to break. The game never was close as the Wolves cruised to a victory at the Event Center on Wednesday evening. 

JJC (18-5) didn't allow a point for the first four minutes against its North Central Conference rival. The stifling defense got the Wolves going on transition as many baskets in the first half came off of Chaparrals turnovers. 

"I think defense takes a little bit of time to build over the season," Kuhn said. "I think the guys have gotten to a point where they're understanding what we're wanting and taking our scouting reports and putting them into action. It makes a difference when you're in the right positions contesting shots, forcing a guy one way or whatever it is. What they're doing right now is playing great team defense."

Quincey Butler was a catalyst to the big lead scoring 14 points in the first half. The sophomore finished with a team-high 20 points. 

"He's definitely a difference maker out there, because he makes plays a lot of guys can't make due to his speed, quickness and strength. He can get to some balls that other guys can't," Kuhn said. "Offensively, he can create for other players and he's doing a very good job of that. The other thing is, in transition, he's able to get to the rim and finish over high contests. He's definitely a difference maker for us."

A 3-pointer by Jason Bingham and a pair of layups by Butler stretched the lead out to 37 points in the second half. Bingham finished with 12 points and has proven he is a reliable option off the bench for Kuhn. 

Sophomore Mitchell Kwasigroch finished with 15 points for JJC.

The Wolves have huge games in the next seven days traveling to Rock Valley College for a Saturday affair and to Madison College next Wednesday. With every game important for postseason seeding, Kuhn knows how important these next two games are. 

"It's never easy on the road," Kuhn said. "Saturday will be a great atmosphere at their "Rumble on the Rock'. It will be a very difficult challenge for us."