Trojans Fall On The Road To East Tennessee State

Saturday, November 19

Johnson City, Tenn.

4:00 p.m.

Troy University

East Tennessee State University

Photo by: Cass Davis

Trojans Fall On The Road To East Tennessee State

11/19/2011 5:00:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Troy loses the opening game of a three-game road slate to the Buccaneers, 81-71.

By: Tyler Pigg

Box Score

JOHNSON CITY, TENN. – East Tennessee State's Marcus Dubose posted 27 points, leading the Buccaneers to a 81-71 win over Troy, handing the Trojans their second road loss of the season.

Sophomore R.J. Scott would lead Troy (1-2) with 15 points, while sophomore Nic Combs, in his first career start, recorded 10 points for the Trojans in a losing effort.

“We didn't handle their press early on, we had 17 turnovers and we need to do a lot of work on our press offense,” head coach Don Maestri said. “We didn't shoot it well, we missed shots we should have made, and when you play teams on the road you have make those shots.”

ETSU would shoot over 50 percent from the field for the first time this season, as the Trojans would have their worst day from the field on the season, shooting just 36 percent from the field, making 25 shoots on .

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ETSU 81, TROY 71

After starting down early 10-0 due to three quick turnovers, Troy would fight back getting early baskets from guards Nic Combs and Daronte Clark, that would the lead to 14-12 and forcing a Buccaneers' timeout.

But, Marcus Dubose's 21 points in the first half, would pace the Buccaneers. In the first half, Dubose was 9-for-15 from the field, including 3-for-6 from three-point range.

ETSU shot 56% (20-36) from the field in the first half and shot (55%) from the behind the line, while the Trojans would go 13-for-38 from the field and 6-for-17 from the three.

The Buccaneers defense would pressure the Trojans early, forcing nine turnover in the first half and 17 turnovers for the game. The Buccaneers would score 20 points off turnovers on the afternoon.

In the second half, ETSU would stretch its lead to 22 points with less than eight minutes to play, but the Trojans would try to amount a comeback. Scott, Justin Wright, and Alan Jones would all hit three's and cut the lead to 13 with 3:54 left in the second half.

The Trojans would score the final seven points of the game, but fall 81-71 to the Buccaneers.

Troy would out rebounded the Buccaneers, 46-40, with Emil Jones recording eight rebounds, while Scott would add seven.

“Our efffort on the boards was good, it was the one area we had the most success in,” Maestri said.

Troy will travel to Birmingham, Ala. to face in-state rival UAB on Tuesday night, November 22, at 7:00 p.m. at Bartow Arena. The Trojans will finish out this three-game road set with a trip to Cedar City, Utah to face Southern Utah, next Saturday, November 26.