Trojans Struggle in Second Half

Saturday, December 31

Denton, Texas

3:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of North Texas

Photo by: Cass Davis

12/31/2011 5:35:00 PM | Basketball (M)

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

DENTON, Texas – The Troy men's basketball team fell victim to some red-hot shooting by North Texas in the second half as they fell on the road to the Mean Green, 87-65, on Saturday afternoon.

The Mean Green (8-7, 1-1) shot 66.7 percent (22-of-33) in the second half while Troy (5-8, 0-2) hit 27.5 percent (11-of-40). Emil Jones (13), Will Weathers (10), R.J. Scott (10) and Alan Jones (10) all scored in double-figures for the Trojans.

Chris Jones nearly had a triple-double for North Texas as he put in 21 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. The Mean Green's top inside presence, Tony Mitchell has just six points, but recorded eight rebounds and four blocks.

Uncharacteristically, the Trojans turned the ball over 15 times on the night, their most as a team since turning it over 17 times at ETSU in the third game of the season. Troy did force 23 turnovers but were out-rebounded 47-36 on the day.

The Trojans return the floor on Thursday when they welcome Middle Tennessee to Sartain Hall for a 7:30 p.m. showdown.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or become fans on Facebook.

NORTH TEXAS 87, TROY 65

The Trojans got good play from Emil Jones early as he would score six early points to go with two assists as Troy built a 26-18 lead in the first 13 minutes. However, the Mean Green would go on a 13-0 run to take a 31-26 lead as the Trojans, who have taken care of the basketball all year, committed 11 first half turnovers.

Emil Jones stopped the run as he hit a bucket to make the score 28-31. Weathers followed with a three-pointer on the next trip to tie things up at 31-31. One more bucket by each side sent the game to the half, tied at 33-33.

The Trojans played well inside in the first half as they outscored the Mean Green, 16-14, in the paint in the first half. Troy also out-rebounded North Texas, 24-18 in the first with eight offensive boards.

The score remained tied at 39-39 when North Texas scored eight straight to take a 47-39 lead at the 16:10 mark and force the Trojans to call a timeout. The Mean Green started the second half 6-of-9 from the floor as the Trojans struggled at 1-of-7.

The timeout didn't stop the Mean Green run as North Texas hit their next three-pointer to take a 50-39 lead, the largest by either team in the game. Justin Wright finally stopped the run at the 13:06 mark as his bucket cut the Mean Green to 52-41.

However, although the Trojans stopped a four-minute scoreless stretch, North Texas continued their hot shooting as they lead by as much as 18 at 61-43 at the 11:17 mark. At that point, North Texas had hit 12-of-16 shots to open the half.

The Trojans cut the lead to as few as 13 at 65-52 when Alan Jones hit a free throw a the 8:55 mark. After the Mean Green got the lead back up to 17 at 70-53, Alan Jones hit two straight jumpers to cut it back down to 12 at 72-60.

The Trojans didn't any closer than that though in the final minutes as North Texas continued their hot shooting and finished the second half shooting 66.7 percent (22-of-33).