Troy Rally Falls Short in First Round Loss

Saturday, March 3

Hot Springs, Ark.

6:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of South Alabama

Troy Rally Falls Short in First Round Loss

3/3/2012 8:50:00 PM | Basketball (M)

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – For the second straight game the Trojans made a big run in the second half, but on Saturday night could complete the comeback as they fell to South Alabama in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament, 87-81.

Troy (10-18) trailed by as many as 20 in the second half, but used pressure defense and timely baskets to cut the Jags lead down to as little as three in the final minutes. South Alabama (17-11) scored a flurry of five points in the final 30 seconds thanks in large part to offensive rebounding off of free throws.

The Jaguars attempted 27 second-half free throws, only made 17, but used nine second-half offensive rebounds to need the Trojans from completing the comeback.

Troy shot 40.3 percent (29-of-72) in the contest, including 11-of-30 (36.7 percent) from deep. South Alabama shot 50.9 percent (27-of-53) overall.

Troy was led in scoring by Will Weathers who posted 17 while Alan Jones (13) and R.J. Scott (12) were both in double-figures as well.

Freddie Goldstein led South Alabama with 25 points while three others were in double figures.

Troy forced 13 turnovers on the night, including 10 in the second half. The Trojans turned it over a season-low four times to help keep themselves in the ball game.

Troy outscored the Jags in the paint on the night, 32-20, but South Alabama made up the 12-point difference at the free throw line where they made 24 shots compared to Troy's 12.

The loss marks the end of the season for the Trojans who say good bye to just two seniors, Steven Cunningham and Tim Owens.

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

SOUTH ALABAMA 87, TROY 81

The Trojans were cold early as they shot just 2-of-12 over the first six minutes and trailed 9-4 at the first media timeout with 13:59 to go. However, Troy heated up over the next stretch, making 7-of-9 to tie things up at 20-20 with 9:35 to go in the first half.

The score remained tied at 28-28 when South Alabama went on a 13-3 run to take a 10-point lead, 41-31 with 1:28 to go. The margin stayed at 10 as the Troy went into halftime trailing 44-34.

The Jaguars shot 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) from deep in the first half while Troy was just 4-of-11 (36.4 percent). Troy only turned the ball over twice but only forced three USA turnovers.

The Trojans saw the deficit grow to open the second half as they shot just 2-of-10 from the floor over the first eight minutes, while South Alabama shot 7-of-8 to build a 20-point lead at 60-40 with 12:53 to go.

Troy trimmed it to 11 at 65-54 when Steven Cunningham energized the Trojans with a put back slam at the 9:23 mark. The Trojans didn't quit, locked down on defense, and continued to chip away at the lead.

The Jags were shooting 90 percent (9-of-10) in the second half at the 8:30 mark and led by 16 at 70-54. However, that is when the Trojans locked down and the Jags went over six minutes without a field goal.

With the score at 72-56 after the two sides traded free throws, Troy went on a 15-2 run to cut the once 20-point lead to four at 75-71 with 2:40 to go.

Troy cut the lead down to three at 82-79 with just 40 seconds to go thanks to an Alan Jones 3-pointer.

South Alabama made it a four-point game at the free throw line and extended the lead after an offensive rebound and a put back by Augustine Rubit.