Troy University Athletics
Trojans Top Niagara to Claim Duquesne Holiday Tournament Title
12/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
Official Game Statistics
Troy vs. Niagara Game Notes
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Bobby Dixon scored a career-high 29 points and Cedric Jackson posted the Trojans' third double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds as Troy captured the championship game of the Duquesne Holiday Tournament Saturday afternoon, 87-71 over Niagara.
The title was the first of an in-season tournament since the Trojans joined Division I. They had finished second four times in 17 appearances at holiday tournaments. Troy last title was 1991 at the North Dakota Invitational.
Trailing 61-59 with 12 minutes left, Troy went on a 12-0 run to open a 10-point advantage with 8:15 to play. Jackson and Dixon each scored four points during that run.
Niagara hung tough, cutting Troy's lead to six on three occasions, the last coming at 76-70 with 3:41 to play. Troy scored the next nine points and finished the game on a 17-1 run to bring the final score to 87-71 in the Trojans' favor.
Both teams started strong, shooting 50 percent from the field. Troy was 9 of 17 from the three-point circle, while Niagara was 8 of 17. The difference was free throw shooting, where the Purple Eagles hit 13 of 15, while the Trojans did not make an attempt.
Troy opened a five-point lead, 21-16, in the first six minutes, but Niagara answered with a 13-3 run that gave it a five-point edge at the 7:18 mark. Five straight points later in the half moved the Purple Eagles lead to double digits, 43-33, with 3:16 left.
However, Troy immediately answer with back-to-back treys from Boo Ramsey and Jacob Hazouri. The half ended with Niagara holding a 45-41 edge.
Bobby Dixon was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, while Cedric Jackson was also on the all-tournament team.
Troy returns to the hardwood on Tuesday when it hosts Belhaven at 7 p.m.
