Troy University Athletics
Trojans fall to Auburn, 71-68
11/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
AUBURN, Ala. - Richard Chaney became the first Trojan in four years to score a double-double in his Troy debut when he tallied 21 points and 12 rebounds, but the Trojans were unable to withstand a late rally from the Auburn Tigers as they fell 71-68 in the season opener for both teams.
Chaney's accomplishment -- his first at either Utah or Troy -- was the first by a Trojan newcomer since Greg Davis tallied 10 points and 12 assists against Knoxville College on Nov. 23, 2002. Two other Trojans making their debuts followed suit in scoring with O'Darien Bassett adding 13 points and five assists while Jerome Odem chipped in 11 points.
Holding a 38-35 lead at the half, Troy began the second half by pushing the lead to nine at 46-37 with 16:07 to go.
The lead stayed that way until Auburn made a 7-0 run to close the gap to two at 50-48. The run was capped by a Rasheem Barrett three-point basket with 11:41 left on the clock.
The Trojans were then able to push the lead to four at 57-53 behind at Cedric Jackson three point field goal.
A Korvotney Barber tip-in capped a seven-point Auburn run that put the score at 60-57, giving the Tigers the lead with 6:15 to go.
The lead went back-and-forth with one-point margins until the 1:25 mark when Troy was able to push the lead to four with a Chaney three-pointer.
Auburn answered with a Quantez Robertson three-point field goal cutting the lead to 68-67 with 1:05 left on the clock.
Frank Tolbert was able to lay the ball in for two points giving Auburn the lead, 69-68 and Barber's subsequent block of a Bassett lay up with nine seconds remaining ended Troy's chances.
Tolbert converted two free-throws with two seconds to go to end the scoring and give Auburn the win, 71-68.
Auburn led by as many as seven points in the first half, the last time at 19-12, just under the midway point.. But Troy answered with six straight points to start a 14-5 run.
Troy shot just 38.2 percent from the field, including 28.1 percent from three-point range.
"We had quite a few opportunities at the end," head coach Don Maestri said. "Auburn made big plays and we didn't. We missed some wide open shots that could have put the game away.
"Richard Chaney did a good job, but honestly, I think he can play better," Maestri added. "This team came in here to win, so they are down."
Troy has less than 48 hours to regroup as it opens its home schedule Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Loyola-New Orleans.
