Troy University Athletics
Bassett, Chaney Lead Troy to First Sun Belt Conference Win
12/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. - Three days after failing to hit double figures for the first time this season, O'Darien Bassett scored 15 of his 22 points in the first half, helping Troy to an 82-70 victory over UALR in Sun Belt Conference action Sunday afternoon at Trojan Arena. Richard Chaney also tallied 22 points, while also adding nine rebounds.
Bassett, who made just one-of-14 attempts at Georgia Tech, ended the game seven-of-13 from the field and a perfect five-of-five from the charity stripe. He was also three of five from behind the arc. Boo Ramsey (12 points) and Sammy Sharp (11 points) also reached double figures for Troy, who snapped a three-game losing streak in improving to 6-8 overall, 1-2 in league play.
Rashad Jones-Jennings led UALR with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Terrance Akins and Byron Ray added 11 and 10 points, respectively. The visiting Trojans fell to 7-8 overall and 2-2 in league play
Troy led by eight, 40-32 at the half, primarily behind Bassett, who made six of his 11 attempts in the period. Troy made seven threes and forced 11 turnovers in the period. The Trojans reversed a 15-14 deficit at the 11:39 mark by scoring eight straight points, but UALR answered with a 10-2 run that gave it a one-point edge, 27-26 with 4:17 to play.
The home team quickly responded, though, with a 12-2 run that pushed the lead to nine, 38-29, with just under two minutes remaining. The lead at the break was 40-32.
The lead was still eight after three minutes of play in the second half when Troy put the game away. Seven straight points - two three-pointers by Ramsey and a Sammy Sharp free throw - pushed the lead to 15, 54-39, by the 15-minute mark. From then on, UALR closed to within single digits only once, when a Corey Johnson three cut the deficit to 71-63 with 4:33 remaining.
But Troy scored the next six points to preserve the victory.To say we needed a win was an understatement,” Head Coach Don Maestri said. I thought we started well offensively - we had poise, ran our plays and got into a rhythm. (Bassett) was on fire and that set the tone.”
Troy takes to road now for its next two Sun Belt Conference games, beginning Wednesday night at Western Kentucky. The Trojans play at Middle Tennessee on Saturday before opening a three-game homestand.
