Troy University Athletics
Second Half Surge Leads Trojans to First Road Win of the Season
1/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - A 14-0 run midway through the second half reversed an eight-point deficit and lifted the Trojans to a 71-57 victory over Middle Tennessee Saturday afternoon at the Murphy Center. The win was the first in eight true road games for the Trojans this seasonwhile the overall record away from Trojan Arena improved to just 4-8.
Richard Chaney led Troy with 15 points, while Boo Ramsey talled 14, including 12 in the second half. O'Darien Bassett and Justin Jonus scored 12 points each, while Cedric Jackson earned his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Troy outscored the Blue Raiders 44-24 after intermission by shooting 54.2 percent in the period, while limited MTSU to 33.3 percent. The Trojans also held a 39-27 rebounding advantage, their first edge in eight games.
Troy scored the first eight points of the contest, using a pair of free throws by Chaney and baskets by Jackson, Odem and Sharp. The Blue Raiders even the game on a Nigel Johnson three-pointer with 13:17 to play, then took their first lead, 18-17, five minutes later on a trey by Desmond Yates.
The Trojans broke a 25-25 tie on a Jackson tip-in before Middle broke loose. However, an 8-0 run capped by back-to-back three-pointers by Kanaskie and Calvin O'Neil lifted the Blue Raiders to a 33-27 lead at the break. The hosts hit seven three-pointers in the period, while limited Troy to just one-of-nine shooting from behind the arc.
Middle Tennessee started the second half the way it finished the first, increasing the margin to its biggest point, 46-38 on a Tim Blue basket. But Ramsey had back-to-back threes and Jonus had a trey to put Troy ahead for good, 47-46. The surge continued on a free throw by Chaney and a pair of jumpers from Bassett.
It was a great second half,” said Head Coach Don Maestri. The first half was terrible. We were praying that Boo would catch on fire. Justin started it and then Boo. Defensively, we got a rebound after missed shots. To come back after a hard loss at Western Kentucky was impressive. Getting a win at this point of the season was important.”
Troy returns home for its longest stint of the season - three games -- beginning Thursday against defending league champion South Alabama. Tipoff is set for 7:30 at the conclusion of the 5:15 p.m. women's contest.
