Trojans Win Shoot-Out Over Paul Quinn

Wednesday, November 14

TROY

7:00 PM

Troy University

133

131

Paul Quinn College

11/14/2007 6:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)

TROY, Ala.- The Trojans needed an extra frame to put away Paul Quinn College 133-131 Wednesday night at Trojan Arena.

“Paul Quinn is a very good team and their players shot the ball very well,” coach Don Maestri said. “In games like this, anybody can beat you on any given night.”

Troy and Paul Quinn traded shots in overtime until the Trojans' Justin Jonus was fouled sending him to the line for two shots. After two free throws from Jonus, the Tigers turned the ball over and sophomore Trayce Macon put the final nail in the coffin with a three from the corner giving Troy the 133-128 lead.

Paul Quinn added a late three pointer to conclude scoring at 133-131.

With 4:33 left in the game, the Trojans (1-1) found themselves down 107-103. The Tigers pushed the lead to 111-104, but a three pointer from senior O'Darien Bassett cut the lead to four. After the teams traded threes, Troy found itself down three with 17 seconds left.

Jonus would miss a three pointer and Tom Jervis would collect the rebound and find Jerome Odem for another attempt that would also miss.

Jonus would then put back the missed attempt for two points and draw a foul to cut the Paul Quinn lead to 118-117 with one second on the clock.

Jonus had a career night leading all players with 44 points. The senior was 16-of-27 from the floor and 8-of-17 from behind the arc. He also had eight rebounds with four assists.

He would sink the game tying free throw and Paul Quinn (2-3) would be unable to get a shot off before time expired, sending the teams into overtime.

“The ball hit the front of the rim and my heart stopped,” Jonus said.

At the end of regulation, Jonus had 40 of the Trojans' 118 points. Troy had a total of six players in double figures at the end of regulation.

Troy didn't over look the Tigers because they came in having played several solid games against worthy opponents.

“We knew that they had a good team,” Maestri said. “We are fortunate to win but you have to win some close games but it always feels good to win a close one.”

Paul Quinn (2-3) had very little trouble getting adjusted to the atmosphere on the road. The Tigers had seven players in double figure points.

Damien Chisholm led the way for the Tigers with 42 points on 13-of-32 shooting.

Jazz Henderson added 27 points and Jackie Ransom had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

“I tried to recruit a couple of their shooters tonight,” Maestri said. “Those guys shot the ball well and anytime you can do that, you have a chance to win.”

The first half was full of press defenses and three pointers from both teams. Troy and Paul Quinn traded baskets for most of the half before Troy made a late run taking a 65-59 lead into the locker room.

Seniors Justin Jonus and O'Darien Bassett paced the first half attack with a combined 31 points.

Chisholm was 9-of-18 from the field and led all scorers with 25 points in the first half.

A technical foul was called on the Tigers' coach Timothy Bellmon with 42 second left in the first half and during the free throw the second technical was called and the coach was ejected.

Jervis recorded his first career double-double as a Trojan scoring a career high 14 points while grabbing 12 rebounds. He also blocked a game high six shots.

Bassett posted 24 points with seven assists with Macon adding 21 points and nine boards.

Sophomore Michael Vogler chipped in 12 points and seven assists off the bench

The 44 points by Jonus were the second most in Divison I history by a Troy player. His 16 field goals made and 27 field goals attempted are both school records.

Troy will hit the road for their next four contests with their next game coming on November 20 at Utah Valley State.