Troy University Athletics
Troy University
South Alabama
Trojans Fall on the Road to South Alabama
12/20/2007 6:00:00โฏAM | Basketball (M)
MOBILE, Ala. - An 18-5 run from South Alabama over the final seven minutes and the domination of the boards proved to be the difference in a 84-73 loss to the Jaguars Thursday night in Mobile.
“This was a very hard fought game on both sides,” head coach Don Maestri said. “We hit a dry spell down the stretch where we didn't make shots and they did.”
Rebounds and second-chance points were the dagger in the Trojans side. Troy's bench was outscored 30-13 but it was Troy's inability to rebound that proved to be the most costly.
“Their guys attacked the boards like they were possessed,” Maestri said. “When our shots didn't fall, they got the boards and got points off of it.”
Troy (6-5, 0-1) missed nine shots in the Jaguars run at the end of the game. The Trojans were out rebounded 58-32 in the game. Troy had seven second chance points compared to the Jaguars 23.
In the first half senior Justin Jonus broke his current scoring drought with a lay-up in the first half. He followed that basket with a three form the top of the key tying the game at 18.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, a foul was called on Phillip Tabet for pushing junior Tom Jervis. Tabet was unhappy with the call and received a technical foul.
Senior Jerome Odem hit two consecutive three pointers with under six minutes to go in the first half giving the Trojans the 35-34 lead.
Jonus would put the Troy back on top at 40-39 with a trey with three minutes left in the first half. After a timeout called by the Troy bench, Bassett hit a three-pointer as the clock was winding down under a second to send the
Trojans into the locker room with the 47-46 advantage
Demetric Bennett paced the first half attack for the Jaguars with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
The Trojans were out rebounded in the first half 29-19. Troy also connected on only 6-of-13 shots form the free throw line in the half.
Bassett led the Trojans with 25 points with 12 coming from behind the arc. He was also 7-of-7 form the free throw line.
Bennett led all scores with 26 points. DeAndre Coleman recorded a double-double with 10 points and 18 rebounds. Dominic Tilford also added 18 points for the Jags.
Jonus and sophomore Trayce Macon each added 12 points.
“We are a much better team than we were three weeks ago,” Maestri said. “We have made major improvements but we must keep improving.”
The Trojans will return to action on December 29th against Western Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Trojan Arena.
