Troy University Athletics
Trojans Earn SBC Home Game with Thrilling Overtime Win at South Alabama
2/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
MOBILE, Ala. - Troy ended regulation on a 13-3 run to force overtime, then scored the first six points of the extra session to upset league champion South Alabama 92-88 Saturday night at the Mitchell Center. O'Darien Bassett scored 25 points, 18 after halftime, as the Trojans earned the No. 8 seed and will host Middle Tennessee Wednesday night in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
The Trojans (13-16, 8-10) trailed 75-65 at the media timeout with 3:59 to play, but got a three-pointer from Richard Chaney with 39.7 seconds left and a pair of threes from Justin Jonus with 22.6 seconds and 5.0 seconds remaining to force overtime.
In the extra session, Sharp and Chaney hit shots in the first three minutes, then Sharp connected again with 1:45 to play to put Troy up 84-78. From there, Troy hit all eight free throws to hang on for the victory.
It was a great win for many reasons,? said Head Coach Don Maestri. It was our first over South Alabama and a win over the conference champion. Plus we now host a first-round tournament game. O'Darien came up big late in the game, but this was a great team effort..?
The teams played to a 35-35 tie over the first 20 minutes with neither team pulling away. South Alabama gained its biggest advantage at 14-9 with 12:14 to play, but Sammy Sharp started a 6-0 run with a layup. Chaney followed with a three and Justin Jonus made one of two free throws to put Troy up 15-14 by the 10:24 mark.
After South Alabama hit a three, the Trojans got a three from five straight points from O'Darien Bassett, plus a three by Chaney to open its biggest lead at 23-19 with 8:46 to play. From there, the margin was never more than two as the teams traded leads seven times. Sharp dunked a Boo Ramsey three with two seconds left in the period to even the score.
The Jaguars shot 51.9 percent from the field in the opening period and held a 20-10 rebounding advantage. Troy stayed close with by hitting 45.2 percent from the field and committing only four turnovers.
Ticket information will be posted on troytrojans.com as soon as it becomes available. A tip-off time is still to be determined as well.
A complete recap will be available later tonight.
