Trojans 'Steal' Victory from North Texas in Overtime

Thursday, January 3

TROY

7:30 PM

Troy University

North Texas

Trojans 'Steal' Victory from North Texas in Overtime

1/3/2008 6:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)

TROY, Ala.- O'Darien Bassett scored 10 of his game-high 30 points in overtime, leading the Trojans to a thrilling 91-88 overtime victory over North Texas Thursday night at Trojan Arena.

“Tonight was like a championship game,” head coach Don Maestri said. “Our guys showed a lot of courage in the game. Dr. Hawkins came in after the game and said how proud he was and that this was a courageous victory.”

North Texas (9-4, 0-2) found itself down by six points with under a minute to play. Dez Willingham would hit a three with 35 seconds left and Collin Dennis would then hit a three with just under four seconds left sending the game to overtime tied at 79-79.

In the extra period, North Texas would run out to a seven point advantage before the Trojans would mount another comeback.

Junior Tom Jervis would begin the Trojans' (7-6, 1-2) scoring with a pair of free throws cutting into the North Texas lead at 86-81.

Bassett would hit a three-pointer and then would take full advantage of his free throw opportunities. He would connect on 10-of-11 chances in the overtime period.

“O'Darien came through with several free throws tonight,” Maestri said. “He is a good player and tonight he showed us again that he is.”

The Trojans would take a 52-50 lead with 16 minutes left in the game. It was their first lead since a 17-16 advantage at the 13:30 mark in the first half.

Over the next four minutes, Troy would miss it's next seven shots and turn the ball over twice as it again fell behind by a large margin at 65-57.

Jervis would block three consecutive put back attempts from North Texas and he followed that with a big rebound under the basket on a missed Trojan jumper.

Trayce Macon and Bassett would hit a three pointer on Troy's next two trips down the floor closing the lead to 67-66.

After a North Texas basket, Vogler would find Jervis under the basket for a dunk putting the Trojans within one.

Following a turnover, Vogler would miss on a three point attempt but Kenny Ware was there for the tip-in giving Troy the 70-69 advantage.

Vogler would drain a three pointer from the top of the key and would then find a streaking Bassett for a dunk increasing the lead to 75-71.

Troy would increase the lead to 79-73 with consecutive baskets from Acker and Bassett.

To open the game, Troy took an early 5-2 lead before going down 13-7 with 16 minutes to go.

North Texas would then go on a 14-2 run over the next 1:14 pushing it's lead to 27-20

The Trojans would claw their way back with two three pointers form Bassett and a pair of three pointers from senior Justin Jonus.

After consecutive lay-ups from Vogler and Jarvis Acker, Troy found itself down by only one point at 36-35.

Brandon Hazzard and Josh Williams would score the next five points for Trojans as they were down 46-39 at the half.

For the first time this season, the Trojans out rebounded a team. Troy pulled down 54 rebounds compared to 43 from North Texas.

Bassett scored at least 30 points for the second straight game. Vogler added 11 points to go along with seven rebounds and eight assists. Maycon added 14 points and pulled down eight boards.

The Trojans will return to action on Saturday against Utah Valley State. Saturday night will also be “Butler County Night”. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.