Poor Shooting Dooms Troy at UAB

Tuesday, November 24

Birmingham, Ala.

7:00 PM

Troy University

UAB

11/25/2009 1:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Poor shooting was the culprit once more for the Troy men's basketball team in a 77-59 loss to in-state foe UAB. The Trojans connected on less than 40 percent of their field goal attempts for the second consecutive game.

The Trojans hit only 22-of-59 attempts for the game, to the tune of 37.3 percent.

Troy (2-2) capitalized on some weak shooting by UAB with a 9-3 run through the first four minutes of play forcing UAB coach Mike Davis to burn an early timeout. The Blazers countered with an 8-0 run to take an 11-9 lead capped by a Howard Crawford slam.

UAB harassed the Trojans all over the floor for the duration of the game, forcing Troy into 12 turnovers.

“They are a very good defensive team,” Troy head coach Don Maestri said. “Not only are they fundamentally schooled, but they are good athletes and they have good size. You would think with the size of their calves and legs that they wouldn't be quick, but they are a strong physical group and quick.

“They are an impressive defensive team. … We played a better team tonight. It's just that simple.”

The Blazers (5-1) stretched their lead to 27-17 on the back of six consecutive points by Aaron Johnson before Levan Patsatsia finally halted the scoring run. The deuce was nearly all the Trojans could muster through the final 5:04 of the opening stanza.

UAB ended the first half with a 13-4 run leaving it on top 32-21 at the break. The Trojans shot just 29 percent (9-for-31) in the first half.

Troy fell behind 56-37 on a lay-up by Elijah Millsap with 12:22 left in the second half. The two teams traded baskets over the next six minutes, but Millsap sank another trey at the 6:28 mark for a 67-48 advantage.

Richard Delk scored two in the lane, but the Blazers still led by 20 with less than three minutes to go. The senior led Troy offensively on the night scoring 23 points, including tying a career high with five 3-pointers. It was his first 20 point game since February 19, 2008 against FIU.

“If it wasn't for Delk, we would have been out of this game early,” Maestri said. “It was one of his best games since he's been here. He did a good job defensively and he helped us beat the press. This was one of his better games.”

Michael Vogler added 12 points and Yamene Coleman scored 10 for the Trojans. Antywan Jones set a new career-high with 10 rebounds.

Brandon Hazzard was held in check for the second straight game with just three points, all on free throws. Hazzard failed to hit a 3-pointer in consecutive games for the first time since his sophomore season.

The senior from Atlanta did not score in the first half, with his first points coming three minutes into the second half.

“We know [Hazzard] can shoot it well,” Maestri said. “We want him to keep shooting it. Eventually, those shots are going to start going in. Still, as long as he's in a Troy uniform, we are glad to have him.”

Millsap led the Blazers with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Jamarr Sanders scored 20 points on five 3-pointers.

The Trojans are in action next over the weekend as they travel for the 2009 Legends Classic – Statesboro regional hosted by Georgia Southern. They will face UA Fort Smith on Friday afternoon at 4 pm central time.