Trojans Cruise by UA Fort Smith

Friday, November 27

Statesboro, Ga. (Hosted by Georgia Southern)

2:30 PM

Troy University

115

UA Fort Smith

11/27/2009 9:00:00 PM | Basketball (M)

STATESBORO, Ga. – The Troy men's basketball team got just what it needed on Friday afternoon – hot shooting. The team hit 12-of-22 3-point attempts as it rolled to a 115-76 victory over UA Fort Smith in the opening game of the Legends Classic regional hosted by Georgia Southern.

Brandon Hazzard erupted in the second half after a slump that had stretched since the second half of last Friday's game against Florida. The senior from Atlanta, Ga. scored 27 points, including 25 in the second half in just 11 minutes. He hit 9-of-11 shots after the break.

“[Hazzard] was really in a situation where he needed his confidence to rise back up,” head coach Don Maestri said. “Thank goodness he made some shots in the second half. That should help him get back to a point where he is confident in his shooting.”

Hazzard wasn't alone in his offensive outburst. Six different Trojans scored in double-figures, with all five starters scoring at least 15 points. One of those starters to reach 15 points was senior Antywan Jones who set a career high in scoring and hit a career-best three 3-pointers.

Bernard Toombs added 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for his first career double-double along with career highs in scoring and boards. The junior also added a block and two steals in 16 minutes.

“This weekend one of the things we want to find some answers on is Toombs,” Maestri said. “He got some good opportunities today because of his size. The games on Saturday and Sunday will be better tests for him.

“Those will give us a chance to assess if [Toombs] can help our basketball team. We think he is one of the best, if not the best, rebounders we have because of how he goes after the basketball.”

The Trojans had one of their best shooting games of the young season, hitting 53.8 percent (43-of-80) of their attempts from the team. The team also hit a season-best 12 treys.

Troy led 51-37 at halftime and after a 7-0 run by the Lions to open the second half, the Trojans' lead was just seven points with 17:16 remaining.

Jones halted the run with a lay-up and Richard Delk scored on consecutive possessions before Hazzard took over. Over the next 6:38, the senior led Troy on a 36-9 run that put away the game.

Troy gets a quick breather before squaring off with Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon at 2 pm CST. Jim Tocco will bring you all the action from courtside on the Troy ISP Network beginning at 1:30 pm CST.