Trojans Squander Lead, Fall at FIU

Saturday, January 19

Miami, Fla.

6:30 p.m.

Troy University

FIU

1/19/2013 9:11:00 PM | Basketball (M)

By: Joe St. Pierre

Box Score

MIAMI, Fla. –The Troy men's basketball team (7-12, 2-6) led by as many as eight points in the second half but could not hold on, falling to FIU (10-8, 5-4), 61-55, at the U.S. Century Bank Arena in Miami, Fla.

“Two of three plays down the stretch went the other way,” said head coach Don Maestri. “That number 24 (Malik Smith) made some big plays down the stretch, made some tough shots.”

Trailing by seven points, 48-41, FIU went on a quick 8-0 run to go up by one. Troy would retake the lead moments later, but it proved to be for the last time. The Panthers hit several clutch shots in the final minutes, including 5-of-6 from the free throw line to seal the deal. FIU's Smith would finish with 22 points, many coming when they counted the most.

Emil Jones finished the night with 18 points and five boards, to go along with four assists and two steals. Deonata Jethroe scored nine points and tore down a team-high six boards, while R.J. Scott finished with 11 points.

Troy saw some issues with the FIU press, using its last timeout less than five minutes into the second half. The Trojans hot shooting cooled off late, as their eight-point second half lead disappeared.

Troy shot 38.8 percent from the field (19-of-49) and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc (6-of-21). FIU finished the game at 37 percent from the field (20-of-54) and 30.4 percent from range (7-of-23). Both teams grabbed 35 boards.

Troy came out on fire, hitting four 3-pointers in the opening minutes, including three by Scott. Jones found success crashing the offensive board, scored nine points in the opening frame, mostly from inside. The Trojans led by as many as seven points in the first half.

“We played extremely hard,” Maestri said. “We were hustling on boards, diving on the ground, deflecting passes, playing great man-to-man defense.”

The Trojans are back in Troy next Thursday, January 24, when they host the Arkansas State Red Wolves at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on Troy Athletics, be sure to visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.