Troy Storms Past Point In 114-52 Win

Wednesday, December 14

Dothan, Ala.

7 P.M.

Troy University

6-4

114

Point University

2-11

Point University

Troy

114

12/14/2016 10:26:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score

By: Russ Schaffer

Box Score

DOTHAN, Alabama – Troy looked right at home in Dothan, Ala. on Wednesday night in rolling past Point University en route to a 114-52 win in the Dothan Civic Center.

The Trojans (6-4) scored the second-most points on the season and connected on 42-of-72 shots (58.3 percent) to get Troy off to the best start in the Phil Cunningham era.

It was a complete game for Troy in every aspect of the contest. The 42 made field goals was also the second-highest total of the season and more than double the 18 baskets Point put up.

It didn't appear that the forthcoming offensive outburst was coming after Troy led just 7-5 four minutes into the game, but that quickly changed as the Trojans scored from every part of the court to get the lead out to 37-10 at 9:52 in the opening frame.

In the first half alone, the Trojans were 66.7 percent (24-36) from the floor, 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from 3-point range and 75 percent (15-20) from the free-throw line. The outpouring in the half was highlighted by a slew of ferocious dunks by DeVon Walker, Jordon Varnado and Juan Davis, Jr.

Varnado, who led the team with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, was part of a front court that overpowered Point (2-11) with a 56-22 advantage in the paint on the night.

The dominance in the paint was aided by DeVon Walker, who had a career-high 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. The forward had a plus/minus of 31 in only 18 minutes and added two steals to his effort.

While Troy was sharp-shooting all night, it was the defensive play that allowed the Trojans to have 84 possessions on the night. The Skyhawks shot 25.7 percent (18-70) from the field and 23.1 percent (6-of-26) from the 3-point line. Point was led by C.J. Wilcox's 17 points on 5-of-14 shooting.

Shawn Hopkins recorded the second double-double of his career with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The forward was 3-of-6 from the field with one steal, one block and two assists.

Quotable
"If you go back and look at the Toccoa Falls game, we played so loose offensively," head coach Phil Cunningham said. "We were so loose and took the first shot available. Even though we were making shots, we were so loose. I told (assistant coach) Marcus Grant that that game was going to hurt us, and it did when we played a good defensive team on the road in UAB. I told the guys tonight that I wanted to see two things: lets make sure we're the hardest playing team and that we share the ball. I thought we did both of those tonight."

Stat of the Game
Nearly half of Troy's points came off bench scoring. The Trojans had 56 points off the bench led by Wesley Person's 15, who came off the bench for the first time in his career. Juan Davis, Jr. had three-straight games with double-digit points coming into the game. That streak was broken tonight, but Davis, Jr. still pitched in nine points on 4-of-6 shooting.

Turning Point
At 15:24 of the first quarter, Troy had just three field goals and led 9-5. It took just one dunk from Jordon Varnado to quickly change the pace of the game. Varnado's slam sparked a 22-5 run in the following 5:50 that allowed the Trojans to cruise offensively. Troy maintained at least a 30-point lead from 8:13 in the first half all the way through the end of the game. The Skyhawks were just 8-of-35 (22.9 percent) from the floor in the first half and 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) from deep.

Noteworthy
• Jeremy Hollimon, despite only playing 19 minutes and scoring 10 points, had a team-best plus/minus of 49 on the night. Every starter had a plus/minus of at least 30.

• Troy's 29 assists were just six shy of the Division I record of 35 assists set on Nov. 24, 2003 against Oakland.

• The Trojans had an average possession time of 14 seconds and scored 1.357 points per possession.

• Jeremy Hollimon, who had his first start of the season in place of Wesley Person, had a career-high seven assists.

• Troy women's basketball won 100-75 over Nicholls State, which marked the first time both teams have scored 100 points on the same day since Jan. 23, 1995.

Up Next
Troy will now embark on a four-game road trip to finish out non-conference play. The Trojans will be competing in the Las Vegas Classic, starting with a game at No. 24 USC on Saturday. For more information on Troy men's basketball, follow the team on social media at @TroyMensHoops or visit TroyTrojans.com.