Trojans Fall to Southern Miss

Thursday, November 15

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

1-3

Southern Mississippi

3-0

Southern Miss

Troy

11/15/2018 8:50:00 PM | Basketball (M)

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – Junior Charles Norman caught fire in the second half, but his spark was not enough as Southern Miss outlasted Troy, 81-66 in non-conference men's basketball action at Trojan Arena on Thursday night.

The Trojans (1-3) struggled to find the net in the first half, shooting 9-of-35 (25.7 percent) from the field while the Golden Eagles (3-0) started off hot making 17-of-29 (58.6 percent) field goals that equated to a 42-26 halftime lead.

Norman finished the game with a team-high 16 points, 13 of which coming in the second half on a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the arc. Senior Alex Hicks scored 13 points with eight boards and senior BJ Miller added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Troy fought back from a 25-point deficit with 11:42 remaining in the game to trailing by 11, 65-54, after going on an 18-4 run to force Southern Miss to call a timeout with 7:35 remaining. Coming out of the timeout, the Golden Eagles made four three-pointers to hold off the Trojans and solidify their 81-66 win.

QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"Southern Miss was really good and I didn't think we responded the right way in the first half. When you get hit in the mouth like that either have to step up and fight back or you hang your head and unravel, and I thought we did the latter. I was pleased with the way we came out and fought in the second half. We had the ball down 11 with a chance to cut their lead to single digits and just didn't do it."

QUICK HITS
- Norman made five threes in the game (5-of-6) which ties for the most made in a game by a player this season (Javan Johnson vs. Fort Valley State, 5)
- Senior Jordon Varnado nearly posted his third consecutive double double, finishing the game with nine points and 10 rebounds alongside four assists
- Troy committed only seven fouls, its lowest of the season, and held Southern Miss to just five free-throw attempts, also the lowest of the season

Up Next
Troy will welcome Central Arkansas to Trojan Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m. for its second game of four in the Barclays Center Classic.