Troy Grinds Out a Tough Win Over Central Arkansas

Sunday, November 18

Troy, Ala.

2 p.m.

Troy University

2-3

Central Arkansas

2-3

Central Arkansas

Troy

Troy Grinds Out a Tough Win Over Central Arkansas

11/18/2018 5:40:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – Sophomore Javan Johnson scored 15 points in the second half, helping Troy earn a hard-fought 82-77 victory over Central Arkansas in non-conference men's basketball action on Sunday afternoon in Trojan Arena.

The Trojans (2-3) went into halftime with a 43-34 lead but the Bears (2-3) would not let up as they quickly took the lead less than four minutes into the second half.

Johnson finished the night with a career-high 20 points, knocking down three three-pointers and grabbing two rebounds. Senior Jordon Varnado posted his third 20-point game this season, dropping 21 points to go along with eight rebounds, a pair of assists and two blocks.

Central Arkansas opened the second half on a 13-0 run over 3:48 to take a 47-43 lead which would grow to nine points, 59-50, with 9:32 left. Johnson scored 10 of Troy's next 14 points to bring the game within one, 64-65, with 5:40 to play.

Troy regained the lead for good at 3:33 off a three-pointer from Johnson and the Trojans nailed 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to secure the 82-77 win.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

JAVAN JOHNSON WITH AUTHORITY!!!! 💪 pic.twitter.com/bRkDQwDrre
— Troy Trojans Men's Basketball (@TroyTrojansMBB) November 18, 2018

QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"This is one of those games where we needed to get a win from a confidence standpoint. Give Central Arkansas credit, when they were down by nine at halftime they didn't give up. They came out in the second half and had a run that threw us into a bad state. I didn't think that we responded the right way initially, but we kept grinding and kept it close. We finished the game on a great run and I'm proud of the way our guys made that comeback at the end."

QUICK HITS
- Troy saw four double-figure scorers in the game (Varnado 21, Johnson 20, Rodgers 12, Miller 11), marking the first time since March 3, 2018 against Georgia Southern
- The Trojans bench outscored UCA's 16-5 led by freshman Spencer Rodgers pouring in a career-high 12 points on three three-pointers made
- Troy shot a season-high 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from behind the arc in the game

UP NEXT
Troy will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 11:30 a.m. when it hosts North Alabama for the final game in the Barclays Center Classic.