Troy University Athletics
Sunday, December 16
Bowling Green, KY.
2 p.m.
Troy University
5-5
87
at
81
Western Kentucky
5-5
1
2
F
Troy
43
44
87
WKU
40
41
81
Seniors Lead Troy Over Western Kentucky
12/16/2018 5:33:00 PM | Basketball (M)
Bowling Green, Ky. – Troy hit five clutch free throws in the final 51 seconds to hold off a furious comeback by Western Kentucky and earn a huge 87-81 win in non-conference basketball action inside of E.A. Diddle Arena on Sunday evening.
The Trojans (5-5) shot a season-high 48 percent (12-of-25) from three and registered back-to-back games of shooting more than 50 percent from the field after shooting 54.1 percent (33-of-61).
Senior Alex Hicks paced the Trojans with a 20-point performance including a career-high three three-pointers made. Hicks also posted seven rebounds, two steals an assist and a block.
Fellow senior Jordon Varnado added a double double, his third of the season, in 19 points and 11 boards alongside four assists, two steals and a block. Senior BJ Miller and sophomore Darian Adams also poured in double-digit points with 15 and 10 respectively.
Troy saw a 16-point lead with 3:19 remaining diminish to just three, 84-81 with 24 seconds left after WKU (5-5) went on a 17-4 run. Miller would hit three clutch free throws and grabbed a huge rebound down the stretch to seal the victory.
QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"As a coaching staff we anticipated a performance like this coming, we have been close all year but we have yet to turn that corner and I thought today we did that. I think our three seniors led us, they were all superb today."
"Darian Adams was tremendous against Hollingsworth and then Charles Norman came off the bench and turned the game in the second half. This is a terrific win for our program and hopefully it's a win that jump starts us as we draw near to conference play."
QUICK HITS
- Troy held the Hilltoppers to 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from behind the arc which is the lowest percentage by an opponent this season
- Adams added two rebounds and five assists to his stat line, his five assists match his career high
- Troy's six blocks are a season-high led by freshman Zay Williams denying two shots
UP NEXT
Troy will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 21, as it faces in-state rival UAB in Birmingham. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
The Trojans (5-5) shot a season-high 48 percent (12-of-25) from three and registered back-to-back games of shooting more than 50 percent from the field after shooting 54.1 percent (33-of-61).
Senior Alex Hicks paced the Trojans with a 20-point performance including a career-high three three-pointers made. Hicks also posted seven rebounds, two steals an assist and a block.
Fellow senior Jordon Varnado added a double double, his third of the season, in 19 points and 11 boards alongside four assists, two steals and a block. Senior BJ Miller and sophomore Darian Adams also poured in double-digit points with 15 and 10 respectively.
Troy saw a 16-point lead with 3:19 remaining diminish to just three, 84-81 with 24 seconds left after WKU (5-5) went on a 17-4 run. Miller would hit three clutch free throws and grabbed a huge rebound down the stretch to seal the victory.
QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"As a coaching staff we anticipated a performance like this coming, we have been close all year but we have yet to turn that corner and I thought today we did that. I think our three seniors led us, they were all superb today."
"Darian Adams was tremendous against Hollingsworth and then Charles Norman came off the bench and turned the game in the second half. This is a terrific win for our program and hopefully it's a win that jump starts us as we draw near to conference play."
QUICK HITS
- Troy held the Hilltoppers to 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from behind the arc which is the lowest percentage by an opponent this season
- Adams added two rebounds and five assists to his stat line, his five assists match his career high
- Troy's six blocks are a season-high led by freshman Zay Williams denying two shots
UP NEXT
Troy will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 21, as it faces in-state rival UAB in Birmingham. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
Team Stats
TROY
WKU
FG%
.541
.400
3FG%
.480
.222
FT%
.750
.806
RB
32
41
TO
15
16
STL
6
11
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
19
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
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