Varnado, Troy Tops Georgia State, 77-75

Saturday, January 19

Troy, Ala.

2 p.m.

Troy University

10-8, 3-3SBC

Georgia State

14-5, 5-1SBC

Georgia State

Troy

1/19/2019 5:24:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – Senior Jordon Varnado hit a deep three-pointer from the top of the key with 1.7 seconds remaining to lift Troy over Georgia State, 77-75 and hand GSU its first loss in Sun Belt Conference men's basketball action on Saturday evening.

The Trojans (10-8, 3-3 SBC) were down by three at 3:49 before the Panthers' (14-5, 5-1 SBC) D'Marcus Simonds nailed a three-pointer to give GSU a 75-69 lead with 2:36 remaining in the game.

Junior Charles Norman responded with a triple of his own to bring the Trojans within three with 2:15 left. After a couple of possessions, senior Alex Hicks was fouled and sank both free throws to make it a 75-74 Georgia State lead with 38 seconds on the clock.

Troy intentionally fouled Simonds who missed the free throw in a 1-and-1 attempt and sophomore Javan Johnson grabbed the board with 12 seconds.

Senior BJ Miller brought the ball up the court, dumped it off to Varnado at the top of the key and Varnado made a jab step then pulled up from deep and made the game-winning three.

Varnado tied his career high in points for the second night in a row with 32 on a career-high tying 12 field goals made. Varnado also tallied nine boards, three assists and three blocks.

Norman poured in 15 points on four three-pointers made in an effective 17 minutes off the bench while Hicks nearly posted a double double in eight points and nine boards.

Simonds led the Panthers with 28 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

PLAY OF THE GAME

J O R D O N V A R N A D O

G A M E! 🔥💯 pic.twitter.com/ShnlnY2LjM
— Troy Trojans MBB (@TroyTrojansMBB) January 19, 2019

QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"I thought it was a great college basketball game; two really good teams going at it all game. One thing the coaching staff told the players at halftime was these two of the best teams in the Sun Belt going at it."

"What can you say about Jordon Varnado and the kind of senior year that he's having. I don't think anybody in our program was surprised that he stepped up and made that shot."

QUICK HITS
- Varnado's go-ahead three-pointer marks the second clutch bucket of the season as he also hit the go-ahead jumper in the 74-73 win over UAB on Dec. 21
- Troy is 8-0 on the season when the game is played before 5 p.m.; and is 5-1 when the game is played on Saturday
- The Trojans have won four of the last five meetings against Georgia State dating back to the 2016-17 campaign

UP NEXT
Troy will travel to Louisiana to face ULM on Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. followed by taking on Louisiana on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.