Troy University Athletics
Troy University
South Alabama
Troy Faces In-State Rival on Saturday
2/1/2019 10:14:00 AM | Basketball (M)
Troy at South Alabama
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Live Audio: TroyTrojans.com/Watch
Live Radio: Troy Radio Sports Network
Watch: ESPN+
TROY GAME NOTES
Troy, Ala. – After a break on Thursday, Troy men's basketball will be back in action on Saturday as it faces in-state conference rival South Alabama. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. with the game broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Trojans (10-10, 3-5 Sun Belt) dropped a tough 86-81 decision to Louisiana on Saturday. In the game, senior Jordon Varnado posted a double double in a career-high 33 points and 11 boards alongside one block.
Senior Alex Hicks also posted a double double in a season-high tying 20 points and 14 boards while sophomore Javan Johnson tied his career high with 20 points, six rebounds and two assists.
On the season, Varnado leads the Trojans averaging 21.7 points per game, highest in the Sun Belt Conference on 52.9 percent shooting while grabbing 7.8rpg, sixth-most in conference. Varnado also leads the conference averaging 29.4 points per contest in conference action.
Hicks paces the team in rebounds per game (8.3) which is the fifth-most in conference while averaging 12.3ppg. Senior BJ Miller adds 10.1ppg. Sophomore Darian Adams leads the team in assists per game with averaging 3.3.
Scouting South Alabama
South Alabama shot 52.7 percent (29-of-55) leading to a 78-72 win over ULM on Saturday. After the win, the Jaguars improved to 10-11 on the season and 3-5 in conference action.
In the game, junior Trhae Mitchell scored a game-high 23 points with seven rebounds, three assists a pair of blocks and a steal. Junior Josh Ajayi nearly posted a double double in 19 points and eight boards, Ajayi went a perfect 7-of-7 from the line.
Four Jaguars average more than 12 points per game led by Ajayi averaging 16.2 and leads the team in rebounds per game (8.4), third-most in conference. Mitchell follows behind averaging 14.6 points and 7.0 boards per game, 10th-highest in the Sun Belt.
Series History
Saturday's matchup marks the 33rd meeting between Troy and South Alabama. The Jaguars hold the series advantage, 21-11 with the Trojans winning the last three. Troy defeated South Alabama, 79-64 in the last game in Mobile on Jan. 13, 2018.
In the last meeting, Troy came back and sent the Jaguars home with a 69-62 loss in the first round of the 2018 Sun Belt Championship on March 7. Then-junior Jordon Varnado posted 22 points, nine rebounds, a career-high four blocks and two assists.
For more information on Troy men's basketball, follow along on Twitter at @TroyTrojansMBB and on Instagram at @troymenshoops.
