Troy Falls to First-Place Texas State

Thursday, February 28

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

11-16, 4-11

Texas State

23-6, 12-4

Texas State

Troy

2/28/2019 9:16:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – Texas State's defense was too much to handle as Troy dropped a 58-44 decision on Thursday night in Sun Belt Conference men's basketball action in Trojan Arena.

The Trojans (11-16, 4-11 Sun Belt) shot just 30 percent (15-of-50) from the field but limited the Bobcats' (23-6, 12-4 Sun Belt) to only six threes on 30 percent (6-of-20) shooting.

Senior Alex Hicks led Troy with 13 points and eight boards while senior BJ Miller filled the stat sheet with seven points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Sophomores Darian Adams and Javan Johnson both poured in eight points on the night with Adams racking up four assists as well.

Troy opened the game with great energy as it made its first three three-point attempts which equivalated to a 13-6 lead with 13:23 remaining in the first. Texas State answered with a 12-3 run to take its first lead of the game (18-16) at 8:26.

Trailing 30-21 at the break, the Trojans began the second half with the same intensity as it did in the first half, eventually reducing their deficit to just four points (37-33) at 14:03. The Bobcats once again answered with a huge 15-2 run to gain a commanding 52-35 lead that they would not let up.

Junior Nijal Pearson scored a game-high 15 points and freshman Mason Harrell added 14 for Texas State.

QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"I thought we played hard, I thought we were good defensively, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see what our problem is which is struggling to score. Now give Texas State credit because they are the best defensive team in the league, but we are missing open shots."

QUICK HITS
- Miller has recorded nine steals in his last two games after snatching four tonight
- Hicks has scored in double figures in 17 games this season and is averaging 13.6 points with 9.0 rebounds in his last five games
- Troy held top-seeded Texas State to just 58 points when the Bobcats are averaging 73.9 points per game

UP NEXT
Troy wraps up its home slate with a 2 p.m. bout against UT Arlington on Saturday in Trojan Arena. Prior to the game, there will be a ceremony to recognize Troy's three seniors (BJ Miller, Alex Hicks and Jordon Varnado).