Johnson, Troy Nip Arkansas State

Saturday, February 9

Troy, Ala.

2 p.m.

Troy University

11-12, 4-7SBC

Arkansas State

10-14, 4-7SBC

Arkansas State

Troy

2/9/2019 5:23:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – Sophomore Javan Johnson tied his career high in points allowing Troy to snap a four-game losing streak with an 84-79 win over Arkansas State in Sun Belt Conference men's basketball action in Trojan Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans (11-12, 4-7 Sun Belt) shot 54.7 percent (29-of-53) from the field including a blistering 46.2 percent (12-of-26) from behind the arc while limiting the Red Wolves (10-14, 4-7 Sun Belt) to only five made threes (5-of-20) to secure the regular-season sweep.

Johnson led the Trojans with 20 points on 60 percent (6-of-10) shooting from the field with four made three-pointers. Johnson also recorded six rebounds, two assists and a block.

Senior Alex Hicks followed right behind with a near double double in 19 points and nine rebounds alongside three assists.

Sophomore Darian Adams added 12 points including a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe while freshman Spencer Rodgers poured in a career-high tying 12 points on a career-high four three-pointers made.

Troy battled back-and-forth with Arkansas State the entire first half as there were three lead changes while the score was tied six times. Freshman Zay Williams gave the Trojans the final edge at the end of the first with a dunk to give Troy a 36-34 lead at the break.

Arkansas State answered quickly with a layup to begin the second half to tie the game for the seventh time. Hicks responded with a three-pointer to give Troy a 39-36 lead with 19:13 left that it would not let up.

The Trojans led by as many as 15 points (64-49, 9:16) but the Red Wolves charged back and came within three (77-74) with 1:45 remaining. Down the stretch, Troy made five of six free throws to solidify the victory.

QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"This is one that we had to win. I'm really proud of our guys and how they fought and found a way to pull out the win. I was really impressed with how we played in the second half to get the lead."

"Arkansas State is a tough team to slow down because they drive the ball so aggressively and we fouled them, and they scored a bunch of points at the free throw line. But the key was that we had to keep scoring and we did that."

QUICK HITS
- After the win, Troy has defeated Arkansas State in five of the last six meetings
- Johnson's 20 points marks the third 20-point game this season
- The Trojans are 9-0 (4-0 Sun Belt) when they play before 5 p.m.
- Troy's 12 three-pointers made tied its season high and marked the third time happening this season

UP NEXT
The Trojans will travel to Georgia next week and face Georgia State on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ before taking on Georgia Southern on Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.