Troy University Athletics
Saturday, March 9
Conway, S.C.
1 p.m.
Troy University
12-18
74
at
67
Coastal Carolina
1
2
F
Troy
29
45
74
Coastal Caro.
34
33
67
Hicks, Troy Comeback to Top Coastal 74-67
3/9/2019 4:58:00 PM | Basketball (M)
Conway, S.C. – Troy erased a 14-point second half deficit en route to a 74-67 win over Coastal Carolina in a physical Sun Belt Conference men's basketball game on Saturday evening in the HTC Center.
The Trojans (12-18, 5-13 Sun Belt) ended a six-game skid with the victory and improved to a perfect 3-0 against the Chanticleers (15-15, 9-9 Sun Belt) when the game is played in Conway.
In his final game as a Trojan, senior Alex Hicks led the way with 15 points including a season-high six free throws made (6-of-8) alongside eight rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.
Freshman KJ Simon followed behind with a career-high tying 12 points on a career-high three three-pointers made with two boards and two assists while sophomore Davion Thomas poured in a career-high 11 points with a career-high six boards.
Sophomore Darian Adams also racked up double figures in 10 points with four rebounds and two steals.
Troy stuck with Coastal in the first half for the first 14:29 as neither team could gain a lead of more than three points. Tied at 24 with 5:31 remaining, the Chanticleers made a fast break layup to take the lead that they would extend to five points at the break, 34-29.
Coastal carried its momentum into the second half as it quickly extended its lead to 12 points (46-34; 16:40) forcing Troy to call a timeout at. Coming right out of the timeout, Coastal snatched a steal and scored to increase their lead to 48-34 with 16:10 remaining.
The Trojans did not give up hope and steadily chipped away Coastal's lead as they brought the score within five, 52-47 off an and-one layup by Simon before the under-12 timeout. Troy finally recaptured the lead, 68-67 thanks to Hicks sinking both free throws after grabbing an offensive rebound and drawing a foul with 1:15 left.
Troy would make four of its last six free throws down the stretch to secure the 74-67 season-ending victory.
QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"I'm really happy for our team; they have been through one of the roughest stretches that I have seen a team have to go through with the loss of Jordon and how it basically wrecked our season. I was so happy to see the team finish the season on a positive note and the joy and emotion in the locker room is something that I will always remember."
"A lot of guys contributed, KJ Simon hit some big threes in the second half, Davion Thomas made some huge plays in the first half while Devante Foster made those plays in the second half and Darian Adams played every second of the second half. So, it was a team win all the way, we had great energy on the bench and it's a great way to end what's been a really challenging season."
QUICK HITS
- Troy bench outscored Coastal's 36-8, 22 of them coming from Simon and Thomas
- Troy held Coastal to just two three-pointers made (2-of-17; 11.8 percent) which is the fewest made three-pointers by an opponent this season
- Troy ended the game on a 10-0 over the final 1:42 while holding Coastal scoreless over the final 2:06
The Trojans (12-18, 5-13 Sun Belt) ended a six-game skid with the victory and improved to a perfect 3-0 against the Chanticleers (15-15, 9-9 Sun Belt) when the game is played in Conway.
In his final game as a Trojan, senior Alex Hicks led the way with 15 points including a season-high six free throws made (6-of-8) alongside eight rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.
Freshman KJ Simon followed behind with a career-high tying 12 points on a career-high three three-pointers made with two boards and two assists while sophomore Davion Thomas poured in a career-high 11 points with a career-high six boards.
Sophomore Darian Adams also racked up double figures in 10 points with four rebounds and two steals.
Troy stuck with Coastal in the first half for the first 14:29 as neither team could gain a lead of more than three points. Tied at 24 with 5:31 remaining, the Chanticleers made a fast break layup to take the lead that they would extend to five points at the break, 34-29.
Coastal carried its momentum into the second half as it quickly extended its lead to 12 points (46-34; 16:40) forcing Troy to call a timeout at. Coming right out of the timeout, Coastal snatched a steal and scored to increase their lead to 48-34 with 16:10 remaining.
The Trojans did not give up hope and steadily chipped away Coastal's lead as they brought the score within five, 52-47 off an and-one layup by Simon before the under-12 timeout. Troy finally recaptured the lead, 68-67 thanks to Hicks sinking both free throws after grabbing an offensive rebound and drawing a foul with 1:15 left.
Troy would make four of its last six free throws down the stretch to secure the 74-67 season-ending victory.
QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"I'm really happy for our team; they have been through one of the roughest stretches that I have seen a team have to go through with the loss of Jordon and how it basically wrecked our season. I was so happy to see the team finish the season on a positive note and the joy and emotion in the locker room is something that I will always remember."
"A lot of guys contributed, KJ Simon hit some big threes in the second half, Davion Thomas made some huge plays in the first half while Devante Foster made those plays in the second half and Darian Adams played every second of the second half. So, it was a team win all the way, we had great energy on the bench and it's a great way to end what's been a really challenging season."
QUICK HITS
- Troy bench outscored Coastal's 36-8, 22 of them coming from Simon and Thomas
- Troy held Coastal to just two three-pointers made (2-of-17; 11.8 percent) which is the fewest made three-pointers by an opponent this season
- Troy ended the game on a 10-0 over the final 1:42 while holding Coastal scoreless over the final 2:06
Team Stats
Troy
CCU
FG%
.344
.377
3FG%
.281
.118
FT%
.778
.676
RB
43
38
TO
12
11
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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