Trojans Fall at Louisiana Despite Strong Start

Saturday, January 4

Lafayette, La.

7 p.m.

Troy University

5-10,1-3Sun Bel

Louisiana

6-9,1-3Sun Belt

Troy

Louisiana

Photo by: Benjamin Massey

Trojans Fall at Louisiana Despite Strong Start

1/4/2020 10:24:00 PM | Basketball (M)

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

LAFAYETTE, La. -- Despite enjoying a double-digit first half lead, and leading by five points at the half, the Troy Trojans men's basketball program fell 79-62 to the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Saturday night at the Cajun Dome.

The Trojans (5-10, 1-3 Sun Belt) led at the half for the 10^th time this season but were outscored 42-20 in the final period of play. In defeat Ty Gordon scored 15 points and added four assists, while Darian Adams contributed 15 points and grabbed six rebounds.

The Trojans forced 20 Louisiana (6-9, 1-3 Sun Belt) turnovers, but the Ragin' Cajuns 38-24 advantage in the paint proved to be the difference.

The Trojans and Ragin' Cajuns played a wild first half Saturday night that featured 79 points, 11 3-pointers, 13 free throws and a flagrant foul on a free-throw attempt.

After a back-and-forth start to the half, the Trojans seized control of the half, using a 15-5 run to take a 10-point (23-13) advantage with 8:43 left in the half. The Ragin' Cajuns responded over the next three minutes with a 16-5 run to take a 29-28 advantage.

With the score tied at 34, the Trojans completed an eight-point possession, when Gordon drove the lane and was fouled. On the ensuing and-one free throw, Gordon connected on the attempt and was tripped by Jaylon Williams. The referees conferred and deemed that Williams' actions warranted a flagrant foul.

The foul gave Troy two more free throws and possession of the basketball. After Gordon knocked down two more attempts, the Trojans hit Desmond Williams for a 3-pointer that gave Troy a 42-34 lead with 2:00 left.

Following the halftime break, Louisiana used a 10-0 outburst to take a seven-point lead (52-45) with 14:02 left. The Trojans continued to hang around over the next seven minutes, as the Ragin Cajun lead was just 57-54 at the under eight media timeout. With the game still in reach, Louisiana used a 22-8 run to put the game away.

Troy returns to action Monday night at Texas State. Tip-off from San Marcos is set for 7 p.m.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
• The Trojans fall to 3-7 this season when leading at the half.
• Gordon has recorded at least 10 points in four of his last five games and for the ninth time this season. He earned his fourth career start.
• Adams has scored at least 10 points in five of his last six games. The junior recorded his 11^th game this season with at least 10 points.
• The Trojans are now outscoring opponents by 43 points (526-483) in the first half this season.
• Troy recorded its 11^th half with at least 10 turnovers this season.
• Louisiana's 20 turnovers are the second most by a Troy opponent this season. Troy forced 22 turnovers at Samford back on Nov. 23.
• Troy is now 1-7 when getting outrebounded this season. The Trojans have been outrebounded in all four Sun Belt contests this season
• The Trojans used their 11^th different lineup this season.
• Troy fell to 0-9 tonight when allowing at least 70 points.

HEAD COACH SCOTT CROSS:
"Tonight was the same storyline we've seen all year. We started strong but didn't play well in the second half. We've been doing mental training with our guys that tries to instill confidence when things don't go our way, but it hasn't taken hold yet. In the huddle I told our guys to take a deep breath and relax, but we shut down a bit tonight when the shots stopped falling. In the second half we the missed shots and it snowballed on us. We've got to fix it, and we're doing everything in our power to fix it. I need to do some soul-searching and figure out what I can to do to get this team to win. We didn't get it done which is on me. We need to get back to work and get the next one."