Historic Defensive Effort Pushes Trojans to Wire-to-Wire Home-Opener Victory Over Central Baptist

Sunday, December 13

Troy, Ala.

2 p.m.

Troy University

3-3,0-0Sun Belt

Central Baptist College (Ark.)

0-2

Central Baptist

Troy

Historic Defensive Effort Pushes Trojans to Wire-to-Wire Home-Opener Victory Over Central Baptist

12/13/2020 6:10:00 PM | Basketball (M)

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. -- The Troy men's basketball program held Central Baptist University without a field goal for nearly 15 minutes Sunday afternoon, enroute to a decisive wire-to-wire 61-44 victory at Trojan Arena.

The 44 points allowed are the fewest points a Troy (3-3) team has allowed since 2018 (Carver, 43) and the 11 total field goals allowed are the fewest in Troy's 27-year D-I history.

In the win, junior Zay Williams scored 13 points while freshman Kam Woods added 10 points. The critical stretch for the Trojans was a 23-4 run that began with 3:20 to play in the first period and ended at the 8:52 mark in the second half. The only four points that Central Baptist (4-4) scored were from the free throw line.

With the victory, the Trojans improve to 3-3 on the season and snapped a five-game home losing streak that dates back to the 2019-20 season.

On the defensive end, Troy forced 25 Mustang turnovers and held them to a stingy 11-for-44 overall and 3-of-27 in the second period. CBC hit just 3-of-16 from distance and missed its final 11 attempts from distance.

The 25 forced turnovers are the most turnovers the Trojans have forced in the Scott Cross Era. Troy forced 26 turnovers last season against Samford back on Nov. 23.

Troy started quickly Sunday using six quick points from Zay Williams to take an early 8-3.

After Central Baptist used a 10-5 spurt to tie the contest at 13 with 13:08 to play in the opening half, Troy responded with at 13-5 run led by Woods and Duke Miles to take a 26-18 advantage with 7:03 to play.

Troy scored nine of the next 15 points to take an 11-point lead at the break.

Needing to seize control of the contest, Troy used one last 18-4 streak over the first 11:35 of the final period of play.

Down the stretch, Central Baptist held the Trojans to just seven points slowly chipping the Troy lead down to the final 17-point margin.

Troy returns to action this Wednesday afternoon when Bucky McMillan and the Samford Bulldogs make the trip down I-65. Tip-off from Trojan Arena is set for 6 p.m.

HEAD COACH SCOTT CROSS:
"I felt like for 30 minutes we played lockdown defense, the best defense we have played all year long. We held them without a field goal for 10-12 minutes there in the second half. We were moving the ball well and getting open looks in the first half. We tried to play a little faster down the stretch but got a little sloppy. It is definitely a game we can build upon."

On Zay Williams:
"I think Zay is one of the most talented guys I have coached. He's got limitless potential. He can post up, he can shoot the three and block shots. There isn't anything he can't do. He has been staying in the zone to continue to grow his confidence. I think his best basketball is still ahead of him, and he is going to continue to get stronger."

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
• Troy held Central Baptist to just 11 total field goals, and three in the final 20 minutes. The 11 field goals are the fewest in the Trojans D-I history. The previous low was 14 against Texas State back in the 2014-15 (Dec. 30).
• The Mustangs scored just 20 points in the second period.
• Troy has allowed just 101 points the last two games and just eight 3-pointers.
• Broken down even further, the Trojans have allowed just 52 points in the second the half in the last two victories.
• The Trojans have won back-to-back games for the first time since last January. Troy defeated Texas State (Jan. 6) and Little Rock (Jan. 9) earlier in the calendar year.
• Zay Williams has now recorded three straight games with at least 13 points. The junior has scored 43 points in that spurt (14.3).
• The Birmingham native has been the Trojans leading scorer twice this season, tying Woods for the team lead.
• Woods recorded his fourth game with at least 10 points.
• Troy has now outrebounded its opponent in five of six games. The Trojans won the rebounding battle 39-34.
• The Trojans improve to 3-3 on the season, and at least .500 for the first time in the Scott Cross Era.
• Troy has led for 75:16 in the past two games. The Trojans have trailed for just 98 seconds in that 80-minute spurt.