Troy Closes Out Mini Two-Game Homestand Wednesday Against Samford

TROY, Ala. -- The Troy men's basketball program closes out a two-game home stand Wednesday night when the Samford Bulldogs visit Trojan Arena for a 6 p.m. tip.

Winners of back-to-back contests, the Trojans will look to win three straight games for the first time since they won three straight games from Nov. 30-Dec. 11 last season.

Following Wednesday's in-state clash, the Trojans will make the short trip up to Auburn for a Saturday afternoon game that will air live on the SEC Network. Tip-off from Auburn Arena is set for 1 p.m.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
DATE: December 16, 2020
LOCATION: Trojan Arena
TIPOFF: 6 PM
WATCH: Watch
LISTEN: Listen
LIVE STATS: Listen
TICKETS: Tickets
SERIES: Troy leads 18-16 (14-4, Trojan Arena)

LAST TIME OUT- (Troy, 3-3): The Trojans evened their record to .500 last Sunday afternoon, building on Thursday's impressive road win at North Alabama. In the game in Florence, the Trojans rode 16 first half points from Khalyl Waters to a 38-25 halftime lead. Following the break, North Alabama chipped away at the Troy lead, taking a brief 57-56 lead with 1:33 to play. After driving layup from Duke Miles gave Troy a 58-57 lead with 72 ticks to play, Zay Williams blocked a North Alabama shot, giving possession back to the Trojans. A key offensive rebound from Williams, gave Troy a second opportunity with the shot clock off. Forced to foul, North Alabama selected Miles, who calmly sank both ends of the one-and-one. On the ensuing UNA possession, Desmond Williams and the Trojans forced a contested 3-point attempt with less than two seconds to play. On the rebound attempt, Waters was fouled and also hit a pair of free throw attempts.

On Sunday, the Trojans used a historic defensive effort to defeat Central Baptist 61-44. For the ballgame, the Trojans held the potent Mustang attack to just 11 total field goals and three 3-pointers. The 11 field goals allowed are the fewest a Troy team has given up in the Trojans D-I history. The turning point of the game, was a 15-minute span where the Trojans held CBC without a field goal and used a 23-4 run to take a 26-point lead. Zay Williams led the way for the Trojans scoring 13 points, while freshman Kam Woods added another 10.

LAST TIME OUT- (Samford, 2-2): The Samford Bulldogs enter Wednesday's matchup with an even 2-2 record after dropping an absolute heartbreaker Saturday night at SEC opponent Georgia. Leading for over 37 minutes, as Georgia led for just 48 seconds. Senior Myron Gordon scored 29 points for Samford and was named SOCON Player of the Week for the second consecutive season. Samford's leading scorer, Gordon is averaging 22.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 per game and ranks 15th in the NCAA in points. The Bulldogs have used their high-powered offense to lead the way this season, as Samford has scored at least 90 points in both its victory at Belmont (96-83) and the home win over Covenant College (98-73). In both losses, the Bulldogs have been held to just 75 and 76 points (Alabama A&M) respectively. Three Samford players are averaging in double-figures led by Gordon and Christian Guess (15.3 points). The Bulldogs are coached by former high school coach (Mountain Brook) Bucky McMillan who saw his chance at a four-peat snapped by current Trojan Duke Miles and the Robert E. Lee Generals in the Alabama Class 7A title a year ago. McMillan won five Alabama Class 7A for the Spartans.

ON LOCK
Troy allowed a D-I low 11 field goals on Sunday afternoon. Central Baptist shot just 11-for-44 (25 percent) overall and made three field goals in the second half. Troy held the Mustangs scoreless from the 3:10 mark of the first half to the 8:50 mark of the second period. The Trojans outscored CBC 23-4 over that span.

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?
The Trojans will host Samford inside Trojan Arena for the first time ever. Troy last hosted Samford back in 2003, a 66-48 victory.

BLOCK Parties ARE STILL ALLOWED
The Trojans will host Samford inside Trojan Arena for the first time ever. Troy last hosted Samford back in 2003, a 66-48 victory.

DEFENSE IS FOR CLOSERS
Troy has allowed just 101 total points the last two games. After allowing just 57 points against North Alabama, the Trojans held a Central Baptist team that was averaging 88 points to just 44 total points. Troy has allowed just 16 3-pointers in its three victories this season.

Roaring Waters
Senior Khalyl Waters led the Trojans to victory Thursday night against North Alabama. Waters scored 16 of his career-best 20 points in the first half, and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the line. Waters also had six rebounds and a pair of steals. The senior has connected on his last 20 free throw attempts, and is now shooting 23-for-25 from the line this season.

SAY ZAY
Junior Zay Williams turned in his second career double-double Thursday night, scoring 13 points. The Birmingham native had 13 rebounds, two blocks and two assists. After scoring 13 points again on Sunday, Williams has now scored in double-figures in three straight and four of Troy's six games this season. Troy is 3-12 the last two seasons when Zay doesn't play (8-14 when he does).

HIT THE GLASS
The Trojans had two players record double-digit rebounds- Z. Williams (13) and Stampley (10) in a game since Jordon Varnado (11) and Alex Hicks (14) each had at least 10 rebounds back on Jan. 26, 2019 against Louisiana.

DEFENSE HAS LED To WINS
The Trojans were 7-1 last season when they held teams to 65 points or fewer. Troy's lone loss when holding a team below that mark was at Texas A&M (56-52, loss). The Trojans were also 8-1 last season when holding an opponent to less than 40 percent shooting. Troy held Western Carolina below 65 points and 40 percent from the floor. Troy is 0-3 when teams shoot better than 40 percent and 0-3 when a team scores above 65. So far this season Troy is 3-0 when holding a team below 65 points and 3-0 when holding teams below 40.

2020-21 Trojan Arena Guidelines
• Trojan Arena will operate at a capacity of 25 percent for the 2020-21 season as mandated by the NCAA. This will allow for season ticket holders and for Troy University students to be accommodated for the season. Additionally, the Pep Band and Troy Cheerleaders will also be present and involved in all home games.
• To ensure social distancing for our season ticket holders, a three (3) seat buffer will be added around their ticket block. Additionally, one (1) row in front of and one (1) row behind season ticket holders will be taken offline and will not have patrons seated within these rows.
• Season ticket holders will have their seats placed as close as possible to their normal seasons and will retain the right of first refusal for their traditional season in the future.
• Fans will be required to sit in the seat listed on their respective ticket; clustering in unassigned seating areas will be prohibited.
• Face coverings are required to be worn at all times while in Trojan Arena per state mandate. Face coverings will be available for fans that need them.
• All gameday workers, vendors and staff will wear face coverings at all times in Trojan Arena.
• Concessions, merchandise stands and catering protocols will be modified according to public health recommendations.
• Concessions will have prepackaged food and drink items. Lids will be used for fountain drinks and condiments will be prepackaged. Dividers will be used at points of sale and stanchions will be used to form lines.
• Proper queuing and social distancing will be required in common areas, such as concession stands and restrooms.

Troy Closes Out Mini Two-Game Homestand Wednesday Against Samford

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Alex Hicks

Duke Miles

Jordon Varnado

Khalyl Waters

Desmond Williams

Zay Williams

Kam Woods

Troy University Athletics