Troy Hosts Carver College for Monday Night Non-Conference Finale

TROY, Ala. -- For the first time in nine days, the Troy men's basketball program will hit the hardwood, when Carver College visits Trojan Arena for a 6 p.m. tip Monday night.

Winners of three of their last four, the Trojans (4-4) with a victory would start 3-0 at Trojan Arena for the first time since 2017-18.

Following Monday's matchup against Carver, the Trojans will return to action Friday afternoon for the Sun Belt opener at Appalachian State. Tip-off from Boone is set for 5 p.m.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
TROY (4-4) vs. Carver College (0-20)
DATE: December 28, 2020
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Troy, Ala. (Trojan Arena)
WATCH: ESPN+
LISTEN: Radio
LIVE STATS: Live Stats
SERIES: Troy leads 2-0.

LAST TIME OUT- Troy (4-4): For the first time in nine days, the Troy Trojans men's basketball team returns to action. Riding a three-game winning streak, the Trojans dropped their final game before the Christmas break, last Saturday morning at Auburn. In the setback, the Trojans were doomed by a slow start, that saw the program fall behind 43-10 at the break. In the second half, the Trojans led by Nick Stampley battled but ultimately could not overcome the early deficit. The loss snapped Troy's three-game winning streak that began with a victory at North Alabama (Dec. 10). Following Troy's historic victory over Central Baptist, the Trojans defeated in-state rival Samford back on Dec. 16.

LAST TIME OUT- Carver (0-20): Carver College will close out the D-I portion of their schedule Monday night The Cougars have played four other Sun Belt teams including Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Appalachian State. So far this season, Carver is being led by Bryson Scott (8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds) and Paul Hepburn (7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds). Scott has scored in double-figures three times this season, including his best effort (21 points) at Stetson, while Hepburn has tallied a pair of double-doubles at Stetson and at Citadel. The Cougars have yet to play a home game so far this season and play Sunday afternoon at Jacksonville State.

IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY
Following Monday's matchup against Carver College, the Trojans will turn their attention to the 18-game Sun Belt Conference slate. Featuring Friday-Saturday matchups for the first time in SBC history, Troy will open up on the road at App State (Jan. 1/2) before returning home for a pair of matchups against Georgia State (Jan. 8/9).

A WHOLE LOT OF FREE THROWS
Troy converted on 36 of its 44 free throw attempts against Samford. The 36 made free throws are the most in Troy's D-I history. The Troy program record for free throws made in a game was 41 against Auburn-Montgomery back in 1992. The Trojans are 3-1 this season when attempting at least 20 free throws. The lone loss was Dec. 6 at UAB.

ALL BARK NO BITE
In just the program's third matchup in the last 17 years, the Trojans defeated Samford Wednesday night for the first time since 2003. In the wire-to-wire victory, the Trojans held the dangerous Samford attack to a season-low 71 points and five total 3-pointers made. Coming into the contest, the Bulldogs had scored at least 75 points in every game this season.

BLOCK Parties ARE COIVD SAFE!
The Trojans have recorded 14 total blocks the last three games. After recording seven against Central Baptist on Sunday, the Trojans turned in six blocks Wednesday night against Samford. Senior Nick Stampley had five of the Trojans six, including his second-half block that appeared on the SportsCenter Twitter account.

Roaring Waters
Senior Khalyl Waters continues to impress this season. The combo guard is averaging 9.3 points this season and is shooting an impressive 38-of-41 (92.7%) percent from the line. Waters has recorded at least 20 points in two of his last four games. Waters scored a career-best 21 against Samford on Dec. 16.

SAY ZAY!
Junior Zay Williams continues to be a force for the Trojans inside. Williams is averaging 12.1 points and 8.1 rebounds a game this season. The forward has scored at least 10 points in five of Troy's eight games, and has scored 67 points in his last five games. Troy is 3-12 the last two seasons when Zay doesn't play (10-15 when he does).

LEAVING HIS STAMP
Senior Nick Stampley recorded the best game of his Troy career Thursday against Samford. The forward scored 17 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, had five blocks and even appeared on SportsCenter! The forward is the first Trojan to record a double-double with five blocks since Tom Jervis had 14 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. Stampley is also the first Trojan to record a five-block performance since Tim Owens recorded six against Middle Tennessee back in 2012.

Troy Hosts Carver College for Monday Night Non-Conference Finale

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Players Mentioned

Nick Stampley

Khalyl Waters

Zay Williams

Troy University Athletics