Troy University Athletics
Thursday, February 3
Atlanta, Ga.
6 p.m.
Troy University
15-7,6-3Sun Belt
67
at
63
Georgia State
8-10,2-5Sun Belt
1
2
F
Troy
34
33
67
Georgia St.
26
37
63
Troy Guts Out the Victory Over the Panthers
2/3/2022 10:03:00 PM | Basketball (M)
ATLANTA, Ga. - Converting 28 free throws, Troy manages to hold onto the victory, 67-63, over Georgia State in the programs' final meeting in GSU Sports Arena.
Efe Odigie iced the game with two made shots from the charity stripe with 0:04 remaining in the ballgame, securing the victory for the Trojans (15-7, 6-3 SBC). This win propels Troy to second in the Sun Belt Conference.
Odigie secured his second-straight double-double on 17 points and 11 rebounds, including seven points from the line. TK Smith (12) and Kieffer Punter (12) came off the bench and delivered, scoring in double figures. Both players combined for 11-of-14 at the foul line.
Justin Roberts led the way for the Panthers (8-10, 2-5 SBC), scoring 12 points from behind the arc for a total of 17. Despite the loss, GSU forced 22 turnovers, converting 22 points off them.
Clutch Down the Stretch
After Corey Allen dropped a deep 2-point shot, the Trojans were down 56-54, with 5:30 left in the game.
Smith and Punter sparked a quick 5-0 run over the next 50 seconds to give Troy the lead, 59-56.
It was a battle of the free throws in the final four minutes, with just five of the 15 points scored from both programs coming from the field.
Following a missed layup from Kane Williams, the Trojans made it a two-possession game on two made free throws from Zay Williams, 65-60.
Those makes from the line provided enough cushion after Roberts nailed one from behind the arc to drop the Panther deficit to two, 65-63, with 0:07 remaining.
The Trojans held on after Odigie was sent to the line and converted both, securing the victory, 67-63.
Physical First Half
After a tough start for both sides, the Trojans found a spark, finishing the half on a 13-7 run in the final 4:03.
The Panthers held the lead for most of the first 10 minutes until Christian Turner converted a layup to give the Trojans the lead, 19-17, with 7:16 remaining in the half.
Troy held the lead, outscoring GSU 15-9 in the remainder of the half to take the momentum.
Characterized by turnovers (12) and great shooting (52.4 percent), Troy managed to hold off the Panthers, heading into the locker room with the eight-point advantage, 34-26.
From the Winning Coach
"Our guys did an unbelievable job playing great defense. We made it an ugly game. We made it a rock fight. To hold them to 33 percent with a great basketball team, you know, Georgia State is one of the better teams in the league based on their preseason polls putting them at top of the league and our guys defended them for 40 straight minutes. We turned the ball over too many times. But other than that, I thought we played really good basketball.
"We're really connected defensively. We did a good job on the boards. Our guys were just really locked in. This is a hard place to win on the road and our guys found a way to get it down. I'm glad we got to win in here. This is a hard place to play. I know over my time in this league, playing in here that this is one of the most difficult venues to get a victory and I'm so very thankful that our guys got it done."
Numbers to Navigate
• With his 19th start of the season tonight, Desmond Williams got his 50th career start - one of only three players on the roster to reach this milestone.
• Troy made 28 free throws to obtain the victory - the most made free-throws as a team this season.
• Odigie finished the game with his second straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds - marks his third of the season and 15th of his career.
• The Trojans outrebounded the Panthers, 45-36, pushing them to 11-4 when outrebounding their opponent.
More Work to Do
The Trojans continue their Peach State swing on Saturday against Georgia Southern. Start time is slated for 3:00 p.m. in the Hanner Fieldhouse.
Efe Odigie iced the game with two made shots from the charity stripe with 0:04 remaining in the ballgame, securing the victory for the Trojans (15-7, 6-3 SBC). This win propels Troy to second in the Sun Belt Conference.
Odigie secured his second-straight double-double on 17 points and 11 rebounds, including seven points from the line. TK Smith (12) and Kieffer Punter (12) came off the bench and delivered, scoring in double figures. Both players combined for 11-of-14 at the foul line.
Justin Roberts led the way for the Panthers (8-10, 2-5 SBC), scoring 12 points from behind the arc for a total of 17. Despite the loss, GSU forced 22 turnovers, converting 22 points off them.
Clutch Down the Stretch
After Corey Allen dropped a deep 2-point shot, the Trojans were down 56-54, with 5:30 left in the game.
Smith and Punter sparked a quick 5-0 run over the next 50 seconds to give Troy the lead, 59-56.
It was a battle of the free throws in the final four minutes, with just five of the 15 points scored from both programs coming from the field.
Following a missed layup from Kane Williams, the Trojans made it a two-possession game on two made free throws from Zay Williams, 65-60.
Those makes from the line provided enough cushion after Roberts nailed one from behind the arc to drop the Panther deficit to two, 65-63, with 0:07 remaining.
The Trojans held on after Odigie was sent to the line and converted both, securing the victory, 67-63.
Physical First Half
After a tough start for both sides, the Trojans found a spark, finishing the half on a 13-7 run in the final 4:03.
The Panthers held the lead for most of the first 10 minutes until Christian Turner converted a layup to give the Trojans the lead, 19-17, with 7:16 remaining in the half.
Troy held the lead, outscoring GSU 15-9 in the remainder of the half to take the momentum.
Characterized by turnovers (12) and great shooting (52.4 percent), Troy managed to hold off the Panthers, heading into the locker room with the eight-point advantage, 34-26.
From the Winning Coach
"Our guys did an unbelievable job playing great defense. We made it an ugly game. We made it a rock fight. To hold them to 33 percent with a great basketball team, you know, Georgia State is one of the better teams in the league based on their preseason polls putting them at top of the league and our guys defended them for 40 straight minutes. We turned the ball over too many times. But other than that, I thought we played really good basketball.
"We're really connected defensively. We did a good job on the boards. Our guys were just really locked in. This is a hard place to win on the road and our guys found a way to get it down. I'm glad we got to win in here. This is a hard place to play. I know over my time in this league, playing in here that this is one of the most difficult venues to get a victory and I'm so very thankful that our guys got it done."
Numbers to Navigate
• With his 19th start of the season tonight, Desmond Williams got his 50th career start - one of only three players on the roster to reach this milestone.
• Troy made 28 free throws to obtain the victory - the most made free-throws as a team this season.
• Odigie finished the game with his second straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds - marks his third of the season and 15th of his career.
• The Trojans outrebounded the Panthers, 45-36, pushing them to 11-4 when outrebounding their opponent.
More Work to Do
The Trojans continue their Peach State swing on Saturday against Georgia Southern. Start time is slated for 3:00 p.m. in the Hanner Fieldhouse.
Team Stats
TROY
GSU
FG%
.391
.333
3FG%
.231
.273
FT%
.778
.556
RB
45
36
TO
22
14
STL
9
13
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
12
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
F
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