Troy University Athletics
Friday, November 24
Troy, Ala.
4 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Grambling State
Men’s Basketball Takes on Grambling State
11/23/2023 12:55:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. — After coming off a hard-fought overtime loss on Monday, the Troy men's basketball team looks to rebound as it hosts Grambling State to wrap up the Trojan Classic on Friday at 4 p.m. CT in Trojan Arena.
For the second time in its last three games, Troy played an intense overtime game but fell 88-86 as Sam Houston hit two free throws to take the lead in the final seconds.
This is the first meeting between Grambling State and Troy.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
The Matchup: Troy (2-3, 0-0 SBC) vs. Sam Houston State (2-4, 0-0 CUSA)
When: Friday, Nov. 24 – 4:00 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Game Promotion: Trojan Classic
Looking to Bounce Back
Troy started Monday's game fast and kept it going early in the second half when they took a game-high 16-point lead. But in the final 12 minutes, things began to unravel, and Sam Houston was able to sneak out the overtime win. Much like in the double-overtime loss to Oregon State on Nov. 10, the Trojans just couldn't get the big defensive stop against the Bearkats.
Troy also did itself no favors by turning the ball over a season-high 24 times and going 22-37 from the free-throw line.
Despite the flaws, Troy had its second-best shooting performance of the season, as they shot 48.3 percent from the field (28-58).
For the third time this season, Troy had five players score in double-figures: Christyon Eugene (15), Aamer Muhammad (13), Myles Rigsby (11), Thomas Dowd (11), Marcus Rigsby Jr. (10).
Something to Build On
While Troy may not have the best record to start the season, there are plenty of positives for the Trojans to build on. Troy leads the Sun Belt in seven categories early in the year. That includes bench points per game (39.60), field goal percentage defense (38%), rebound margin (+8.8), rebounds per game (44.60), scoring margin (17.8), steals per game (10.4) and turnovers forced per game (19).
The Trojans are eighth nationally in bench points per game and 10th nationally in turnovers forced per game.
Scouting Grambling State
Grambling State opened its play in the Trojan Classic on Wednesday afternoon against Sam Houston. Grambling State fell 86-68 against the Bearkats. Mikale Stevenson led the way with 19 points. Jimel Cofer put up 13.
Prior to the Trojan Classic, Grambling State took on Iowa State and fell 92-37.
Kintavious Dozier is leading the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game. Other players averaging double-figures include Tra'Michael Moton (12.0), Kintavious Dozier (11.7) and Jalen Johnson (10.8).
Early Season Notables
• Christyon Eugene is living up to the preseason hype so far this season. "Spudd" has scored in double figures in all five games this season – including 15 points on Monday. He leads Troy in scoring at 13.4 points per game.
• Christyon "Spudd" Eugene is 4 points away from 600 career D-I points. All points he has scored at the D-I level is at Troy. He is the leading scorer for the Trojans this season at 13.4 points per game.
• Freshman Myles Rigsby scored 11 points in Monday's loss, which included a 9-10 clip from the Free Throw Line. It's Rigsby's second double-digit performance of the season (11 vs. Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 6).
• After Friday, five of six games Troy has played have come against opponents they have never faced.
For the second time in its last three games, Troy played an intense overtime game but fell 88-86 as Sam Houston hit two free throws to take the lead in the final seconds.
This is the first meeting between Grambling State and Troy.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
The Matchup: Troy (2-3, 0-0 SBC) vs. Sam Houston State (2-4, 0-0 CUSA)
When: Friday, Nov. 24 – 4:00 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Game Promotion: Trojan Classic
Looking to Bounce Back
Troy started Monday's game fast and kept it going early in the second half when they took a game-high 16-point lead. But in the final 12 minutes, things began to unravel, and Sam Houston was able to sneak out the overtime win. Much like in the double-overtime loss to Oregon State on Nov. 10, the Trojans just couldn't get the big defensive stop against the Bearkats.
Troy also did itself no favors by turning the ball over a season-high 24 times and going 22-37 from the free-throw line.
Despite the flaws, Troy had its second-best shooting performance of the season, as they shot 48.3 percent from the field (28-58).
For the third time this season, Troy had five players score in double-figures: Christyon Eugene (15), Aamer Muhammad (13), Myles Rigsby (11), Thomas Dowd (11), Marcus Rigsby Jr. (10).
Something to Build On
While Troy may not have the best record to start the season, there are plenty of positives for the Trojans to build on. Troy leads the Sun Belt in seven categories early in the year. That includes bench points per game (39.60), field goal percentage defense (38%), rebound margin (+8.8), rebounds per game (44.60), scoring margin (17.8), steals per game (10.4) and turnovers forced per game (19).
The Trojans are eighth nationally in bench points per game and 10th nationally in turnovers forced per game.
Scouting Grambling State
Grambling State opened its play in the Trojan Classic on Wednesday afternoon against Sam Houston. Grambling State fell 86-68 against the Bearkats. Mikale Stevenson led the way with 19 points. Jimel Cofer put up 13.
Prior to the Trojan Classic, Grambling State took on Iowa State and fell 92-37.
Kintavious Dozier is leading the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game. Other players averaging double-figures include Tra'Michael Moton (12.0), Kintavious Dozier (11.7) and Jalen Johnson (10.8).
Early Season Notables
• Christyon Eugene is living up to the preseason hype so far this season. "Spudd" has scored in double figures in all five games this season – including 15 points on Monday. He leads Troy in scoring at 13.4 points per game.
• Christyon "Spudd" Eugene is 4 points away from 600 career D-I points. All points he has scored at the D-I level is at Troy. He is the leading scorer for the Trojans this season at 13.4 points per game.
• Freshman Myles Rigsby scored 11 points in Monday's loss, which included a 9-10 clip from the Free Throw Line. It's Rigsby's second double-digit performance of the season (11 vs. Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 6).
• After Friday, five of six games Troy has played have come against opponents they have never faced.
Players Mentioned
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