Troy University Athletics
Troy University
South Alabama
Troy Set for In-State Clash with South Alabama
1/2/2026 10:45:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – Winners of four straight, Troy men's basketball looks to continue its winning ways when it hosts rival South Alabama on Saturday afternoon in the Sun Belt Game of the Week. Tip-off from Trojan Arena is set for 3:33 p.m.
Troy (9-5, 2-0) enters the game coming off a dominant offensive performance against Texas State. In a 100–80 victory, the Trojans shot 61.4 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from 3-point range - the program's highest marks against a Sun Belt opponent since 2015 and 2017, respectively.
Thomas Dowd led the Trojans with 22 points against the Bobcats, marking the junior's third 20-plus-point performance of the season. The bench also stepped up, led by Jerrell Bellamy and Kerrington Kiel. Bellamy finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Kiel added nine points and three steals.
South Alabama (11-4, 2-1) most recently earned a 63–58 victory over Louisiana in a tightly contested matchup on Wednesday.
Troy and South Alabama met on consecutive Saturdays in January of last season. After dropping a heartbreaker in Mobile, the Trojans responded with a 65–55 victory inside Trojan Arena on Jan. 25. Cooper Campbell scored 12 points in the win.
Troy holds a 15-31 all-time record against South Alabama.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. - Trojan Arena (5,200)
The Matchup: Troy vs. South Alabama
When: Saturday, January 3 – 3:33 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Media Network
The Century Mark
Troy's 100 points on Wednesday against Texas State marked the first time the Trojans have reached the century mark in a Sun Belt game since Feb. 11, 2017 against Louisiana. Troy has scored at least 100 points in six games this season, which is tied for second in the country.
Attacking the Glass
Thomas Dowd is near the top of several statistics nationally. The Dothan native ranks 10th in total rebounds (140) and 17th in rebounds per game (10.0). Additionally, Dowd is one of nine players to be averaging at least 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Scouting South Alabama
South Alabama holds an 11-4 record and has begun Sun Belt play 2-1. The Jaguars most recently defeated Louisiana 63-58 on Dec. 31 in Lafayette. Adam Olsen and Chaze Harris lead South Alabama in scoring at 16.7 and 16.6 points per game respectively. Olsen is averaging 3.0 3-pointers per game - which is first in the Sun Belt and 46th in the nation. Opponents have been able to draw fouls against the Jaguars, as the team leads the country in fouls per game with 11.7.
Up Next
Troy will head on the road for a Sun Belt Championship game rematch against Arkansas State on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Tip-off from Jonesboro is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
Notables
- Scott Cross is in his seventh season at the helm of the Trojans, amassing a 112-92 record during his time at Troy. Over the last four seasons, Troy has won 20-plus games every year, which includes 10-plus Sun Belt wins each season.
- Troy concludes a lengthy in-state stretch that kept the team within Alabama for over a month. The run included five games at Trojan Arena. Following Saturday, the Trojans will head to Jonesboro for a game against Arkansas State on Jan. 7.
- Troy is averaging 88.4 points this season, which ranks 28th in the country and first in the Sun Belt.
- Troy has been excellent at creating havoc on the court this season, ranking 22nd nationally and first in the Sun Belt with 9.9 steals per game.
- A multitude of Trojans have led the way offensively so far this season, with Victor Valdes pacing the scoring output at 17.2 points per game. Thomas Dowd has added 15.6 points and a Sun Belt leading 10.0 rebounds per contest. Cooper Campbell has averaged 14.6 points and 5.0 assists.
