Troy's Victor Valdes stole the show at the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center, scoring 22 points to propel his team to an 83-78 win over Georgia Southern. The Trojans' high-powered offense, which scored 47 points in the first half, was too much for the Eagles to handle. Alden Applewhite did his best to keep Georgia Southern in the game, scoring 19 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Trojans' strong performance.
The first half was a shootout, with Troy taking a 47-38 lead into the break. The Trojans' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Valdes and Thomas Dowd leading the charge. Dowd added 16 points and 12 rebounds to his stat line, providing a strong presence in the paint. Georgia Southern, on the other hand, struggled to keep up, despite Applewhite's best efforts. Spudd Webb chipped in with 17 points and 6 rebounds, but the Eagles couldn't match Troy's intensity.
In the second half, Georgia Southern made a push to get back in the game, outscoring Troy 40-36. However, the Trojans' lead was too large to overcome, and they held on for the 5-point win. Cobi Campbell added 12 points for Troy, providing a spark off the bench. Tyren Moore scored 14 points for the Eagles, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout predicted a close game, with Troy winning by 1.6 points. While the final margin was slightly larger than expected, the prediction was correct, and Troy's win solidified their position as a strong mid-major team. The win was also a significant one for Troy's resume, as it counts as a Quad 4 victory. For Georgia Southern, the loss was a Quad 3 game, which won't hurt their tournament chances too much, but it's a missed opportunity to pick up a win against a quality opponent.
The victory is a reflection of Troy's depth and talent, as they were able to overcome a strong performance from Applewhite and the Eagles. With the win, Troy improves to 15-6 on the season, while Georgia Southern falls to 13-9. As the season heats up, Troy's resume is looking stronger, with a NET ranking of 103. This win will only help to bolster their case for a tournament bid, and they'll look to continue their strong play in the coming weeks. For Georgia Southern, the loss is a setback, but they'll have plenty of opportunities to redeem themselves in conference play.