Troy's Ferocious Comeback Falls Short In Overtime

Monday, November 13

Honolulu, Hawai'i

11:00 P.M.

Troy University

(1-2)

Hawaii

(3-0)

OT 1

TROY

Hawai'i

Troy's Ferocious Comeback Falls Short In Overtime

11/14/2017 2:28:00 AM | Basketball (M)

Box Score

By: Russ Schaffer

Box Score (PDF)

HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Jordon Varnado hit a 3-pointer with three seconds left in regulation to cap a 15-point comeback, but the momentum didn't carry into overtime as Troy fell 72-67 to Hawai'I in the championship game of the Rainbow Classic.

A jumper by Gibson Johnson gave the Rainbow Warriors a 54-39 advantage with 10:45 left, but that was as high as the lead would get. After scoring just three points in the first half, Wesley Person led the comeback effort with his 3-point shooting.

The senior hit two 3-pointers in a span of 40 seconds to cut the lead back down to nine with 5:37 on the clock. After trading baskets, Troy put up a stellar defensive effort as Hawai'I scored just one point in the final 5:07 of regulation.

In a game dictated by fouls—Troy had 26 compared to Hawai'is 16—it took four free throws by Person and a jumper by Alex Hicks to cut the lead to three. Drew Buggs missed one-of-two free throws with 20 seconds remaining to give Troy the chance to tie.

Trailing 62-59, Troy scrambled to set up the game-tying 3-point attempt but Hawai'I double-teamed Person. Eventually, the ball came to the top of the key where Varnado launched a high-arcing shot that tied the game and silenced the crowd.

The first three minutes of overtime were quiet as both teams tried to get back into rhythm in the extra frame. Free throws again dictated the story as the final eight points of the game were scored from the charity stripe.

Down 70-67 with 24 seconds left, Person got a steal and appeared to have a lane for a quick basket, but he was stripped to give possession back to Hawai'i. Sheriff Drammeh then proceeded to ice the game on two free throws.

QUOTABLE
"That was a wild one," head coach Phil Cunningham said. "I'm proud of the way our guys fought back. It was a difficult environment and we didn't play very well. We let the lead get away then we let them build a lead. I thought we had a group on the floor at the end that played well."

UP NEXT
Troy will return for the home opener against Brewton-Parker on Thursday at Trojan Arena.

NOTEWORTHY
• Person became the all-time leading scorer in Troy's Division I history at 1,534 points after scoring 16 on Monday.

• Jordon Varnado was named to the Rainbow Classic All-Tournament Team after scoring 50 points in three games.

• Troy was forced to play in foul trouble for most of the second half as Person and Alex Hicks both fouled out while Kevin Baker had four fouls.

For more information on Troy men's basketball visit TroyTrojans.com or follow the team on social media at @TroyMensHoops.