Varnado's Return Not Enough As Troy Falls 86-80

Friday, December 29

Troy, Ala.

7:15 p.m.

Troy University

6-8, 0-1SBC

Georgia Southern

10-4, 1-0SBC

Georgia Southern

Troy

Varnado's Return Not Enough As Troy Falls 86-80

12/29/2017 10:00:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score

By: Russ Schaffer

Box Score (PDF)

TROY, Ala. – Jordon Varnado scored 18 in his first game back from a foot injury, but it would not be enough as Troy fell to Georgia Southern 86-80 in the Sun Belt Conference opener on Friday night.

The forward was part of a Trojan (6-8, 0-1) group that exploded in the first half for 45 points on 56.7 percent (17-30) shooting fueled by 12 points from Varnado in his first six minutes back.

That hot streak fizzled out in the second half as Georgia Southern (10-4, 1-1) stormed back to take the lead for the first time at the 13:58 mark of the second half. As Tookie Brown poured in 31 points, Troy struggled to respond on the offensive end with just 38.7 percent (12-31) shooting after the break.

Despite the cold streaks throughout the final frame, Wesley Person's persistence kept the Trojans in it. The senior, who had 29 points, got a layup with 1:17 to play then a steal on the inbound to set up a Varnado three to cut the deficit to four.

Troy was able to cut it to three 20 seconds later on two free throws by Person then two with 20 seconds remaining on a quick two from B.J. Miller, but Georgia Southern kept the game out of reach with nine free throws in the final minute.

QUOTABLE
"Having Jordon back, we played more guys in the first half than we had in a long time," head coach Phil Cunningham said. "I don't think it was a fatigue issue. They got into a flow in the second half. We know what they can do offensively; that's what they do.

"They score the ball as well as anyone in the league. It was anybody's game, but we had a stretch in the second half where we weren't really efficient offensively and I think a lot of that is getting Jordon back and going back to the way we were playing before he was hurt."

UP NEXT
Troy will remain at home with a New Year's Eve matchup against Georgia State at 3:15 p.m. in Trojan Arena.

NOTEWORTHY
• Wesley Person has now scored 20 or more in nine-straight games with four games of 27 points or more.

• The return of leading rebounder Jordon Varnado did not aid the rebounding battle as Georgia Southern took a 43-27 advantage on the boards.

• Alex Hicks, who shouldered the load at forward in Varnado's absence, was limited to six points and five rebounds.

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