The Troy Trojans secured a decisive victory over the Arkansas State Red Wolves with a score of 99-74 on January 20, 2024. This win not only avenged their earlier loss to Arkansas State but also propelled Troy into sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Standings. The Trojans, now boasting a record of 13-6 overall and 6-1 in conference play, demonstrated their dominance throughout the game.
Troy’s performance was a clear response to their only conference loss of the season, which occurred on January 7 in Jonesboro. Coach Scott Cross praised his team’s effort, stating, “That was an amazing basketball game to win in that convincing of a fashion. We got going, our guys got in flow, and we were playing with a lot of toughness and grit.” The Trojans set the tone early by out-rebounding the Red Wolves 38-30, a significant improvement from their previous encounter.
Key Player Performances
Troy’s shooting percentage stood at an impressive 55.7 percent from the field, while Arkansas State managed 42.6 percent. The Trojans capitalized on their scoring opportunities, outscoring the Red Wolves 44-30 in the paint and converting 13 points off nine turnovers.
A standout performer was Thomas Dowd, who recorded his 10th double-double of the season with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots. Dowd ranks eighth nationally for double-doubles and leads the conference in rebounding. He is currently tenth in scoring and sixth in field goal percentage within the Sun Belt.
Teammate Victor Valdes also made a significant impact, achieving his first career double-double with 17 points and a career-high 14 assists, along with six rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Valdes is now ninth in scoring, third in assists, and fifth in steals in the conference standings.
Additional contributions came from Jerrell Bellamy, who scored a career-high 22 points, and Cooper Campbell, who added 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Campbell currently ranks fourth in steals and second in assists in the conference. Cobi Campbell also contributed with 11 points and two assists.
Upcoming Challenges
Arkansas State’s leading scorer was TJ Caldwell, who netted 17 points off the bench, while Jalen Hampton added 15 points and nine rebounds. The Red Wolves, now holding a record of 12-7 and 4-3 in conference play, will look to rebound in their future games.
Looking ahead, Troy will take to the road for another conference matchup against Old Dominion on January 21, 2024, at 18:00 local time. This game will be broadcasted on ESPN+, providing another opportunity for the Trojans to solidify their position at the top of the Sun Belt Conference standings.
