Contributed
(Dec. 13, 2009)

HUNTINGTON, WV – The Troy Trojans ran into a buzz saw Saturday night on the banks of the Ohio River, as Marshall blistered the nets, pounded the boards and played virtually mistake-free basketball in downing Troy 99-70 in front of 5,145 at the Cam Henderson Center.

“Marshall played a total game tonight,” Trojans coach Don Maestri said. “They shot the ball well, got after us on the boards and controlled the tempo.”

The Trojans fall to 5-4 on the season with the loss while Marshall improved to 7-1. The teams will meet again, in Troy, on December 28.

Marshall committed only six turnovers in the game, all in the second half, outrebounded the Trojans 46-32 and shot 54 percent from floor, including 13-of-26 from three-point range.

“One of the things they do as well as anyone we have played is rebound the basketball,” Maestri said. “They are going to matchup on the board with anyone they play. They dominated us on the boards.”

The Trojans had just two players manage to score in double figures in the game. Senior Brandon Hazzard had 21 points and hit three-of-six from long range, but struggled after injuring the thumb on his shooting hand late in the first half. Junior Vernon Taylor provided some spark late in the game, scoring all of his 13 points in the second half.

The Trojans showed a little bit of rust in the first half from their eight-day layoff, that slow start combined with Marshall’s red-hot shooting from the floor caused major problems for Troy.

Marshall shot 54 percent from the floor over the first 20 minutes of play, including a scorching 7-of-13 from three-point range to build a 56-31 lead. The Herd spread the scoring around during the first 20 minutes, with nine of the 10 players who saw action scoring.

For the Trojans, the only saving grace in the first half was Hazzard, who connected on a pair of three-pointers and led all scorers with 14 points. The senior had to leave the floor, however, late in the half to get medical attention on the thumb of his right, shooting hand.

The Herd’s heralded freshman Hassan Whiteside, played just 11 minutes in the first half, but grabbed seven rebounds as Marshall dominated the boards, leading Troy 26 to 15 at the break.

Troy tried to claw its way back into the game early in the second half, and cut the deficit to 17 points on a layup by Antywan Jones with 15:46 left, but Marshall answered with a 10-1 run and Troy never threatened again.

“When a team gets hot like they did, you have to find a way to control the clock and control the tempo,” Maestri said. “We did that a little to start the second half, but then they got hot again and we never could slow them down.”

The Herd had five players score in double figures in the game, and 10 who scored. Senior Tyler Wilkerson led the way for Marshall with 19 and was followed by sophomore Damier Pitts with 16, junior Tirrell Vaines with 16 and sophomore Shaquille Johnson with 13. Whiteside finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to go with five blocked shots.

The Trojans will return to action on Monday night, completing an eight-game road trip, when they take on the Houston Cougars. Game time from Hofheinz Pavilion is set for 7 p.m.

Lady Trojans beat Austin Peay

TROY - A fast start and a career nights from senior Brittnie Davis and Sophie Kleeman propelled the Troy Trojans to a 71-41 victory over defending Ohio Valley Conference champion, Austin Peay State University Saturday afternoon at Trojan Arena.

“This is a good win against a good team,” Troy head coach Michael Murphy said.  “They won their league last year, and we beat them by four at their place last year.  I am a little surprised at the outcome, but I am also pleased with the team’s effort.”

Davis led the Trojans with 22 points, tying her career-high she set last season against Middle Tennessee.  She was 9-of-16 from the floor and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, while grabbing nine rebounds in the victory.  Meanwhile, Kleeman added a career-high 16 points, besting her mark of 13 set against Longwood in November.