Box Score (html)
Box Score (pdf)

TROY, Ala. – Junior Georgi Boyanov (Lovech, Bulgaria) led the University of South Alabama men's basketball team with 18 points and 10 rebounds and hit a key late bucket to give the Jaguars a 66-58 victory at Troy Tuesday in Trojan Arena.

The Jags go to 8-12 overall and 3-6 in the Sun Belt Conference, while the Trojans drop to 6-14, 1-8.

"It wasn't pretty, but fortunately they don't judge basketball games on their beauty," USA head coach Matthew Graves said. "We had stretches where we're down six, eight points and things weren't going well for us, but we kept fighting and hanging in there. In the second half, we had a stretch where they were up four and we stopped them on seven straight possessions, but we couldn't get anything going. We missed two layups during that stretch and Ken (Williams) and Nick (Stover) missed two free throws. We really could have gotten down on ourselves, but we hung tough, kept fighting, and found a really good rotation in the second half. We had guys that were playing well together and we just rolled with them all the way to the end."

Boyanov recorded his sixth double-double of the year and had 11 of his 18 points after halftime. Junior Ken Williams (Houston, Texas) went just 3 for 12 from the floor for 11 points, but dished out a career-high eight assists with just two turnovers.

"When Georgi is consistent for us, we're a pretty good offensive team because he is a matchup nightmare," Graves said. "He can score around the basket with his funky game and he's able to step out and shoot the '3.'

"I think (Ken) is starting to understand that he garners a lot of attention and when he's able to pass and find other guys, they get a little more comfortable and make some shots."

Boyanov's one and only 3-pointer of the night came late and at a key stage. Up three, sophomore Shaq Calhoun (Rome, Ga.) fed Boyanov on the left wing with 17.0 seconds left to give the Jags an insurmountable six-point advantage.

"That was a great play," Graves said. "Georgi stepped up. He was 0 for 4 (from deep) at the time and both he and his teammates had the confidence to step up and make a big shot. Obviously that was the deciding factor there."

Troy led by as many as nine late in the first half, and eight early in the second before South Alabama came up with a huge rally. After Jeremy Hollimon hit a jumper with 18:11 left, the Jags outscored the Trojans 15-3 over a 4:18 stretch on the back of three 3-pointers from Calhoun, Williams and junior Nick Stover (Los Angeles, Calif.).

The Trojans went over five minutes without scoring, and hit just 1 of 8 shots from the floor with four turnovers.

"For the most part, we were taking very solid shots, especially in the first half; we just missed," Graves said. "We got in a rhythm, and those same shots that weren't falling in the first half, all it takes is one to go in and that lights everybody else's confidence up. We had a string there of three in a row and that really energized us. With those baskets, we were able to increase our energy on the defensive end.

"Making those three 3s really energized our defense and we were able to finish strong down the stretch."

Defensively, the Jags held the Trojans to 37.0 percent shooting in the second half and 43.4 percent for the contest, as well as force 13 turnovers, including 10 in the second half.

"I thought the defensive effort was much better," Graves said. "Again, it's not a matter if we're playing man or zone, it's our energy and effort. I thought tonight we sustained it for a lot more possessions. We rebounded the ball really well, and that's what we need night in, and night out. If we continue to do that, we'll win enough games to put ourselves in position to be able to compete for a Sun Belt championship. The next challenge is showing consistency in doing that."

The lead stretched as big as eight after an 8-2 run with 6:56 left, but Troy wouldn't go away, getting three 3-pointers over a two-minute span – two from Hollimon – and a layup from B.J. Miller with 44.7 seconds remaining closed the gap to 61-58.

Boyanov hit the 3-pointer on USA's next possession to put the game away.

Calhoun came off the bench to record 10 points, and junior Don MuepoKelly (Fontana, Calif.) and Stover had three steals each.

"I thought Don came in and gave us great energy," Graves said. "He played 21 minutes and gave us six (points) and five (rebounds), and was active around the rim and played really good defense in the middle of our zone."

Wesley Person paced Troy with 15 points, and Hollimon had 12 of his 14 points after halftime. Jordan Varnado had 10 points, but was held scoreless in the second half.

South Alabama hosts Appalachian State Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.

NOTES: The Jaguars won for the first time this season when trailing at halftime (1-10, 1-6 SBC) and when being outshot (1-10, 1-4)… South Alabama has won nine of the last 10 meetings against Troy, with Graves posting a 4-1 record as head coach… USA's 66 points are its fewest in a win over Troy under Graves; the team was averaging 81.8 ppg vs. Troy since 2013-14… The last nine games in the series have been decided by eight points or fewer… USA won for the first time this season when allowing an opponent to shoot 50 percent or better in a half (1-3 in first half, 0-8 in second)… All six of Boyanov's double-doubles have come in the last 11 games, but tonight's was the first when shooting less than 50 percent (7 for 15)… South Alabama has made eight 3-pointers in each of the last three games and is averaging 8.8 triples in its last four outings… Calhoun has hit the double-digit point plateau three times in his last four games and is averaging 11.0 ppg with nine 3-pointers over that span… Williams' eight assists are the most by a Jaguar since Dre Conner had nine vs. Louisiana-Monroe on Jan. 17, 2013… After converting just 2 for 9 from beyond the arc in the first half, the Jags went 6 for 12 in the second and finished at 38.1 percent for the game… The Jaguars had a positive assist/turnover ratio (14 assists, 11 turnovers) for just the second time all year, and first since the season opener Nov. 13.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

—USA—