MOBILE, Ala. – Michael Flowers to sank a three with 69 seconds left in regulation to put the University of South Alabama men's basketball team ahead as they defeated rival Troy, 73-70, Thursday night in the Mitchell Center.

South had four players achieve double figures, paced by Flowers with 18 points, an assist and a steal. Tyreke Locure and John Pettway each knocked down 14 points, with Pettway accomplishing the feat on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor. Kayo Goncalves tallied 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting behind the arc and notching a pair of free throws. Locure, Goncalves and Flowers paced the team with seven rebounds each. Sam Iorio blocked six shots to go along with eight points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.

The visiting Trojans were paced by a game-high 20 points from Nick Stampley. Duke Miles and Khalyl Waters rounded out the double-digits scorers for Troy with 14 and 12 respectively.

GAME FACTS
- The Trojans held an early lead (10-8) with four and a half minutes elapsed. Both offenses were shooting 50 percent from the floor at the game's first media break. Miles lead the scoring with four.
- Troy pushed in front 27-20 at the under-eight media break (7:19) after a layup from Miles. The Trojans were shooting 55 percent from the floor while USA had missed on six-of-seven three-point attempts.
- USA made up the difference to ties the score at halftime after two free throws from Flowers made it 36 each way. Flowers was the only scorer in the game to eclipse double figures with 13 points and had collected a game-high five rebounds.
-  The Jaguars trailed by three, 48-45, going into the under-16 media break. Miles and Desmond Williams had both hit threes in the second half for the visitors.
- The Jaguars jumped into the lead, 54-52, with four baskets on four straight possessions prompting a timeout from Troy with 13:03 remaining. Pettway and KK Curry provided the spark scoring six of the eight Jaguar points.
- South trailed going into the final media break, 65-63. The Jags were shooting a higher percentage from the field than the Trojans, but had only converted 3-of-17 from behind the arc.
- The Jaguars pulled out a three-point victory, 73-70, after a three from Flowers and a jumper from Locure put South ahead. Iorio blocked Waters' three attempt that would could have potentially tied it at the buzzer.  
- South outshot the Trojans from the field, 48 to 43 percent, but Troy was better from behind the arc, 35 to 26 percent.
- Both squads took care of the ball with each team being turned over nine times.
- USA held advantages in rebounds (38-34) bench points (14-9) fast-break points (8-6) and blocks (8-4).

NOTES
- South Alabama has now won 26 in the series with the Trojans, and the last five games in a row.
- The overall win streak was extended to five games with four coming at the Mitchell Center.
- USA had 4 Jaguars score double digits for the first time since opening conference play at Georgia Southern on Jan. 1. Flowers, Goncalves and Pettway were a part of both groups, while Curry scored 12 against the Eagles, Locure scored 14 against the Trojans.
- South had three players lead the team in rebounding for the second consecutive game.
- Pettway has achieved in double-figures in three of the last five games
- Iorio tied his career-high mark of six blocks, with the original set while playing for American University against Boston University on Feb. 14, 2018.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richie Riley
Opening Statement: "It was rough out there, and the Trojans made it tough. We had a lot of mental mistakes defensively that we haven't been making, but we found a way to win. They did a nice job tonight. I am proud of our team and the progress they are making. With it being late in the season, I am proud of how much work and effort they are putting in. We have to get some rest, so we will be ready to play again on Saturday."
On Michael Flowers: "Mike's [Flowers] baskets were tough, but he made some huge baskets at the end. I give him credit because they made him earn it tonight. He was incredible tonight. When we recruited him, I thought he was capable of what he did tonight, but he has exceeded my expectations. Not only has he grown as a player, but he's grown as a leader. Our opponents always try to find a way to take him away, but he still finds a way to put up 20 points in a game. I love watching our players grown, and he certainly has grown since we've had him here. I am proud of him and everything he's doing for our program."
On Kayo Goncalves: "He has shown that he is capable of making big shots because he was able to give us the lead at one point in the game. "
On John Pettway: "He was working hard, and he was responding to the game as a veteran should. He's been through a lot of similar situations, and he was unbelievable in the second half.  Mike and Pettway and  gave us the initial lead."
On KK Curry: "I am proud of him because he came out strong in the second half. At halftime, I told him that he was going to have to step up in the second half, and he did. He came in and played tough defensively, and I was proud of him because he's working at it. In our program, we put in the time and the effort on the court to be successful."

Up next: South Alabama will go on the road for the next three games, with the first stop at Troy, Ala., to finish the rivalry week games against the Trojans. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m.  

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

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