Troy University’s men’s basketball team secured a 74-63 victory over Georgia State on the road, rebounding from two home losses last week. The win improves Troy’s record to 16-8 overall and 9-3 in Sun Belt Conference play.
The Trojans delivered a strong second half, scoring 46 points and shooting nearly 57 percent from the field. Thomas Dowd led the effort with 16 points and 15 rebounds, achieving a double-double by halftime. He was supported by Cobi Campbell (15 points), Jerrell Bellamy (12), Victor Valdes (12), and Cooper Campbell (10). Valdes also contributed nine assists.
The game started slowly for both teams, with Troy making only one of its first nine shots. At the first media timeout, they had combined for just one basket in fifteen attempts. However, Troy gained momentum through offensive rebounding, including three offensive boards on one possession that ended with a Dowd three-pointer.
Defensively, Troy forced six turnovers in the opening half while collecting three steals. Georgia State managed to take their largest lead at 28-22 late in the first half before Troy tied it at halftime after baskets from Dowd and Cooper Campbell.
In the second half, Troy quickly built momentum with a run capped by a Theo Seng dunk. The Trojans extended their lead throughout most of the period, highlighted by a no-look pass from Valdes to Bellamy for an 11-point advantage. Although Georgia State’s Jelani Hamilton hit a three-pointer to cut into Troy’s lead—Hamilton came into the game as the Sun Belt’s leading scorer—Troy responded with an 11–0 run fueled by Cobi Campbell’s shooting.
Georgia State was led by Micah Tucker with 18 points.
Head Coach Scott Cross said: “I’m so thankful to the good Lord for this victory. Our back was against the wall, so we had to go on the road and find a way to win. Georgia State has a good basketball team; they’ve been shooting the ball really well. Our guys defended at a high level today, but what won us the game was our offensive rebounding. Credit to our guys – Victor [Valdes] and Thomas [Dowd] set the tone. Thomas grabbed eight offensive rebounds and Georgia State only had 10 as a team. Looking forward to Saturday against Akron. They’re one of the best offensive teams in the country, so it’s not going to be easy. But if our guys play with the tough mindset they played with today, then we’re definitively capable of beating them.”
Dowd’s performance marked his third game this season recording at least 15 points and 15 rebounds—a figure tied for second-most such games nationally this year.
Monday’s contest was also notable as it was Troy’s first since January 17th where five players scored in double figures and continued their four-game road winning streak—their longest within one season since February last year.
Troy outrebounded Georgia State by nine boards (43-34), marking their seventh-best rebounding margin this season; their sixteen offensive rebounds matched their second-highest total this year.
Cobi Campbell set his career high with five assists during Monday’s game.
An altercation midway through the second half resulted in ejections for Theo Seng of Troy and Trey Scott III of Georgia State.
Historically, Troy now leads its series against Georgia State with thirty-one wins to twenty-four losses all-time.
Next up for Troy is a nationally televised home game against Akron on Saturday at 5 p.m., which will air on ESPN2 alongside radio coverage via the Troy Sports Media Network.
