Troy University’s men’s basketball team is preparing to face Georgia Southern on Saturday in Statesboro, Georgia, as part of the Sun Belt Game of the Week. The game will begin at 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
On Wednesday night, Troy improved its conference record to 7-1 after a double-overtime win against Old Dominion, finishing with a score of 83-77. Despite shooting only 36.9% from the field, which was among their lowest performances this season, Troy secured the victory through strong free throw shooting by Victor Valdes and Theo Seng. Valdes made 14 out of 18 attempts at the line, while Seng was perfect with 10 out of 10.
Seng recorded a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds, matching his career high in points set earlier in the season. Thomas Dowd also achieved a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Georgia Southern holds a record of 13-8 overall and is coming off an 85-68 home loss to Arkansas State on Thursday. The Eagles were down by four at halftime but struggled in the second half, shooting just over 31% from the field.
Historically, Troy has won 13 games and lost 16 against Georgia Southern.
Victor Valdes currently ranks third in the Sun Belt Conference for free throws made this season (100) and is tied for second in attempts (132). Last year’s school record for free throws made was set at 142 by Myles Rigsby.
Thomas Dowd is among national leaders in rebounding statistics, ranking seventh in total rebounds (208) and twelfth in rebounds per game (10.4). He is one of nine players nationwide averaging at least 15 points and ten rebounds per game.
Georgia Southern started conference play strong but has now lost three of its last four games. Spudd Webb leads their scoring with an average of 16.1 points per game, followed by Tyren Moore with 14 points per game. The Eagles are known for drawing fouls—ranking first in the Sun Belt and twenty-fourth nationally for free throw attempts—and lead the conference in three-point shot attempts per game.
Troy’s head coach Scott Cross is now in his seventh season with a record of 117-93. Over the past four seasons, Troy has achieved more than twenty wins each year along with double-digit victories within conference play.
“Troy’s scoring margin leads the Sun Belt at +10.5. In conference play, the Trojans have been even more dominant, posting a +12.7 scoring margin,” according to information provided by Troy University Athletics staff.
This season marks Troy’s best start since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2005; their current conference record matches their performance from the early A-SUN days during the 2003-04 season.
Key contributors this season include Victor Valdes (16.2 points per game), Thomas Dowd (15.7 points per game and a league-leading rebound average), and Theo Seng (13.4 points per game).
After Saturday’s matchup, Troy will return home next week to host James Madison on Thursday.
