Troy University’s men’s basketball team will conclude its two-game road trip with a matchup against Louisiana at the Cajundome on Saturday at noon.
The Trojans, currently 10-6 overall and 3-1 in Sun Belt Conference play, are coming off their first conference loss of the season. On Wednesday night, Troy fell to Arkansas State 86-74 after falling behind early and struggling to close the gap. Arkansas State made 12-of-30 three-pointers, matching the most Troy has allowed this season—a figure previously reached by Kent State in an overtime win for Troy earlier in the year.
Theo Seng led Troy against Arkansas State with 23 points, one short of his career high. He hit a personal best of 10 field goals on 13 attempts and collected eight rebounds. Thomas Dowd recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Dowd leads the Sun Belt in double-doubles and is ranked eleventh nationally.
Louisiana enters Saturday’s contest with a record of 4-13 overall and 2-3 in conference play. The Rajin’ Cajuns recently defeated ULM for their second win over that opponent this season. Joshua Lewis scored 26 points and had nine rebounds in that game. Dorian Finister has been another key contributor for Louisiana, averaging 13.1 points and 5.1 assists per game.
Historically, Troy holds a 10-23 all-time record against Louisiana.
Scott Cross is now in his seventh season as head coach at Troy, compiling a record of 113 wins and 93 losses during his tenure. Over the last four seasons, Troy has won more than twenty games each year, including at least ten victories within conference play each season.
Statistically, Thomas Dowd stands out nationally; he ranks sixth in total rebounds (165) and fourteenth in rebounds per game (10.3). He is among only eight players nationwide averaging at least fifteen points and ten rebounds per contest.
Troy’s defense continues to force turnovers effectively—opponents average more than fifteen turnovers per game against them, which is best in the Sun Belt Conference and thirty-sixth nationally among Division I teams. Offensively, Troy averages just over ten three-pointers per game—first among Sun Belt teams and forty-second nationally.
Multiple players have contributed offensively this season: Victor Valdes leads scoring with an average of nearly sixteen points per game; Thomas Dowd follows closely while also leading the team—and league—in rebounding; Theo Seng adds nearly fourteen points per contest as well.
After facing Louisiana on Saturday, Troy will return home to host Southern Miss on Wednesday evening.
“Scott Cross is in his seventh season at the helm of the Trojans, amassing a 113-93 record during his time at Troy. Over the last four seasons, Troy has won 20-plus games every year, which includes 10-plus Sun Belt wins each season.”
“Troy has forced its opponents to turn the ball over at a high rate, forcing 15.2 turnovers per game. This number ranks first in the Sun Belt and 36th in college basketball.”
“Troy’s 10.1 three-pointers per game rank forty-second in the nation and first in the Sun Belt this season.”
“A multitude of Trojans have led the way offensively this season, with Victor Valdes and Thomas Dowd pacing the scoring output at fifteen point nine and fifteen point six points per game respectively.” “Dowd has also added a Sun Belt leading ten point three rebounds per contest.” “Theo Seng has emerged as the third leading scorer at thirteen point seven points per contest.”
