Greenville, S.C. – Troy’s Cooper Campbell stole the spotlight with a standout performance, scoring 21 points on 61% shooting. This effort helped the Trojans edge out Furman 64-61 in a tense game at Timmons Arena.
Troy (2-0) started strong, building a 15-3 lead. Their defense was impressive, holding Furman scoreless for the first five minutes. Campbell, who hit five three-pointers on the night, led the charge.
Furman (0-2) fought back, closing the gap but always seemed to be one step behind. The Trojans went into halftime with a solid 36-23 lead. The second half kicked off with a spectacular dunk by Thomas Dowd, who ended the night with 11 points, five rebounds, and three blocks.
As the game progressed, Furman began to close the gap, outscoring Troy by 10 in the second half. An Eddrin Bronson three-pointer shrank the lead to just four points during a stretch where Troy struggled to score. However, Austin Cross broke through with a three to regain some momentum.
In the final minutes, Campbell made a crucial steal, leading to a layup. Shortly after, Victor Valdes hit a key three-pointer to help seal the victory for Troy.
Head coach Scott Cross praised his team for their composure. “This might be the most poised basketball team I’ve ever coached,” he said. “Furman is a great team, and we found a way to win.” Thomas Dowd echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s mental toughness in challenging situations.
Notable Highlights:
- The Trojans have held the lead in most of their games this season. They only trailed for four minutes in their last game and maintained control throughout this match.
- Campbell’s 21 points marked a career high. He averaged 20 points per game over the first two games of the season, shooting 57.1% from three-point range.
- The win against Furman is significant, as they were ranked second in the Southern Conference preseason poll.
- Dowd’s three blocks set a personal record, while Kerrington Kiel also had a strong defensive showing with three steals.
This win marks the first meeting between Troy and Furman, with Troy now leading the series 1-0.
Next, Troy will host NCCAA Pensacola Christian on Tuesday, Nov. 11. It’s set to be an exciting home opener at Trojan Arena.
