Troy basketball team wins exhibition

TROY — They claim the style of play has changed, but the 3-pointer hasn’t left the Troy offense — not by a long shot.
And Troy was hitting several of those long shots in a 118-76 exhibition win over West Alabama Monday, despite playing without three of its best players.

The Trojans hit 17-of-33 from behind the arc. Troy switched offensive systems to a more European-style offense, where a higher emphasis is placed on driving to the hoop. NBA coach Mike D’Antoni, now with the New York Knicks and formerly with the Phoenix Suns, uses this style, as does the University of Memphis, last year’s NCAA runner-up.

“The key is just getting more points to the rack,” Troy guard Brandon Hazzard said. “Coach (Don) Maestri loves threes, so we’ve got to keep that a part of the game. The more you drive to the hole, the more open threes you’re going to get.”

Hazzard scored 31 points, which would be a career-high in a regular-season game. Regis Huddleston, a 5-foot-11 junior college transfer guard, scored 20. Senior forward Kenny Ware scored 14 with 11 rebounds. Guard Travis Lee and forward Mario Telfair each scored 11.

Huddleston drained his first five 3-pointers and finished the half with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting from downtown. Trayce Macon’s drive to the bucket and dunk helped Troy take a 58-42 lead into the locker room.

Troy was playing without Richard Delk and Mike Vogler, perhaps the Trojans’ two best players and two definite starters. Antywan Jones, a 6-foot-6 forward, also didn’t play, and he’s one who should see big minutes. Jones and Vogler each suffered ankle sprains and Delk shot a basketball for the first time in six weeks Sunday after breaking his right (shooting) hand.

The three are questionable for the season opener Saturday against UAB. That game tips off at 2 p.m.

Junior forward Bernard Toombs also didn’t play. He’s slated to redshirt this year to gain strength and have potential for more playing time at the back end of his career.

The Trojans pressed for most of the game, forced 21 turnovers and took four charges.

“I think we took more charges tonight than we took all of last year,” Maestri said. “Every guy we play realizes they have to play as hard as they can play.

“Kenny Ware and Mario Telfair were all over the court. We could have given them a mop and they could have mopped the floor and played because they were giving so much hustle.”

Jason Swanson, who played for Charles Henderson High, led West Alabama with 22 points. Tray Williams scored 11.