Trojans get set for rare matchup with Auburn

The Troy Trojans basketball team will get a chance to play a rare in-state matchup with the SEC’s Auburn Tigers this Saturday, Dec. 19, on the SEC Network.

Troy and Auburn have met just nine times since 1949 and only twice since 1995. Auburn holds the edge in the series 8-1 but Troy won the last matchup between the two schools 81-77 in 2009.

The Trojans hope that their current momentum can propel them against a team that has been one of the best in the SEC the last three years, as Troy is coming off back-to-back wins.

Troy earned a 62-57 win over North Alabama on Dec. 10 as freshman Zay Williams’ double-double performance lifted Troy. Williams scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Khalyl Waters scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. Nick Stampley added eight points and 10 rebounds.

The Trojans followed that up with their home opener earning a 61-44 win over Central Baptist College on Dec. 13.

The 44 points is the fewest points allowed by Troy since 2018. Central Baptist managed just 11 field goals in the entire game, which is the fewest number of shots made allowed by the Trojans in 27 years. At one point Troy held Central Baptist without a fiel goal for nearly 15 minutes.

Williams led Troy again with 13 points and six rebounds, while Kam Woods scored 10 points. Miles Mendes grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Lady Trojans also picked up a 95-74 win over Chattanooga on Dec. 9. Tiyah Johnson led Troy with 19 points, while Alexus Dye scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Tyasia Moore also had 10 points, six rebounds and four steals.