Emil Jones' 18 points, 8 rebounds help Troy rally, then hold off Alabama State 66-62
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Emil Jones scored 18 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out five assists — both team-highs — in Troy's 66-62 win over Alabama State on Sunday in a matchup between nonconference foes.
Alabama State (0-5) led the majority of the first half and by 29-23 with 2:01 until intermission. Troy used a 7-2 run to close the gap to 31-30 at halftime and took a 38-35 lead behind 3-pointers from Jones and Wright on back-to-back possessions.
Troy (4-2) controlled the second half, as the Trojans stretched their lead to as much as nine and led by eight points three different times in the half.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Alabama State outshot Troy 45 percent (24 of 53) to 43 percent (27 of 63), but the Trojans made 6 of 14 3-point attempts.
Joshua Freelove led Alabama State with 24 points, but the Hornets converted only 10 of 17 free throws.