Feb. 2, 2004

Final Stats

BOCA RATON, FL - Troy State University erased a six-point second half deficit and came back to defeat Florida Atlantic University, 73-68, Monday night in Boca Raton. FAU's Earnest Crumbley scored a game-high 20 points, but the Trojans were able to overcome a 5-for-26 effort from three-point range to pick up their fourth straight victory. Rob Lewin led four Trojans in double-figures with 16 points. TSU improved to 15-5 overall and 11-2 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. FAU fell to 8-11 overall and 5-7 in the A-Sun.

FAU, playing without its leading scorer and rebounder, Mike Bell, was efficient from beyond the arc in the first half and built as much as a 27-17 lead. FAU went to the half with a 32-26 edge thanks in large part to 8-for-13 accuracy from long range. The Trojans were held to just 1-for-15 from the same range in the first half.

TSU dominated most of the second half by outscoring FAU 34-16 in the first 13:20. The Trojans led 60-46 with 6:40 remaining. Greg Davis, who finished with 15, scored 13 in the second half. Ryan Heck also made three treys in the second half and finished with 11 points. Herbert Evans also helped the Trojan effort with 14 points.

FAU was not able to get closer than seven points in the closing minutes before a Crumbley three with six seconds left accounted for the final score of the game.

TSU finished the night 39 percent from the field compared to FAU's 46 percent. The Trojans went 5-for-26 from beyond the arc but capitalized from the free throw line with a 24-for-34 effort. The Trojans also forced FAU into 22 turnovers and committed just nine.

Jimmy Bishop scored a career-high 15 points for FAU while Robert Williams added 14. Crumbley went 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. Bell missed his first game of the season due to a knee injury suffered in FAU's last outing against UCF on January 28.

Florida Atlantic next faces Lipscomb University Thursday in Nashville, TN.