Troy basketball pulled off a jaw-dropping 71-70 victory against Arkansas State Saturday night, tightening the Sun Belt Conference standings. Jackson Fields dominated with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, cementing his role as the Trojans’ clutch performer. Tayton Conerway and Thomas Dowd added 13 points each, combining for critical defensive stops in the final minutes.
The Trojans (17-9, 10-4 Sun Belt) overcame a relentless Arkansas State squad led by Terrance Ford Jr.’s 18 points and five assists. Izaiyah Nelson’s double-double (14 points, 14 rebounds) nearly secured the win for the Red Wolves (19-8, 10-4), but Troy’s late-game execution clinched the thriller.
- Top Performers: Troy’s Fields (20 PTS, 8 REB), Conerway (13 PTS); Arkansas State’s Ford Jr. (18 PTS), Nelson (14 PTS/14 REB)
With both teams now tied at 10-4 in conference play, this game reshapes the Sun Belt postseason landscape. Arkansas State’s seven-game home win streak snapped as Troy secured its fourth consecutive road victory.
Next, Troy hosts Louisiana-Lafayette on Thursday, aiming to solidify its top-four seeding. Arkansas State faces South Alabama on Wednesday, needing a rebound to stay in title contention. Saturday’s nail-biter proves both teams are must-watch as March Madness approaches.