The Troy Trojans are heading back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003 after they defeated the Texas State Bobcats 59-53 to win the 2017 Sun Belt Conference championship.

With with win the Trojans guaranteed themselves a spot in the upcoming tournament as a 15 seed where they will take on the second-seeded Duke Blue Devils on Friday in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Trojans led for much of the contest on Sunday afternoon (26 minutes) and led by as many as 10 points in the final minutes of the opening half. The Trojans finished with three players in double figures led by Jordon Varnado who finished with 18 points by making six of his 19 shots from the field. Varnado finished with a double-double after hauling in 12 rebounds. Wesley Person and Jeremy Hollimon also finished in double figures with 16 and 15 points.

The Trojans entered the tournament as a six seed and beat Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Georgia Sate on their to Saturday’s game against the Bobcats.
In their last trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2003, the Trojans went up against Xavier in Nashville and they fell to the Musketeers to end their season.  Game time in Greenville has yet to be announced.

Troy 78 ULL 64

The men won’t be the only ones making a trip to the NCAA Tournament. For the second consecutive year, the Troy women have won the  Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship by defeating Louisiana Lafayette 78-64.

The Trojans led for over 30 minutes on Sunday evening and led by as many as 14 points. All 12 players in uniform scored for the Trojans in the win with three of them finishing in double figures led by Arjae’ Saunders who had 13. Claresa Banks and La’Tia Fils-Aime’ both had 12.

The Trojans took a 36-30 lead into the locker room at halftime before outscoring the Cajuns 42-34 in the second half.

The Trojans entered the tournament as a three seed and defeated Arkansas State after having an opening round by and second-seeded UT-Arlington on their way to their second straight conference title.

The Trojans will find out their opponent and designation during the  Women’s NCAA Tournament selection show on Monday.