The Troy basketball team picked up a big win this weekend, 83-77 over Western Kentucky.

The win was also valuable in that it marked No. 299 for head coach Don Maestri as well as the first time Troy has swept Western Kentucky in a season series.

Alan Jones sparked the Trojans in the victory with a great dunk in the second half. Jones is listed at 6-0 but told us in the press conference he was more like 5-9.

The Trojans (8-15, 3-9) will travel to Arkansas State on Thursday before returning home for the final game in Sartain on Saturday against a tough Arkansas-Little Rock team. The UALR Trojans lead the West Division with a 9-3 mark in Sun Belt play.

The Messenger will have a special insert in the Weekend Edition dedicated to this event so be sure to pick up a paper before heading to the game.

*********

Troy softball completed a perfect weekend in the Southeastern Louisiana Classic going 5-0 in the tournament.

Freshmen Ashley Rainey and Sarah Thomas turned in strong performances in the circle for the Trojans. The duo was 3-0 in their starts and did not surrender an earned run. Jaycee Affeldt overcame a shaky start and got some help from the offense in the second game of the tournament. Affeldt allowed six earned runs in the Trojans 8-7 win.

The Quality Inn Classic begins on Friday in Troy and looks to have a very competitive field coming to town.

Troy opens with 6th-ranked Missouri on Friday at 7p.m.

*********

Troy baseball is going through its final preparations for the season opener versus Central Michigan on Friday.

I’ll have the third and final part of the Troy season preview. The final article, which will be in Thursday’s paper, will take a look at the Trojan pitching staff.