TROY — It may not have been a work of art.
But, it was more than good enough for the Troy boys basketball team to open the season with a 70-46 win over Greenville Tuesday at the Trojan Activity Center.
While it was sloppy at times, Troy was in control the whole game.
“Yeah, it was (typical of a first game),” Troy coach Mark Hess said. “I didn’t love our energy. I didn’t love attention to detail. But, maybe that is because I have such high expectations for this team. The team kind of said the same thing after the game in the locker room.”
One player who shone brightly for the Trojans was 6-foot-5 junior Kellen Miller.
Miller led the Trojans with 23 points, including 10 in the second quarter as Troy stretched a 13-7 first quarter lead to 35-23 at the break.
Miller, who also had eight rebounds and five steals, was 10-for-13 from the floor and hit three of five shots from long range.
“Kellen (Miller) is just so active out there,” Hess said. “He has a lot of length and work hard out there.”
The Trojan defense frustrated Greenville all night, forcing 30 turnovers were their length.
“That is something we are going to try and go with,” Hess said.
Troy increased the lead to 50-35 after three quarters and pulled away early in the fourth quarter.
Isaac Phillips added 10 points, five steals and three assists and Hollis Terrell had nine points, six rebounds and three steals.
Noah Davis scored nine points on three shots from long range and added three steals, Konyae Foster had eight points, five steals and four assists and Nick Prince added six points and four assists.
Eric Brenner had 14 points and five rebounds for Greenville.
Drew Hamilton and Jarrod DeMange scored 10 points each and Jack Chick pulled down five rebounds.
Troy was 28-for-66 from the floor for 42 percent, including eight of 29 on 3-pointers for 28 percent. The Trojans converted six of 11 from the line for 55 percent.
Greenville was 11 of 38 from the floor for 29 percent and six of seven from the line for 86 percent.
Troy had 12 turnovers and won the battle of the boards 27-22.
“It is a start,” Hess said. “We will get better.”
And the Trojans get that chance Friday night, when West Carrollton visits.
You can reach Sports Editor Rob Kiser at [email protected]