VANDALIA — It was a tough night for the Troy boys basketball team Friday night against Vandalia-Butler at the SAC.

Troy stayed close early, before falling 54-31 in MVL action.

Troy dropped to 7-9 overall and 7-6 in the MVL, while Butler improved to 7-9 overall and 7-5 in the MVL.

The Trojans were scheduled to be back in action Saturday, traveling to Fairborn.

Charlie Walker hit two baskets in the early going for Troy and when Noah Davis hit a 3-pointer, the Trojans had their only lead at 7-5.

Butler would score the next six points, before Zach King scored off an Isaac Phillips assist and Walker hit one of two free throws to bring the Trojans within 11-10.

Casey Bennett would hit a three for Butler, before King closed the first quarter’s scoring to get Troy within 14-12.

Butler would score the first 10 points of the second quarter as Matt King had a basket and Tristen Vandervort and Bennett scored four points each.

Walker would stop the run by hitting two free throws, but Troy would not score again until Evan Kaiser scored two baskets in the final 20 seconds of the half to get the Trojans within 28-18.

Butler would then open the second half with a 10-1 run to make it 38-19 and would never be headed from there.

Walker had 10 points for Troy, while Phillips added seven points and Zach King had five rebounds.

Vandervort led Butler with 18 points.

Bennett and John Sorrells scored 10 points each and Nick LoBianco and Matt King scored six points each.

Troy was 11 of 43 from the floor for 26 percent and seven of 14 from the line for 50 percent.

Butler was 24 of 47 from the floor for 51 percent and four of eight from the line for 50 percent.

Troy won the battle of the boards 25-16, but had 15 turnovers to Butler’s 10.