Troy returns home tonight (Dec. 20) to take on Southern Utah. (You can read the preview here.) Troy topped the Thunderbirds earlier this season, 80-76.

Troy didn’t play extremely well but thanks to Will Weathers’ hot-shooting down the stretch the Trojans were able to pull out a road win and snap a 12-game losing streak to non-conference opponents on the road. Weathers scored the team’s final 11 points including two jump shots and four free throws in the final seconds.

The Trojans were faced with several adversities and were fortunate to come away with the victory. R.J. Scott, Emil Jones and Tim Owens all fouled out. Owens did so without even attempting a shot and hauled in just two rebounds. That can’t happen if Troy hopes to sweep SUU.

I feel like Troy, being on their home court, will play much better this go around. The Trojans are shooting much better at home, especially from 3-point range. In Troy’s three home appearances, the team is shooting 44.3 percent (43-97) from long range as opposed to 33 percent (52-156) on the road. In Troy’s last game against Belmont, the Trojans attempted a season-low 16 three-point shots. The Trojans attempted fewer than that only twice last season. Once against the always slow-paced Denver (11 attempts on Feb. 12) and again versus Florida Atlantic (14 attempts on Feb. 24).

Senior Steven Cunningham will attempt to make his return after missing six games with a broken orbital bone. Cunningham will only play a few minutes. Maestri just wants him to feel it out and get comfortable wearing the face guard.