Northern Tier Sports ReportELMIRA, N.Y. — Troy boys’ basketball fell in the fifth place game to Elmira, 58-52, in the Josh Palmer Fund National Bracket Monday.
Troy led 11-10 after the first quarter but an 18-point second from Elmira saw them go up 28-20 at the half. They kept that lead through the third, with Troy closing it to within three points late in the fourth.
However, the Express held defensively, then hit their free throws for the six point win.
Jack Burbage had a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Trojans, as Trey Teribury netted 14 points, and nabbed four boards.
Lincoln Chimics had 12 points, and seven rebounds, as Joseph Frye added four points, six boards, and four assists.
Evan Woodward had two points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals, with Joey Lackey netting two points. Spencer Martin chipped in with three assists.
James Harris had 21 points to lead Elmira.
In the first Teribury had five points to lead the Trojan effort, as they kept Harris scoreless to take the 1-point lead.
Harris went off for nine points in the second as the Express found their rhythm offensively to take the 8-point lead at the half.
Burbage got hot in the third, netting 10 of Troy’s 17 points, but Elmira hit seven field goals themselves as they also notched 17.
In the fourth Teribury would cut the lead to four with a jumper, but Harris came back with a 3-ball at the other end.
Chimics would get to the free throw line, and make both, to take it a 5-point game with just over two minutes left.
Burbage would cut it to a 3-point deficit with a jumper with 1:14 left to play.
The Trojans got an initial miss on the ensuing Elmira possession, but Anthony Kitching got the offensive rebound. He got the ball to Harris, who was fouled.
He made one of two for a four point game. The Trojans would turn it over on the inbounds pass, with Elmira making both freebies to extend the lead to six points, and that’s where it stayed through the final horn.
Troy returns to action on Saturday as they travel to CV with a 7:30 p.m. start.
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES
