BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game defined by razor-thin margins and a frantic final sequence, Victor Valdes scored 26 points and Thomas Dowd converted a decisive putback with less than a second remaining to lift Troy to a dramatic 86-85 victory over UAB on Sunday afternoon at Bartow Arena.

The contest, a high-octane affair that saw 15 lead changes and neither team lead by more than eight points, was ultimately decided in the final five seconds. With the score tied at 83, UAB’s Salim London stole the ball from Valdes and raced downcourt for a go-ahead layup with 24 seconds left, putting the Blazers up by two. Troy called a timeout to advance the ball and set up a play for Valdes, whose three-point attempt from the wing rimmed out. Dowd, crashing the boards from the weak side, secured the offensive rebound and calmly sank a 14-foot jumper from the baseline as the clock expired, sending the Trojan bench into a frenzy and silencing a crowd of 3,542.

The final play capped a second-half comeback for Troy, which improved to 7-5. UAB, which led 39-35 at halftime, fell to 7-4 despite a spectacular 25-point, eight-assist performance from guard Ahmad Robinson. The Blazers had been installed as six-point favorites.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the closing minute, a microcosm of the entire contest’s tension. After London’s steal and score gave UAB an 83-81 lead, Troy’s execution under pressure proved superior. Following Dowd’s winner, UAB had only 0.1 seconds left, insufficient for a coherent response.

The game was a stark contrast in offensive styles. Troy’s victory was fueled by exceptional three-point shooting and capitalizing on UAB’s mistakes. The Trojans shot 50% from beyond the arc, making 14 of 28 attempts. UAB, by contrast, was more efficient inside, shooting 34 of 61 from the floor overall, but managed only 8 of 21 from deep. Troy’s ability to score from distance offset UAB’s 52-30 advantage in points in the paint.

Valdes, a 6-foot-7 forward from Monterrey, Mexico, was the engine for Troy, adding five assists and playing 28 impactful minutes. His driving layup and free throw with 19:20 left in the second half gave Troy its first lead since the opening minutes, setting the stage for the back-and-forth battle that ensued. Cooper Campbell facilitated the offense with nine assists and 14 points, while Dowd finished with 11 points, including the game’s biggest basket.

For UAB, Robinson orchestrated the attack, consistently breaking down the Troy defense. London supported him with 19 points, three assists and three steals, including the late theft that appeared to seal the game. Daniel Rivera added 10 points and three assists for the Blazers.

Troy’s discipline was a key factor. The Trojans committed only eight turnovers, forcing UAB into 10. Each team had 69 possessions, but Troy’s offensive rating of 125.4 narrowly edged UAB’s 122.9, illustrating the extreme efficiency of both offenses in a game where every trip mattered.

The loss is a tough blow for UAB, which had won two of its last three, including a road victory at Drake. The Blazers will look to regroup quickly before hosting Cleveland State on Wednesday.

Troy, meanwhile, secures a significant road win against an in-state foe as it builds momentum ahead of Sun Belt Conference play. The Trojans, who have been involved in several overtime thrillers this season including a triple-overtime loss at Southern California, finally saw a last-second shot fall their way. They host Marshall on Saturday.