FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — A dominant second-half performance propelled the Troy Trojans to a 74-64 victory over the winless Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash in a non-conference men’s basketball game Wednesday at the Coconut Hoops classic.

Despite trailing by five points at halftime, the Trojans erupted for 46 points after the break, overwhelming a Saint Francis team that struggled to maintain its early momentum. The victory improved Troy’s record to 5-4, while the Red Flash fell to 0-6.

The game was a tale of two halves. Saint Francis, led by Skylar Wicks’ aggressive play, controlled the first period. Wicks, a 6-foot-6 guard from Jersey City, New Jersey, was a catalyst early, finishing with a team-high 21 points and nine rebounds. The Red Flash built their lead with efficient three-point shooting and took a 33-28 advantage into the locker room.

That lead quickly evaporated after halftime. Troy’s offense found its rhythm, attacking the basket with purpose. The Trojans scored 40 of their points in the paint, doubling Saint Francis’ output, and capitalized on Red Flash mistakes, converting 21 points off 22 Saint Francis turnovers.

Thomas Dowd, a 6-foot-8 forward from Dothan, Alabama, was the engine for Troy’s comeback. He recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, providing a consistent inside presence. His performance was complemented by Victor Valdes, a 6-foot-7 forward from Monterrey, Mexico, who added 14 points.

While Troy’s shooting from beyond the arc was cold at 5 of 23, they compensated by getting to the free-throw line frequently, attempting 30 foul shots and making 19. Saint Francis, by contrast, shot a respectable 8 of 22 from three-point range but only attempted 16 free throws.

The Red Flash also received significant contributions from Victor Payne, who scored 15 points, and Zion Russell, who added 11. However, the team’s offensive efficiency was a key factor in the loss. Saint Francis scored 64 points on 74 possessions, an offensive rating of 87.0, while Troy was more effective with a rating of 99.7, scoring 74 points on the same number of possessions.

Troy’s defense also tightened in the second half, forcing 11 steals in the game. Jerrell Bellamy provided a spark off the bench for the Trojans with 10 points and four rebounds, and Theo Seng anchored the defense with two blocks.

The game was part of a multi-team event in Southwest Florida. For Saint Francis, the search for its first win continues as it faces a challenging schedule ahead, with a road game at Xavier next. Troy returns home to host West Georgia in its next contest.