Troy holds off late rally by Western Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Alex Hicks scored 20 points, Jordon Varnado had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Troy held off a late rally to defeat Western Kentucky 87-81 on Sunday.

Troy (5-5) had a 17-point lead with 6:29 remaining, but Western Kentucky drew within 82-79 with just over a minute remaining. After Troy's Darian Adams made two free throws, WKU closed to 84-81 on a layup by Jared Savage with 24 seconds left.

Troy's BJ Miller was fouled on the ensuing possession and made two free throws for an 86-81 lead. Taveion Hollingsworth missed a 3-pointer for WKU and Miller was fouled again, making 1 of 2 from the line with 12 seconds left. Savage missed a series of shots in the final five seconds as Troy held on.

Savage scored 23 points for the Hilltoppers (5-5).