JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – East Tennessee State University guard Marcus Dubose has been nursing some broken ribs throughout the beginning of the season, but if you didn’t already know, it would be tough to tell.
The standout junior scored a game-high and career-high 27 points to lead the Buccaneers (2-1) to an 81-71 victory over the visiting Troy Trojans on Saturday in the minidome.
“I know my team needs me to play,” said Dubose about working through the injury. “I got out there and just felt like I was in attack mode.”
Dubose and his teammates knew they would need to keep attacking a talented Troy squad (1-2), and that’s just what they did. Dubose scored 10 points in the first five minutes of play, and the Bucs’ aggressive full-court press helped them race out to a quick double-digit lead, strangely mirroring their play in the home opener.
“I don’t know how we’re doing it, but I’m glad,” said ETSU coach Murry Bartow. “It is important to get the energy going here, and it can be deflating to the opponent.”
The Trojans were obviously feeling the pressure. An offensive squad that entered the game with the highest scoring average in the country, Troy had little answer for the Bucs’ tenacious play.
“They’re a good offensive team,” said senior guard Tommy Hubbard, who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. “But we’re a good defensive team, and something had to give.”
The ETSU defense held Troy to just 36 percent shooting from the field, and forced 17 turnovers. The Bucs ran the second half lead to as much as 25 before Troy found some shooting form and closed the margin to 10 with a 14-2 run at the end of the game.
The Bucs next stretch is a six-game road trip beginning Tuesday against Charlotte. Dubose believes his team will be able to continue to succeed away from home, too.
“We’re a good team” said the junior. “We can go anywhere and compete.”
The Bucs will return to play at home December 19th against Milligan.
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