STATESBORO– A 15-2 Troy run to open the game set the tone for the contest as Georgia Southern men's basketball suffered an 84-63 loss at home on Thursday.

The Eagles (5-17, 5-5 Sun Belt) had no answer for Troy's (14-8, 8-2) defensive efforts, scoring less than 70 points for the first time in five games.

After the initial run, the Eagles chipped away. A corner three by Eren Banks made it a nine-point game, and Eugene Brown III's lay-in capped off an 11-1 run for the Eagles to make it a 25-20 deficit.

Troy turned the offense back on to end the half, ending the first frame up 44-29 and holding the Eagles to a 25 percent three-point percentage in the stanza.

The Eagles never brought the game closer than 12 points in the second half as the Trojans kept their foot on the gas pedal. The lead stretched to as much as 27 before the final of 84-63.

Banks (16) and Jamar Franklin (10) were the lone double-digit scorers in the match. Banks went 4-5 from three, while Franklin was a perfect 7-7 from the line. Tyren Moore recorded four steals and Nate Brafford had three blocks.

Georgia Southern shot at a 37.3 percent rate overall and 31.8 percent from three.

GS has a fast turnaround, taking on first-place Appalachian State on Saturday.