A challenge issued during their coach’s halftime speech sparked a second-half comeback by the Troy Trojans (9-7) during their Saturday home basketball game against Ronan (4-11). Troy surged late to a 63-53 win.

A six-point second quarter capped an offensively anemic first half for the Trojans. Ronan went into the lockerrooms ahead 26-17.

“We started sluggish,” Troy Coach Cory Andersen said. “I figured we might be out of gas from the night before. They put us on our heels, and I challenged the guys to be more aggressive in the second half. When we do that we play better.”

Junior swingman Gage Tallmadge heard his coach’s message loud and clear. Tallmadge scored 22 of his game-high 27 points in the second half, including six three-pointers. Tallmadge drained a trio of three-pointers in the third quarter and the Trojans stormed to 39-32 lead.

“When Gage starts hitting a few he is not afraid to shoot it,” Andersen said. When he shoots well, it opens it up for everyone else to get easier looks. He’s played much better offensively in the second half of the season.”

Senior guard Gabe Hickman and sophomore post Sean Opland, who along with Tallmadge form Troy’s diverse three-headed offensive attack, each scored 14 points.

The Trojans have won six of their last seven games.

“Our goal was to get better as season went on,” Andersen said. “We’re playing better now than we have all year. We want to continue to do that.”

The Trojans have a 6 p.m. tip Friday at Eureka (8-8).

Ronan: 12 14 6 21 – 53

Troy:    11 6 22 24 – 63

RONAN – Cedric Earthboy 21, Colton McCrea 2, Jarred Dupuis 3, P James 3, Tim Woll 9, Jeremiah North Piegon 8, Kollin Wroblewski 10.

TROY – Luke Haggerty 4, Gabe Hickman 14, Gage Tallmadge 27, Nathan Olds 4, Sean Opland 14.

Bigfork 64, Troy 44:

At Bigfork (16-0), the Trojans saw a five-game win streak end against one of the best teams in the state.

The Trojans fell behind 19-9 after the first quarter, traded baskets for two quarters and ran out of steam late against a team with superior depth and talent.

“They have a lot of offensive firepower,” Andersen said. “They are very tough.”

Eight players scored at least two points for Bigfork. Christian Evans, a 6-foot-7-inch senior, led Bigfork with 16 points. Hickman led all scorers with 23 points. Opland was held to nine points and Tallmadge scored three.

“We couldn’t hit a shot or get a stop when we needed it,” Andersen said. “They definitely have  a chance to win the state tournament. I thought we played well and did some good stuff defensively.”

Troy:      9 9 12 14 — 44

Bigfork: 19 12 12 21—64

TROY— Metz 5, Hickman 23, Tallmadge 3, Olds 2, Ryan Huffman 2, Opland 9.

BIGFORK— Adam Jordt 6, Cameron Nissen 9, Christian Evans 16, Isaac Martel 5, Jon Landon 7, Josh Sandry 9, Kyle Thomson 2, Ryder Trent 10.

Ronan 48, Troy 23:

At Troy, superior depth propelled Ronan (9-6) past the Lady Trojans (2-14) on Saturday.

Troy led 5-4 at the end of the first quarter and trailed 14-12 at halftime. But a 34-11 second half shifted the game heavily into the Maidens’ favor.

“Coming out flat in the third quarter is really hurting us,” Troy Coach Justin Young said. “Kellie Lundin is really starting to step up and play the role of a shooter for us. She is so selfless and loves to involve her teammates, but we need her to shoot more than she is probably comfortable with. She stepped up and did that for us this week.”

Lundin led all scorers with 16 points. Three Ronan players tied for a team-high 12 points. Nine players scored for Ronan; four scored for Troy.

The Lady Trojans tip at 7:00 p.m. Friday in Eureka.

Ronan: 4 10 18 16 – 48

Troy:    5 7 5 6 – 23

RONAN – Angela North Piegon 2, Raymi Clairmont 12, Aspen Jore 6, Alaina Madsen 4, Courtney Taylor 3, Laurel Rigby 5, Haley O’Hern 2, Kendra Starkel 2, Lee Camel 12.

TROY – Lundin 16, Taylor Brown 2, Olivia Roach 2, Caitlin Johnston 3.

Bigfork 48, Troy 18:

At Bigfork (5-2, 12-4), the host jumped to a 24-5 lead in the first half Friday and never slowed down.

“Bigfork’s girls created matchup problems for us with their size,” Coach Young said. “We’ve played better teams but the way we matchup really is tough.”

Lundin and Allie Brown led Troy with five points apiece.  Bigfork’s Jose Spoklie and Mattison McAnally led all scorers with 11 points each.

Troy:      2 3 8 5 – 18

Bigfork: 8 16 13 11 – 48

TROY –Lundin 5, Allie Brown 5, Makaylin Randall 4, Tana Thill 2, Johnston 2.

BIGFORK – Marissa Hiza 6, Riley Coleman 7, Aluana Weilacher 1, McAnally 11, Lana Berg 6, Spoklie 11, Tessa Robertson 2, Miranda Campbell 4.