TROY, Ala. -- Jordon Varnado had 14 points and 10 rebounds on Monday night and scored the winning basket on a putback with 2.7 seconds left to help Troy beat Appalachian State 81-79.

Appalachian State (8-13, 3-5 Sun Belt) erased a 10-point deficit over the final four minutes to tie it at 79-all on Justin Forrest's layup with 9.1 seconds left. Troy's Wesley Person took the inbounds pass near half court and raced to the hoop but his runner was too hard off the glass. B.J. Miller tapped it back toward the goal and Varnado collected it for the putback.

Troy (9-11, 3-4) only had time for a desperation heave in the final seconds.

The Trojans trailed 38-35 at halftime but took control with an 11-6 run to lead 67-59 and extended it to 72-62 with 4:14 left.

Person led Troy with 16 points, Kevin Baker added 14 and Alex Hicks had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Ronshad Shabazz had 23 points, Forrest added 15 and O'Showen Williams 11 for Appalachian State.