Western junior forward Sergio Kerusch drives the ball down the court with Troy forward Antywan Jones guarding him. Saturday's game against the Trojans was Kerusch's first home game back in play since injuring himself during practice in December. The Hilltoppers defeated the Trojans 87-69. TANNER CURTIS/HERALD

Without junior forward Sergio Kerusch in the rotation, Western went 7-7 through the months of December and January.

With him, the Toppers nearly overcame their road woes last Thursday at Louisiana-Monroe and followed up by thrashing Troy 87-69 Saturday night.

Although the team never used Kerusch’s absence as an excuse for losing, senior guard A.J. Slaughter said having Kerusch back is serving as a boost.

“When he’s on the court and he’s 100 percent, he brings a lot to the team that we definitely missed when he was out,” Slaughter said. “He can rebound, he can score, he takes the pressure off me, and (junior forward Steffphon Pettigrew) if we need a bucket. So it’s definitely a huge factor when Serge is out there playing 100 percent.”

Kerusch entered the Troy game at the 17:12 mark of the first half — his first time on the Diddle Arena court since the Toppers’ Dec. 8 game against Evansville — to a standing ovation, then left with 3:39 to another round of applause.

In between, Kerusch scored 15 points in 23 minutes on a now physically-stable right foot.

Kerusch said the only thing holding him back is his mind.

“When you go and make a hard move, it’s just natural to think twice about going as hard because of what happened,” he said.

Now reinforced with a pin and completely healed, his foot is ultimately stronger for the wear, doctors told Kerusch.

Head Coach Ken McDonald said he saw improvement from Kerusch’s first game back to his second, and as he begins to play more, his mental insecurity should fade.

“He believes in the doctors. He understands,” McDonald said. “He’s never struggled with confidence, and I want him confident.”

But looking past the numbers, McDonald said the Toppers missed Kerusch’s spirit.

When Kerusch first sat injured on the bench last Dec. 19, as the Toppers faced off with Louisville, the junior remained vocal. By New Year’s, Kerusch was dancing on crutches. And just last week, fans cheered Kerusch’s return as he slid into a jersey for the first time in two months to participate in pregame warmups.

All that energy has transitioned right back to the court, McDonald said.

“You don’t ever have to worry about Serge being aggressive,” McDonald said. “He’s getting his timing back. He’s getting his wind back… He did make strides from the first game, and I was happy that he’s bringing that energy and offensive threat to the team.”

The Toppers are heading into a stretch run that ends with the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Though the season may have been disappointing for a team favored to win the Sun Belt title, Kerusch is happy just to have a shot.

“Just to be back out there with the guys, the camaraderie — it just makes you feel right back at home,” Kerusch said.