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Troy edges in-state rival

Staff

Published Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Photo by Matt Nascone

Troy University’s Kylie Morrissy drives to the basket Tuesday evening as the Trojans defeated Jacksonville State 59-56.

The Troy Trojans women’s basketball team led the Jacksonville State Gamecocks the entire game on Tuesday night in Trojan Arena and captured a thre- point victory. The Trojans 59-56 victory over the Gamecocks is the Trojans second of the season.

The Trojans got off to a fast start on an 18-3 run in the first half with just under six minutes to play.

Donette McNair and Kylie Morrissy led the Trojans in the first half with eight and seven points, respectively.

The Trojans headed into halftime with a 28-15 lead over the Gamecocks, but the Trojans lead dimished in the second half, as the game progressed.

“I thought the real key was not giving up the lead,” Trojans head coach Michael Murphy said. “We weren’t very efficient shooting in the second half. We had good endurance defensively and never relinquished the lead.”

The Trojans came out in the second half and saw their lead dwindle to eight points quickly in the opening minutes, but play from Morrissy and McNair kept the Trojans ahead in the game.

McNair was in her second start for the Trojans, and she recorded her second double-double as many games.

McNair got her start filling a gap for an injured teammate, and she has tried to play her hardest in her opportunity.

“I can’t come in and not play hard,” McNair said. “I don’t need to be the weakest link. I worked hard on rebounding. Coach always told us points will come if we work hard on defense.”

McNair finished the night with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

“Her story is one of perseverance,” Murphy said. “One that has paid off too.”

The Gamecocks pulled within four points of the Trojans with just more than three minutes left in the game, but the Trojans took advantage of Gamecocks turnovers and won the game.

“You can always build on a win,” Morrissy said. “We still have a lot to work on, an we’ve got to step up our game.”

The Trojans next contest is against the Richmond Spiders. The game is the Trojans first in the Doubltree Classic hosted by the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Tip off is set for 5 p.m. on Friday.

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