Sports Editor

Fresh off of an opening season victory over Centenary on Friday, the Troy State Lady Trojans will look to put consecutive wins together tonight against Alabama State.

Tipoff for tonight’s game at Trojans Arena is 7 p.m.

Behind freshman Thea Herring’s 23 points and seven boards, TSU downed Centenary 96-85. Two straight 3-pointers by Sandy Burns cut the Lady Trojans’ lead to 90-85 with 30.5 seconds remaining, but Troy State guard Kira McWain connected on six free throws to conclude the game.

McWain’s shots were the highlight of an otherwise poor free throw shooting performance by the Lady Trojans. TSU was 43.5 percent from the field, but just 31 of 49 from the line.

Lady Trojans’ head coach Jerry Hester was pleased with the play of Herring and his senior guard, McWain.

"Thea scored 22 in our first exhibition and she had 23 on Friday night," said Hester on Monday. "I hope she can stay that consistent every night. She’s really come on lately and stepped it up. Kira was the only senior on the floor during the last part of the game and she made the free throws. That’s what you expect your seniors to do."

With eight freshman on the TSU roster, Hester said at certain times of the game, at least two or three will be on the floor playing.

"We’re excited about this group of freshmen," said Hester. "They are just going to have to mature quick. Right now we’re a good offensive basketball team, but I’m concerned about our defense. We’ve gave up too many points in our first game."

Hester expects Alabama State to test his young team tonight.

"They’re going to be very athletic and they have a lot of people returning from last season," he said. "I think they were runners-up in the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) last year and they are going to be more experienced then us."

The game tonight against the Lady Trojans will be the first regular season contest for Alabama State. Hester feels that might work to his team’s advantage.

"We’ve got a game under us," he said. "This will be their first one, so that could be to our benefit."