Lady Trojans claim second win of the year over Centenary
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 12, 2000
SHREVEPORT, La. – After withstanding a three-point barrage, Troy State overcame a 10 point second half deficit to defeat Centenary, 86-81 in the Gold Dome.
"I was excited that we hung on to win," said Troy State head coach Jerry Hester, "For a young team, it was great to get a win against a team that was really hungry for a win. This was a real confidence booster for our team."
The Lady Trojans got career efforts from Jennifer McInnis, who had a career-high 15 points and seven rebounds with Lauren Peckham added a career-high 12 points off the bench., to along with her seven rebounds. Kira McWaine added a season-high 10 assists, with Thea Herring adding 10 points.
Centenary (0-8) jumped early, behind two three pointers Allison Cash, to take a 16-10 lead. The Lady Trojans would come back to take the lead, 18-16 after a basket by Latoya Gay, with just under eight minutes in the first half.
The Lady Trojans would take a 10-0 run to take a 26-21 lead. Cash hit another three-pointer to spark the run. The Lady Trojans would battle back to cut the halftime margin to 37-33.
Troy State (2-3) scored the first two baskets of the second half to tie the score 37. The two teams would battle back forth before Centenary went on a 12-2 run to take their largest lead of the night, 57-47 with just over 11 minutes left in the game.
The Lady Trojans’ comeback was mainly to hot shooting. TSU shot 58.3 percent in the second half (21-of-36), while stepping up on the defensive end and holding Centenary to just 35.9 percent (14-of-39).
Troy State would battle back. TSU would tie the game on a jumper by Rebekah Waters, and took their first lead of the game on a Peckham three-pointer to take a 69-68 lead. That three was the big spark for the Lady Trojans, who went on an 18-2 run, to take a 74-68 lead with just under five minutes left in the game.
Centenary got as close as one point, with just over four minutes left, but couldn’t regain the lead. Troy State was able to convert their free throws to claim an 86-81 win.
Centenary was led by Sandy Burris, who had 19 points off the bench. Clarisse Arredondo had 15 and Allison Cash added 14.
The Lady Trojans hit the road again Wednesday as travel to the state capital to face in-state rival Alabama State. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m