MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a game marred by physical play, Alabama State wore down Troy State to pick up a 81-71 win here at the Joe L. Reed Acadome.

Both teams combined for 61 fouls, with Alabama State leading the way with 35. The Lady Trojans shot 46 free throws, hitting 37, while Alabama State shot 43 free throws, hitting 30.

Alabama State’s defense was its catalyst, forcing 26 Troy State turnovers and turning that into 19 points. Troy State forced 28 turnovers but only scored nine points off those.

The two teams battled for the first seven minutes before Alabama State (5-1) jumped out to a 14-10 lead on a jumped by Natasha Thomas. The two teams would battle back forth, playing great defense, with Troy State hitting 6-of-27 shots (22.2 percent) and Alabama State hitting 11-of-35 shots (31.4 percent).

With Alabama State holding a 37-33 lead at the half, Troy State (2-4) would make a run to start the second half. The Lady Trojans opened the second half with a 14-2 run, and took their first lead of the game at 41-39 on baseline jumper by Jennifer McInnis. Troy State would extend their lead to eight at 47-39 on a jumpshot in the lane by Tomekia Golatte with just under 15 minutes left in the game.

Troy State’s senior point guard Kira McWaine injured her ankle with just over 13 minutes left. That?s when the Lady Hornets stepped up their defensive pressure and shooting. In the second half, Alabama State was 13-of-26 from the floor (50 percent). ASU would battle back and tied the game at 56 on a jump shot by Katinah Daniels with nine and half minutes left in the game.

After taking the lead with just under six minutes left at 64-62, the Lady Hornets would go on a 14-3 run to take their largest lead of the night at 76-65 with just over a minute to go. That allowed the Lady Hornets to hit their free throws and come away with a hard fought, 81-71 win.

Leading Troy State in scoring was freshman Thea Herring. Herring scored 18 points and pulled down a game high nine rebounds. Golatte and McInnis both added 12. McWaine scored eight and dished five assists before getting injured.

Alabama State was led by Nicole Miller’s game-high 19 points. Miller was 11-of-13 at the free throw line. Natasha Thomas added 13 points.

Troy State travels to Birmingham on Saturday to face Mississippi Valley State in the first round of the UAB Invitational.