Special to the Messenger

TROY, Ala. – Larelle Roper seems to have an uncanny sense of timing this season, proving that theory again on Thursday night in Trojan Arena.

The junior point guard connected on her only three-pointer of the game just four minutes into the second half, giving the Trojans a two-point advantage and seizing control of the conference match-up.

From there, Troy took control of the contest and never trailed the remaining 16:11 of the game en route to a 73-62 victory over North Texas.

The victory marks the first time Troy (8-6, 1-2 SBC) has defeated the Mean Green in six meetings.

Roper seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to needing a three-pointer to either tie the game or go ahead.

She has hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Tulsa, and scored seven of nine points down the stretch to win a six-point contest over Western Illinois.

After Thursday night’s game, add a clutch three-pointer to her resume.

&uot;Last year we lost a lot of games by five or six points,&uot; Roper siad.

&uot;My goal this year, after talking with Coach (Craig) Kennedy, was to get an extra five points four our team then we could win.

My goal was to just to try and get one three in the first half and one three in the second half, and that has been my goal since the beginning of the year.

We have been working on it, and I just set my feet and hit the shot.&uot;

The three-pointer by Roper ignited a 7-0 run by the Trojans that enabled Troy to take a commanding 47-40 lead with 14:53 remaining in the contest.

Troy returns to action Wednesday evening on the road in Miami against Florida International University.

The game is set to tip off at 5:15 pm