Trojans fall in Arkansas

Published 3:04 am Saturday, February 7, 2015

The Troy women’s basketball team dropped its second-straight game Thursday night in a 91-72 loss at Arkansas State.

With the setback, the Trojans fall to fifth place in the Sun Belt Conference.

Early in the game, Troy fell victim to a big Arkansas State offensive run.

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After leading 12-6 to open the game, the Trojans (12-9, 7-5) missed their next 10 shots, and the Red Wolves took advantage by orchestrating a 20-2 run to pull ahead 26-14.

In the first half alone, Arkansas State shot 54 percent from the field as they went into halftime up big on the Trojans, 49-27.

In the second half, despite outscoring Arkansas State 45-42, Troy could never regain the lead.

Leading scorer for Troy Ashley Beverly-Kelley scored a game-high 26 points, but shot just 2-of-9 from the field in the first half while the Red Wolves (16-7, 11-2) built up their big lead.

Ronita Garrett set a new school mark in the losing effort, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, making her the first person in Troy’s Division I history to post five straight double-doubles.

Lacy Buchanon also reached double digits, scoring 11 points, including both of Troy’s 3-pointers. Buchanon also hit a buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt to close the halftime gap from 25 to 22 points.

Troy did its best to overcome the big halftime deficit, but the Red Wolves continued to score at will, shooting 46 percent from the field in the second half.

Troy shot better in the second half, but finished the game shooting just 36 percent from the field.

Jasmine Hunt led Arkansas State in scoring with 23 points, followed closely by Aundrea Gamble, who scored 22.

The Red Wolves sunk seven 3-pointers in the game, including five in the first half.

Troy will finish its road stint Saturday at Appalachian State.