Troy dominates FIU in WNIT second round

Published 9:43 am Tuesday, March 26, 2024

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The Troy Trojans (20-11) women’s basketball team earned its first ever postseason win on Monday when they throttled the Florida-International Panthers by a score of 92-62 in the second round of the WNIT.

After holding on to a slim 25-22 lead in the first quarter, the Trojans began to pull away in the second quarter. Troy led 43-34 at the halftime break. The second half was all Trojans as Troy exploded to outscore FIU 27-7 in the third quarter and 49-28 overall in the second half.

Troy shot 52.7 percent from the field, while holding FIU to just 38.3 percent shooting. Troy also owned the boards, out-rebounding the Panthers 44-31 and forced an eye-popping 20 turnovers with 22 points off those turnovers compared to just eight points off turnovers for FIU. Troy also scored 20 second-chance points, compared to just seven for FIU.

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“First of all, I want to thank everyone who showed up to Trojan Arena tonight. They elevated us to where it was impossible not to give it our all to win,” Troy Coach Chanda Rigby said. “I’m appreciative of our opportunity to compete in the WNIT because these players did not want to end it how we did at the tournament. Our players are putting in the extra work to get the job done. (Hollings) led the way, but our whole team followed the gameplan and did amazing tonight. We kept the pedal down and made adjustments heading into the second half, and I’m proud of them for that.”

Ja’Mia Hollings had a big night for the Trojans as she scored 30 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked three shots and had three steals. Nia Daniel added 15 points and six boards, while Makayia Hallmon tallied 12 points and two steals. Tai’Sheka Porchia also scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Sharonica Hartsfield dished five assists and Shaulana Wagner chipped in with eight points and five assists. FIU was led by Courtney Prenger with 22 points and three rebounds.

Troy came into the contest with FIU with a combined 0-7 record in the postseason, and 0-2 in the WNIT. The win over FIU marked the first postseason win in school history for the women’s basketball team. It also saw Troy snap a seven game losing streak to FIU that dated back to 2010.

The Trojans now head to the WNIT Sweet 16 where they will face off against North Carolina A&T on the road on March 29.