Trojans to host ULM in WNIT Great 8 Monday night

Published 8:44 am Monday, April 1, 2024

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The Troy Trojans’ (21-11) historic postseason run continues Monday, April 1, in the WNIT Great 8 against Sun Belt Conference foe Louisiana-Monroe (21-13).

The Trojans are coming off an 89-75 win over North Carolina A&T in the WNIT Super 16 on Friday night.

Troy shot 48.6 percent from the field – 43.8 percent from the three-point line – while holding North Carolina A&T to 40 percent shooting and just 13.6 percent from beyond the arc. Troy also won the rebound battle 46-43 and forced 13 turnovers along with scoring 19 points off turnovers.

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“I want to thank all the Trojan Fans who watched us tonight. Whether you were in that arena cheering us on or packing Baumhower’s Victory Grille in Troy,” Troy Coach Chanda Rigby said. “This was such a tremendous feat and a great night. Today is Good Friday. We took the message that Good Friday didn’t start good but ended good as a theme for our team. Our season didn’t start great, but we are having good things happen now.

“I told them that good things will happen as long as we have faith. And we kept believing, and the light shined through. It feels so good to win. I’ve dreamt about being this far for as long as I’ve been a DI coach. I’m beyond thankful for our staff, players and administration because it wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Makayia Hallmon led Troy with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Tai’Sheka Porchia added 15 points and eight rebounds. Ja’Mia Hollings chipped in with 14 points, 10 rebounds and one block, while Leilani Guion came off the bench to score 13 points. Shaulan Wagner scored seven points, grabbed seven boards and dished eight assists.

Now, Troy will host ULM in the Great 8 at Trojan Arena on Monday night. Troy has never played this deep in any postseason tournament and will now go head up with a team that the Trojans swept in the regular season.

The two sides met in Monroe, La., on Feb. 1 with Troy taking a 94-83 win, while Troy beat ULM in Trojan Arena by a score of 81-77 on Feb. 17.

ULM throttling Grambling State in the second round of the WNIT before topping the Sun Belt’s Southern Miss 84-71 in the Super 16 last week.

The two sides will meet in Trojan Arena tonight at 6 p.m. in a game that will also stream on ESPN+.