Scott Shelton
Staff Writer
The Troy women’s basketball team fell to Sun Belt Conference foe Coastal Carolina 84-71 on the road Thursday but rebounded two days later to defeat Appalachian State 93-64.
The loss to Coastal Carolina ended Troy’s six-game winning streak and gave the Chanticleers the sweep in the season series despite a career-high 20 points from Jasmine Sanders, and only nine turnovers as a team.
Against the Mountaineers, the Trojans took advantage of 24 turnovers from the host, Appalachian State, to cruise to a 29-point victory. It’s the ninth time this season Troy has forced its opponent into at least 24 turnovers.
In Thursday’s contest, the Trojans tied the hosting Chanticleers at the end of the first quarter, but Coastal Carolina used free throws in the second quarter to gain a 10-point advantage at the half.
The Trojans pulled within five points in the third quarter, but the Chanticleers extended the lead back to double-digits to pull away for the win.
Free throws gave Coastal Carolina an advantage throughout the game. The Chanticleers made 28 of 39 of their attempts, compared to the Trojans making nine of 11 free throw attempts.
For Coastal Carolina, Jas Adams led her team with 40 points off six 3-pointers and 16 free throws made.
For Troy, Sanders scored her 20 points off four 3-pointers. Sky’Lynn Holmes helped keep things close as well as she recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
After the loss at Coastal Carolina on Thursday, Troy got back to its winning ways against Appalachian State on Saturday.
In the first quarter, the Trojans mustered just nine points and trailed by double-digits to the Mountaineers. However, Troy turned things around thanks to a 25-point second quarter that gave the Trojans a two-point lead going into halftime.
Amber Rivers scored 12 of the team’s first 14 points to start the third quarter on her way to 24 points in the second half and a season-high 27 points overall.
Three other Trojans scored in double figures as well. Reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week Kayla Robinson scored 15 points, Sanders scored 14 and Chelsey Gibson nearly achieved a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Trojans scored 84 points over the final three quarters to pull away from Appalachian State and win 93-64.
Troy lost the rebounding battle 51 to 42 against Coastal Carolina, but edged Appalachian State 55 to 42, with 27 of those coming from offensive rebounds alone.
The win gives the Trojans the sweep in the season series over the Mountaineers.
Troy will play against conference opponent Louisiana in Trojan Arena on Thursday, and on Saturday, the Trojans will play ULM on Senior Day. Thursday’s tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
