(PHOTO/Joshua Thurston)
Hayden Warren
Staff Writer
The Troy women’s basketball team handled West Florida in an exhibition game Monday, winning 110-71.
Sophomore guard Ashley Beverly-Kelley led the team with 24 points while senior Joanna Harden scored 20.
“To come out with the first game jitters and shoot well at home in front of a crowd,” Troy head coach Chanda Rigby said. “We’re happy.”
Fueled by a speedy, ball-hawking defense, the Trojans forced 26 total turnovers while only committing 18 themselves.
“We were able to score quickly off of those turnovers,” Rigby said. “Scoring feeds scoring, and that is what happened.”
Troy also dominated inside, outscoring the Argonauts 58 to 46 points in the paint.
With fast players like Beverly-Kelley, the Trojans also had the advantage in second chance and fast break points, 17-13 and 12-0, respectively.
“It feels wonderful,” Beverly-Kelley said. I’ve been waiting for the season to start, and it feels good.”
Senior guard Brooke Bowie contributed with 13 points on Monday while junior Aissata Maiga from Bamako, Mali led the team with five assists.
“I’m a senior this year, and I feel like this year I’m going to actually play like a senior,” Bowie said. “It’s my last year so I need to step up and play like the senior I am.”
Junior Ronita Garrett and freshman Chant Lewis led the team with seven rebounds each.
West Florida made the first bucket to take an early lead before Troy went on a tear and scored 13 unanswered to take a 13-2 lead.
The Argonauts were unable to recover, falling behind a fast-paced Troy attack.
At half, Troy had a 32-point lead, 62-30, and the Trojans reached 80 points with 11:45 left in the second half.
With the seconds bleeding out to 23, Troy stretched its lead to 41 points, the largest of the game.
The Troy women’s regular season begins with a short drive to Montgomery against Alabama State on Friday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m.
Trojan fans will get the opportunity to meet the team on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. in Trojan Arena.
Basketball fan day will offer fans the chance to get free schedule posters signed by the players and coaches while free popcorn and soft drinks will be provided.
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