Wally Pendergrass
Staff Writer
The Troy women’s basketball team hit triple digits for the first time this season in a win over Appalachian State, after losing earlier in the week to Arkansas State.
The Trojans faced the second place Red Wolves in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on Thursday, Feb. 5, where they were unable to overcome a first half 20-2 run.
The Red Wolves got hot in the first half, kept it going the rest of the way and defeated the Trojans 91-72.
The Trojans shot only 36 percent in the game and never got closer than 14 points to the Red Wolves in the second half.
Junior guard Ashley Beverly-Kelley led the Trojans with 26 points, while senior forward Ronita Garrett had 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Garrett recorded her fifth straight double-double, and becomes the first Trojan to do so since Troy moved to Division I.
The Trojans continued their road trip, taking on Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina, on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Troy dominated this game, leading the whole way while shooting 54.3 percent from the floor, winning 108-87.
The Trojans shot 52.4 percent from the three-point line, their second best effort on the season.
“We came out with incredible energy after a long road trip,” said head coach Chanda Rigby.
Garrett led the team with a career-high 28 points while Beverly-Kelley scored 25, her fourth straight game with 20-plus points.
Junior guard Lacey Buchanon grabbed 10 assists, which is the highest mark for a Trojan so far this season.
“We are looking forward to two games at home next week,” Rigby said, “and we need our supporters to come out as we make a run at a Sun Belt Championship.”
With seven games left in the regular season, Troy is closing in on a berth to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
Troy is currently tied for third with Texas State in the Sun Belt standings, with the top eight teams making it into the tournament.
Troy hosts South Alabama in Trojan Arena on Thursday, Feb. 12. Thursday will be the first meeting this season against the rival Jaguars, who are currently in last place in the Sun Belt.
On Saturday, Feb. 14, the Trojans will host UL Lafayette in Trojan Arena. The Trojans hope to be a bad Valentine’s date and get a season sweep over the Ragin’ Cajuns, whom they defeated earlier in the season 60-55.
