Wally Pendergrass
Staff Writer
The Troy women’s basketball team grabbed a pair of wins this past week and a nice steak dinner, courtesy of John Hartwell, Troy’s athletic director.
Hartwell announced on his Twitter account Thursday, Feb. 12, that he would provide a steak dinner to any team that defeated rival South Alabama.
The women’s basketball team was the first to take him up on that offer after cruising to a 78-67 win over South Alabama.
“We forced 31 turnovers, and that sounds like an up-tempo game,” said head coach Chanda Rigby, “but it didn’t feel like it.”
Junior guard Ashley Beverly-Kelley led the Trojans with 19 points and also had seven rebounds and seven assists.
“I think we are almost there where we need to be,” said Kelley. “I think we need to stay consistent.”
Senior forward Ronita Garrett had 12 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore forward Caitlyn Ramirez had 14 points.
The leading rebounder for the Trojans was sophomore forward Kristen Emerson, who grabbed 11 rebounds after coming in off the bench.
When asked about how she wants her steak, Rigby said, “Medium-well.” She also made sure to say that the team was going to take Hartwell up on his offer.
“That was really good motivation by John Hartwell,” said Rigby, “and it got us fired up, and we’re going to take him up on it and let him feed us a steak.”
The Trojans claimed another win on Saturday, Feb. 14, this time over UL Lafayette, 68-63.
The win gave the Trojans 10 conference wins, which ties them for the most in program history.
The Trojans also wore special pink jerseys on Saturday, in support of The Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
The Trojans are wearing the jerseys again on this upcoming Saturday and will be auctioning off an autographed jersey as well.
Against the Ragin’ Cajuns, Garrett had 14 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for her 16th double-double of the season.
Garrett leads the Sun Belt in double-doubles this season. Her 19 rebounds tie the Troy Division I record for rebounds in game, which she previously held.
Beverly-Kelley led the Trojans in points with 20, while Ramirez scored 11 points and continues to play well in her new starting role.
“This win was critical for us in our march to get the highest seed possible in the conference tournament,” said Rigby.
The Trojans currently are tied for third in the Sun Belt standings. With only six games left in the season, the Trojans need to win three more in order to lock up a seed in the tournament.
The Trojans face Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia, on Thursday, Feb. 19. Troy previously defeated the Eagles 84-74 at home. On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Trojans will host conference leading UALR in Trojan Arena.
The UALR Trojans are 21-3(14-1) and gave the Troy Trojans their worst defeat of the season back on Jan. 22, 82-56.
The Trojans want all their supporters to wear pink again this Saturday to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, as well as support the Trojans’ quest to become New Orleans bound.
