Emma Imevbore scans the court during Troy’s game against Kent State.
Troy women’s basketball secured an emphatic 86-59 win over the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss on Senior day after rolling past Louisiana Monroe in their midweek game for an 84-71 win last week.
The Trojans took senior day festivities to the next level with all six seniors scoring in the 27-point win and all but one Trojan getting points on the home court.
“It was a pleasure to see the seniors get sent off with a huge win on senior day.” Said head coach Chanda Rigby in an interview with Troy Athletics. “The emotions hit after the game when I talked with the parents.
“It just hit me that I won’t be back with these players next season. They grow up so fast, and I’m so proud of them. We’re going to enjoy this.”
Senior Brianna Jackson led the way for the Trojans with 17 points and four rebounds, shooting 8-for-10 from the field. Right behind her came junior Zay Dyer who contributed 13 points and six rebounds in a balanced attack from the forward duo.
On the guard front it was junior Khila Morris who led with 11 points -- her second straight game with double figure scoring.
Troy got a balanced attack from the rest of the seniors, with Leilani Guion scoring nine points while guards Brianna Peguero and Ashley Baez both contributed eight points.
Forward Emma Imevbore also added seven points with three blocks while Shaulana Wagner contributed nine assists in limited minutes.
The Trojans started strong, immediately getting a three from Peguero to open up the scoring. Troy kept the scoring going with the Golden Eagles staying close until just under four minutes left in the quarter. Troy finished the opening quarter on an 11-2 run.
Southern Miss started the second quarter getting the lead down to 10 before Troy responded with an 11-5 run. The Trojans kept the pressure on, finishing the half up 43-25.
The Trojans continued to outscore Southern Miss in each quarter, putting up 20 to the Golden Eagles 15 in the third quarter before outscoring Southern Miss 23-19 in the final quarter.
The Trojans started the week hot with an 84-71 Wednesday night win over ULM, which helped push them to sole possession of third place in the Sun Belt Conference standings. The 84-71 win was the 14th straight win over ULM for the Trojans.
Two Trojans led the way in the 13-point win with Morris scoring 16 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting night. The feat made her the first Troy player in nine years to shoot 100% with five or more shot attempts.
Right behind Morris was Jackson with her own 16 points and 10 rebounds to finish with another double-double, her fifth of the season. Dyer had a double-double as well, recording 12 points and 11 rebounds to continue to lead the conference in double-doubles.
Baez rounded out the Trojans in double digits as she added 10 points for her 19 double digit scoring performance of the season.
Troy started strong, outscoring the Warhawks 21-15 in the first quarter before the Warhawks clicked in the second quarter to take a one-point lead into halftime, a 40-39 point game.
Troy and ULM went back and forth out of the half before a 11-1 Troy run gave the Trojans a 57-49 lead. The Warhawks stayed close for the remainder of the quarter with the Trojans holding a 64-61 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Troy came out of the quarter break scoring four points to hold a seven-point lead. The closest the Warhawks got was three points, 73-70, before Troy hit another run to go up 81-70. Troy got three more points before the end of the game, taking the win by a final score of 84-71.
The Trojans go on a two-game road trip against ULM on Feb. 20 and South Alabama on Feb. 22 before returning home to Trojan Arena on Feb. 26 to play host to Texas State.
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