Trojans Can't Complete Sweep of Louisiana-Lafayette

Wednesday, February 20

Lafayette, La.

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

Louisiana-Lafayette

Photo by: Cass Davis

Trojans Can't Complete Sweep of Louisiana-Lafayette

2/20/2013 10:01:00 PM | Basketball (W)

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, La. – The Troy women's basketball team went to Louisiana-Lafayette on a bit of a roll, but a poor first half led to a 63-59 loss for the Trojans and kept Troy from defeating the Ragin' Cajuns for the second time in less than three weeks.

Troy (6-20, 3-14) trailed by 14 points at the break and by 20 early in the second half, but rallied to cut the lead to five with 11:42 to go. Troy only scored seven points over the next 10 minutes, but still had chances in a one possession game with less than 30 seconds to go.

However, Louisiana-Lafayette (9-17, 3-14) converted just enough free throws in the final seconds to escape with the win. The Cajuns were just 13-of-28 from the line and allowed Troy to stay in the game down the stretch.

Joanna Harden led Troy with 25 points, including 19 in the second half to fuel the initial Troy rally. Harden scored seven straight points to lead to the five-point deficit with 11:42 to go.

Sarah McAppion posted a double-double for the Trojans with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but her effort on the glass wasn't enough as the Cajuns outrebounded Troy 46-39.

Louisiana-Lafayette grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, including 12 in the first half as they built a 38-24 lead at the break. The Ragin' Cajuns scored 15 second-chance points in the game, but 12 came in the first half.

Ashley Benjamin led three Cajuns with double-figure scoring as she posted a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Troy committed 18 turnovers, under their season average, but forced just 14 Louisiana-Lafayette miscues, with most of those coming down the stretch as Troy made a late push.

The Cajuns missed eight free throws in the last two minutes as the Troy deficit swayed between one and two possessions, but the Trojans could never get closer than three points.

The Trojans return to the floor on Saturday when they travel to take on Arkansas State at 3 p.m.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAhletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyTrojans.