Troy University Athletics
Troy Halts Streak, Muse Records Career Night
2/23/2008 6:00:00 AM | Basketball (W)
“Audrey was exceptional in the way she played tonight,”
Muse scored the first six points of the game for Trojans,
all inside the paint to help
“We challenged our players all week and told them that we were going to go inside with the basketball,” Murphy said. “We told them that we were going to play the game outside-in.”
After Florida International scored the first three points of the game, Muse ignited a 16-0 run over the next nine minutes to push the Trojans out to a 16-3 lead with 11:24 to play in the first half. The Golden Panthers stopped the run with a layup at the 11:23 mark; however, the Trojans went on another run ? this one of the 9-0 variety ? to extend their lead to 27-5 with 8:33 remaining in the first half.
“Obviously this is a tremendous win for our program tonight considering the way we have been struggling the last three weeks,” Murphy said. “To come out and play the way we did tonight says a lot about the character of the players on this team.”
“Our basic premise all year has been play with purpose; play with passion; play with courage,” Murphy said. “If you do that then you will be ready to play the next game, that way you can't get too high or too low.”
The Golden Panthers shot just 26.2 (16-of-61) percent from
the floor, while being held to just 12 (3-of-25) percent from behind the
arc. Meanwhile,
“We played great team basketball tonight,” Murphy said. “We had 22 baskets off of 14 assists, and that is good team basketball. I think this win will help build momentum heading into the conference tournament. Up until this week, FIU had won five games in a row ? including a win over Middle Tennessee ? so this should help us down the road.”
Muse led the way for the Trojans by connecting on 10-of-14 shots from the floor, good for 22 points. while also grabbing nine rebounds. The point total surpasses her previous career high of 20 points set against Austin Peay in 2005. Amy Lewis was the only other Trojan in double figures with 10 points, connecting on 4-of-9 shots from the floor.
Florida International was led by Fanni Hutlassa with 14 points, while Iva Ciglar added 12.
Troy hosts Florida Atlantic University Wednesday night, February 27, in the final home game of the season and the careers of five seniors. The Trojans will honor seniors Myra Farr, Laura Lee Holman, Lewis, Zena Lawerence and Muse prior to the 5:15 p.m. tip.
