Trojans Hold Off FAU On Senior Night

TROY, Ala. ? The Troy University Trojans built a big first half lead, only to watch Florida Atlantic whittle away the lead in the waning moments of the game.

Troy was able to hold on in the end, due to clutch free throw shooting and the inside play of Audrey Muse, pulling out a 60-54 Sun Belt Conference victory.

”Tonight was a special night,” Troy head coach Michael Murphy said. “We had to say goodbye, to not only five good basketball players, but five good people. It was tough, but we also knew what was ahead with the game that was to be played.”

The Owls closed to within 51-50 with just 2:30 remaining in the contest on a three-pointer. The Trojans answered when Kylie Morrissy drilled a three-pointer with 2:06 to play to push the lead back to four at 54-50; however, Florida Atlantic answered on the other end with a second-chance opportunity to trim the deficit to 54-52 with 1:56 to play in the game.

After a timeout, the Trojans (12-16, 5-12 SBC) turned the ball over with 1:33 to play in the contest and Florida Atlantic came down to the other end with a chance to tie or take the lead. Amy Lewis reached in at the last second to tie up Brittany Bowe, forcing a jump ball situation.

The possession stayed with the Owls who missed a three-pointer from the left corner, an air ball that landed in the arms of junior point guard Larelle Roper. Roper fell to the ground and wrestled the ball away from a pair of FAU defenders, before being able to call timeout with 1:12 remaining in the contest.

After the timeout, Muse drove through the Owls' defense for a lay-up with just 56.5 seconds to play, extending the lead back to four. Bowe was able to score on FAU's next trip down the floor, followed by Muse with another lay-up with just 31.2 seconds remaining in the contest.

“Our seniors took it upon themselves down the stretch,” Murphy said. “They took upon themselves to get their last home win and get us a last home win for this season.”

Morrissy was able to put the game away at the free throw line with just 20.4 seconds remaining, draining both free throws to extend the lead to 60-54.

“Tonight's game was a tale of two halves,” Murphy said. “We played great defense in both halves, and played great offense in the first half. I have to give credit to FAU, they could have folded the tent and went home, but they came out in the second half ready to play.”

Troy jumped on top of the Owls in the first two minutes of the game, taking a 5-0 lead courtesy of a Lewis three-pointer and a Danielle Realph jumper in the paint. The Owls trimmed into the lead, getting to within three in the opening minutes, but the Trojans were 11-6, before a 9-2 run pushed the lead to as many 12.

During the run, the Trojans relied on Muse and Morrissy (two baskets) inside, and a three-pointer from Brittnie Davis to open up the lead with 7:30 remaining in the first half.

After Florida Atlantic closed to within 10 with 4:23 remaining in the half, the Trojans scored the final 10 points of the half to take the 20-point halftime lead.

Davis connected on a pair of free throws to start the 10-0 run with 3:18 remaining in the half, before Roper hit a lay-up before hitting the deck to give Troy a 29-15 lead with 2:48 remaining in the half. Lewis connected on the back-end of a two-shot foul to push the lead to 15, before Zena Lawrence scored the Trojans' final five points of the first half.

The Trojans jumped to an early lead and pushed that lead to 20 to close the half, and take a 35-15 lead into intermission.

Troy shot 40.4 (23-of-57) percent from the floor and 38.5 (5-of-13) percent from behind the arc. They also dished out 15 assists for their 23 baskets made. Meanwhile, Florida Atlantic shot just 30.9 (21-of-68) percent from the floor and 15.4 (2-of-13) percent from behind the arc. They did, however, shoot 92.9 (13-of-14) percent from the free throw line.

The Owls were led by Bowe with 15 points, while Carla Stubbs added 14. Troy was led Morrissy with 20 points and six rebounds, while Lewis added 11 points, five rebounds and four steal.

“It has been great to play here,” senior forward Myra Farr said. “I have loved playing with everyone on this team, and I have loved playing for Coach Murphy. He teaches us more than just playing basketball, he teaches us life lessons, things we can take with us when we are through playing basketball.”

“I am grateful for these five seniors,” Murphy said. “They will leave their mark here at Troy University, and when they leave they will carry their family name and the Troy name in a first-class way. I have been blessed to have these five players on my team, and they can play for me anytime.”

The Trojans head to Middle Tennessee for their final regular season road game on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Murphy Center. Troy will then await their fate in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, now locked into the 11^th seed, they should find out their opponent this week.

Troy University Athletics

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