Troy University Athletics
Troy Take on New Orleans Saturday
12/18/2009 6:00:00 PM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. - The Troy University women's basketball team opens Sun Belt Conference Saturday morning against the University of New Orleans at Trojan Arena.
It is the conference opener and just the third game this month for Troy (5-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) making their second appearance on television this season. The Trojans defeated Jacksonville State earlier this season on the road in their only other television appearance through the first seven games of the season.
The game will be the final home game of the 2009 year, as the Trojans do not return home again until January 2 against the University of Denver after back-to-back road games. So far this season, the Trojans are undefeated at home having defeated Longwood, Belhaven and Austin Peay inside the friendly confines of Trojan Arena.
Saturday's meeting will be the eighth meeting between New Orleans (6-5, 0-1 Sun Belt) and Troy all-time, with the Trojans leading the all-time series 4-3. However, Troy has dropped the last two meetings to the Lady Privateers, including last year at Trojan Arena (64-59).
Troy is led this season by junior Donette McNair who is averaging a double-double with 13.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. She ranks 18th in the nation in rebounding and is currently 38th in the nation in field goal percentage, shooting 55.6 percent per game.
Senior Alyce Shearing is one of the nation's best 3-point shooters, and is averaging 11.1 points per game. She is currently 17th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 50.0 percent on the season. Meanwhile, senior Brittnie Davis averages 10.4 points per game in her final season as a Trojan.
New Orleans is led by Brittany Helm averaging 12.0 points per game. The Lady Privateers enter Saturday's match-up following a 48-30 loss to Florida Atlantic to open Sun Belt Conference play.
The game will feature two of the best defenses in the Sun Belt Conference, with Troy leading the way. The Trojans are ranked sixth in the nation in field goal percentage defense and third in 3-point field goal percentage defense.
The game will be televised by CSS beginningat 11:07 am, and can also be heard on WTBF-94.7 FM with Buddy Johnson providing the play-by-play.
