Troy University Athletics
Trojans Record Key SBC Victory
2/4/2009 6:00:00 AM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. - Lunch pale and a hard hat.
That was the slogan this week at practice for the Troy Trojans women's basketball team as they prepared for Arkansas State at Trojan Arena.
"We were really down on ourselves after that Denver game," Troy coach Michael Murphy said. "But I have to give the girls credit, they came out and worked hard the last two days at practice. Those were probably the best practices we have had all season, and it paid off down the stretch. They came to practice with a lunch pale and hard hat, and ready to work this week."
The hard work paid off as the Trojans were able to come back from a second-half deficit and pull off a key Sun Belt Conference victory, 74-69, over Arkansas State Wednesday night.
"This was a very big win for the Trojans," Murphy said. "We needed this for our confidence, we needed this for momentum going into an obviously tough road game against Florida Atlantic on Saturday. I am proud of the girls, the way their persevered and really happy with the win."
Junior forward Alyce Shearing and senior guard Brittnie Davis epitomized the work ethic of the entire team Wednesday night.
Shearing paced four players in double figures for the Trojans with a career-high 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc. She was joined in double figures by Donette McNair with 16 points and five rebounds, Kylie Morrissy with 14 points and Davis with 10 in the victory.
"When we needed someone to step and make plays Alyce wanted the ball," Murphy said. "I have been doing this a long time, and this is by far one of the best performances I have seen out of an individual player."
Shearing, who posted a career-high, and Davis, who returned after missing the last game against Denver, hit big shots down the stretch to give the Trojans the victory at home.
Trailing 67-65 with 1:48 to play in the contest, Shearing took a pass from McNair and drained a long 3-pointer from the right corner to give the Trojans a 68-67 victory. After a Shania Hurst jumper gave Arkansas State a 69-68 lead, the stage was set for Davis.
Morrissy drove the baseline from the right side, but was cut off by two Arkansas State defenders. She found an open Davis in the left corner, just in front of her team's bench. Davis knocked down the 3-pointer to give Troy a 71-69 lead and send the crowd into a frenzy with just 41 seconds remaining.
The Trojans hit three-of-four free throws down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
Troy (10-12, 5-7 Sun Belt) came out hitting on all cylinders Wednesday night, taking a 12-2 lead just four minutes into the contest.
Arkansas State was able to come back and trim the lead to four, 29-25, with 48 seconds to play in the opening half. However, Troy closed the half on a 5-0 run when Shearing connected on a 3-pointer with 28 seconds remaining and McNair connected on a lay-up with just eight seconds remaining - giving Troy a 34-25 halftime advantage.
Troy held that lead until Arkansas State went on a 15-5 run to take a 40-39 lead with 13:58 to play in the contest - their first lead of the evening. From that point the two teams traded the lead, with both teams taking five point leads over the opposition in the final 14 minutes of action.
Troy shot 45.5 (25-of-55) percent from the floor and 43.8 (7-of-16) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 77.3 (17-of-22) percent from the free throw line, while forcing 19 Arkansas State turnovers.
Meanwhile, Arkansas State shot 47.2 (25-of-53) percent from the floor and 86.4 (19-of-22) percent from the free throw line. The Red Wolves did not connect on a 3-pointer, missing all five of their attempts on the loss.
Veronica Smith led Arkansas State (10-12, 4-7 Sun Belt) with 18 points off the bench, while Ebonie Jefferson added 13 and Shania Hurst 12.
The Trojans return to action Saturday on the road against Florida Atlantic University. Tip is set for 4 p.m. (CST) at FAU Arena, with the game broadcast on WTBF-94.7 FM with Travis Jarome providing the play-by-play.
