Troy University Athletics
Trojans Fall In Heartbreaker
1/30/2010 11:00:00 PM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. - Donette McNair's double-double was not enough to overcome South Alabama, as the Trojans fell to 59-57 at Trojan Arena in Sun Belt Conference action Saturday night.
"It's tough losing whether it is by one or twenty," Troy head coach Michael Murphy said. "This is our fourth loss by three points or less this season and it can be very frustrating. We did some good things in the second half that gave us a chance to win the game."
McNair finished the night 18 points and 16 rebounds, her seventh double-double of the season (second consecutive) and 12th of her career. The junior shot 6-of-14 from the floor and 6-of-8 from the free throw line in the loss. Meanwhile, Alyce Shearing finished the night with 16 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the floor.
Troy (11-9, 4-7 Sun Belt) shot 37.9 (22-of-58) percent from the floor and just 17.6 (3-of-17) percent from beyond the arc.
South Alabama was led by Siedah Banks with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Tashley Gaines added 11 off the bench and Shakira Nettles 10 in the victory.
The Lady Jags shot just 32.8 (20-of-61) percent from the floor and 15 (3-of-20) percent from beyond the arc. South Alabama won the rebounding battle, 44-39 in the contest.
"This loss hurts," Shearing said. "In the end we have to find a way to get it done. We are going to learn from this game and move forward for the rest of the season."
The Trojans had a chance to tie the game on the final possession after Nettles converted on just one of two free throws with 11.6 seconds remaining in the contest. Trailing by two, the Trojans worked the ball down the floor and into the hands of senior Brittnie Davis, who fed the ball inside to McNair. The junior turned and faced pressure from Shaniece Brunner, but was able to get the shot up. Unfortunately for the Trojans, the shot rimmed out at the buzzer for the final score.
The final opportunity was made possible due to the Trojans second half comeback.
Although the Trojans trailed for much of the second half, they were able to tie the contest 47-all with 6:06 remaining when Sarah McAppion knocked down a jumper just inside the 3-point line. They followed that up with a lay-up from McNair to take a 49-47 lead with 4:56 to play - a 9-1 run by the Trojans.
After the basket put the Trojans ahead, the two teams traded baskets until South Alabama took a 56-53 lead on a three-point play by Banks. The Trojans came right back down the floor and used a lay-up from McNair to pull within one and set the stage for the final seconds of the contest.
The first half was much the same story as the second for the two teams.
The Trojans and South Alabama were caught up in a game of runs in the first half Saturday night, with the Trojans taking the first attempt at running away with the contest.
Trailing after the opening basket, the Trojans went on a 10-2 run to take a six-point lead just 5:30 into the contest. The run started when Shearing hit back-to-back baskets to give Troy a 4-2 lead. After South Alabama tied the contest, the Trojans pushed ahead on a trio of free throws by McNair; followed by a 3-pointer out of the hands of McAppion to push the lead to 10-4.
After the Trojans pushed ahead 14-9 with 10:56 remaining in the contest, South Alabama went on their first run of the game. The Lady Jags started their run with baskets from Shaniece Brunner and Siedah Banks to tie the contest at 14-all. The visitors took their first lead since the opening basket when Christian Shelter drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give South Alabama a 17-14 lead with 6:33 remaining in the half. The lead grew to 22-14, as South Alabama went on a 13-0 run over a span of six minutes to take the lead.
However, Troy went on their final run of the first half, albeit a mini-run to close the gap before the final Lady Jags run. The Trojans 5-0 run pull the home team to within 22-19 with just 2:26 remaining in the first half, until South Alabama scored the final four points of the half to take a 26-19 lead at intermission.
Troy was able to stay within striking distance of the Lady Jags in the first half despite shooting just 22.6 (7-of-31) percent from the floor and 8.3 (1-of-12) percent from beyond the arc. The Trojans did so with defense, as they held South Alabama to just 27.3 (9-of-33) percent from the floor and 16.7 (2-of-12) percent from beyond the arc.
The Trojans return to action on Wednesday on the road, taking on East Division-leading Middle Tennessee State University at 7 pm, with the pregame show beginning at 6:45 pm on WTBF-94.7 FM.
"Middle Tennessee has one of the best players in the Sun Belt Conference [Alysha Clark]," Murphy said. "She is one of the best low players in the country. We are going to have to man-up and get ready to play, and find out what this team is all about."
Shearing also spoke highly of their next opponent this season, as Clark set a Trojan Arena record for points in a single game by an opponent last season.
"If we can guard her [Clark] then we can guard anyone."
Tickets are on sale for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, which takes place the first week of March, at the Troy University Ticket Office. Call 1-877-878-WINS (9467) and follow the Trojans to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Make sure to purchase your tickets through Troy and sit behind the team bench at Summit Arena.
