Trojans Hold Off Late Florida Atlantic Rally

Sunday, January 2

Troy, AL

4:00 p.m.

Troy University

Florida Atlantic University

Photo by: Edward Fieder

Trojans Hold Off Late Florida Atlantic Rally

1/2/2011 6:55:36 PM | Basketball (W)

Troy led by as many as 17 points in the second half behind senior Donette McNair

By: Travis Jarome

Box Score | Photo Gallery

TROY, Ala. – The Troy University women's basketball ran out to a double-digit lead Sunday afternoon against Florida Atlantic, before the Owls came storming back in the waning moments. The Owls got the game down to a single possession, until Troy was able to hit timely free throws down the stretch and win their first Sun Belt Conference game of the season 64-57 at Sartain Hall.

“Obviously this a fantastic win and the first conference win of the year,” Troy head coach Michael Murphy said. “This is our only home game in a span of eight games that are on the road, covering almost two weeks, so obviously this is a great confidence builder.”

Troy (4-11, 1-1 Sun Belt) used the play of senior Donette McNair (New London, Conn./New London HS) in the second half to run away from Florida Atlantic and build a 17-point advantage. After heading to the bench early in the second half with just four points and four rebounds, McNair responded and finished with her 25th career double-double – finishing with a game-high 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Junior DeAngela Sword (Montgomery, Ala./Pensacola JC) finished with 12 points, while Jamesha Blake (Atlanta, Ga./SW DeKalb HS) finished with a career-high 10 points as she scored six of the first eight points of the game.

“I am pleased with our balance,” Murphy said. “I thought we had really good rhythm in the first half, with Jamesha Blake and Dominique Ross playing critical roles in our success. Blake got us off to a good start hitting shots early, and then Ross came in when McNair got in foul trouble and had to sit for a substantial amount of time. Those two in the first half were just huge.

“In the second half, Donette just took over. We had 20 offensive rebounds and shot 42 percent from the floor, and she had eight of those rebounds all in the second half. She was just a force in the second half. We just have to do a better job of taking care of the basketball. At times we got in a hurry, but that is to be expected as they are still learning throughout the season. “

The two teams traded baskets throughout the first half, until the Trojans were able to pull ahead by five at 22-17 behind a three-pointer from sophomore Sophie Kleeman (Newcastle, Australia/Newcastle HS) and a three-pointer from junior Tenia Manuel (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg HS). After Florida Atlantic closed the lead to 24-22, the Trojans answered with back-to-back baskets from Ross and Manuel to pull back ahead by six, 28-22, their biggest lead of the first half.

The second half was a different story as Florida Atlantic came out of the gates quickly to tie the score 32-all, as they outscored the Trojans 8-4 in the first three minutes. The Owls got baskets from April Goins and a three-pointer from Viviana Penate to tie the score, before Troy was able to answer back.

The Trojans went on a 24-7 run over a span over the next 11 minutes to take their biggest lead of the game at 54-39. During the run, McNair came off the bench and ignited the Trojans with 12 of her 19 points during the run; also recording a pair of steals and assists in helping the Trojans run out to the big lead.

However, that is where things go interesting, as Florida Atlantic answered the Troy run with one of their own at 10-0 to close to within 59-57. The Owls used a three-pointer from Lyrell Barfield and baskets from Teri Stamps and Takia Brooks to close within the one possession.

After Florida Atlantic (3-10, 0-2 Sun Belt) pulled to within a pair, they had a chance to take the lead but Stamps missed a three-pointer in the corner and the Trojans were able to pull down the rebound and run the clock out as Kleeman drained five-of-six free throws to close out the victory.

Florida Atlantic was led by Breana Turner with 12 points and DaLita Scott with 10 points in the loss.

Troy shot 41.7 (25-for-60) percent from the floor and 28.6 (4-for-14) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 55.6 (10-for-18) percent from the free throw line and won the rebounding battle, 44-30. The Trojans also forced Florida Atlantic into 29 turnovers on the night.

Meanwhile, Florida Atlantic shot 40 (22-for-55) percent from the floor and 37.5 (6-for-16) percent from beyond the arc in the loss.

The win is the third of the season for the Trojans at Sartain Hall this season, with a good crowd on hand to witness the victory. The game was also shown on CSS regionally.

“The home crowd is great,” Murphy said. “It all starts with our pep band, and I really mean that wholeheartedly. Our pep band is fantastic, they are first rate and they really add a lot of enthusiasm and excitement to the game. I am real appreciative of our fans, it is January 2 with a lot going on, and they came out and watched us play. Our kids are really excited and love to play in front of them. We have that core group that is always here for us, so it is great to play at home and I just wish we could do it more.”

The Trojans return to action Wednesday night on the road at Earl K. Long Gymnasium on the campus of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

The game can be heard on WTBF-94.7 FM beginning at 6:45 pm with the pregame show, and tip for 7 pm in the Sun Belt Conference game.

“Going back on the road is not a big deal for us since we are they are all the time,” Murphy said. “It is the succession of games that concerns me just a little bit with fatigue. The kids have really responded well with back-to-back games and games within close proximity to each other. I am really excited to see the challenge that Louisiana-Lafayette presents to our team on Wednesday night.”

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