McNair Sets New School Division I Rebounding Record in Loss

Wednesday, February 9

Mobile, AL

7:05 p.m.

Troy University

University of South Alabama

Photo by: Troy University

McNair Sets New School Division I Rebounding Record in Loss

2/9/2011 9:04:21 PM | Basketball (W)

Trojans split season series with South Alabama

By: Travis Jarome

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – A trio of Trojans was not enough to overcome a second half surge by the University of South Alabama, as the Lady Jags defeated Troy University 72-62 in Sun Belt Conference action at the Mitchell Center Wednesday night.

"I am disappointed in the loss but not in the kids' effort tonight," Troy head coach Michael Murphy said. "I am really proud of the way our two freshmen (Dominique Ross and Brooke Bowie) stepped up with early foul trouble with our two leading scorers. Sophie (Kleeman) played a steady game again as she has done throughout conference action.

"This is a tough place to play, and we came in and fought them for 35 minutes. They turned up the pressure in the second half, and forced us into some turnovers - 12 in the second half. They were able to convert on those turnovers and that was the difference in the game."

Donette McNair (New London, Conn./New London HS) led Troy (5-19, 2-9 Sun Belt) with a game-high 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting from the floor. She also grabbed eight rebounds in the loss for the Trojans. Meanwhile, sophomore Sophie Kleeman (Newcastle, Australia/Newcastle HS) scored 12 points, all in the first half on a career-high four three-pointers made in the opening 20 minutes.

Tenia Manuel (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg HS) also finished in double figures as she scored 11 points in the loss on 4-of-12 shooting from the floor and 3-of-5 shooting from the free throw line. Manuel also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

In the contest, South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri became the school's all-time winningest coach with 183 victories.

"I want to congratulate Rick on his accomplishment," Murphy said. "He does the things the right way and this is a great honor for him. He is a class act and runs a great program, South Alabama is lucky to have him."

Troy led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but South Alabama (14-10, 6-6 Sun Belt) went on an 18-0 run over a span over six minutes to take an eight point at 60-52 in the second half. During that span, Troy was held without a field goal from the 9:09 mark until McNair hit a layup with 3:51 remaining in the contest.

McNair (New London, Conn./New London HS) broke the school's all-time Division I-A rebounding record with 5:40 remaining in the opening half of play against South Alabama. The rebound almost went unnoticed as it was a simple defensive rebound, but it was the record breaker.

McNair broke the record of 717 held by Mandee Armstrong that stood for 13 years, and continues to add to the record as she recorded eight rebounds to give her 723 for her career. Although she holds the school's Division I-A record in rebounding, she trails Kathy Russell for the all-time lead as she recorded 1,317 rebounds in the 1970s for the Trojans.

Christian Shelter paced five South Alabama players in double figures with 15 points, while Siedah Banks added 13. Taylor Ammons and Sarda Peterson each added 12, while Brittney Rutledge added 10 in the win.

The Trojans shot 35.9 (23-for-64) percent from the floor and 37.5 (6-for-16) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 76.9 (10-for-13) percent from the free throw line and won the rebounding battle, 43-42. Meanwhile, South Alabama shot 40 (26-for-65) percent from the floor and just 25 (5-for-20) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 75 (15-for-20) percent from the free throw line.

The Trojans return to action Saturday against the University of Denver at Sartain Hall in a doubleheader with the men's program. The game will tip at 5:15 pm, and can be heard on WTBF-94.7 FM beginning with the pregame show at 5 pm.

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