Trojans Drop High-Scoring Opener at Winthrop

Sunday, November 11

Rock Hill, S.C.

1:00 p.m.

Troy University

Winthrop

Trojans Drop High-Scoring Opener at Winthrop

11/11/2012 3:35:00 PM | Basketball (W)

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Troy women's basketball team opened a new era in program history on Sunday, falling in head coach Chanda Rigby's debut at Winthrop, 87-82. The Trojans debuted Rigby's up-tempo, pressing system and it made for a fast-paced, exciting game.

Troy went cold for two minutes late in the game as Winthrop turned a 77-75 deficit into an 83-77 lead. However, the Trojans didn't back down as they cut it to 83-82 with 39 seconds remaining.

The Eagles made two free throws to go up 85-82, and Troy had two good looks at a game tying 3-pointer, but neither fell and Winthrop came away with a loose ball and the game. Troy shot 28.6 percent (8-of-28) from deep on the day.

True freshman Ashley Beverly-Kelley led the Trojans with 19 points while Jasmine Pitts (14) and Kourtney Coleman (12) were also in double figures for Troy. Troy shot just 31.4 percent (27-of-86) but forced 29 Eagle turnovers and scored 30 points off of them.

“If our players didn't believe in our system we could've lost that game by 40 points,” Rigby said. “I'm not a coach that wants moral victories, but I'll take this one. This was a tough uphill battle to come up here and win on the road to open the season.”

The 82 points were the most by a Troy team since the Trojans scored 84 against Middle Tennessee in 2009-10 season. The 29 forced turnovers were the most since Troy forced 29 against Florida Atlantic in the 2010-11 season.

The 82 points came despite Troy not getting on the board until the 16:19 mark in the second half. The Eagles opened the second frame on a 15-2 run to build a 10-point lead that Troy would ultimately erase.

Winthrop was led by Big South Preseason Player of the Year Dequesha McClanahan who had a game-high 22 points. Taylor Calvert had 11 points and 21 rebounds as the Eagles outrebounded Troy 58-54 on the day.

Sarah McAppion led Troy with 10 boards, including four offensively. Another hallmark of Rigby's system, all 12 of Troy's players that dressed scored.

Defense was the name of the game in the first half as Rigby's pressing system stunned Winthrop, forcing the Eagles into 18 first-half turnovers. Troy converted those into 22 points and led 39-36 at the half and led 39-36 despite just shooting 27.5 percent in the frame.

Troy's 39 first-half points were the most by a Troy team since 41 in the season opener last year, also against Winthrop.

The Trojans return to the floor on Wednesday when they open their home schedule at Trojan Arena as Mercer visits. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.

“There are few things defensively that we need to work on between now and Wednesday. McClanahan is a good player, but our help defense could've been better on her.”

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