Trojans Score 118, Pick Up First Win

Sunday, November 18

Troy, Ala.

2:00 p.m.

Troy University

118

Furman

Photo by: Cass Davis

11/18/2012 5:03:00 PM | Basketball (W)

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

TROY, Ala. – The Troy women's basketball team scored the third most points in school history and set the school record for shooting percentage as the Trojans defeated Furman, 118-96, on Sunday.

The win marks the first of the year for Troy (1-2) and the first of Troy head coach Chanda Rigby's Division I career. Troy shot 64.3 percent (45-of-70) from the field, breaking the previous school record of 61.1 percent set at Middle Tennessee in 2007.

“Any win would have been great right now as we're trying to prove that this is a new era for Troy women's basketball,” Rigby said. “This was a great statement about the kind of system we run.”

Troy's 118 points are the most scored by a women's basketball team this season nationwide as seven different players where in double-figures for Troy. Kourtney Coleman and Joanna Harden led the way with 19 points. Coleman posted a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Troy built a 51-37 halftime lead thanks to a 62.1 percent shooting effort in the opening frame. The Trojans seemed to cool down at the opening of the second half, but turned it one after Furman cut the lead 12.

The Trojans built their lead to as many as 27 in second half as Furman couldn't match the Trojans' pace. Troy's 118 points nearly doubled their highest output of last season, 66 points against Winthrop and Middle Tennessee.

All five of Troy's starters were in double figures as Dominique Ross (10), Ashley Beverly-Kelley (11), Britney McCloud (15) and Jasmine Pitts (10) all joined Coleman. Brooke Bowie was also in double-figures with a career-high 17 points off the bench.

After averaging 10.0 made 3-pointers per game in their first two, Troy hit just five on Sunday, shooting 50 percent (5-of-10). However, Troy was aggressive and drove to the basket, scoring 77 points in the paint. Troy held Furman to 25 percent from behind the arc (5-of-20).

Troy's hot shooting carried over to the free throw line where the Trojans were 23-of-28 (82.1 percent).

Furman (2-1) was led by Teshia Griswold who scored 25 points, including 15 in the second half. Sarah Durdaller had 21, but fought foul trouble for most of the night.

The Trojans return to the floor on Wednesday when they travel to take on Kennesaw State. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CST at the KSU Convocation Center.

For more information on Troy Athletics, be sure to check with TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.