Turnovers Cost Trojans in Loss to Red Wolves

Wednesday, February 15

Jonesboro, Ark.

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

Arkansas State University

Photo by: Edward Fieder

Turnovers Cost Trojans in Loss to Red Wolves

2/15/2012 8:54:00 PM | Basketball (W)

Troy women's basketball fell to Arkansas State 62-39 on Wednesday.

By: Ben Maxwell

Box Score | Game Recap

Jonesboro, Ark. – Troy women's basketball could not overcome costly turnovers in 62-39 loss at Arkansas State on Wednesday.

“We just struggled to score and it wasn't a byproduct of bad shots,” head Coach Michael Murphy said.

“We are getting the looks we want from the people we want we just got in a hurry at times and did not take advantage of what the defense was giving us. We were doing some really good things in the game offensively and defensively, we were just not making shots, but the effort is there.”

Trojan Sarah McAppion led her team in scoring for the sixth time this season as she hit 15 total points.

Senior Tenia Manuel, Sophie Kleeman, Brooke Bowie and Ieva Nagy all tied in leading their team in rebounds as they recorded five total rebounds each. Manuel now has 480 career rebounds, surpassing former Trojan Valensia Hairston (2003-07) as Troy's ninth career rebounding record.

Arkansas State was led in scoring by Jane Morrill with 13 total points. Morrill was followed closely by Meghan Lewis with 12 points and Shania Hurst with 11.

In the first half Troy (2-22, 1-12 Sun Belt) maintained a close matchup with the Red Wolves with two lead changes in the first nine minutes. However, Troy struggled with 17 turnovers to send Arkansas State (11-15, 5-8) on a 16-4 point run in the final seven minutes to take a 32-19 lead going into half time.

Troy came out strong in the second half to cut the Red Wolves lead down to nine points before Arkansas State hit a 14-3 point run to give them a 51-30 lead with seven minutes remaining. The Trojans suffered an important offensive blow when leading scorer Sarah McAppion left the game with less than six minutes remaining.

Both teams exchanged points but Arkansas State went on to claim the 62-39 victory. Troy ended the game with 29 total turnovers; the most turnovers this season.

“The turnovers are what they are; at times we got in a hurry and were called for a lot of travels,” Murphy said.

“I'm pleased with our effort; we played hard and competed. I give the kids a lot of credit for showing up every day and trying to get better because this is a tough thing we're going through right now and it is really testing a lot of people's character. We will practice tomorrow and prepare and get ready for Arkansas Little Rock. I am pleased with our attitude and our work ethic and we will just continue to get better.”

Troy will now return home to take on the Arkansas Little Rock Trojans for the final women's basketball game in Sartain Hall on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 5:15pm.