Trojans Claim First Conference Victory Over Louisiana-Lafayette

Saturday, February 4

Troy, Ala.

5:15 p.m.

Troy University

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Photo by: Edward Fieder

Trojans Claim First Conference Victory Over Louisiana-Lafayette

2/4/2012 7:51:00 PM | Basketball (W)

Troy women's basketball defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 58-52 at home Saturday.

By: Ben Maxwell

Box Score | Game Recap | Photo Gallery

TROY, Ala. – Troy women's basketball claimed its first conference victory Saturday night at home as they took down Louisiana-Lafayette 58-52.

“We are very pleased with the win,” head coach Michael Murphy said. “I can't thank my team enough for their willingness to prepare in such a short window. We had a tough loss on Thursday and a very tough and determined team in Louisiana Lafayette tonight. I'm really proud of our girls for showing up and their commitment to playing their best."

Junior Sarah McAppion led theTrojans in scoring, hitting 50% from behind the arc to total 17 points. Tenia Manuel and Sophie Kleeman each picked up double-doubles. Manuel led her team with 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Kleeman ended with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Trojan defense did their part only allowing one Ragin' Cajuns to score in double-digits. Krystal Motley led Louisiana in scoring with 19 points.

Troy (2-20, 1-10 Sun Belt) came out strong in the first half hitting a 13-4 run in the first four minutes to gain the lead that carried them throughout the half. Louisiana-Lafayette (5-18, 0-11) battled back to cut into the Trojan lead with a 11-4 run late in the half, tying the game at 29-29 with one minute left.

With the final seconds ticking, Troy worked their way down the court overcoming heavy Louisiana pressure. Senior Tenia Manuel received the last possession of the half and secured a layup as time expired to send her team into halftime with a 31-29 lead.

Both teams battled through a stalemate through the second half until the final minute. With the score tied at 52-52, Sarah McAppion picked up a foul that would send her to the line where she put her team back on top, hitting both free throw shots. Jasmine Pitts picked up a steal on the ensuing Louisiana possession that would lead to a Tenia Manuel lay-up. Two more Manuel free throw shots would prove a Trojan victory.

“The key was we made a lot of shots early which gave us some confidence,” said Murphy. “Ieva Nagy and Sarah McAppion were a big part of that against their zone early. Making shots early has been our struggle all year. Defensively we have been good all year we have just struggled on offense and we turned that around tonight and hopefully it will give us confidence going into next week.”

Troy will now get a week off before they host Western Kentucky on Saturday, February 11 at Sartain Hall. Tipoff is set for 4:00 pm.