Trojans Fall to West-Leading Arkansas State

Saturday, February 23

Jonesboro, Ark.

3:00 p.m.

Troy University

Arkansas State

Photo by: Cass Davis

Trojans Fall to West-Leading Arkansas State

2/23/2013 5:34:00 PM | Basketball (W)

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. – The Troy women's basketball team ran into an Arkansas State team with a lot to play for on Saturday, and fell to the Red Wolves, 71-49, at the Convocation Center.

Troy (6-21, 3-15) was led by Joanna Harden who scored 20 points, marking her 13th straight game in double figures. Harden was the only Trojans in double figures as Jasmine Pitts scored eight.

Arkansas State (15-12, 12-6) shot nearly 50 percent (30-of-61) from the field and remained tied for first atop the Sun Belt West Division. The Red Wolves also observed Senior Day and their annual Play4Kay game on the day.

Jalen O'Bannon led the Red Wolves with 18 points while Jane Morrill was also in double figures with 13 points. Arkansas State outrebounded Troy 45-37 on the day, but the Trojans did grab 13 offensive boards.

Troy turned the ball over just 14 times, well under the Trojans season average, but Troy fell into an early hole for the second straight game and couldn't recover.

The Trojans were down 13-0 before they made their first field goal, a Pitts 3-pointer five minutes into the game. ASU led 40-27 at the break as Troy shot just 30 percent (9-of-30) in the opening frame.

Troy cut the lead to 12 early in the second half, but that is at close as the Trojans would get as they shot even worse in the second frame. Troy managed just 26 percent (8-of-31) in the second half and finished the game at 28 percent (17-of-61)

Troy did make seven 3-pointers in the game to Arkansas State's four, but the Trojans shot just 28 percent (7-of-25) from deep as well.

The Trojans return to the floor on Thursday as they host Sun Belt leader Middle Tennessee at Trojan Arena at 5:15 p.m. The Trojans will be looking for a season sweep of the Blue Raiders after defeating them just two weeks ago.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.