Top Offenses Meet as Troy Visits Arkansas State

JONESBORO, Arkansas – The Sun Belt's top two offenses will meet on Thursday when the Troy women's basketball team travels to take on Arkansas State at the Convocation Center at 5 p.m.

Free, live audio will be available at TroyTrojans.com. Links to live stats and live video can be accessed through the women's basketball schedule page at TroyTrojans.com. Fans in Troy can also hear the game on WTBF 94.7 FM. To follow the action on Twitter, follow @TroyWomensBBall.

Troy (12-8, 7-4) enters with the league's top scoring offense at 75.1 points per game, but the Trojans' pressure defense has made the headlines the last two games, forcing a combined 70 turnovers.

After forcing 39 turnovers in a 90-51 win over ULM last Thursday, the Trojans forced UT Arlington into 31 miscues on Saturday. However, Troy shot just 28 percent from the floor and lost to the Mavericks, 70-67. The Trojans grabbed 23 and 18 steals, respectively, in those two games and now average 12.0 steals per game this season, the sixth best mark in the NCAA.

Individually, junior Ashley Beverly-Kelley has gone over 20 points in each of the last two games, scoring 23 against ULM and 22 against UT Arlington. The Trojan guard now ranks fifth in the Sun Belt in scoring (15.4), ninth in assists (2.8) and second in steals (2.6), making her the only Sun Belt player in the top 10 of all three categories.

Ronita Garrett ranks right behind her as she sits sixth in the league with a 14.8 per game scoring average. Garrett leads the Sun Belt in rebounding at 10.8 boards per game and also leads the league with 14 double-doubles, a mark that ranks seventh in the NCAA. Garrett has posted a double-double in each of the last four games, including 20 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high six steals at UTA.

Arkansas State (15-7, 10-2) has won three straight games, a streak that started with their 82-76 win over Troy at Trojan Arena on January 24. The streak also includes a win over UALR, marking the Trojans' lone Sun Belt loss of the season.

The Red Wolves, who rank second in the Sun Belt with 71.0 points per game, are led by Aundrea Gamble who leads the league in scoring at 19.2 points per game. Troy held her under her average in the last meeting, but Gamble posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists.

The Red Wolves lead the all-time series against Troy, 10-4, including a 4-1 mark in Jonesboro. Arkansas State has won seven of the last eight meetings, with Troy's lone win coming at home last season.

Following Thursday's game, Troy will continue its season long three-game road stretch at Appalachian State on Saturday.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube by searching for Troy Athletics.

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Players Mentioned

Ashley Beverly Kelley

Ronita Garrett