Troy Sprints Past ULM

Thursday, February 9

Monroe, La.

6 PM

Troy University

16-6, 9-2

ULM

5-18, 2-10

Troy

ULM

Photo by: Chris Davis

2/9/2017 9:31:00 PM | Basketball (W)

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Wes Johnson

MONROE, Louisiana – Five Trojans scored in double figures as the Troy women's basketball team routed ULM, 94-67, on Thursday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

The Trojans (16-6, 9-2 SBC) earned their ninth Sun Belt Conference win behind balanced scoring and double digit performances from Claresa Banks (16), Caitlyn Ramirez (13), Ta'Kierra Gibbs (13), Amanda Mendoza (11) and Lauren Day (10); it was the third time this season five Troy players scored in double figures.

Troy battled through early shooting troubles and used a 16-6 run over the last 4:12 of the first half to jump start the offense. Banks landed eight points in a 19-3 run to open the third quarter which including a pair of 3-pointers. The Trojans had made just 1-of-8 shots from beyond the arc until Banks hit her first with 8:37 remaining the second period. From there, Troy knocked down 10 of its next 14 shots from distance and outscored the Warhawks 51-38 in the second half.

Alexis Collins kept ULM in the game early with 17 first-half points, but the Trojans defense stiffened and held the guard to just one point over the final 20 minutes.

QUOTABLE
"I thought our first eight players got into a really good rhythm especially on defensive rotations," head coach Chanda Rigby said. "It was also really good to get all 15 players time on the court."

RUN OF THE GAME
After winning the second quarter 24-14, the Trojans opened the third period on a 19-3 run. Banks hit a pair of 3-pointers and two free throws while Amanda Mendoza had five points in the stretch as Troy opened a 33-point lead.

UP NEXT
Troy wraps up its road trip with a 5 p.m. game at UL Lafayette on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

NOTABLE
• Troy led by as many as 33 points (3^rd-5:47) and never trailed in the contest.

• The Trojans entered the game leading the nation with 20 offensive rebounds per game and finished with 26 on the night. ULM managed just eight offensive boards in the game.

• Troy outscored ULM in the paint, 32-20.

• Ta'Kierra Gibbs scored in double figures for the first time this season. She finished with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, just four points shy of matching her career high.

• Amanda Mendoza was 4-of-8 from the field (3-7, 3-point) and also recorded seven assists.

For more information on Troy women's basketball, visit TroyTrojans.com or follow the team on Twitter at @TroyTrojansWBB.

The 2017 Sun Belt Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are scheduled for a week of March Madness in the Big Easy. New Orleans will once again be home to the two championships that will take place at Lakefront Arena from March 7-12. For more information, visit the Sun Belt Conference's championship central websites - Men's Championship – Women's Championship – and be sure to follow the @FunBelt on social media - @SunBelt.