Record Crowd Lifts Troy to Victory

Saturday, February 23

Troy, Ala.

2 p.m.

Troy University

South Alabama

2/23/2019 5:44:00 PM | Basketball (W)

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Alabama – Troy earned an important, hard-fought victory on Saturday in Trojan Arena defeating South Alabama, 66-58, in front of a record crowd of 2,327.

Troy (19-6, 10-4 SBC) scored 26 points off 21 South Alabama turnovers as both teams struggled offensively. The Trojans shot 32.5 percent (26-80) from the field, while the Jaguars converted just 33.8 percent (23-68).

After a slow start, Troy went on a 20-6 run late in the first quarter to pull ahead by double digits, 20-10. Playing turnover-free basketball in the second quarter, the Trojans build it advantage to 12 at halftime.

Japonica James led Troy with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Jasmine LeBlanc filled the stat sheet with nine points, a game-high 13 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.

The Trojans built a 19-point lead midway through the fourth quarter when the Jaguars (19-6, 8-6) exploded on a 15-2 run and cut the deficit to just six. After a timeout, Troy held USA scoreless for the final 90 seconds and converted a pair of free throws to finish off the win.

Savannah Jones, who burned Troy for 31 points in the first meeting between the teams, scored 14 on 5-of-16 shooting with 12 rebounds to lead the Jaguars. Demaya Telemaque added 12 points for South Alabama.

QUOTABLE
"This is the time for us to come around and shine," Troy head coach Chanda Rigby said. "I thought tonight was a great step forward in that area. We followed Coach Neil Harrow's game plan to a T and stuck with it defensively."

UP NEXT
Troy travels to Texas to face off against Texas State Thursday and UT Arlington Saturday. The Trojans have dropped four straight games in the state of Texas.

NOTEWORTHY
• Savannah Jones was held to just one point in the first half.

• Troy improved to 10-2 at home this season and is 52-12 in Trojans Arena over the last five seasons.

• With four games to play, the Trojans are 1.5 games back of UT Arlington for first and one game behind Little Rock for second in the league standings

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