Notes: Troy Travels to App State for Battle of Top Teams in the East

TROY, Ala. – For the first time in Sun Belt Conference play, the Trojans will be playing a game outside of Trojan Arena. Troy women's baskettball will make the long trek to Boone, N.C. to take on Appalachian State for a two-game series that could foreshadow the final East Division standings. Tipoff between the top two teams in the East is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT) on Friday inside the Holmes Convocation Center with a 3 p.m. (CT) tip on Saturday.

Game Details
Troy (9-4, 5-1 SBC) vs App State (8-6, 5-3 SBC)
Date: Jan. 29-30, 2021
Location: Boone, N.C.
Venue: Holmes Convocation Center
Time: 5 p.m. (CT) on Friday & 3 p.m. (CT) on Saturday

Broadcast Information
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: troytrojans.com/watch (Play-By-Play: Dan Peck)

The Series
All-Time Series Record: Troy leads, 11-2
Record at App: Troy leads, 5-0
Current streak: W1
Last meeting: W, 85-65 // Jan. 25, 2021 // Troy, Ala.
• Troy and App State met in Troy for the opening series of the Sun Belt Conference play back on Jan. 1-2. In the first game App State and Troy traded buckets most of the way before the Mountaineers used a 14-2 run to gain control of the game, winning by 12. Game two however was all Troy. The Trojans scored a then season-high 27 points in the first quarter, including the game's first 14 points before earning a dominating 20-point victory.

SNOOP²
Alexus Dye has been the top player in the Sun Belt Conference and one of the best players in the country. The senior is currently the only player in the Sun Belt averaging a double-double while leading the conference in rebounding (11.2 per game) and is third in scoring (17.2 ppg). Dye is also ranked second in field goal percentage (55%). Nationally, Dye leads the country in total double-doubles (10), 17th in defensive boards (8.2), 18th in made field goals (101), 30th in field goal percentage, 92nd in ppg, 15th in total rebounds (145) and 19th in boards per game (11.2).

MAKING THE EXTRA PASS
Troy has assisted on 241 of its 413 made field goals so far this season, or 58 percent of all made field goals. It's Troy's highest assist to made field goal percentage since the 2007-08 season when it assisted on 57 percent of its made field goals. Troy is averaging a Sun Belt best, 10th nationally, 18.5 assists per game. The next closest SBC team is Arkansas State at just 15.8 per game. Last season Troy assisted on just 46 percent of their made field goals.

Leading the charge for the best passing team in the Sun Belt has been the Trio of point guards in seniors Jasmine Robinson and Emely Rosario and freshman Sharonica Hartsfield. Hartsfield is currently ranked fourth in the SBC in assists per game (4.3) with Robinson ranked 6th (3.5) and Rosario ranked 8th (3.4). Troy is the only team in the league with three players ranked in the top 10 in assists per game. UTA is second with two. Taking it a step further, the trio isn't turning the ball over either. Hartsfield has the best Assist to turnover ratio (3.1) followed by Robinson in 3rd (2.2) and Rosario in 4th (1.8).

I'LL TAKE THAT
Sharonica Hartsfield has been a force on the defensive end, ranking 3rd in the SBC in steals with 30 and third in steals per game at 2.3. She is the ONLY underclassman in the top 10 and the only freshman in the top 15. She is just three steals shy of leading the SBC in total steals.

DON'T MISS THE FREEBIES
After ranking 2nd nationally last season in both free throws made and attempted. This season Troy has maintained its strong shooting from the charity stripe ranking 7th nationally in attempts and 8th in makes while both are 2nd in the SBC.

WHAT'S ON THE LINE
This weekend is shaping up to be a must-see event as Troy and App State sit first and second in the SBC East Division with the series winner taking a huge step forward in the race for the top spot. Any Troy victories keep App State from gaining any ground on the Trojans in the standings while an App sweep would improve its record to 7-3 and the top spot in the standings.

A GLANCE AT APP STATE
The Mountaineers enter Friday on a 3-game winning streak after sweeping Georgia State. Prior to their road sweep they split in three straight weekend series against Troy, Ga. Southern and South Alabama. After beating Troy by 12 on Jan. 1, Troy beat them by 20 on Jan. 2.

NCAA "STARTING 5"
Alexus Dye was named to the NCAA Women's Basketball "Starting 5" team on Jan. 27. The honor is given to the game's top players from around the country.

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Notes: Troy Travels to App State for Battle of Top Teams in the East

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Players Mentioned

Alexus Dye

Sharonica Hartsfield

Jasmine Robinson

Emely Rosario

Troy University Athletics