24-Point Comeback Caps Off Perfect Weekend in Starkville

Monday, December 20

Starkville, Miss.

12 p.m.

Troy University

9-5,0-0Sun Belt

Jackson State

2-6,0-0SWAC

Jackson St.

Troy

Women's Basketball Team - Mississippi State

24-Point Comeback Caps Off Perfect Weekend in Starkville

12/20/2021 3:23:00 PM | Basketball (W)

Box Score

By: Troy Athletics Communications

STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Troy Women's Basketball team utilized a 24-point comeback to down Jackson State, 99-82, and cap off a perfect 3-0 weekend in the Mississippi State MTE Monday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum.

The Trojans tallied a 39-point third quarter, their third 30-plus point quarter of the season, to take a 61-60 lead and never looked back. The 24-point comeback marked the first time the Trojans have overcome a 20-point deficit since November 21, 2014 against Southeastern Louisiana.

With wins over Mississippi State, South Carolina State and Jackson State, Troy swept the Mississippi State MTE, extending its win streak to five games.

Led by 22 points from Felmas Koranga, the Trojans finished the game with six players in double figures in Koranga (22), Amber Leggett (18), Sharonica Hartsfield (17), Za'Nautica Downs (17), Tiyah Johnson (12) and Tina Stephens (10).

For Jackson State (2-6), Dayzcha Rogan led the way with 23 points, five rebounds and three steals.

How It Happened
Troy saw a slow first quarter of action, falling behind 14-2 with 7:13 left to play. The Trojan offense continued to struggle until Jasmine Robinson banked a turnaround jumper with 1:33 left to go in the first, opening a 6-0 run for Troy. However, a pair of makes from Miya Crump and Rogan extended Jackson State's lead to 27-12 at the end of the first.

The start of the second period looked much like the first with the Lady Tiger's stringing together an early 10-1 run. With 6:45 on clock, Downs made a pair of free throws to jump start a 6-0 run in favor of the Trojans, cutting Jackson State's lead to 39-23. Troy continued to chip away at the Lady Tiger lead stringing together another 5-0 run to send Jackson State into the break with just a 13-point advantage, 47-34.

The narrative flipped in favor of the Trojans in the third quarter when Troy scored seven of the first nine points of the period. Troy continued to chip away at the Lady Tiger lead, eventually taking its first lead of the game behind a triple from Johnson with 3:14 to go. Downs scored six of her 17 points in the final two minutes of the quarter to give Troy a 73-65 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of action.

The Trojans momentum rolled right into the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 13 behind another Downs three with 6:53 to play in the contest. With just 18 seconds to play, Johnson knocked down a triple to give the Trojans their largest lead of the game at 99-80. A last-ditch layup from Jackson State's Ameshya Williams set up the 99-82 final.

Quotable – Head Coach Chanda Rigby
"This game will forever be in my memory as one of the special ones. I've coached a lot of players with a lot of heart, but I've never really witnessed the level of determination our Trojans displayed today. At one point, they scored 15 points in 1 minute and 47 seconds. They went from down 24 points to up 17 points. That's determination. That's the heart of a Trojan Warrior."

Notable

Tina Stephens has finished the last five games in double figures, coinciding with Troy's five-game win streak.
Troy scored 39 points in the third quarter, good for the most points scored in a quarter since the Trojans tallied 40 in the third quarter against LaGrange in the 2020-21 season.
Today marked the first time Troy has had six plays in double figures since Coastal Carolina last season.
Sharonica Hartsfield's 17 points marked a new career high.

Next Up
Following the Christmas break, the Trojans will open conference play at home against Coastal Carolina on Thursday, Dec. 30. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.