Troy University Athletics
Troy University
3-7,0-0Sun Belt
New Mexico State
6-6,0-0CUSA
Makayia Hallmon Lifts Troy to Sweep APSU Christmas Classic
12/21/2023 4:07:00 PM | Basketball (W)
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Behind a 30-point performance from Makayia Hallmon, the Troy women's basketball program sweeps its APSU Christmas Classic appearance Thursday afternoon at the F&M Bank Arena with an 81-66 victory over New Mexico State.
The Trojans (3-7) close out of the non-conference schedule on a two-game winning streak and a win for the seventh time in the last 10 seasons as the Aggies (6-6) fall in their second straight game of the tournament.
Ja'Mia Hollings (13 points, seven rebounds) and Hallmon (30 points, two rebounds) boosted their APSU Christmas Classic All-Tournament nod with a combined 43 points and nine rebounds in the win. Hallmon dropped the first 30-point performance by a Trojan in 2023-24 on 12-of-19 from the field and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. At 5-10, Shaulana Wagner was the finishing touch with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Three Aggies tied for the team-high 17 points in Molly Kaiser, Jaila Harding and Sylena Peterson. The three-headed monster combined for 77.3 percent of the team's points. In the rebound game, Loes Rozing led the program with nine rebounds. However, New Mexico State's 38.7 percent from the field couldn't compete with Troy's 55.9.
Second Half, Troy Half
As the second half began, both sides tried to figure out the other by exchanging blows in the paint. Hallmon broke through for the Trojans when she drilled a mid-range jumper to retake the lead, 42-40, 2:49 into the third to open a 7-0 run that capped off when Porchia caught the pass from Wagner for the lay-in, 47-40, with 5:50 remaining.
Unlike the first half, New Mexico State couldn't manage a run of its own, which allowed a Zay Dyer free throw with 0:27 left in the third to keep Troy up by two possessions, 56-50, heading into the final 10 minutes.
Troy completely took over in the fourth as it kept the Aggies from scoring outside the free throw line while the lead stretched to double-figures, 64-54, with a made layup from Hollings with 6:55 left.
New Mexico State tried to fight back by bringing the deficit down to seven, 64-57, on an and-one from Peterson with 6:44 remaining. But for Troy, the remaining time saw it balloon the lead to as much as 17, 81-64, on a Dyer fast break layup with 1:26 on the clock. The Aggies managed the final word, but Troy earned its first win streak of the season, 81-66.
Grudge Match in the First Half
Troy got off to its second straight hot start early in the first quarter, making a statement by having Hallmon drill the jumper 0:20 in the game's first possession, 2-0.
Hallmon's bucket would spark an 8-0 to start the ballgame as Wagner scored back-to-back points, followed by Porchia by the 1:54 mark.
After both sides drilled a triple, New Mexico State balanced the scales, trimming the Troy lead down to just two by the end of the first when Leilani Guion made a free throw, 18-16.
The Trojans pushed the advantage back to seven with 4:29 left before the half when Hallmon dropped six straight points, 32-25. However, the Aggies didn't shy away, outscoring Troy 11-6 in the remainder of the second to keep the deficit at two, 38-36.
Head Coach Chanda Rigby
"I saw a complete group of winners. From the moment we met as a group this morning to the game's final possession. We had a winner's mentality. I'm so proud of these girls. They came out and ended the non-conference schedule strong. Makayia Hallmon played lights out and our post players controlled most of the game. I want to mention Nia Daniel. She helped us get out to a hot start and unfortunately had to leave early with an injury, but she was huge in the beginning. I don't think anyone could care less about the stats they put out as long as they win the game. They are so happy to represent Troy and this is a tremendous Christmas gift."
Christmas Classic Stats
• Hallmon becomes the first Trojan to score 30-plus points since she did it against James Madison with 33 on Jan. 21, 2023.
• Porchia and Hallmon were recognized as members of the APSU Christmas Classic All-Tournament team – Porchia averaged 15 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Hallmon averaged 20.5 points.
• Troy outscored New Mexico State in points off turnovers (14-9), in the paint (34-32), second-chance (14-12), fast break (11-4) and bench (16-9).
• The Trojans never trailed throughout the game with the score only being tied on four occasions – led for 37:53.
• Leilani Augmon stood out off the bench, having a plus-8 in her 13 minutes played with four points, two rebounds and two steals.
See You Soon, Sun Belt
The women's basketball program returns to action for one last matchup in 2023 as it opens Sun Belt Conference play at home against Georgia State on Dec. 30.
