Arkansas State Holds Off Troy

Thursday, February 9

Troy, Ala.

5:15 p.m.

Troy University

15-9,10-3Sun Belt

Arkansas State

8-16,3-10Sun Belt

Arkansas St.

Troy

2/9/2023 8:38:00 PM | Basketball (W)

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – The Trojan's four-game win streak ended Thursday night as Troy was unable to complete the rally, and Arkansas State came away victorious with a 98-92 win from Trojan Arena.

"We are disappointed that we didn't have a better showing," head coach Chanda Rigby said. "Hats off to Arkansas State. We weren't ourselves defensively, everything is a lesson, and we have great players who want to win. They will take this lesson with them and carry it into the next game, and I think we will focus on what it takes to win the game."

It didn't come easy as Troy (15-9, 10-3) saw themselves down as much as 14 points in the first half but battled all the way back to take a 57-56 lead in the third, but it wasn't enough as Troy only led for three minutes and 18 seconds the entire game with the last lead coming at 65-63 at the end of the third quarter.

Ja'Mia Hollings led the way for the Trojans with 15 points, followed by Makayia Hallmon and Jashanti Simmons, each with 14. Tai'Sheka Porchia finished with a double-double recording 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

Arkansas State (8-16, 3-10) shot 43 percent from the field as Maily Wilkerson scored a game-high 21 points with five three-pointers. The Red Wolves, in total, had five players reach double digits, with Annaliese Griffin, Lauryn Pendleton, and Leilani Augmon recording 16 points.

After scoring the first two points of the game, Troy saw themselves quickly down as Arkansas State went on to score 12 straight before Porchia ended the trojan draught with a pair of free throws.

The Trojans were able to hang around in the second quarter and eventually take the lead in the third, outscoring their opponents 43-36 over two quarters.

The fourth quarter was where the game was decided, seeing the teams trade baskets, with neither able to pull away from the other. With the Trojans down four with just over three minutes left to play, Porchia found herself on a fast break and drove to the basket, making the layup and drawing a foul where she would convert the free throw making it 81-80.

The Red Wolves responded with six straight points, which would be enough as the Trojans could not get back within that number until it was too late.

Despite the Trojans leading in many of the statistical categories, the difference in the game came at the free throw line, with the Red Wolves converting at an 84 percent clip compared to the Trojans 68%, where they were 26-38 from the line.

It's a quick stay at Trojan Arena as the Trojans will hit the road for a weekend matchup against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, February 11, with tip-off slated for 2 p.m.