Women’s Basketball Opens 2024 On First Conference Road Trip

Thursday, January 4

Statesboro, Ga.

5 p.m.

Troy University

Georgia Southern

Women’s Basketball Opens 2024 On First Conference Road Trip

1/3/2024 12:43:00 PM | Basketball (W)

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – The first Sun Belt Conference road trip awaits Troy women's basketball with game two of the league slate scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Hanner Fieldhouse when the program faces Georgia Southern.

2023 concluded with the Trojans dropping to 3-8, 0-1 SBC with a loss in the conference opener. However, 2024 provides an opportunity to resurge as Troy is the winner in 19 of the last 20 matchups to the Soaring Eagles (11-2, 1-0 SBC).

Game Information
Location: Statesboro, Ga. – Hanner Fieldhouse
The Matchup: Troy (3-8, 0-1 SBC) vs. Georgia State (6-4, 0-0 SBC)
When: Thursday, January 4 – 5 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com

Conference Opener
A 27-point, three block and 13 rebound performance by Ja'Mia Hollings wasn't enough to save Troy from falling at the buzzer to Georgia State, 90-89, in the Sun Belt Conference opener. Tai'Sheka Porchia joined her with the pairs' second double-double of 2023-24 on 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Troy went on a 7-0 run late in the fourth, beginning with a second-chance bucket by Hollings to take the 76-74 lead with 1:20 remaining. Yet, despite the Trojans going 4-of-4 from the line, the Panthers drew overtime on a second-chance triple by Mikyla Tolivert, 80-80. Overtime saw Makayia Hallmon drop six points, but all Georgia State needed was 0:01 on the clock to bank in the triple, 90-89.

History is on the Trojans' side as they have the opportunity as the bottom seed to take off the current No. 1 seed. Over the last 20 matchups, Troy is the winner in 19 of them, with the last loss coming on Feb. 5, 2021. Last season saw Troy dominate to win 100-77 with five players ending in double-figures – includes Hallmon (19), Hollings (19), Porchia (10) and Nia Daniel (18).

Despite the record, Troy remains one of the cleanest teams in the nation as it stands as the 51st-ranked team in D-I and second in the Sun Belt in turnovers per game at 13.7. Combine that with the fifth-ranked passing offense at 14.8 assists and the Trojans hold a 1.08 assist / turnover ratio for 63^rd in the country.

Scouting Southern
The Soaring Eagles have kept their momentum from last season, where the program went 21-10 for the first 20-win season since 2002-03 and 11^th in program history. This season, they held the best non-conference record at 10-2 and extended their current win streak to nine over Texas State.

Three-time Sun Belt Player of the Week Terren Ward scored 29 points on 12 made shots to lead Georgia Southern over Texas State. Furthermore, Kayla Thomas produced 14 points to set her second straight season high. A collective defensive effort propelled them to victory, holding the Bobcats without a field goal in the final 3:20 and forcing a miss at the buzzer to secure the 70-69 win.

Ward averages a double-double through 13 games on 23.2 points and 10.5 rebounds – ranked second in D-I in double-doubles at 10. She also shoots 46.7 percent from the field, 40 from behind the arc and 72.1 from the charity stripe. Overall, the 5-11 senior ranks first in the Sun Belt in double-doubles, field goals, points and rebounds (defensive and offensive).

Road Trip Stats
• Sharonica Hartsfield took over the active leader in career starts for Troy with 58 in her four seasons – started in six games in 2023-24.
• The pair of double-doubles from Porchia and Hollings marked the second occasion in 2023-24 – Porchia had 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Hollings had 17 points and 12 rebounds against Samford on Nov. 14.
• Over the last 20 matchups, Troy is victorious in 19, outscoring Georgia Southern 1720-1461 on an average margin of victory of plus-11.5. The largest margin was 41 points on Dec. 29, 2017, when Troy won 88-47 – matchup includes two 100-point performances by Troy (Jan. 28, 2023, and Feb. 16, 2019)
• The Trojans have been one of the most efficient teams in the country, limiting their turnovers to rank 51st (second in SBC) at 13.7. With the 106th ranked passing offense (fifth in SBC), Troy ranks 63rd in assist/turnover ratio (third in SBC) at 1.08.
• Troy reigns victorious in 19 of the last 20 matchups, with the last loss coming on Feb. 5, 2021, when the Soaring Eagles won 96-91.
• Hollings' 27-point performance marked a return to high-scoring ways as she led the team for the first time since scoring 13 against Belmont on Nov. 29.