Troy University Athletics
Wednesday, January 10
Troy, Ala.
5:15 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Louisiana
Women's Basketball Opens Doubleheader Wednesday Against Louisiana
1/9/2024 8:36:00 AM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. – On a hot streak after back-to-back road wins, the Troy women's basketball program prepares to open a doubleheader Wednesday in Trojan Arena at 5:15 p.m. against Louisiana.
The Trojans (5-8, 2-1 SBC) set their sights on a third straight victory for the first time since they won four straight from Jan. 26 – Feb. 4 in 2022-23. Meanwhile, the Ragin' Cajuns (5-7, 1-2 SBC) look to avenge their overtime loss at the hands of James Madison.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
The Matchup: Troy (5-8, 2-1 SBC) vs. Louisiana (5-7, 1-2 SBC)
When: Wednesday, January 10 – 5:15 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Road Sweep
Troy entered enemy territory and walked away with two quality wins over Georgia Southern, 74-71, and Coastal Carolina, 86-80, behind Tai'Sheka Porchia, who averaged 20.5 points and nine rebounds on 57.1 percent from the field.
In Hanner Fieldhouse, the Trojans held a 19-point lead with 5:44 remaining in the third. However, the Soaring Eagles soared back to make it a 1-point game with 0:40 left. Still, Porchia lifted Troy by going 4-of-4 from the line in the remaining seconds, including two critical free throws with 0:06 left to secure the victory.
Two days later, the Trojans went to the HTC Center in a hard-fought contest with the Chanticleers. Troy's starters produced 91.8 percent of the points as Porchia and Ja'Mia Hollings managed double-double performances with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and one block apiece. Combine that with a 22-point game from Makayia Hallmon and another round of clutch free throws late and Troy swept the weekend.
The Trojans are red hot in the last five games, sitting at 4-1 in that span. Hallmon has led the way via the score column at 18.8 points per game. Meanwhile, Porchia (17 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Hollings (15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds) have nearly averaged a double-double. They've raised the shooting percentage to 43.5 as a team and earned a turnover margin of plus-5.4.
Spicy Program
Louisiana enters Wednesday after an overtime battle against James Madison, where the Ragin' Cajuns fell in the end 77-72 despite a season-high 20 points from Brandi Williams. The team's leading scorer, Tamera Johnson, got caught in foul trouble to limit her to 24 minutes and 10 points.
The loss saw Louisiana shoot an impressive 41.9 percent from the field, 40 from deep and a perfect 12-of-12 from the line. However, JMU's 66.7 percent from the field and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe in overtime cost them the game.
Despite Johnson's lackluster performance, she still leads the team in scoring with 13.6 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game. Louisiana's perimeter defense is where they shine, ranking second in the Sun Belt Conference and 23rd in the nation as they allow just 25.2 percent from deep.
Hot Streak Numbers
• Troy's defense was a menace, forcing 17 turnovers as opposed to its nine, resulting in a 19-9 point differential in points off turnovers against Coastal. The Troy offense only allowed the Chanticleers to swipe away three steals to tie a season-low.
• For the third game of 2023-24, Porchia and Hollings notched a double-double in the same game – both players ended with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
• Wagner tied her career-high of eight assists after reaching it for the first time against Georgia Southern two days prior.
• Since head coach Chanda Rigby took over for Troy, the program is 13-7 against Louisiana, including winners in eight of the last 10 matchups. In those 10, Troy is 3-1 at home and has a total average margin of victory at plus-7.
• The trend guarantees a double-double for Tai'Sheka Porchia as she is 11-of-11 when rebounding 10-plus and also scoring 10-plus points.
• Since Makayia Hallmon returned, she's played and started in all 10 games and scored 10-plus points in 10 consecutive games – also scored her 10th career 20-plus point game against Coastal.
• Head coach Chanda Rigby has succeeded via Daniel, Porchia, Hallmon, Hollings and Wagner, going 5-1 when all five are in the starting five.
• The magic number for Troy is 40 because when it shoots above 40 percent, it's 5-1. But, when the Trojans shoot below, they are 0-7.
• With an eight assist / one turnover game against Coastal, Shaulana Wagner rose to first in the SBC in assist / turnover ratio at 2.17.
• Troy had a first against Coastal Carolina because it was the first game it allowed 80-plus points and won – previously sat at 0-6, 0-1 SBC.
• The last time Troy played Louisiana, Porchia had 12 points and 12 rebounds and hit the game-winner at the buzzer in overtime.
The Trojans (5-8, 2-1 SBC) set their sights on a third straight victory for the first time since they won four straight from Jan. 26 – Feb. 4 in 2022-23. Meanwhile, the Ragin' Cajuns (5-7, 1-2 SBC) look to avenge their overtime loss at the hands of James Madison.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
The Matchup: Troy (5-8, 2-1 SBC) vs. Louisiana (5-7, 1-2 SBC)
When: Wednesday, January 10 – 5:15 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Road Sweep
Troy entered enemy territory and walked away with two quality wins over Georgia Southern, 74-71, and Coastal Carolina, 86-80, behind Tai'Sheka Porchia, who averaged 20.5 points and nine rebounds on 57.1 percent from the field.
In Hanner Fieldhouse, the Trojans held a 19-point lead with 5:44 remaining in the third. However, the Soaring Eagles soared back to make it a 1-point game with 0:40 left. Still, Porchia lifted Troy by going 4-of-4 from the line in the remaining seconds, including two critical free throws with 0:06 left to secure the victory.
Two days later, the Trojans went to the HTC Center in a hard-fought contest with the Chanticleers. Troy's starters produced 91.8 percent of the points as Porchia and Ja'Mia Hollings managed double-double performances with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and one block apiece. Combine that with a 22-point game from Makayia Hallmon and another round of clutch free throws late and Troy swept the weekend.
The Trojans are red hot in the last five games, sitting at 4-1 in that span. Hallmon has led the way via the score column at 18.8 points per game. Meanwhile, Porchia (17 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Hollings (15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds) have nearly averaged a double-double. They've raised the shooting percentage to 43.5 as a team and earned a turnover margin of plus-5.4.
Spicy Program
Louisiana enters Wednesday after an overtime battle against James Madison, where the Ragin' Cajuns fell in the end 77-72 despite a season-high 20 points from Brandi Williams. The team's leading scorer, Tamera Johnson, got caught in foul trouble to limit her to 24 minutes and 10 points.
The loss saw Louisiana shoot an impressive 41.9 percent from the field, 40 from deep and a perfect 12-of-12 from the line. However, JMU's 66.7 percent from the field and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe in overtime cost them the game.
Despite Johnson's lackluster performance, she still leads the team in scoring with 13.6 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game. Louisiana's perimeter defense is where they shine, ranking second in the Sun Belt Conference and 23rd in the nation as they allow just 25.2 percent from deep.
Hot Streak Numbers
• Troy's defense was a menace, forcing 17 turnovers as opposed to its nine, resulting in a 19-9 point differential in points off turnovers against Coastal. The Troy offense only allowed the Chanticleers to swipe away three steals to tie a season-low.
• For the third game of 2023-24, Porchia and Hollings notched a double-double in the same game – both players ended with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
• Wagner tied her career-high of eight assists after reaching it for the first time against Georgia Southern two days prior.
• Since head coach Chanda Rigby took over for Troy, the program is 13-7 against Louisiana, including winners in eight of the last 10 matchups. In those 10, Troy is 3-1 at home and has a total average margin of victory at plus-7.
• The trend guarantees a double-double for Tai'Sheka Porchia as she is 11-of-11 when rebounding 10-plus and also scoring 10-plus points.
• Since Makayia Hallmon returned, she's played and started in all 10 games and scored 10-plus points in 10 consecutive games – also scored her 10th career 20-plus point game against Coastal.
• Head coach Chanda Rigby has succeeded via Daniel, Porchia, Hallmon, Hollings and Wagner, going 5-1 when all five are in the starting five.
• The magic number for Troy is 40 because when it shoots above 40 percent, it's 5-1. But, when the Trojans shoot below, they are 0-7.
• With an eight assist / one turnover game against Coastal, Shaulana Wagner rose to first in the SBC in assist / turnover ratio at 2.17.
• Troy had a first against Coastal Carolina because it was the first game it allowed 80-plus points and won – previously sat at 0-6, 0-1 SBC.
• The last time Troy played Louisiana, Porchia had 12 points and 12 rebounds and hit the game-winner at the buzzer in overtime.
Players Mentioned
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