Troy University Athletics
Wednesday, April 3
Troy, Ala.
6 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Minnesota
WNIT Title Spot on the Line with Fab 4 Women’s Basketball Matchup Against Minnesota
4/2/2024 1:30:00 PM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. – The Troy women's basketball program continues to roll into historic territory with a Fab 4 appearance against Minnesota on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Trojan Arena.
Wins over FIU, North Carolina A&T and ULM advanced the Trojans (22-11, 15-3 SBC) to their first Fab 4 in program history, while the Gophers (19-15, 5-13 Big Ten) won over Pacific, North Dakota State and Wyoming for the second-ever Troy-Minnesota meeting with a chance at the WNIT Championship against the winner of St. Louis / Vermont.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
The Matchup: Troy (22-11, 15-3 SBC) vs Minnesota (19-15, 5-13 Big Ten)
When: Wednesday, April 3 – 6 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Fight to the Fab 4
Redemption for the Trojans after an early Sun Belt Tournament exit has been accomplished with a historic run from their first-ever postseason victory against FIU into the first Fab 4 appearance in program history. The Great 8 matchup had Troy face and defeat Sun Belt foe ULM for the third time in 2023-24, 89-75, for a 13thstraight victory over the Warhawks.
Quarter No. 2 and all four seniors led to the double-digit victory to advance past the Great 8. The second quarter saw Troy outrebound ULM 17-8 while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and limiting ULM to 23.5 to stretch the advantage to double-figures at the half. From there, four double-digit performances from Ja'Mia Hollings (22) – extended her double-double streak to six with 16 rebounds –, Makayia Hallmon (19), Tai'Sheka Porchia (14) and Nia Daniel (14) and going 9-of-10 at the line in the final two minutes secured the victory.
Troy's three postseason victories have seen Hollings secure back-to-back-to-back double-doubles, producing 30 points and 10 rebounds against FIU, 14 points and 10 rebounds at NC A&T and 22 points and 16 rebounds against ULM, to average 22 points and 12 rebounds on 52.7 percent shooting. Off the bench, Leilani Guion and Leilani Augmon have stepped up, combining for 42 points, 13 rebounds, 17 assists and shooting 18-of-34 (52.9 percent) from the field and 4-of-7 (57.1 percent) from deep.
Wednesday marks the second-ever meeting with Minnesota, the first being nearly 25 years ago on Dec. 12, 1999, when the Trojans fell 66-56 at home. The 1999 meeting is also the first and only matchup for the Trojans against a Big Ten team. Unlike years ago, the Trojans lead the nation in rebounds with 47.82 per game and sit in the top 50 for free throw attempts per game (47th – 19.52), defensive rebounds (seventh – 30.9), offensive rebounds (second – 16.9), rebound margin (15th – plus-7.9) and scoring offense (10th – 81.2).
Gopher State
Minnesota's first-ever WNIT appearance has successfully redeemed a lackluster Big Ten season where it finished 5-13 for 11th in the league standings. The Golden Gophers managed one victory in the Big Ten Tournament before being bounced by Michigan in the second round. Their regular season was highlighted by wins over Stony Brook, Drake and Kentucky.
After hosting Pacific and North Dakota State with 77-62 and 69-65 victories, respectively, Minnesota heads on the road for its second straight game after sending Wyoming into the offseason with a 65-54 win. Through three postseason games, four Golden Gophers have averaged double-digits in Amaya Battle (16.7), Sophie Hart (12.7), Mallory Heyer (10.7) and Mara Braun (10). But where Minnesota excels is limiting fouls and turnovers, ranking 39th and 38th in the nation, respectively.
Postseason Numbers
• Wednesday marks the second-ever meeting with Minnesota, the first being 25 years ago on Dec. 12, 1999, when the Trojans fell 66-56 at home. The 1999 meeting is also the first and only matchup for the Trojans against a Big Ten team.
• The win over FIU last Monday marked the first-ever postseason victory through eight appearances in program history.
• The Trojans lead the nation in rebounds with 47.82 per game and sit in the top 50 for free throw attempts per game (47th – 19.52), defensive rebounds (seventh – 30.9), offensive rebounds (second – 16.9), rebound margin (15th – plus-7.9) and scoring offense (10th – 81.2).
• Hollings extended her double-double streak to six as No. 11 tallied 22 points and 16 rebounds – marked her 15th of 2023-24 and 24th in her career.
• Troy improved its record when shooting above 40 percent 19-2 after a 43.2 percent night. With 86 points, the Trojans also improved their record when scoring 80-plus points to 16-2.
• With the first bucket of the game 0:04 into the game by Hallmon, the Trojans converted their 1,000th field goal of 2023-24, extending the team's D-I record.
• 16 rebounds for Hollings pushed her above Felmas Koranga (646) on the D-I all-time career rebound list with 651 – sits three from passing Alecia Jones (653) for fourth.
• With 22 points, Hollings scored in double-figures for her 19th consecutive game – includes 14 15-plus games, five 20-plus and one 30-plus performance.
• Porchia continues to lead the conference in offensive rebounds at 4.1 while ranking 16th in the nation.
• Hollings sits 13 points away from hitting 1,000 career points, making her the 26th player in Troy women's basketball history to join the 1k club.
• Hallmon received All-Sun Belt Third Team honors for her third straight SBC nod, joining Tai'Sheka Porchia (First Team) and Ja'Mia Hollings (Second Team). The trio brought head coach Chanda Rigby's numbers to 26 for all-conference selections, and Porchia became her ninth first-team selection. Hallmon, Porchia and Hollings have combined for 2,748 points, 1,295 rebounds, 228 assists, 255 steals, 95 blocks and 41 double-doubles through 215 games (171 starts).
• Wagner (147), who ranks 47th nationally and second in the SBC for assists per game at 4.9, sits one assist away from Troy's sixth most assists in a single season (148).
• Career D-I Record Watch: Porchia – field goal percentage (fourth – 50.7) – also sits seventh all-time –, scoring average (seventh – 13.6), rebound average (ninth – 7.6) / Hallmon – scoring average (fifth – 15.1), free throw percentage (fifth – 78.8) – also sits tied for fifth all-time / Hollings – field goal percentage (sixth – 47.7), rebounds (fifth – 651).
• Single Season D-I Record Watch: Porchia –-field goal percentage (eighth – 53.2), free throws made (eighth – 105), free throw attempts (eighth – 144), rebounds (eighth – 262) / Hollings – most points (seventh – 511), field goals made (fourth – 208), rebounds (fifth – 287), rebounding average (10th – 9.2) / Shaulana Wagner – assists (eighth – 139), assists per game (eight – 4.9) / Hallmon – field goal attempts (tied for sixth – 444).
• Over the last five games, the Trojans have found its deep game with 7.8 per game, converting 39 on 87 attempts for 44.8 percent shooting – season average is 4.9 makes and 29.1 percent shooting.
Wins over FIU, North Carolina A&T and ULM advanced the Trojans (22-11, 15-3 SBC) to their first Fab 4 in program history, while the Gophers (19-15, 5-13 Big Ten) won over Pacific, North Dakota State and Wyoming for the second-ever Troy-Minnesota meeting with a chance at the WNIT Championship against the winner of St. Louis / Vermont.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
The Matchup: Troy (22-11, 15-3 SBC) vs Minnesota (19-15, 5-13 Big Ten)
When: Wednesday, April 3 – 6 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Fight to the Fab 4
Redemption for the Trojans after an early Sun Belt Tournament exit has been accomplished with a historic run from their first-ever postseason victory against FIU into the first Fab 4 appearance in program history. The Great 8 matchup had Troy face and defeat Sun Belt foe ULM for the third time in 2023-24, 89-75, for a 13thstraight victory over the Warhawks.
Quarter No. 2 and all four seniors led to the double-digit victory to advance past the Great 8. The second quarter saw Troy outrebound ULM 17-8 while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and limiting ULM to 23.5 to stretch the advantage to double-figures at the half. From there, four double-digit performances from Ja'Mia Hollings (22) – extended her double-double streak to six with 16 rebounds –, Makayia Hallmon (19), Tai'Sheka Porchia (14) and Nia Daniel (14) and going 9-of-10 at the line in the final two minutes secured the victory.
Troy's three postseason victories have seen Hollings secure back-to-back-to-back double-doubles, producing 30 points and 10 rebounds against FIU, 14 points and 10 rebounds at NC A&T and 22 points and 16 rebounds against ULM, to average 22 points and 12 rebounds on 52.7 percent shooting. Off the bench, Leilani Guion and Leilani Augmon have stepped up, combining for 42 points, 13 rebounds, 17 assists and shooting 18-of-34 (52.9 percent) from the field and 4-of-7 (57.1 percent) from deep.
Wednesday marks the second-ever meeting with Minnesota, the first being nearly 25 years ago on Dec. 12, 1999, when the Trojans fell 66-56 at home. The 1999 meeting is also the first and only matchup for the Trojans against a Big Ten team. Unlike years ago, the Trojans lead the nation in rebounds with 47.82 per game and sit in the top 50 for free throw attempts per game (47th – 19.52), defensive rebounds (seventh – 30.9), offensive rebounds (second – 16.9), rebound margin (15th – plus-7.9) and scoring offense (10th – 81.2).
Gopher State
Minnesota's first-ever WNIT appearance has successfully redeemed a lackluster Big Ten season where it finished 5-13 for 11th in the league standings. The Golden Gophers managed one victory in the Big Ten Tournament before being bounced by Michigan in the second round. Their regular season was highlighted by wins over Stony Brook, Drake and Kentucky.
After hosting Pacific and North Dakota State with 77-62 and 69-65 victories, respectively, Minnesota heads on the road for its second straight game after sending Wyoming into the offseason with a 65-54 win. Through three postseason games, four Golden Gophers have averaged double-digits in Amaya Battle (16.7), Sophie Hart (12.7), Mallory Heyer (10.7) and Mara Braun (10). But where Minnesota excels is limiting fouls and turnovers, ranking 39th and 38th in the nation, respectively.
Postseason Numbers
• Wednesday marks the second-ever meeting with Minnesota, the first being 25 years ago on Dec. 12, 1999, when the Trojans fell 66-56 at home. The 1999 meeting is also the first and only matchup for the Trojans against a Big Ten team.
• The win over FIU last Monday marked the first-ever postseason victory through eight appearances in program history.
• The Trojans lead the nation in rebounds with 47.82 per game and sit in the top 50 for free throw attempts per game (47th – 19.52), defensive rebounds (seventh – 30.9), offensive rebounds (second – 16.9), rebound margin (15th – plus-7.9) and scoring offense (10th – 81.2).
• Hollings extended her double-double streak to six as No. 11 tallied 22 points and 16 rebounds – marked her 15th of 2023-24 and 24th in her career.
• Troy improved its record when shooting above 40 percent 19-2 after a 43.2 percent night. With 86 points, the Trojans also improved their record when scoring 80-plus points to 16-2.
• With the first bucket of the game 0:04 into the game by Hallmon, the Trojans converted their 1,000th field goal of 2023-24, extending the team's D-I record.
• 16 rebounds for Hollings pushed her above Felmas Koranga (646) on the D-I all-time career rebound list with 651 – sits three from passing Alecia Jones (653) for fourth.
• With 22 points, Hollings scored in double-figures for her 19th consecutive game – includes 14 15-plus games, five 20-plus and one 30-plus performance.
• Porchia continues to lead the conference in offensive rebounds at 4.1 while ranking 16th in the nation.
• Hollings sits 13 points away from hitting 1,000 career points, making her the 26th player in Troy women's basketball history to join the 1k club.
• Hallmon received All-Sun Belt Third Team honors for her third straight SBC nod, joining Tai'Sheka Porchia (First Team) and Ja'Mia Hollings (Second Team). The trio brought head coach Chanda Rigby's numbers to 26 for all-conference selections, and Porchia became her ninth first-team selection. Hallmon, Porchia and Hollings have combined for 2,748 points, 1,295 rebounds, 228 assists, 255 steals, 95 blocks and 41 double-doubles through 215 games (171 starts).
• Wagner (147), who ranks 47th nationally and second in the SBC for assists per game at 4.9, sits one assist away from Troy's sixth most assists in a single season (148).
• Career D-I Record Watch: Porchia – field goal percentage (fourth – 50.7) – also sits seventh all-time –, scoring average (seventh – 13.6), rebound average (ninth – 7.6) / Hallmon – scoring average (fifth – 15.1), free throw percentage (fifth – 78.8) – also sits tied for fifth all-time / Hollings – field goal percentage (sixth – 47.7), rebounds (fifth – 651).
• Single Season D-I Record Watch: Porchia –-field goal percentage (eighth – 53.2), free throws made (eighth – 105), free throw attempts (eighth – 144), rebounds (eighth – 262) / Hollings – most points (seventh – 511), field goals made (fourth – 208), rebounds (fifth – 287), rebounding average (10th – 9.2) / Shaulana Wagner – assists (eighth – 139), assists per game (eight – 4.9) / Hallmon – field goal attempts (tied for sixth – 444).
• Over the last five games, the Trojans have found its deep game with 7.8 per game, converting 39 on 87 attempts for 44.8 percent shooting – season average is 4.9 makes and 29.1 percent shooting.
Players Mentioned
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Friday, April 04
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