Trojans Smother UL Lafayette, Snap Skid

Saturday, January 18

Troy, Ala.

5:15 p.m.

Troy University

5-12, 1-5

Louisiana-Lafayette

10-6, 3-2

UL Lafayette

Troy

Photo by: Chris Davis

1/18/2014 8:13:00 PM | Basketball (W)

Box Score

By: Matt Mays

Box Score | Photo Gallery

TROY, Ala. – The Troy women's basketball team had its best defensive effort of the season in an 87-75 win over UL Lafayette on Saturday at Trojan Arena. The win snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Trojans who held the Ragin' Cajuns to 29 percent shooting.

Troy (5-12, 1-5) held UL Lafayette without a field goal for over 10 minutes in the first half as the Ragin' Cajuns missed 26 straight shots and Troy built a double-digit lead.

The Trojans built the lead to as many as 21 in the second half before UL Lafayette (10-6, 3-2) made a late run. Troy led by 20 with 4:29 to go when the Cajuns used a 12-2 run to get within 10 with 2:44 to go. Troy withstood the run and hit 23-of-29 free throws in the second half to hold on.

Joanna Harden led all in scoring with 28 points, her 13th game with 20-plus this season. Brianna Lancaster scored a career-high 16 on 7-of-10 shooting as Troy took advantage of an undersized UL Lafayette team. Ashley Beverly-Kelley contributed 17 to go along with five assists.

Troy held the Ragin' Cajuns to 29 percent (24-of-83) overall, including 9-of-41 (22 percent) in the first half. Troy shot 54 percent (30-of-56) for the game, its second highest percentage of the season.

For the second straight season, UL Lafayette visited Trojan Arena with Troy enduring an extended losing streak. Last season, Troy had lost 10 straight before a home win over the Cajuns reversed their fortune and led to a string of three wins in two weeks.

Troy repeated history, this time using a size advantage inside to make the difference. The Trojans outrebounded the Cajuns, 53-41, and outscored the them in the paint, 46-24.

Troy also had a season-high nine blocks. Kristen Emerson, who started for the first time in her career, and Ronita Garrett each recorded three blocks for Troy. Garrett nearly posted a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

The Trojans return to the floor on Wednesday when they travel to take on UT Arlington. Troy will also play Texas State next weekend as they make a two-game swing to two of the Sun Belt's three new members.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter and Instagram at @TroyAthletics and on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.