Troy University Athletics
Friday, November 14
Auburn, Ala.
6 p.m.
Troy University
0-1
54
at
71
Auburn
1-0
1
2
F
Troy
29
25
54
Auburn
43
28
71
Team Stats
TROY
AU
FG%
.266
.435
3FG%
.261
.222
FT%
.667
.412
RB
41
51
TO
29
25
STL
15
22
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Basketball (W)F
/ Basketball (W)
Photo by: Chris Davis
Troy Falls at Auburn in Season Opener
11/14/2014 9:06:00 PM | Basketball (W)
AUBURN, Alabama – The Troy women's basketball team had first-half turnover issues and good second-half defense wasn't enough to overcome them in a 71-54 loss to Auburn at Auburn Arena on Friday night.
The game was tight for most of the first half, but Auburn closed the frame on a 12-0 run that essentially sealed the game. Troy (0-1) was down 31-29 with 2:30 to go before the half, but the Trojans' final 10 possessions included five missed shots and five turnovers as Auburn (1-0) took a 43-29 lead into the locker room.
Ronita Garrett was a bright spot for Troy as she led the way with 14 points and 13 rebounds for her eighth career double-double. Preseason All-Sun Belt guard Ashley Beverly-Kelley was also in double-figure scoring with 12 points, although she committed nine turnovers.
Troy had 17 first half turnovers and Auburn scored 21 points off of them. However, the Trojans forced the Tigers into 15 miscues in the second half and held them to 28 second-half points.
"They did a fantastic job of taking us out of our running game," Troy head coach Chanda Rigby said. "We worked against what we though would be their zone press, but we have nothing, not even our men's practice team, that can mimic the length they have. That caused a lot of problems and stymied us."
Despite their strong second-half performance defensively, the Trojans still couldn't gain ground as they shot just 22 percent (8-of-36) in the closing half. Troy struggled from the floor all night, shooting just 27 percent (17-of-64) overall.
Auburn dominated the paint, outscoring the Trojans 38-14 there, including 20-4 in the first half. Auburn's 6-foot-3 center Tra'Cee Tanner led the way for the Tigers with 16 points, on 6-of-7 shooting, to go along with 10 rebounds.
She was one of four Tigers, joining three guards, in double-figures with Khady Dieng scoring 13 while Hasina Muhammad and Katie Frerking each scored 10 points. Kiani Parker, who played against Rigby as a freshman in junior college, had eight assists for the Tigers.
Auburn finished the game shooting 44 percent (30-of-69) and outrebounded the Trojans, 51-41. Troy finished with 29 turnovers while the Tigers finished with 25. Troy cut the
Troy has a quick turnaround as it continues its season-opening road trip at Clemson on Sunday. Troy and Clemson will tip at 1 p.m. inside Littlejohn Coliseum and the game can be heard on TroyTrojans.com and in Troy on WTBF 94.7 FM.
For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find the Trojans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube by searching for Troy Athletics.
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