by By Matt Hays, Troy Trojans
TROY, Alabama – The Troy women’s basketball team couldn’t consistently get stops on defense and dropped its fourth straight game, falling to Appalachian State, 96-81, at Trojan Arena on Thursday night.
Troy (10-9, 5-5) had a poor second quarter, getting outscored by 15, and that led to a 44-33 halftime deficit. The Trojans never not within single digits in the second half as Appalachian State (6-12, 3-6) shot 62 percent in the final two quarters.
Ashley Beverly Kelley led the Trojans with 22 points, but 15 of those came in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach. The Sun Belt’s leading scorer made 9-of-9 at the free throw line. Caitlyn Ramirez, (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma) who came off the bench for the first time this season, scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Amahni Upshaw entered the starting lineup and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Troy.
The Trojans led, 19-15, after one quarter as Appalachian State shot just 30 percent (6-of-20). The Mountaineers, however, hit 10-of-19 (52 percent) in second quarter and outscored Troy, 29-14.
Appalachian State also made four of its seven 3-pointers in that second quarter. App State came in last in the Sun Belt in 3-point percentage and 3-point makes, but more than doubled both of those numbers with a 7-of-11 showing from deep. Troy, on the other hand, made just 5-of-22 (23 percent) from long range.
The Mountaineers did have 21 turnovers, but Troy grabbed just eight steals and didn’t get many transition opportunities. The Trojans also only had six second chance points on 17 offensive rebounds.
Appalachian State shot 51 percent (37-of-73) on the night while Troy hit just 36 percent (29-of-80). The shooting percentage difference was a big factor in Appalachian State out rebounding Troy, 52-42.
After playing four games in eight days, Troy will now have a bit of rest, not playing again until next Thursday at Little Rock.
