by By Wes Johnson, Troy Trojans
TROY, Alabama – The Troy women’s basketball team suffered an upset defeat to Georgia State, 68-65, on Saturday in Trojan Arena.
Senior Caitlyn Ramirez (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma) tied the program’s Division I single-game record with 20 rebounds, a mark which she set in the season-opener on Nov. 11 against Auburn. Ramirez also scored a team-high 18 points with three steals, but it was not enough as the Trojans (14-6, 7-2 SBC) shot just 30.6 percent (22-72) as a team.
Troy had a pair of opportunities to tie the game late but failed to convert. Ramirez went to the free throw line with the team trailing, 66-64, but missed the first of two shots. After the Trojans forced a turnover on the defensive end, Jayla Chills missed on a mid-range jumper with four seconds left and Georgia State hauled in the rebound to seal the game.
The Panthers (7-13, 3-6) led for all but three minutes of the game as Troy struggled shooting the ball all game. GSU held the Trojans to 20 points in the first half matching the Troy’s season low which came in the second half against Auburn. Troy looked better out of the locker room outscoring Georgia State 31-20 in the third period and ended the frame on a 17-4 run.
Georgia State forced 21 turnovers in the game and limited Troy’s transition offense to just two fast break points. The Trojans were also outscored in the paint 34-22, but won the rebounding battle 54-36.
Amanda Mendoza finished the game with 14 points and four assists while Claresa Banks added nine points and eight rebounds. Astaja Tyghter led GSU with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Jada Lewis had 18 and Kierra Henry chipped in with 15 points.
UP NEXT
Troy will have six days before its next game when it hosts South Alabama on Feb. 4. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. The Trojan defeated South Alabama 73-57 on Dec. 31 in Mobile.
