STATESBORO - Troy outscored Georgia Southern by a 22-3 margin in the second quarter to come away with a 79-69 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball victory over the host Eagles on Thursday evening at Hanner Fieldhouse.
The Trojans improved to 13-3 overall and 4-1 in the Sun Belt on the season, while Georgia Southern fell to 5-11 overall and 2-3 on the campaign.
Georgia Southern opened the game by taking a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 19-18, but the second quarter was the difference as the Eagles went 0-for-15 from the field in the period and notched just three free throws total. Troy hit 10-of-23 shots in the period and used that frame to build an 18-point halftime lead, 40-22.
The Eagles outpointed the Trojans in the second half, but could not draw closer than the final 10-point margin in the second half. Three Georgia Southern players reached double figures in the game, with two notching double-doubles - Alexis Brown (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Tatum Barber (11 points, 10 rebounds), while Nikki McDonald added 10 points. Troy also placed three players in double figures, led by Japonica James' 19 points. Tyasia Moore added 12 points off the bench and Jasmine Robinson chipped in 10.
Eagle of the Game
Brown made her first career start at point guard for the Eagles and also played in her 100th collegiate game at Georgia Southern against the Trojans. She hit 7-of-12 shots from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range, and added 7-of-10 shots from the foul line en route to her season-high 23 point total. The 10 rebounds gave Brown her second double-double of the season and her fifth career double-double.
Key Moment
Tatum Barber made one-of-two free throws to open up the second-quarter scoring a minute into the frame, but Troy then embarked on a 22-0 run over the next eight minutes and 45 seconds to wrest control of the contest. Alexis Brown hit two free throws with 14 seconds left until halftime.
Stats of the Game
In a matchup of the top two offensive rebounding teams in the Sun Belt Conference, Troy collected 30 offensive boards, compared to 17 for the Eagles - both well over their season averages. The Trojans also enjoyed a 27-7 edge in points off of turnovers.
Quotables
Head Coach Anita Howard on the pivotal second quarter
"We let up a little bit, one of our things we've been working on is inconsistency. That first quarter I thought we came out and executed the game plan. Then we let up, and as soon as you let up, that's when Troy puts their foot on the gas. That really hurt us. We kept saying in the time outs, 'we gotta believe'. We felt like wore Troy down a little bit. I thought they out-toughed us in the second quarter. But it's just one quarter, and that one hurts. I'm really proud of the fight and that's what I want to see. Troy's the toughest opponent in the Sun Belt Conference as far as physicality. I'm not happy with the loss. but I'm pleased with the fight."
Alexis Brown on her first start at point guard"
It's hard, because the ball is in my hands 90 percent of the time. You have to run the team, be the leader and be the voice on the court. It's hard trying to maintain that all at the same time."
Next Up
Georgia Southern hosts South Alabama on Saturday, January 18, at 2 p.m. in Sun Belt Conference action at Hanner Fieldhouse.
