Koranga breaks record, Troy wins seventh straight

Felmas Koranga set the Troy single game division one record for rebounding in a game, finishing with 24 rebounds as the Trojans defeat Georgia Southern 82-70 Saturday afternoon from Trojan Arena.

“It was a great night at Trojan Arena,” head Coach Chanda Rigby said. “It was bittersweet because we are losing some seniors, and we wanted to go out well. But the players did what it took to win against an excellent team.”

The win gives the head coach and the Trojans their fourth consecutive season with at least 20 wins.

Troy (20-7, 11-2 Sun Belt) have now won their seventh straight conference game as Koranga, to go along with her 24 rebounds, had 11 points for her 12th double-double of the season.

Tina Stephens also ended the game with a double-double scoring 14 points to lead Troy and bringing down 12 rebounds.

Georgia Southern (16-8, 7-5 Sun Belt) had three scorers in double digits as Terren Ward led all scorers with 21 points and pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds. Ja’nya Love-Hill followed with 21 as well, and Mya Burns had 10.

The Trojans got out to a 13-1 lead in the first quarter but would shoot 17 percent from the field, allowing the Eagles to get back into the game where Troy would find themselves down one with the score of 18-17.

Georgia Southern remained in control for the start of the second quarter as they got out to a 10-point lead until Jasmine Robinson found herself at the free-throw line and converted both to stop the run.

Troy was able to end the second quarter on a 6-0 run to get within two at the break with a score of 39-37.

Troy was able to turn up the defensive intensity in the third quarter forcing five Eagle turnovers as they would tie the game up at 49 after a seven-point run.

Tiyah Johnson would sink a corner three, get fouled, go to the line, and convert the free throw for a four-point play. Troy would use that momentum going forward as they never trailed in the game after.

The Trojans would see their own 10-point lead in the fourth quarter as Stephens found herself wide open for a layup. In an effort to come back, the Eagles would turn to fouls, but Troy would hit six straight free throws to seal the win.

The Trojans will wrap up the Sun Belt regular season on the road for the first of two as they make the trip to take on Appalachian State on Feb. 24 at 5 p.m.