face off in TAAC Tourney

By STEVEN G. WATSON

Sports Editor

It’s do or die time for the Troy State Lady Trojans basketball team as they travel to Pelham, Al., for the Trans American Athletic Conference Tournament today.

While the season has been less than spectacular by most standards, just like any other team in their conference tournament, the Lady Trojans the same chance as any to make a dream come true.

To fulfill that dream, TSU will have to start with the Samford Lady Bulldogs who they defeated in a mild upset the last time the two teams met. The Lady Trojans held on in that game for a 72-71 victory only a week ago at Samford and ended their own three-game losing streak while nipping the Lady Bulldogs three-game winning streak in the bud.

As the No. 6 seed, Troy State did receive the final first round bye in the tournament and after the suspension of Abby Boone and numerous other setbacks due to injury have whittled the Lady Trojans’ lineup to only eight players, that was important if TSU hoped to survive.

As the conference’s recently named Newcomer of the Year and Third Team honoree, TSU freshman point guard Sharin Milner will lead her team against three First and Second Team TAAC players in Samford’s center Jodi Morris and guards Aimee Cochran and Clarissa Tomlinson.

As the team’s leading scorer after the departure of Boone, Milner (11.7 ppg) will need help in keeping up with Samford’s big three who each score in double figures with Morris hitting for a 17.1 average to lead the pack. The Lady Trojans only have one other player scoring in double figures in Tomekia Golatte (10.7).

Those watching the game can expect some good ball-handling as the league’s two top assist leaders, Milner (7.42 apg) and Tomlinson (6.59) dishing out the rock to awaiting teammates. Milner is ranked in the top five nationally in assists.

While losers of four of their last five games of the regular season, Troy State has been firing on all cylinders as of late. They rank second in the TAAC in points per game with 72.2 scored a contest, but give up 74.5 to opposing teams.

Samford averages 69.3 points per game and gives up only 65.7 and have won seven of their last nine games of the season.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight with all the action to be hear locally on WAOQ-FM 100.3.