Troy State received another career effort from Audrey Muse Saturday, but the Lady Trojans' losing streak extended to four games with a 68-55 home defeat to Lipscomb.

The Lady Trojans (1-7, 0-1 in the Atlantic Sun) dropped their home conference-opener to the Lady Bisons (4-5, 1-1). Muse scored 18 points to lead Troy State in her first career start, but two scoring droughts proved to be the difference.

In the first half, Troy State went 6:33 without scoring as Lipscomb went on a 13-0 run to take an 18-5 lead. Troy State fought back, but after taking a 53-51 lead with 4:55 left, the Lady Trojans did not score again until 3:57 remained in the game. By that point, the Lady Bisons had taken a 66-53 lead, scoring 15 consecutive points. Lipscomb outscored Troy State 28-0 during those two Trojan droughts.

"The first five minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half were the difference in the game," TSU head coach Michael Murphy said. "We didn't have anyone who could step up and hit a shot. We had several who were willing to take shots, but no one could hit them."

The Lady Trojans were simply awful while shooting the ball Saturday. Troy State was 4-for-14 from three-point range and 9-for-18 from the free-throw line.

Early in the game, the Lady Trojans appeared to be intimidated by Lipscomb's Katie Beth Pate. The 6-5 post player was 3 inches taller than TSU forward Alecia Jones, and early in the game, Troy State settled for outside shots instead of penetrating for closer shots.

"I don't understand that, because we worked for two days on going inside against them," Murphy said. "Then, as soon as we got out there, we forgot everything we worked on."

Pate was held scoreless in the first half, but she finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Troy State had three players in double figures. Kim McGriff added 14 for the Lady Trojans, and Laura Lee Holman, another freshman, scored 12.

"It was a wasted effort," Murphy said. "I am proud of the way we came back, but we have to start making plays in big games. And conference games are big games."

The Lady Trojans will be at home again Monday night to take on Belmont. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.