Georgia Southern whittled a 19-point lead by visiting Troy down to one, but could climb all the way back in suffering a 74-71 loss to the Trojans on Thursday evening at Hanner Fieldhouse.
The loss halted the Eagles' nine-game winning streak and also halted a 10-game winning streak in Hanner that dated back to last season. Georgia Southern falls to 11-3 overall and 1-1 in the league, while Troy improves to 4-8 overall and 1-1 in the Sun Belt.
The first quarter was nip-and-tuck as the Eagles held a three-point lead, 18-15, at the end of the period. But Troy would hold the Eagles to just four field goals in the second quarter, outscoring Georgia Southern 25-8 and taking a 14-point lead at halftime, 50-36.
That lead would stretch to 19 points with 5:44 left in the third quarter and still led by 16, 58-42, at the end of the third. But Georgia Southern opened up the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run, then with 1:40 left, a pair of Ja'nya Love-Hill free throws made the score 69-64.
Terren Ward then hit a three with a minute left to make it 69-66, and after a traveling call, Paris Miller hit a reverse layup off of a feed from Ward to make the score 69-68 with 40 seconds left.
The Trojans made three of four free throws on their next two possessions to make the score 72-68 with 24 seconds left, then Eden Johnson hit a three-pointer with 11 seconds left to bring the Eagles back within one, 72-71.
Two free throws from Troy made it 74-71 and the Eagles could not connect on a game-tying three at the buzzer to send it to overtime.
Ward led the Eagles with 22 points, while Johnson chipped in 11. Tai'Sheka Porchia led a trio of Trojans in double figures with 24 points, while Makayia Hallmon added 16 and Nia Daniel notched 12.
Eagle of the Game
The late three by Eden Johnson was one of three in the game for the redshirt senior as she went 4-of-8 from the floor for her 11 points. She added five rebounds and three steals while also recording a blocked shot. That block moves her into the Top 5 on the Georgia Southern all-time blocked shots chart with 68.
Stat of the Game
The Eagles went just 4-of-17 from the floor (23.5 percent) and 0-for-4 from three in the pivotal second quarter and did not attempt a free throw.
Quotables
Head Coach Anita Howard on the second-half comeback
"We talked about just sticking to Georgia Southern basketball and taking it one possession at a time. Trying to get it down to 10, trying to get it down to 4. And then we had an opportunity at the end to win it so, although I'm not pleased with our first half efforts, I am glad that we were able to push through adversity, try to figure it out and give ourselves and opportunity."
Next Up
The Eagles continue their Sun Belt homestand on Saturday, January 6, hosting ULM in a 2 p.m. contest at Hanner Fieldhouse
