The Lady Trojans basketball team got within a basket of upsetting a talented Plains Trotters squad, but late-game fouls and the quick Plains defense shut that down, 30-29.

Plains used the full-court press to frustrate a panicky Troy offense. 

Kara Sevalstad, Troy’s head coach, was bothered by her team’s inability to play with poise in the first half.

“I told them to calm down,” Sevalstad said. “We just need to keep playing and playing and playing. It will work itself out.”

Despite being outscored 18-10 in the first half, Troy was led back by junior point guard Kelli Lundin and senior post Michaela Curry. They scored nine points each. Neither team had a player in double figures. 

It isn’t to say Troy didn’t have chances down the stretch. Plains made poor decisions and nearly lost themselves the game. 

Curry tied the game at 27 on a free throw, one of the few her team made. Troy was 2-of-8 from the line, Plains was 3-of-13.

“We just need to push ourselves more,” said senior post Breanna Opland. “We have just always been a first-half team.”

The speed and big wingspan of the Trotters locked down on Troy early, causing three turnovers in just the first two minutes of the game. 

When the Lady Trojans calmed down, they broke the press and started making baskets. But the damage had been done.

Troy will face off against Libby on Friday.

Plains 4  14   8   4   -   30

Troy   2     8  11  8   -   29

Plains: Carly VonHeeder 7, Hailey Phillips 7, Felicia Earhart 6, Kayla Holmes 4, Ashley Holmes 2, Shyann Ardis 2, Sami Kinzie 2.

Troy: Kelli Lundin 9, Michaela Curry 9, Caitlin Johnston 6, Jordan Williams 3, Breanna Opland 2.