Covington’s Delaney Murphy drives to the basket against Troy’s Jaelynn Smith Monday at the Trojan Activity Center.
Courtesy Photos
Troy’s Kiyah Baker work inside against Covington’s Carlie Besecker Monday night.
Courtesy Photos
Covington’s Maggie Anderson goes up for two of her 19 points Monday night.
Courtesy Photos
Troy’s Payton Brewer makes a move to the basket Monday night.
Courtesy Photos
TROY — The Troy girls basketball team showed improvement from its first game with Tecumseh when Covington visited Monday night.
In fact, the 0-2 Trojans played with the 2-0 Buccs for three quarters before Covington pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 51-38 victory in non-conference action.
Baskets by Riley King and Carmen Brooks had pulled the Trojans within 31-29 with 1:25 remaining in the third quarter.
But, Covington’s Delaney Murphy had a 3-point play to close the third quarter and Gracie Anderson opened the fourth quarter with 3-pointer to make it 37-29.
After Jaelynn Smith hit a 3-pointer for Troy, Covington scored six straight points.
Carlie Besecker, Gabrielle Hartwig and Murphy all had baskets to make it 43-32 and Troy could never get closer than eight the rest of the way.
The first three quarters were evenly played.
Despite eight points in the opening quarter from Covington’s Maggie Anderson, Troy’s Kiyah Baker would hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Trojans a 12-10 lead.
It was more of the same in the second quarter.
Troy’s Emma Levan hit a jumper with 15 seconds to go in the half to put the Trojans up 21-19 at the break.
But, while Maggie Anderson had 13 points in the opening half — Murphy and Gracie Anderson would score nine each in the second half as Covington would take control in the fourth quarter.
Maggie Anderson led all scorers with 19 points and eight rebounds.
Gracie Anderson added 11 points, Murphy scored nine and Besecker had eight points and five rebounds.
Baker had nine points to lead a balanced Troy attack.
Payton Brewer had six points, Jadyn Almeida had five points and six rebounds, Levan had five points and Smith pulled down five rebounds.
Covington was 16 of 36 from the floor for 44 percent. After hitting their first nine free throws, the Buccs finished 13 of 18 from the line for 72 percent.
Troy was 14 of 37 from the floor for 38 percent and made five of 11 free throws for 45 percent.
Both teams had 21 rebounds and 14 turnovers.
Covington 55,
Fairlawn 19
COVINGTON — Covington was coming off a big win at home Saturday night to open the season.
The Buccs led 23-6, 45-14 and 53-17 at the quarter breaks.
Maggie Anderson had 24 points and eight rebounds to lead the Buccs, while Gracie Anderson had 12 points.
Murphy had six points and five assists, Avery Koffer had five points and six assists and Hartwig grabbed six rebounds.
Sports Editor Rob Kiser can be reached at [email protected]
