Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

A strong second-half effort helped power the Troup Lady Tigers to a 41-32 home win over Hardaway on Friday night in their Region 2-AAAA opener.

The first half was a struggle for Troup, which trailed 15-14 after being limited to four points in the second quarter.

It was a different story in the third quarter, though, with the Lady Tigers putting 18 points on the scoreboard to take a 32-25 lead.

Hardaway got within three with less than four minutes to play in the game, but Troup did a nice job of finishing things off to secure the nine-point win.

“I had to remind them (at halftime) that we’re known for defense, and we’re known for high intensity,” said Troup head coach Carla Thornton. “I think they got out there and tried to prove to us the coaches that it’s still in there.”

Aniya Palmer, Samarria Weldon and Jada Green had 10 points apiece for Troup, and Alexcia Murphy scored nine points, all in the second half.

Murphy, a sophomore post player, helped get things going in the second half with her scoring, rebounding, defense, and all-around effort.

“We’re happy to see her have a good game,” Thornton said. “What she was doing, that kind of gave us energy. The other girls started feeding off of her.”

The Lady Tigers were trailing 20-18 in the third quarter when Murphy pulled down an offensive rebound and scored to pull her team even. Moments later after a Hardaway turnover, Weldon’s layup gave Troup a 22-20 lead with 5:22 left in the third quarter.

The lead was still two points when Troup closed the third quarter on a 7-2 run to make it a 32-25 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Murphy, Green and Weldon combined for 16 points in the third quarter, with Murphy scoring at the buzzer to push the lead to seven.

Hardaway hung tough in the fourth quarter and got within three with 3:35 to play, but Troup finished the game on a 6-0 run.

Troup hosts Spencer on Tuesday.