For the first eight minutes, everything was going right for the Troy girls’ basketball team. The Trojans had scored 16 points and had the Butler team on their heels.

Unfortunately for the Trojans, they could only muster 20 total points the rest of the game, as they lost to the Aviators 44-36 on Saturday in a GWOC North Division contest at the Student Activity Center in Vandalia.

Things started fast for Troy, as they used a big three-pointer and free from Bailey Hess to jump in front 6-2 in the opening minute. Sierra Besecker and Hess again added three point plays to take the Trojans out to a 12-4 lead with 3:10 left in the opening period.

Hess finished the first period with another big three, then added a free throw in the closing second to take a commanding 16-5 lead into the second.

Back came the Aviators, as they started to cut into the Troy lead. Butler post player Abby Grooms, who was uncontested in the paint at times, scored five straight points over two minutes, cutting their deficit to six points.

Jenna Kaup buried a three to end the Butler run, but that shot is all Trojans offense could produce in the second period. With Troy leading 19-10 with 4:20 left in the half, their offense went silent, being outscored 8-0 over the final four minutes, and their lead diminished down to 19-18 at the half.

The drought continues for Troy into the third period, as Butler came out and set the tone in the first couple of minutes. Brittney Petrosky and Shelby Moses each scored to give Butler their first lead at 23-19 before Hess answered with a pair of free throws.

Butler took a five point lead when Besecker connected on another three for Troy before the Aviators again pulled away to end the quarter, holding Troy scoreless over the final three minutes of the period, as Butler led 32-25 heading to the fourth.

Troy continued to use the three-pointer to stay in the game, as they would answer a Butler score with a three, as Bailey Dornbusch and Alexis Otstot each scored from beyond the arc, closing the Butler lead to 36-31 with 6:35 left.

Another Besecker three made it a four point lead with 1:32 left, but that would be the closest they would get.

Hess led Troy with 15, Besecker added nine.

Troy also lost to Trotwood 39-28 last week in league play. The Trojans also defeated Greenville 56-28, as Hess scored 16 and Kayla Niswonger added 12.

Jenna Kaup looks to score for the Trojans.