Unbeaten Troy Overwhelms No. 2 San Clemente

Playing its toughest opponent until the playoffs arrive in February, Troy had no problem making a statement at San Clemente’s expense Thursday in what was supposed to be a nonleague girls’ basketball showdown.

Troy, No. 8 in The Times Orange County preseason rankings, took a 17-point first-quarter lead and stunned second-ranked San Clemente, 56-39.

The Warriors (6-0) stretched their lead to 35-12 on consecutive three-point baskets by Veronica Johns Richardson (21 points, 11 rebounds, four three-pointers) 1 minute 30 seconds into the second half. San Clemente closed within eight, 45-37, with 3:53 left in the game.

San Clemente (2-3) also has lost to No. 5 Edison by one point and No. 6 Mater Dei by two.

“This is the first team that outright beat us,” Triton Coach Mary Mulligan said. “[Troy] played so good, it didn’t matter. They’re better than us at a lot of fundamental things.”

Kristin Arnold added 17 points and freshman Alicia Komaki 13, all in the first half, for the Warriors. Kianey Givens-Davis (four points) had 11 rebounds, seven offensive. Colleen Turnbull scored 13 and Kimberly Noble 11 for San Clemente.