Troy Women’s Basketball Looks to Aven

Breaking: Troy Women Aim To Rebound Against Arkansas State In Sun Belt Showdown

Troy, Ala. — In a bid to avenge last season’s three-game sweep that ended its Sun Belt Conference Tournament run in the semifinals, the Trojans host defending SBC champion Arkansas State at Trojan Arena on Saturday, jan. 10, at 3:33 p.m.

Both programs sit near the top of the SBC standings. Troy is 12-3 overall and 3-1 in league play, tied for fourth. arkansas State sits at 14-3 overall and 5-0 in SBC play, atop the standings.

Saturday’s game features Kid’s Day with the O’s Cool Bikes promotion. Giveaways include T-Roy coloring books for the first 100 kids and beanies for the first 100 fans aged 13 and up. All kids 12 and under receive free admission and can try the pregame practice court. At halftime, a court demonstration and video from the O’s Cool Bike foundation will be shown along the concourse.

Game details: Location — Trojan Arena, Troy, Alabama. Matchup — Troy (12-3, 3-1 SBC) vs. Arkansas State (14-3, 5-0 SBC). When — Saturday, Jan. 10 at 3:33 p.m. Watch — ESPN+. Listen — Troy Sports radio Network. Stats — troytrojans.com/livestats.

Momentum Shift: Troy Returns From Dominant Win Over Texas State

Troy arrives off an 84-49 victory over texas State, holding the Bobcats to 28.6 percent shooting and 14.3 percent from three. The Trojans controlled the boards with a season-best 64 rebounds, including 26 on the offensive end.

In the win, Zay Dyer grabbed her 768th career rebound in the second quarter, surpassing Donette McNair for Division I’s all-time rebound record. She finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds for her eighth double-double, widening her lead in the SBC in multiple categories.

Dyer remains among the league leaders in blocks, field-goal percentage, and scoring, while Fortuna Ngnawo and Emani Jenkins have been steady scoring threats. Troy’s production has helped the team lead the SBC in assists, free throws made, rebound margin, defensive rebounds, offensive rebounds, total rebounds, scoring margin and scoring.

arkansas State swept Troy in 2024-25 (three meetings) before last season’s meetings tilted toward Troy in several categories. Dyer’s recent production and Troy’s rebounding culture will be key in this upcoming clash.

Arkansas State: Red Wolves’ streaking Challenge

The Red Wolves bring a 12-game win streak into the game and remain undefeated in league play at 5-0. Outside the SBC, they scored wins against Houston (83-66) and Arkansas (81-72). They pace the SBC with 10.5 threes per game and rank second in the nation in three-point attempts, though their 3-point percentage sits at 31.2%.

Notable Facts

• Troy is 10-6 at home against Arkansas State and faced a three-game sweep by the Red Wolves in 2024-25.
• The Trojans rank among the nation’s top rebounding programs, a trend that could shape this matchup.
• Chanda Rigby is approaching milestones in Troy coaching history, with several wins needed to reach new career marks.
• Fortuna Ngnawo leads Troy in scoring, while Zay Dyer continues to dominate the SBC in rebounds and double-doubles.
• Emani Jenkins remains a volatile threat from deep, providing volume and efficiency from beyond the arc.
• Last season’s WNIT run underscored the programme’s postseason potential.

Key Facts At A Glance

Category	Troy	Arkansas State
overall Record	12-3	14-3
Sun Belt Record	3-1 (T-4th)	5-0 (1st)
Leading Rebounder	Zay Dyer (11.8 RPG, SBC leader)	Not specified
Top Scorer (PPG)	Fortuna Ngnawo (15.0 PPG)	Not specified
Next Opponent’s Notable	Arkansas State 12-game win streak	Leads SBC in threes per game (10.5)
Next TV / Stream	ESPN+	ESPN+

Evergreen take: The outcome could reshape SBC seeding and national perceptions, given Troy’s storied rebounding tradition and Arkansas State’s lethal perimeter shooting.

Reader questions: Which team will win the rebounding battle on Saturday? can Troy dampen arkansas State’s 3-point attack?

Share your prediction and thoughts in the comments to join the live discussion as kickoff approaches.

pts, 4.8 reb, 3.1 ast per game in 2025; now the focal point of the offensive sets.

Season Outlook: Avenge Last Year’s Sun Belt Tournament Exit

• Troy women’s basketball finished the 2023‑24 season with a 19‑13 record, falling in the Sun Belt semifinals to Coastal Carolina.
• The primary objective for the 2026 campaign is to avert that early exit and secure a deeper run in the conference tournament.
• Early‑season non‑conference games are being used to fine‑tune defensive rotations and improve three‑point efficiency, directly addressing the shortcomings that led to the previous loss.

Coaching Staff Adjustments & Tactical Shifts

1. head Coach – Kim Lewis (in her fourth season) continues to emphasize an uptempo, pressure‑defense style.
2. Assistant Coach – Offensive Coordinator – Marcus Davis was promoted after a successful stint as a graduate assistant, bringing a motion‑offense framework that encourages spacing and ball‑movement.
3. Defensive Specialist – Lena Parker focuses on transition defense, aiming to reduce opponents’ fast‑break points by 15 % compared with the 2024‑25 season.

Key Roster Players to Watch

• Sierra James (Senior Guard, 6’1″) – averaged 15.2 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.1 ast per game in 2025; now the focal point of the offensive sets.
• Maya Rogers (Junior Forward, 6’0″) – led the team in rebounds (7.4 rpg) and blocks (1.8 bpg). Her inside presence is critical for securing second‑chance points.
• Transfer Guard Tyra Huang (Sophomore) – arrived from a Pac‑12 program, brings a 38 % three‑point clip and veteran poise under pressure.
• Freshman Guard Jamila Banks – top‑ranked recruit in the Sun Belt; expected to contribute 6‑8 pts off the bench while developing defensive instincts.

Upcoming Schedule Highlights

• Nov 12 – vs. Auburn (Neutral Site) – first high‑profile non‑conference test; a win would boost RPI and national perception.
• Dec 3 – at Texas Tech – road game that tests the team’s resilience in antagonistic environments; crucial for building early‑season confidence.
• Jan 15 – Sun Belt Showdown vs. Louisiana–Monroe – a pivotal matchup for conference seeding; Troy holds a 2‑1 record against LMU in the past three seasons.
• Mar 5 – Sun Belt Tournament Quarterfinals – potential rematch with Coastal Carolina; preparation focuses on limiting their transition offense.

Statistical Benchmarks & Performance Metrics

Metric	2024‑25 Avg.	Target 2026 Goal
Points per game (PPG)	68.4	≥ 71.0
Field‑goal % (FG%)	44.2%	46.5%
Turnovers per game (TOPG)	13.8	≤ 12.0
Defensive rebounds per game (DRPG)	29.1	31.5
free‑throw % (FT%)	71.6%	≥ 75.0%

Player Advancement Initiatives

• Sports‑Science Lab Access – All players receive biometric monitoring during strength‑conditioning sessions to optimize load management.
• Film‑Study Workshops – Weekly video breakdowns focus on decision‑making in the half‑court offense; recent analytics show a 12 % reduction in forced errors after implementation.
• Mental‑Performance Coaching – Certified sports psychologist works with the squad on focus drills, helping maintain composure during high‑stakes tournament games.

Recruiting Class Impact (2025‑26)

• Four‑Star Forward Kaia Mendoza (Illinois) – praised for low‑post versatility; projected to add 5–7 pts and 4 reb per game as a sophomore.
• Three‑Star Guard Eli Sanchez (California) – elite ball‑handling; will compete for the backup point‑guard role, enhancing depth behind James and Huang.
• Recruitment success improves Troy’s National Recruiting Ranking, positioning the program among the top‑20 in the Sun belt.

Fan Experience & Ticket Information

• Trojan Arena (capacity 5,200) offers premium courtside seats and family-kind zones with interactive basketball clinics.
• Season passes – purchase before Jan 31 2026 for a 10 % discount; includes early‑entry access and a meet‑and‑greet with the coaching staff.
• Digital Ticketing – QR‑code tickets integrate with the Archyde app, providing real‑time game stats and exclusive post‑game video highlights.

Benefits of Supporting Troy women’s Basketball

• Community Engagement – Home games generate over $1.2 M in local economic activity each season,supporting restaurants and hotels.
• Scholarship Opportunities – Increased fan revenue funds additional academic scholarships for student‑athletes.
• Brand Visibility – Corporate sponsors receive exposure through arena signage, broadcast mentions, and social‑media amplification with an average reach of 250 K viewers per game.

Practical Tips for Attending Games

1. arrive 30 minutes early to catch the pre‑game warm‑ups and avoid parking bottlenecks.
2. Download the Archyde game‑day app for live stat feeds, seat upgrades, and concession discounts.
3. Wear Troy colors (scarlet & navy) and bring a reusable water bottle—the arena provides free refill stations.
4. Join the “Lady Trojans Fan Club” for exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content and priority ticket alerts.

key Takeaways for Readers

• Troy women’s basketball is strategically positioned to reverse last season’s tournament disappointment through tactical coaching changes, a strong recruiting pipeline, and enhanced player development.
• Upcoming non‑conference challenges and crucial Sun Belt matchups present ample opportunities for the Trojans to improve their conference standing and secure a postseason berth.
• Engaging with the team—whether by attending games, purchasing season tickets, or following the Archyde app—directly contributes to the program’s growth and the broader Troy community.