Trojans earn postseason and Sun Belt Tournament honors

Following conference championship appearances for Troy men’s and women’s basketball teams, a combined four Trojans were featured on the Sun Belt All-Tournament teams. 

For the women, Zay Dyer and Fortuna Ngnawo earned all-tournament honors, while the men saw Jerrell Bellamy named to the all-tournament team.The men’s tournament Most Outstanding Player award went to Thomas Dowd. 

Despite the women losing to James Madison in the championship game, Ngnawo managed a double-double. Her 18 points and 12 rebounds capped off an impressive six double-doubles over the final seven games of the season.  

Zay Dyer entered the tournament with All-Sun Belt First Team and Defensive Player of the Year honors under her belt. She improved that with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the semifinal win over Arkansas State. Dyer also had three steals and four blocks over the two tournament games. 

Thomas Dowd also had All-Sun Belt First Team honors on the men’s side. He shined with 23 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in the title game. Dowd led the Trojans all year in rebounds and blocks, while being tied for first in points with Victor Valdes. 

Jerrell Bellamy has been a breakout star over the final stretch of the season. While he averages 8.2 points, he has averaged 19 over the last four games. His 22 points and six blocks against Southern Miss, coupled with 15 points against Georgia Southern, secured the senior a place on the all-tournament team. 

Head coach Scott Cross earned his fifth consecutive season with 20 or more wins, along with back-to-back Sun Belt regular season and tournament titles. Cross was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year. He also won the award in 2017 while coaching at UT-Arlington. 

The women have wrapped up the regular season with a 25-7 overall record and will wait to see if a postseason tournament awaits. The men have punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament and will find out who they are paired up with during the Selection Show March 15 at 5 p.m. on CBS.