Women's basketball continues historic start

The Troy women's basketball program reached historic heights during the 2025-26 season by shattering several long-standing school records. During a dominant 132-62 victory over Oakwood in mid-December, the team set new program marks for total points, successful 3-pointers, and total assists. This performance fueled the best start in the program's Division I history at 9-1. 

Emani Jenkins led this offensive explosion by sinking ten triples, which broke the individual single-game record previously held since 1992. The victory was one of many blowout wins that defined the early season for the Trojans. Rigby emphasized that while the records were special, the team's primary focus remained on maintaining discipline for the upcoming Sun Belt Conference schedule. 

"Everyone was focused, and our bench came out and did well -- we always strive for 120 points, so that was a special feeling," Rigby said. 

The Trojans officially opened Sun Belt Conference play with a convincing 81-59 road victory against Old Dominion. Zay Dyer and Fortuna Ngnawo powered the win, combining 40 points and 31 rebounds in a dominant frontcourt performance. This victory allowed the Trojans to tie the 1991-92 team for the best overall start in program history at 10-1. 

"To start 1-0 on the road in such a hard place to play, against such a historic program, is incredible," Rigby said. 

The team faced a significant test against No. 24 Alabama and managed to hold a lead at the halftime break. Although they eventually fell 77-59, the Trojans proved they could compete at a high level against nationally ranked SEC opponents. Ngnawo continued her elite consistency during this matchup by recording her 15th consecutive game with double-digit scoring. 

The 2026 calendar year began with a decisive 80-54 win over Louisiana to move the team to a 2-0 conference start. Dyer led all scorers with 16 points while the team's relentless rebounding identity resulted in a massive 60-37 advantage on the glass. This victory reinforced Troy's status as one of the premier mid-major programs in the country during the early weeks of January. 

"These road conference wins are hard to come by, but we got the job done," Rigby said. 

A highly competitive road battle against Southern Miss ended in a narrow 98-95 loss for the Trojans. All five starters scored in double figures, but the team's fourth-quarter comeback attempt fell just three points short. Despite the defeat, Dyer made history by tying the school's all-time Division I rebounding record with her eleventh board of the game.  

"When you put up 95 points and don't win, you know you have some stuff to clean up," Rigby said. 

The program celebrated a monumental individual achievement when Zay Dyer officially became the all-time leading rebounder in Troy's Division I history. She secured her 768th career rebound during the second quarter of a blowout win against Texas State to pass Donette McNair. Dyer finished the historic evening with 19 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high five blocked shots. 

"When I was first told about it, I just couldn't get it... I knew that one rebound simply wasn't enough, so I went out on a mission," Dyer said. 

The Trojans concluded this stretch by avenging a previous post-season loss with an 86-64 victory over Arkansas State. This win snapped the Red Wolves' 12-game winning streak and moved Troy into a tie for second place in the Sun Belt standings. Ngnawo paced the Trojans with 21 points as the team improved to 13-3 on the season. 

"The only way to heal that wound is to expose it and get back in control of that process and that is what we did tonight," Rigby said. 

The victory over the Red Wolves proved that the Trojans are serious contenders for the Sun Belt regular season title. Troy dominated the glass once again with a 56-35 rebounding margin to stifle the conference's top-ranked team. This high-level consistency has kept the program inside the top five of the mid-major polls throughout the month of January. 

"We wanted to be locked in on defense because they try to get 40 to 50 threes a game," Rigby said. 

The Trojans continue conference play with a two-game road trip starting on Wednesday in Monroe, Louisiana, Against ULM. Troy takes on the Warhawks at 6:30 p.m. before playing Texas State again on the road on Saturday, Jan. 17