Women's basketball continues historic start to 2025 season

Troy women's basketball powered through to a decisive 73-56 victory over Chattanooga on Wednesday night in Trojan Arena, achieving a historic 3-0 start to the 2025-26 season. This marks the first time since 2019-20 Troy has secured three straight double-digit victories to open a season. 

The impressive victory over the Mocs moves head coach Chanda Rigby to a perfect 5-0 against Chattanooga in her career, emphasizing the program's regional dominance. 

The game was defined by a massive shift in momentum during the second quarter, where Troy utilized lockdown defense and sharp shooting to launch a game-defining 21-5 surge after trailing early. This run helped the Trojans erase a deficit and extend the lead into the halftime break.  

The momentum carried seamlessly into the third quarter, where the defense locked down, holding Chattanooga to just 1-of-13 shooting from the field. 

"We're certainly proud to start 3-0, and to win by significant margins is a feat in itself," Rigby said. 

Key players Ashley Baez and Zay Dyer led the offensive and rebounding efforts, respectively. Baez was exceptional from beyond the arc, hitting a career-high five 3-pointers on just seven attempts.  

Dyer was an absolute force on the glass, recording her second consecutive double-double with 17 rebounds, moving her into seventh all-time among Troy's Division I rebounders. 

"Ashley was guarding Chattanooga's SoCon Player of the Year and did a great job defensively while shooting the lights out with five triples," Rigby said. 

The victory over Chattanooga not only cemented the program's impressive start but also showcased the type of disciplined, dominant play that head coach Chanda Rigby has worked to establish for years. The team's ability to correct early mistakes and enforce their will defensively in the second half is a hallmark of the program’s success. 

The team’s focus on future success was underscored by the announcement of seven signees for the 2026-27 season on Early National Signing Day. This recruiting class is filled with both state-level talent and proven collegiate transfers, guaranteeing an immediate impact on the roster. It includes several top Alabama high school players: Hannah Smith, Jamonica Chambers and Maliyah Meeks. 

Smith, a 5-11 guard, is a four-time high school MVP with over 2,000 career points, while Chambers, a 6-4 center, brings imposing size and presence to the paint. Meeks, a 6-2 forward, is a former teammate of current Trojan Saniya Jackson and led her high school to its first-ever state championship.  

The class is rounded out by talented junior college transfers, including guard Kiaya Davis and forward Taliah Martin. 

Martin is a 6-1 forward who will add immediate athleticism and size to the forward rotation, while Davis comes to Troy as a JUCO Honorable Mention All-American who led the nation in scoring during her freshman campaign. Kimora Hughes and Tiauna King, a 1,000-point scorer, round out the highly anticipated class.  

Rigby praised the size, skill, and athleticism of the newcomers, emphasizing that the players are a perfect fit for the Trojan program. 

Dyer's exceptional performance puts her just 15 points shy of the coveted 1,000-career-point mark, capping a night where the Trojans secured their best start in program history.

However, Rigby acknowledged that the schedule immediately becomes tougher, requiring the team to maintain its focus and intensity.  

The combination of current, successful play and a strong recruiting class ensures that Troy women’s basketball is firmly positioned for continued success. 

"Now, we have arguably our three hardest games coming up, so we need to be ready for those," Rigby said. 

The Trojans started that tough stretch with an 81-59 loss on the road against Kansas State. After a close first half, the Wildcats used a strong third quarter to pull away and it was smooth sailing from there. 

Kansas State overcame 10 points from Fortuna Ngnawo and 15 from Emani Jenkins to seal the win. 

The Trojans are set to take on SEC foe Missouri at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 to continue the road trip.