Women's basketball has rollercoaster week

The Troy Trojans experienced a week of extreme highs and lows, punctuated by a dominant conference win and a crushing non-conference defeat. After suffocating App State 69-59 with a late defensive stand to secure their ninth straight victory in the series, the Trojans fell to Ball State on the road 87-86.  

The week served as a showcase for a team that currently sits atop the nation in rebounding while chasing significant program history. 

Brady Fitch photo

Lelani Guillon celebrates during Troy's game against App State.

"Every win is important right now as we try to make a run at another conference championship," said head coach Chanda Rigby. "App State had a great game plan, and it was a battle of wills." 

Wednesday night in Trojan Arena featured a defensive masterclass as Troy outscored App State 19-10 in the final ten minutes to secure a 69-59 victory. Zay Dyer dominated the interior with a massive 20-point and 19-rebound performance, moving into sixth place all-time in Troy’s Division I career blocks. 

This win was particularly special as it allowed Coach Rigby to tie Joyce Sorrell for the most wins in Troy women’s basketball history at 274. 

"I felt like I could have, of course, put our team in a position to win, but we just didn't get it done," Rigby said after the loss to Ball State. "I'm going to choose to stay positive because that's all I can do right now." 

The momentum shifted toward heartbreak on Saturday when Ball State stunned Troy with a game-winning three-pointer with only six seconds remaining on the clock. Despite the 87-86 loss, the Trojans displayed incredible sharpshooting by hitting 12 shots from beyond the arc and shooting 40 percent from deep. All five Troy starters reached double-digit scoring, but a late 10-1 run by the Cardinals ultimately erased what had been an 11-point Trojan lead. 

"There is a lot to be proud of, especially with Rachel and Emani etching their names in Troy history," Rigby said. "Now, we get to go home and get in games that actually count towards our quest for a title." 

Even in defeat, the Trojans celebrated legendary individual milestones that will remain in the program record books for years to come. Rachel Leggett joined the elite 1,000-point club with a three-pointer to open the second half, finishing the afternoon with a strong double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.  

Meanwhile, Emani Jenkins officially became the most prolific single-season shooter in Troy history by sinking her 74th three-pointer of the year during the fourth-quarter surge. 

"Our bench came out and played great in a tight environment, and that's critical, especially when we get to March," Rigby said. "I'm just thankful for the dog in our players." 

The Trojans now pivot back to Sun Belt Conference play as they prepare for a critical four-game homestand starting this Thursday. With a 19-5 overall record and the rebounding title firmly in their grasp, the team remains focused on securing the top seed for the upcoming tournament.  

Coach Rigby stands just one win away from becoming the winningest coach in program history as the team welcomes Louisiana to Trojan Arena. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. on Thursday night.