Chattanooga, Tenn. – Troy Trojans Women’s Basketball Secures First Win of the Season
The Troy Trojans women’s basketball team achieved a significant milestone on Thursday night, capturing their first victory of the season with a 76-66 win against UT-Chattanooga. The game took place at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tennessee, marking an important moment for the Trojans as they improved their record to 1-3.
Dominant Performance by Zay Dyer
Leading the charge for the Trojans was Zay Dyer, who delivered a powerful performance, scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Dyer’s impressive play included shooting 10-of-20 from the field, and this match marked the third time in her collegiate career that she surpassed the 20-point mark. Her aggressive approach and key contributions were pivotal in securing the win against the Mocs, who currently hold a record of 2-2.
Strong Contributions from Other Players
Besides Dyer, several other players made notable contributions. Senior Ashley Baez showcased her proficiency at the free-throw line, sinking all 10 of her attempts and finishing the game with 12 points, extending her streak of double-digit scoring to four consecutive games. Sigrun Olafsdottir also played a crucial role, logging every minute on the court and finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Caia Elisaldez added to the scoring efforts, hitting 6-of-12 shots to contribute 15 points, bringing the total number of Trojans in double digits to four.
Game Highlights and Flow
The game commenced with an energetic start for the Trojans. In the first 1:11 of play, they embarked on a remarkable 17-0 run, establishing an early 21-10 lead by the end of the first quarter. The dominance continued into the second quarter, with Troy capitalizing on their strong start. Although UT-Chattanooga made attempts to rally back in the third quarter, Troy maintained composure and executed a strong finish in the fourth quarter.
The Trojans showcased their strength inside the paint throughout the game, outscoring the Mocs in that area with a significant margin of 44-20. A decisive 6-0 run late in the game further solidified their lead, allowing Troy to secure the victory by a 10-point margin. “We’re thrilled to get our first win of the season tonight in Tennessee. Chattanooga was a good team, but I think our team was hungrier for this win,” said Troy’s head coach, Chanda Rigby. She added, “To see that 17-0 run in the first, it was exciting to see it all come together.”
Upcoming Challenges
This victory not only marked Troy’s first win of the season, but it also extended their winning streak to three games against UT-Chattanooga, with Coach Rigby maintaining an undefeated record of 3-0 against the Mocs. Positive momentum is crucial as the Trojans look ahead to their next challenge. They are set to face no. 7 ranked LSU on November 18 in Baton Rouge, where they hope to build on the success of this game.
Troy’s performance against UT-Chattanooga serves as a reminder of their potential as they seek to improve their season and continue to grow as a team.
