TROY, Ala. (Interstat) — Zay Dyer recorded a dominant 21-point, 20-rebound double-double Saturday to power the Troy women’s basketball team to a 97-80 victory over Southern Mississippi at Trojan Arena. The Trojans (23-4) never trailed, building a 46-30 halftime lead and extending it with a 30-point third quarter. Dyer, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, controlled the interior for Troy. Meloney Thames scored 24 points for the Lady Eagles (14-14), who got 12 points and 10 rebounds from Whitney Hart. Troy’s Fortuna Ngnawo and Rachel Leggett also posted double-doubles, and Ashley Baez added 19 points. A crowd of 1,807 watched Troy avenge a 98-95 loss to Southern Mississippi on Jan. 3.

TROY, Ala. (Interstat) — The Troy women’s basketball team showcased its dominance on both ends of the floor Saturday, overwhelming Southern Mississippi 97-80 in a Sun Belt Conference matchup at Trojan Arena. Fueled by a historic performance from Zay Dyer and a commanding rebounding advantage, the Trojans improved to 23-4 overall and solidified their position atop the league standings. Southern Mississippi fell to .500 at 14-14 despite a valiant offensive effort from guard Meloney Thames. The game’s pivotal stretch arrived in the third quarter, transforming what had been a competitive contest into a decisive Troy victory. Leading 46-30 at halftime, the Trojans erupted for 30 points in the period, effectively putting the game out of reach. They shot a blistering 52% from the field in the quarter while simultaneously clamping down defensively, holding the Lady Eagles to just 4-of-17 shooting over the first seven minutes of the frame. A 12-2 run early in the third, capped by an Ashley Baez three-pointer assisted by Rachel Leggett, extended Troy’s lead to 60-35. The Trojans’ offensive execution was matched by their defensive intensity, forcing Southern Mississippi into difficult shots and capitalizing on the misses with transition opportunities. The quarter concluded with a Leilani Guion three-pointer at the buzzer, sending Troy into the final period with a commanding 76-57 advantage, a deficit from which the Lady Eagles could not recover. The foundation for Troy’s victory was built on the glass, where they authored a masterclass in rebounding. The Trojans hauled in 20 offensive rebounds, leading to 26 second-chance points, and finished with a staggering 63-43 total rebounding margin. This effort was spearheaded by Dyer, a 6-foot-2 forward from Atlanta, who delivered a career-defining performance with 21 points and a remarkable 20 rebounds. Her work on the offensive boards, where she grabbed nine, consistently demoralized the Southern Mississippi defense and extended possessions. Dyer was not alone in her dominance. Fortuna Ngnawo of Bafoussam, Cameroon, recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while point guard Rachel Leggett of Navarre, Florida, filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Baez, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, provided a critical scoring punch off the bench with 19 points. Southern Mississippi, which had stunned Troy 98-95 in Hattiesburg on Jan. 3, fought hard behind Thames. The junior from Philadelphia, Mississippi, scored a game-high 24 points, including three three-pointers, and added four assists and four steals. Jakayla Johnson contributed 16 points and Whitney Hart posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Eagles. Ultimately, Troy’s efficiency proved overwhelming. The Trojans shot 47.1% from the field (40 of 85) and posted an offensive rating of 114.0 points per 100 possessions. Southern Mississippi, by contrast, struggled with its shooting, connecting on just 32.9% of its attempts (25 of 76) and 22.6% from beyond the arc (7 of 31). While the Lady Eagles took care of the ball, committing only eight turnovers, and shot well from the free-throw line (23 of 27), they were unable to overcome Troy’s sheer volume of quality shots generated through offensive rebounds and assists. The Trojans’ defensive presence was also felt at the rim, where they blocked seven shots, with Detavia Salter recording three and Dyer adding two. A crowd of 1,807 at Trojan Arena watched Troy avenge its earlier loss to Southern Mississippi and continue its pursuit of a conference championship. The win was projected by statistical models, which gave Troy a 96% probability of victory entering the contest. Southern Mississippi will look to regroup on the road, traveling to face South Alabama on Wednesday and Louisiana-Monroe on Friday. Troy, meanwhile, prepares for a key road test at Arkansas State on Tuesday before a rematch at South Alabama on Friday.

TROY, Ala. (Interstat) — A surging Troy team looks to continue its dominant season while Southern Mississippi seeks a crucial road upset when the women’s basketball programs meet Saturday at Trojan Arena. The Trojans (22-4), boasting one of the nation’s top records, host the Lady Eagles (14-13) in a rematch of a thrilling Jan. 3 encounter, which Southern Mississippi won 98-95 at home. Troy will be heavily favored on its own court, where it has established itself as a formidable force this season. Southern Mississippi arrives with momentum from an 83-61 road victory at Louisiana-Lafayette on Wednesday. Guard Carly Keats led the charge with 26 points, continuing a streak of strong performances that includes a 20-point outing in a win at Old Dominion on Jan. 30. The Lady Eagles’ consistency has been an issue, however, as the win over Lafayette was preceded by a 23-point loss to Louisiana-Monroe. Troy counters with its own potent weapon in forward Zay Dyer, who is coming off a 16-point, 3-assist, 3-block performance in an 84-73 win over South Alabama. Dyer has been a model of consistency, recording double-doubles in three of her last six games and providing elite rim protection. She is the engine for a Trojans offense that averages over 80 points per game. The January matchup suggests Southern Mississippi can compete with Troy’s high-powered attack. Containing Dyer inside while finding scoring beyond Keats will be paramount for the Lady Eagles. For Troy, avenging the earlier loss and maintaining its position atop the conference standings is the clear objective. Tip-off is set for Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Troy. Southern Mississippi visits South Alabama next on Feb. 25, while Troy travels to Arkansas State on Feb. 24.