It was a mix of good and bad for the Troy University basketball program on Wednesday as the men’s team (15-8, 8-4) dropped a pivotal conference game with the James Madison Dukes (15-9, 8-4), while the Trojan women (15-9, 9-3) knocked off the Old Dominion Monarchs (14-10, 6-6). 

The women’s team bested Old Dominion at home by a score of 83-80 after outscoring the Monarchs 7-4 in the final 89 seconds to earn the Trojans’ first ever win over Old Dominion in women’s basketball. 

Troy and ODU were tied 26-26 heading into the second quarter when the Trojans took control to lead 46-36 at halftime. Old Dominion cut the lead to 59-54 heading into the final frame and managed to take the lead multiple times in the fourth. The Trojans, however, pulled away in the final minute of play. 

Troy shot 39.7 percent from the field but Old Dominion managed to shoot 41.8 percent. The Trojans, though, once again dominated the boards out-rebounding ODU 52-36 and outscoring the Monarchs 26-34 in the paint and 21-12 in second chance points. Both teams turned the ball over 10 times but Troy’s bench outscored Old Dominion’s 25-3. 

“It was probably one of my favorite wins that we’ve had at Trojan Arena in all my time here because tonight, our team showed the most growth,” Troy Coach Chanda Rigby said. “Old Dominion gave us their best shot, and they did a lot of smart things. They were giving their all, and our team just kept pushing back and saving control of the game. We faced a lot of adversity and emotions in this game. We kept our heads, and we kept cool. We kept making the next best play, which shows our team’s growth”

Former Old Dominion player Brianna Jackson was a star for the Trojans in the win, earning 19 points and 22 rebounds for a big double-double. The 22 rebounds tied for second most in ag game in Troy’s Division I history. Zay Dyer also had a big night with 19 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. 

Briana Peguero added 15 points, three assists and two steals for Troy, while Fortuna Ngnawo netted 10 points and two steals. For Old Dominion, Simaru Fields scored 26 points and En’Dya Buford tallied 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists. 

Troy is currently tied for third place in the Sun Belt with Appalachian State behind James Madison and Arkansas State. Troy is back at home this Saturday, Feb. 8, for a non-conference game against Kent Stat at 1 p.m. 

The Troy men saw their four-game winning streak snapped by James Madison by a score of 64-61 on the road on Wednesday. The contest came down to the wire late. Troy took a one-point lead with just over a minute remaining, but JMU went on a 5-0 run in the final 54 seconds to secure the win. 

Troy shot 42.1 percent from the field, while JMU shot 43.8 percent. Troy won the rebound battle 35-28 and outscored James Madison 30-18 in the paint. Troy turned the ball over 13 times and the Dukes turned it over 12 times. 

Tayton Conerway led Troy with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Marcus Rigsby Jr. scored 11 points and blocked two shots. Jackson Fields and Myles Rigsby grabbed six boards each. Bryce Lindsay and Elijah Hutchins-Everett led JMU with 14 points each. 

The loss puts Troy into a five-way tie with South Alabama, James Madison, Appalachian State and Marshall for second place in the conference, while Arkansas State remains in first place. Troy takes a break from conference play for a road matchup with Miami (Ohio) on Feb. 8 at noon.