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Midpoint of Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Play
NEW ORLEANS – As the Sun Belt women’s basketball season reaches its midpoint, teams are eager to find their rhythm and rise in the standings.
What to Watch For
Top Offense Meets Top Defense
Troy (13-7, 7-1) will clash with Louisiana (8-9, 4-4) this Saturday in a matchup of the conference’s highest-scoring team against its toughest defense. Troy leads the league with an average of 79.3 points per game, while Louisiana restricts opponents to just 61.5 points. The Cajuns will be looking to even the score after losing 81-73 to Troy on January 18, while also aiming to break a three-game losing streak and maintain a winning record in conference play.
The Streak Continues
James Madison (16-4, 8-0) secured their eighth consecutive conference victory, defeating Southern Miss (6-13, 2-6) on Friday night. This marks the Dukes’ best start in Sun Belt play, matching their 8-0 beginning from the 2017-18 season, when they achieved a 10-0 record as members of the CAA. James Madison will host Coastal Carolina on Sunday for the final game of their series, having already won the first matchup 74-54, aided by double-doubles from guard Peyton McDaniel and center Kseniia Kozlova.
Finding Their Rhythm
App State (10-8, 6-2) is experiencing a two-game winning streak and currently holds the fourth position in the Sun Belt standings. They will face Georgia Southern (6-13, 2-6) in Boone this Saturday. This matchup marks the first encounter between first-year head coaches Alaura Sharp of App State and Hana Haden of Georgia Southern in conference play.
Breaking Records
Troy has been phenomenal this season, leading the Sun Belt in both scoring (79.3) and rebounding (49.9). They recently clinched a historic 105-58 victory over Texas State, establishing the largest margin of victory for a road game in Sun Belt history at 47 points. Additionally, their dominance includes a significant 99-60 win against South Alabama, totaling a 39-point margin.
Bench Depth
Four teams in the Sun Belt rank among the top 30 nationally for bench points per game. Arkansas State is 10th with 30.0 points, App State follows at 14th with 28.7 points, Troy is 21st with 27.7 points, and Texas State is 27th with 26.6 points. Highlighting bench strength, James Madison’s Ro Scott is third nationally for points per game among players without a start, averaging 12.4 points.
Impact Players – Sun Belt Statistical Leaders
PPG: Aislynn Hayes, Marshall, 16.9
RPG: Zay Dyer, Troy, 10.5
BPG: Mahogany Matthews, Georgia Southern, 2.6
APG: Shaulana Wagner, Troy, 6.2
SPG: Bre Sutton, Southern Miss, 2.6
Where to Watch
| Date | Time | Matchup | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Jan. 25 | 12 p.m. | Old Dominion at Georgia State | ESPN+ |
| Saturday, Jan. 25 | 1 p.m. | Georgia Southern at App State | ESPN+ |
| Saturday, Jan. 25 | 2 p.m. | ULM at Texas State | ESPN+ |
| Saturday, Jan. 25 | 2 p.m. | Troy at Louisiana | ESPN+ |
| Saturday, Jan. 25 | 2 p.m. | Arkansas State at South Alabama | ESPN+ |
| Sunday, Jan. 26 | 12 p.m. | Coastal Carolina at James Madison | ESPN+ |
| Sunday, Jan. 26 | 1 p.m. | Southern Miss at Marshall | ESPN+ |
