Troy's Zay Dyer Makes History, Leads Team to Title Game

A college basketball player just rewrote the record books while powering her team toward a championship, proving that individual excellence and team success can go hand in hand.

Zay Dyer made history Sunday in Pensacola, Florida, becoming the first Division I women's basketball player ever to join the exclusive 1,000-point, 1,000-rebound club. She reached the milestone during Troy University's 83-73 semifinal victory over Arkansas State, recording 24 points and 10 rebounds in her 23rd double-double of the season.

The achievement marks the culmination of years of consistent excellence. Dyer didn't stop there, either—she also broke her own single-season rebounding record with her 396th board of the year, showcasing the kind of dominance rarely seen at the college level.

Troy's victory was especially sweet after Arkansas State eliminated them from last year's tournament. The Trojans controlled the paint, outrebounding their opponents 45-32 and converting 20 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points.

The team effort extended beyond Dyer's historic performance. Ngnawo added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Ashley Baez and Rachel Leggett contributed 14 and 12 points respectively, showing the depth that makes Troy dangerous.

Arkansas State, the nation's leader in forcing turnovers, couldn't rattle the Trojans. Troy matched them turnover for turnover while executing when it mattered most, including a crucial 10-0 run late in the fourth quarter that sealed the win.

Why This Inspires

Dyer's achievement represents more than personal glory. She's now the fourth player in Troy history to reach this milestone, though the first to do it in Division I, putting her school on the national map for excellence.

Head Coach Chanda Rigby captured the team's growth perfectly: "These young women have grown in so many ways. The way they handled adversity tonight was something that teams in years past couldn't have done."

The win sends Troy to its fifth conference championship game in program history. They'll face James Madison on Monday at 1 p.m., seeking their fourth tournament title and first since 2021.

Dyer's 15-game double-double streak continues at the perfect time, giving Troy momentum heading into the biggest game of their season.