Troy University Athletics
Women’s Basketball Accepts WNIT Bid, Plays Winner of Stetson/FIU
3/18/2024 8:00:00 AM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. – The Troy women's basketball season bursts back to life after accepting a bid to the WNIT. A 21-9, 15-3 SBC season grants Troy a first-round bye where the program awaits the winner of Stetson and FIU.
"We are thankful that we were selected to represent Troy in this national tournament," head coach Chanda Rigby said. "Our goal is to, first, be the first women's basketball team from Troy to win a game in a national tournament. Then, we want to fight our way through the bracket and win the championship."
Round two of the 26th edition of the Postseason WNIT is scheduled between March 23-26, with the date, time and location to be announced. Meanwhile, the first round sees FIU and Stetson battle in Miami, Fla., on Wednesday, March 20, at 6 p.m. to determine the winner.
The Trojans join SBC opponents ULM, Old Dominion and Southern Miss in the WNIT, making their first postseason appearance since 2022. That appearance was a WNIT matchup against Alabama, where the Trojans fell late, 82-79. When Troy takes on Stetson/FIU, it looks to claim the first-ever D-I postseason victory in program history – currently 0-7 overall.
The Trojans look to redeem their tournament run in the SBC after an early exit in the quarterfinals against Louisiana. Through 30 games of action, the Trojans remain the nation's leading rebound team, averaging 47.63 per game – rank 10th nationally in defensive rebounds (30.4) and second in offensive (17.3). They also stand as one of just two SBC teams to score 80-plus a game – rank 14th in the nation with 80.3 points. Then, on the defensive side, Troy ranks 54th in the country and fourth in the SBC in steals at 9.5.
Troy must win five straight games for the third time in 2023-24 to be crowned champions, winning nine straight from Jan. 4 to Feb. 1 and seven to close out the regular season (Feb. 10 – March 1).
"We look forward to our fans following us throughout the tournament as they have all season long," Rigby said.
