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On Nov. 5, the Troy Trojans (0-1) women’s basketball team opened the 2024-2025 season with a heartbreaking 80-78 loss to the Buffalo Bulls (1-0) on the road in the first game of the SBC-MAC Challenge.

Troy led at halftime 48-46 but the Bulls outscored Troy 23-17 in the third quarter to take a 69-63 into the fourth. The two sides battled back and forth in the fourth quarter and, with just 18 seconds left, Buffalo held an 80-78 lead. Troy’s Brianna Jackson missed a three-pointer and Ashley Baez’ last-second shot also was no good, sealing the Buffalo win.

“We had a hard fight in the MAC-SBC Challenge to Buffalo. This is the first official game playing together with nine new players,” Troy Coach Chanda Rigby said. “Overall, I was really pleased with a lot of what we were doing. Many new players, including Fortuna, Briana (Peguero), Ashley and Fortuna (Ngnawo), shined. Fortuna played for only 16 minutes and ended with an incredible double-double.

“One thing that I hope continues is how well we shot the ball from deep. We hit 10 3-pointers, which isn’t something that is a characteristic of Troy teams in recent past. We are going back to the hotel and preparing for a quick turnaround. We leave early in the morning for Montana State, so we need to fix some things to come out with a win.”

Troy shot 42 percent from the field, while holding Buffalo to 35.4 percent shooting. The Trojans turned the ball over 18 times, though, and only managed to force eight turnovers. Troy won the rebound battle 51-45 but the free throw battle was dominated by the Bulls. Troy shot just 47.6 percent from the free throw line, while Buffalo shot 71.1 percent. The Trojans hit just 10 free throw attempts compared to Buffalo’s 27.

Briana Peguero led Troy with 15 points and two steals, while Baez earned 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Fortuna Ngnawo came off the bench to earn her first career double-double in Division 1 with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Shaulana Wagner chipped in with 13 points, four assists and seven rebounds. Zay Dyer also scored 11 rebounds and grabbed eight rebounds, while Emma Imevbore earned 10 rebounds.

Buffalo was led by Chelia Watson’s 28 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Troy is back on the road this Thursday, Nov. 7, at Montana State in the second of nine straight road games for the Trojans to start the season. Troy also plays Alabama on the road on Nov. 10.