Sun Belt Conference: Season 2025-26
Sun Belt Conference 2025-26
Sun Belt Conference Final: James Madison University - Troy University 69-52 James Madison University (Sean O'Regan): Peyton McDaniel, Bree Robinson, Zakiya Stephenson, Grace McDonough, Ashanti Barnes-Williams, Maddie Oliver, Jemma Eleby, Brianna McLeod, Angela Williams, Delilah Soltys, Kylie Marshall, Regina Walton, Alonna Poole Standings 2025-26
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- qualified to the play-offs Stats Leaders 2025-26
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 Marshall Sun Belt Conference Final  James Madison University - Sun Belt Conference Champions 2025-26
Left: Lexie Barrier (coach assistant University of Tennessee)
Average Height: 179.8 cm (5'10.8'')
Average Age: 21.0
 James Madison Wins 2026 Sun Belt Tournament Title-Mar 10, 2026
James Madison defeated Troy 69–52 on Monday afternoon to take the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Championship title. James Madison claimed its second title in four years, after winning their first tournament title in 2023. Earning the league's auto bid James Madison will make its 14th NCAA tournament appearance. Peyton McDaniel (6'0''-G) led the Dukes with a 28-point, 11-rebound, double-double, adding on four steals and four assists. A four-time Sun Belt All-Tournament Team honoree, McDaniel caps her Sun Belt tournament career being named the event's Most Outstanding Player. The redshirt-senior averaged 25 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 3.0 assists per game through the Dukes three tournament games. Teammate Ashanti Barnes-Williams (6'2''-F) was also named to the All-Tournament Team, producing a dominating 19-point, 10 rebound performances in the title game. James Madison wasted little time taking control, opening the game on an 11–0 run fueled by McDaniel, who scored five of the Dukes’ first 11 points. The early surge forced Troy to burn a quick timeout as JMU set the tone on both ends of the floor. The Trojans responded late in the first quarter. After falling behind by 14, Troy strung together a 6–0 run while the Dukes went cold offensively, trimming the deficit to single digits. James Madison still held a 20–12 lead heading into the second quarter. A steal and full-court layup from Jackson pulled the Trojans within five, 23–18, and the momentum forced the Dukes to regroup as Troy threatened to cut the lead to just one possession midway through the quarter. McDaniel halted the rally before halftime. The Dukes guard knocked down a deep three-pointer and followed it with a baseline layup, as the Dukes carried a four-point lead into the break. James Madison seized control early in the third quarter scoring eight-straight points to start the half, pushing the Dukes’ advantage back to 14. The Trojans were unable to comeback and JMU maintained command, entering the fourth quarter with a 58–44 lead. James Madison opened the fourth with eight-consecutive points, stretching the lead to 22. Troy made one last push, but the Dukes defense held for the 69-52 win. Courtesy of sunbeltsports.org Final: Troy - James Madison 52-69 Semis: Georgia Southern - James Madison 51-83 Troy - Arkansas State 83-73  All-Sun Belt Awards 2026-Mar 10, 2026
 Kishyah Anderson, swingman from the Georgia Southern University, was selected as the Player of the Year at the NCAA Division I.
She was also chosen to the First Team.
Anderson averaged over 14 points and 5 rebounds per game in the league.
She has totalled 9 games of 20 or more points and recorded double-doubles in 3 games on the year.
Anderson's 31 points against the Southern Miss were the most she scored in the 25 26 season.
Peyton McDaniel, guard from the James Madison University, was honored as the All-Tournament MVP of NCAA Division I.
She received multiple other awards, was named to the First Team and Tournament Team.
McDaniel previously earned the Sixth Woman of the Year, and voted to the Tournament Team three times in the past, Regular Season Co-Champion, Tournament Winner back in 2023, Tournament Finalist and 2025, Second Team back in 2024, Player of the Year, First Team and Regular Season Champion last year.
She registered over 18 points and 7 rebounds per game that season in the league.
McDaniel has totalled 15 games of 20 or more points and had double-doubles in 8 games on the year.
Her 29 points against the Kent State University were the most she scored in the 25 26 season.
Among many awards McDaniel's team won the Sun Belt Regular Season in 2025.
She was also selected as the All-Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2025.
McDaniel was selected to the All-Sun Belt Second Team in 2024.
She was also selected to the CAA All-Rookie Team back in 2021.
Zay Dyer, forward from the Troy Trojans, picked up the Defensive Player of the Year at the NCAA Division I.
She collected multiple other honors, was selected to the First Team and Defensive Team and Tournament Team.
With Dyer's excellent performance, the Troy Trojans achieved the best record of the season in the league, finishing with an impressive 24 to 6 in the regular season.
Dyer was previously named the Regular Season Runner-Up back in 2024, and chosen to the First Team and Tournament Semifinals last year.
Her exceptional play earned her the third spot in rebounds per game, boasting an impressive average of over 13.
Dyer also recorded over 14 points per game over the season in the league.
She has totalled 6 games of 20 or more points and logged double-doubles in 22 games on the year.
Dyer's 25 points against the Old Dominion University were the most she scored in the 25 26 season.
She played in the final of the WNIT in 2025.
Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, guard from the Marshall University, was voted the Newcomer of the Year of NCAA Division I.
She received multiple other awards, was named to the First Team and Defensive Team.
Lewis-Eutsey averaged over 19 points, ,, and almost 4 steals per game in the league.
She has totalled 12 games of 20 or more points on the year and registered 30 or more points in 6 games.
Lewis-Eutsey's 36 points against the Central Michigan University were the most she scored in the 25 26 season.
Lewis-Eutsey's team was the regular season runner-up in the Atlantic 10 in 2024.
Zyion Shannon, guard from the Arkansas State University, earned a spot in the First Team at the NCAA Division I.
She was also voted to the Defensive Team.
Shannon was previously selected to the Second Team, Regular Season Runner-Up and Tournament Winner last year.
She notched over 13 points and almost 4 rebounds per game that season in the league.
Shannon has totalled 4 games of 20 or more points on the year.
Her 26 points against the Missouri were the most she scored in the 25 26 season.
Among many awards Shannon's team won the Sun Belt Tournament in 2025.
She was selected to the All-Sun Belt Second Team in 2025.
All-Tournament MVP:  Peyton McDaniel (6'0''-G) of JMUPlayer of the Year: Kishyah Anderson (5'10''-G/F) of Georgia SouthDefensive Player of the Year: Zay Dyer (6'2''-F) of TroyFreshman of the Year: Kinsea Grimes (6'0''-F) of CoastalNewcomer of the Year: Timaya Lewis-Eutsey (5'8''-G) of MarshallSixth Woman of the Year: Mimi McCollister (5'6''-G) of Arkansas St.Coach of the Year: Hana Haden of Georgia South All-Sun Belt First Team 2026  Anderson  Dyer Lewis-Eutsey  McDaniel  Shannon Kishyah Anderson (5'10''-G/F) of Georgia South Zay Dyer (6'2''-F) of Troy Timaya Lewis-Eutsey (5'8''-G) of Marshall Peyton McDaniel (6'0''-G) of JMU Zyion Shannon (5'8''-G) of Arkansas St.All-Sun Belt Second Team 2026  Barnes-Williams  Garrett  Johnson  Ngnawo  Rose Ashanti Barnes-Williams (6'2''-F) of JMU Destiny Garrett (5'4''-G) of Georgia South Jakayla Johnson (5'9''-G-2001) of Southern Miss Fortuna Ngnawo (6'0''-F) of Troy Crislyn Rose (5'8''-G) of Arkansas St.All-Sun Belt Third Team 2026  Buford  Eddings  Henderson  Jenkins  Williams En'Dya Buford (5'7''-G) of ODU Mckenna Eddings (6'0''-G) of Georgia South Crystal Henderson (5'4''-G) of Georgia St. Emani Jenkins (5'10''-G) of Troy Kristin Williams (5'8''-G) of CoastalSun Belt All-Defensive Team 2026 Barnes-Williams Dyer Lewis-Eutsey  Robinson Shannon Ashanti Barnes-Williams (6'2''-F) of JMU Zay Dyer (6'2''-F) of Troy Timaya Lewis-Eutsey (5'8''-G) of Marshall Bree Robinson (5'8''-G-2005) of JMU Zyion Shannon (5'8''-G) of Arkansas St.Sun Belt All-Tournament Team 2026 McDaniel Barnes-Williams Dyer Ngnawo  Shavers  Narcisse Peyton McDaniel (6'0''-G) of JMU Ashanti Barnes-Williams (6'2''-F) of JMU Zay Dyer (6'2''-F) of Troy Fortuna Ngnawo (6'0''-F) of Troy Marcavia Shavers (6'2''-C) of ULM Chrysta Narcisse (5'8''-G) of USA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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