NEW ORLEANS – Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball collected seven wins on the road over Mid-American Conference foes as the fourth round of the MAC-SBC Challenge led off the 2026-27 regular season.
The Sun Belt is now 43-43 (.500) all-time in the MAC-SBC Challenge after today’s 7-5 showing. Seven wins on the road is a new best for Sun Belt teams, beating the previous total of five set in 2023-24 and tied in 2025-26. It marks the first time in the four-year history of the conference clash that Sun Belt women’s basketball teams have won the majority of games on the road against MAC teams.
Last season, the two sides tied 13-13 overall to make the season-by-season record 1-1-1. The Sun Belt took the inaugural challenge 14-10 (.583) in 2023-24 before the MAC responded with a 15-9 (.625) performance in 2025-26, helping largely by a 7-5 record on the road. Entering today, the MAC held a 23-14 (.622) advantage over Sun Belt teams.
Four Chanticleers finished in double-figures with Olivia Klanac posting 19 points as Coastal Carolina put the Sun Belt on the board with a 68-54 win over Western Michigan. Also in the early slate, Old Dominion made it 2-0 in favor of the SBC with a 62-58 win at Central Michigan. Mia Daivs and Trinity Vance both chipped in 15 points to lead the Monarchs with Shadasia Brackens pulling down a 12-point, 10-board double-double.
South Alabama rode a 20-point performance from CJ Wilson to a 75-74 win over Akron with Jaida Redwine sealing the win with 1.4 seconds to play on the inbound. Wilson, a transfer from Prairie View A&M, made her debut as a Jaguar count, finishing 9-of-18 from the floor with five rebounds and five assists.
Marshall downed Massachusetts 74-70 with three double-figure performances, led by Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Teamer Olivia Olson’s 17 points. The Herd hit 27 of their 57 shots for a 47.4 field goal percentage with 38 of their 74 points coming in the paint.
App State drilled nine 3-point shots to run out to a 74-62 win over Eastern Michigan. Joi Williams, a Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team selection, led the Mountaineers with 14 points thanks to a 5-of-12 shooting line and 3-of-7 performance from beyond the arc.
Louisiana Tech played their first game as Sun Belt Conference members since 2001 and won 61-57 at Toledo. The Lady Techsters overcame the 3,844 Rocket fans to place three in double-figures with Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team selection Jordan Marshall putting up a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.
True freshman Tiauna King debuted in style with 21 points and a 7-of-14 performance from the floor highlighted by a 5-of-11 showing from the 3-point line. Five Trojans posted double-figure days as Troy held off Kent State for the 89-78 win.
Grace Lanier posted the first 30-point game of the season as Georgia State fell 82-81 to Buffalo after the Bulls hit the go-ahead free throw with a second left to play. Lanier finished 12-of-18 from the floor with one 3-pointer and was 7-of-9 at the free throw line. She also led the Panthers with six steals.
MAC-SBC Challenge Season-by-Season Overview
| Season |
First Round |
Second Round |
Season Record |
Overall Record |
| 2023-24 |
9-3 (.750) |
5-7 (.417) |
14-10 (.583) |
14-10 (.583) |
| 2024-25 |
4-8 (.333) |
5-7 (.417) |
9-15 (.375) |
23-25 (.479) |
| 2025-26 |
8-5 (.615) |
5-8 (.385) |
13-13 (.500) |
36-38 (.486) |
| 2026-27 |
7-5 (.583) |
-- |
7-5 (.583) |
43-43 (.500) |
MAC-SBC Challenge Results – November 2, 2026
Coastal Carolina 68, Western Michigan 54
Old Dominion 62, Central Michigan 58
South Alabama 75, Akron 74
Buffalo 82, Georgia State 81
Marshall 74, Massachusetts 70
Ball State 84, Arkansas State 74
App State 74, Eastern Michigan 62
Ohio 57, ULM 46
Bowling Green 82, Georgia Southern 59
Louisiana Tech 61, Toledo 57
Miami (Ohio) 59, James Madison 52
Troy 89, Kent State 78