Pensacola, Fla. - No. 4 James Madison and No. 2 Troy are set to meet in the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Women's Basketball Championship on Monday. 

The two teams did not meet in the regular season and have never met in the tournament title game. 

Troy has three Sun Belt tournament titles (2021, 2017, 2016) and James Madison has one (2023) 

GAME 11: (1) Georgia Southern 53, (4) James Madison 81 | Box Score
A dominant semifinal performance by James Madison propelled the Dukes into their fourth consecutive Sun Belt Tournament title game.

Peyton McDaniel led all scorers with 25 points while adding five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ashanti Barnes recorded her 11th double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. For the Eagles, Kyla Brant led the team with 17 points.

Georgia Southern started cold, going 1-for-6 from the field as James Madison built a 9–4 lead. The Eagles eventually found their rhythm when Eddings knocked down a three to tie the game at 9–9 with just under three minutes left in the opening quarter.

McDaniel was left open at the top of the key and drained a deep three to give the Dukes the lead back, 12–9. James Madison maintained control for the remainder of the quarter and entered the second with a 16–10 advantage.

The Eagles pulled within one, 16–15, but James Madison quickly responded with a 15–2 run over the final five minutes of the half. The Dukes closed the half strong to take a 36–23 lead into the break.

The Dukes’ dominance continued throughout the third quarter. James Madison scored 14 of its 20 points in the paint and outrebounded the Eagles 11–4, building a commanding 56–33 lead heading into the fourth.

Every time Georgia Southern attempted to mount a comeback, the Dukes had an answer, never allowing the Eagles to cut the deficit below 20 for the remainder of the game.

James Madison’s 81–53 victory over Georgia Southern marks the largest margin of victory so far in the tournament.

Since joining the Sun Belt, James Madison has appeared in every tournament championship game, including its 2023 title victory over Texas State. GAME 12: (3) Arkansas State 73, (2) Troy 83 | Box Score
Zay Dyer recorded her 23rd double-double of the season while leading Troy to an 83–73 win over Arkansas State.

Dyer finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Fortuna Ngnawo added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Ashley Baez scored 14 and Rachel Leggett finished with 12.

Arkansas State caught fire early as Fields went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the opening three minutes, giving the Red Wolves an 11–6 lead.

Playing its first game of the tournament, Troy struggled to find a rhythm before Dyer knocked down a three and added a pair of free throws to give the Trojans an 18–17 lead. Troy held the advantage until Arkansas State hit six consecutive free throws to take a 25–21 lead late in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Troy went on a 13–1 run while Arkansas State went cold offensively, failing to make a field goal for more than five minutes. The Red Wolves went 0-for-6 with four turnovers during that stretch and entered halftime trailing 43–34.

Troy continued to pull away to open the third quarter, building a 19-point lead midway through the period. After hitting their first threes of the half, Arkansas State cut the lead to 13, 55–42, at the first media timeout.

The Red Wolves continued to fight back, putting together a 12–0 run capped by a four-point play when D’arrah Allen was fouled on a made three-pointer. Arkansas State cut the deficit to seven, 55–48, late in the third quarter.

Troy responded to the Redwovles late push and controlled the fourth quarter to secure the 83–73 victory and clinch its spot in the tournament championship.

The Trojans are making their first appearance in the title game since 2022.

James Madison and Troy will tip off at 1 p.m. CT on Monday.