We learn something new every day, especially on education day. Kelsey Thompson was awarded and recognized for being the 37th Monarch in ODU women's basketball to reach 1,000 career points. The Trojans visited Chartway Arena on Wed. Dec, 17th 2025, to take on the Monarchs. The Monarchs fell short versus Troy, the final score was 81 - 59. Trojans win the SBC opener against the Monarchs on Education Day.

In the first quarter, the game started with an administrative technical foul against ODU. The Trojans made it to the free-throw line four more times than the Monarchs. Troy Trojans shot seven for seven from free throw while the Monarchs made two out of three free throws. The Monarchs were beaten at the free-throw line in the first quarter. ODU's five personal fouls gave Troy an advantage.

The Monarchs made up for their first-quarter loss at the free-throw line. The Monarchs made seven out of 11 free throws in the second quarter, and only committed one more foul than Troy. Riley Stack ended the game with five personal fouls. En'Dya Buford and Laila Walker finished the game with four personal fouls.

Troy's starting Forward Zay Dyer, shot 50 percent from the field and finished the game with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals. Fortuna Ngnawo, another starting Forward for Troy, finished the game with 15 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Troy won the first half, scoring eight more points in the paint than ODU.

Listen to the full play-by-play here. In the second half, ODU scored 12 more points than Troy in the paint. ODU and Troy were tied, shooting 37 percent from the field. The Monarchs were no match from behind the arc. Troy shot 33 percent from three-point range, and ODU shot 10 percent from three-point range. The Trojans shot 10 more free throws than the Monarchs. Troy beat the Monarchs on the boards and at the free throw.

ODU's next matchup is against Ole Miss on Dec. 21, 2025, at the Harrah's Cherokee Resort in Cherokee, N.C., at 7:30 pm. The Monarchs' next conference game will be played Jan. 1st 2026, versus Georgia Southern at 2 pm for ODU Clearance Day at the Chartway Arena.