LAFAYETTE, La. (Interstat) — A Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball matchup on New Year’s Day will feature teams at opposite ends of the standings, as the surging Troy Trojans visit the struggling Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns on Thursday at the Cajundome. Troy (10-2) enters conference play with one of the league’s best records, its only losses coming against Power Five opponents Alabama and Kansas State. The Trojans are averaging 84.2 points per game and are riding a wave of dominant non-conference victories, including a 132-62 rout of Oakwood and a 103-74 win at Texas Southern. The Trojans are led by forward Fortuna Ngnawo, who has been a consistent double-double threat. In her last five games, Ngnawo has recorded three double-doubles, including a 15-point, 17-rebound performance in a win at Old Dominion and a 19-point, 10-rebound effort at Longwood. In Troy’s most recent game, a 77-59 loss at Alabama on Dec. 21, Ngnawo posted 15 points and 11 rebounds. Louisiana-Lafayette (1-11) seeks its first win against an NCAA Division I opponent this season. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ lone victory came Monday, a 97-56 decision over NAIA member Dillard. They have faced a tough schedule, with losses to Texas, Memphis and Fresno State. Guard Amijah Price provides a bright spot for Louisiana-Lafayette, coming off a career-high 30-point outing against Dillard. Prior to that, she led the team with 12 points in a loss at Southern Mississippi. Her scoring punch will be vital for a Cajuns team averaging just 60.8 points per game against D-I competition. The matchup pits Troy’s high-powered offense and rebounding strength against a Louisiana-Lafayette team searching for consistency. The Trojans will look to establish their tempo early, while the Ragin’ Cajuns aim to leverage home court to secure a momentum-changing conference opener. Following this game, Troy visits Southern Mississippi on Saturday. Louisiana-Lafayette will host South Alabama on Saturday.