Championship Rematch: No. 3 Dillard advances in Double Overtime Thriller; No. 5 Philander Smith stuns No. 1 Stillman
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 3 seed Dillard University recovered after losing a second-half lead with a double overtime victory over No. 7 Wilberforce University. No. 5 Philander Smith was in control from the opening tip in a 79-69 victory over No. 1 Stillman College in the semifinals of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) 2025 Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship Saturday at Stillman College's Birthright Alumni Hall.
No. 3 DILLARD UNIVERSITY 89, No. 7 WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY 80, 2 OT
Boxscore
Jesse Olverson Jr. hit three shots to give Wilberforce an early five-point lead. Bentravin Phillps sparked the Bleu Devils with a 3-pointer. Justin Warren, Ben Fort and Elijahjuan Burke drained triples to give Dillard an 18-15 lead with 10:06 left in the first half. Warren gave the Bleu Devils a double-digit lead with a layup and two free throws. A jumper and-one by Germainn Marshall and a layup by Olverson cut the margin to 32-27 at halftime.
The Bleu Devils (18-11) led 54-45 with 7:29 left in regulation. A dunk by Olverson with 4:42 remaining sparked a rally by the Bulldogs. Cali Davis hit a layup to cut the margin to two. Olverson tied the game at 58 from the free throw line. A pair of free throws put Wilberforce in front 60-58. Warren was fouled attempting a 3-pointer with eight seconds left. He hit two of three to tie the game. Both teams had chances to win in regulation. The Bulldogs threw the ball out of bounds. Dillard's 3-point attempt was off the mark.
Both teams held the lead in the first overtime. A layup and-one by Nekthy James put Wilberforce ahead by one with 2:28 remaining. Khalif Allim made a layup to give the lead back to the Bleu Devils. Trailing 71-69 with 15 seconds remaining, Eduardo Diaz stole the ball and was fouled on his game-tying shot attempt. He evened the score at the line with one second left. Dillard was unable to get a game-winning shot off.
A tip-in by Armond Williams, a steal and layup by Warren put the Bleu Devils ahead by four. Josiah Mobley hit a three to cut the margin to one. Preston Steele rebounded a missed free throw and was fouled. His free throws put the Bulldogs ahead 78-76 with two minutes remaining. Allim tied the game with a pair of free throws. Fort gave Dillard the lead with an offensive putback and-one. Diaz pulled Wilberforce within three with a jumper. The Bulldogs missed their last six shots allowing Dillard to pull away.
Five Bleu Devils finished in double-digits led by Warren's 19. He added seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Phillips followed with 17 points. Allim recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Williams provided 13 points and eight rebounds. Fort finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
Olverson led the Bulldogs with 20 points to go along with eight rebounds. Davis followed with 15 points and nine rebounds. Diaz provided 13 points off the bench. Steele led the team with 11 rebounds.
No. 5 PHILANDER SMITH UNIVERSITY 79, NO. 1 STILLMAN COLLEGE 69
Boxscore
The No. 5 seed Philander Smith University took the lead early in the first half and never let it go, returning to the championship with a 79-69 victory over No. 1 Stillman College Saturday in the HBCUAC 2025 Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship semifinals at Birthright Alumni Hall.
Xavier Alexander hit a 3-pointer with 16:07 left in the first half to put the Panthers ahead. D'Andre Lockett slammed an offensive putback and Raymond Reece it two jumpers to increase the lead to eight. Dakhari Lewis increased the margin to double-digits on an offensive putback. Stillman shot 37 percent and trailed 40-29 at halftime.
The Panthers (22-8) continued to build on their advantage in the second half. David Berry stole the ball and hit a 3-pointer to increase the margin to 14. A jumper by Elijah Anderson with 4:33 remaining gave Philander Smith its largest lead of the night at 17. The Tigers weren't able to make a significant rally. The Panthers dominated the boards, outrebounded the Tigers 50-29 which led to 25 second-chance points on 18 offensive rebounds.
Reece led all scorers with 22 points to go along with nine rebounds. Amorey Womack followed with 17 points and four assists. Lewis recorded a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds off the bench. Alexander contributed 11 rebounds and six points.
Jeremiah Miller led the Tigers with 19 points. Calvin Finch Jr. followed with 18 points, a team-high eight rebounds and two blocks. Jaylon Taylor contributed eight points and three steals. Stillman, which earned an automatic berth into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship Opening Round will find out their opponent and site at 7 p.m. Thursday during the NAIA Selection Show, which will air on the Urban Edge Network.
The Panthers and Bleu Devils will play for the 2025 HBCUAC title at 7 p.m. Sunday, in a rematch of last season's championship, won by Philander Smith, 85-67. The winner will receive the conference's second automatic berth to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Opening Round.
HBCUAC 2025 Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship Game
No. 3 Dillard University (18-11) vs. No. 5 Philander Smith University (22-8), 7 p.m. Live Stats