No. 4 Philander Smith tops No. 6 Wiley in HBCUAC Championship
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 4 seed Philander Smith University women's basketball team used an impressive defensive performance to shut down the No. 6 seed Wiley University, claiming the HBCUAC 2025 Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship with a 49-38 victory Sunday at Stillman College's Birthright Alumni Hall.
The Lady Panthers (20-10) held Wiley to a 29.4 field goal percentage and only allowed it to make one 3-pointer. This is their second conference tournament title, previously winning in 2020.
Wiley (15-14) struck first and held an 8-4 lead after the first quarter on three shots by Jessica Nerestant. Philander Smith seized control in the second quarter. Sidney Townsend got a steal and eventually scored on an offensive rebound to tie the game. She gave the Lady Panthers the lead off a Wiley turnover. The Lady Panthers forced seven turnovers in the second quarter and held the Lady Wildcats to 2-for-9 from the field. They went on a 19-point run, which lasted until early in the third quarter.
Philander Smith led by as many as 17 as Wiley could not rally, not scoring more than four consecutive points. Townsend led all scorers with 17 points, adding six rebounds and two blocks. Daisa Turner followed with 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. She earned a spot on the HBCUAC All-Tournament team with teammates Ashlyn Kimble and Miracle Thomas, who earned the 2025 HBCUAC Championship Most Valuable Player.
Nerestant led Wiley, posting a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, she earned All-Tournament. Celebria Peacock followed with 11 points.
The Lady Panthers earned the HBCUAC's second automatic berth to the 2025 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Women's Basketball National Championship Opening Round. They along with Stillman College, who earned the other automatic berth by winning the regular season title, will find out their opponents and site during the NAIA Selection Show at 6 p.m. Thursday on the NAIA Network.
2025 HBCUAC All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player: Miracle Thomas, Philander Smith University
Dasia Turner, Philander Smith
Ashlyn Kimble, Philander Smith
Jessica Nerestant, Wiley
Skyler Christmas, Dillard
Raena Suggs, Stillman
-HBCUAC-
About HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Oakwood University (AL), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.