TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 4 seed Philander Smith College used a dominant defensive effort to defeat No. 6 seed Wiley College 49-38 and seize the 2025 HBCUAC Hope Credit score Union Basketball Championship Sunday at Stillman School’s Birthright Alumni Corridor.
The Woman Panthers (20-10) restricted Wiley to only 29.4% capturing from the sector and allowed just one made 3-pointer. The win secured Philander Smith’s second convention event title and first since 2020.
Wiley (15-14) took an early lead, 8-4, after the primary quarter behind three baskets from Jessica Nerestant. Philander Smith seized management within the second quarter. Sidney Townsend tied the sport with a steal and rating off an offensive rebound and later gave the Woman Panthers the lead following a Wiley turnover.
Philander Smith pressured seven turnovers within the second quarter whereas holding Wiley to 2-for-9 capturing. The Woman Panthers went on a 19-point run that carried into the third quarter, constructing a lead as massive as 17 factors.
Wiley was unable to mount a comeback, by no means scoring greater than 4 consecutive factors the remainder of the best way.
Townsend led all scorers with 17 factors, including six rebounds and two blocks. Dasia Turner adopted with 10 factors, 9 rebounds, and three blocks. Turner was named to the HBCUAC All-Match Staff together with teammates Ashlyn Kimble and Miracle Thomas, who was chosen because the event’s Most Beneficial Participant.
Nerestant led Wiley with a double-double, scoring 13 factors and grabbing 10 rebounds. She earned a spot on the All-Match Staff. Celebria Peacock added 11 factors.
Philander Smith secured the convention’s second automated berth to the 2025 Nationwide Affiliation of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Girls’s Basketball Nationwide Championship Opening Spherical with the win. Stillman School, which earned the regular-season title, claimed the primary automated berth.
Each groups will study their opening-round opponents and areas in the course of the NAIA Choice Present, which airs at 6 p.m. Thursday on the NAIA Community.
2025 HBCUAC All-Match Staff
Most Beneficial Participant: Miracle Thomas, Philander Smith
Dasia Turner, Philander Smith
Ashlyn Kimble, Philander Smith
Jessica Nerestant, Wiley
Skyler Christmas, Dillard
Raena Suggs, Stillman
