Southern University Women's Basketball Claims Back-to-Back SWAC Championships, Returns to NCAA Tournament

The Southern University Jaguars are heading back to the big dance after delivering a commanding performance in the SWAC Women's Basketball Championship, defeating Alabama State to secure their second consecutive conference title. The Baton Rouge powerhouse left no doubt about their dominance, cementing their status as one of the premier programs in HBCU women's basketball.

Balanced Attack Powers Championship Victory

The Jaguars' depth was on full display as multiple players stepped up in crucial moments throughout the championship game. Zaria Hurston led the way with 13 points, shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in 28 minutes of action. Her perimeter shooting helped stretch Alabama State's defense early and often.

The supporting cast delivered when it mattered most:

• Olivia Delancy contributed 12 points with two three-pointers
• D'Shantae Edwards added 11 points and four rebounds
• Jocelyn Tate recorded a well-rounded performance with 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block
• Demya Porter chipped in nine points and five rebounds
• Mykayla Cunningham provided eight points and four assists

Alabama State fought valiantly but struggled against Southern's relentless defense, finishing just 17-of-60 from the field (28.3 percent) and 3-of-21 from three-point range.

Coach Funchess Credits Rebounding Edge

Head coach Carlos Funchess emphasized that controlling the boards was central to the game plan.

"We knew it was going to be a battle. I told the young ladies before the game that the team that controlled the rebounding edge was going to win the game. We did that early and built a big lead."

Funchess also acknowledged Alabama State's resilience, noting, "We knew they were going to make a run. They're a well-coached team. But we made some big buckets when we needed to and held on."

Players Embrace Underdog Mentality

For Olivia Delancy, the championship represented a triumph over adversity and doubt.

"It's surreal right now. We came into the tournament as the four seed and people overlooked us, but we stuck together and never gave up on each other."

Veteran guard Jocelyn Tate echoed those sentiments: "It wasn't easy getting here. We lost some games we weren't supposed to lose, but we stayed together and trusted the work we put in."

With back-to-back SWAC championships secured, Southern continues building a dynasty in HBCU women's basketball. Coach Funchess emphasized that the program's culture drives their success: "Our young ladies come to Southern to get an education first. But they also come here to win championships. They sacrifice a lot and work extremely hard for moments like this."

Now, the Jaguars turn their attention to the NCAA Tournament, where they'll represent HBCU basketball on the national stage and look to extend their impressive run.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.