Southern Women's Basketball Claims Back-to-Back SWAC Championships with Dominant Performance

The Southern University Jaguars women's basketball team put on a commanding display Saturday, capturing their second consecutive SWAC championship with a decisive 73-56 victory over Alabama State. Unlike their semifinal thriller just 24 hours earlier, the Lady Jags left no doubt about the outcome in this championship finale.

The Jaguars set the tone early with a 9-0 opening run and never looked back. Head coach Carlos Funchess emphasized that rebounding would be the key to victory, and his team delivered on that game plan throughout the contest.

"I told them before the game, the team that controlled the rebounding edge was going to win.



We did that in the first half, built a big lead, and I knew they were going to make a run—and they did."

Balanced Attack Leads to Championship Glory

The victory showcased Southern's depth and balanced scoring attack, with multiple players stepping up in the championship moment:

• Zaria Hurston led all scorers with 13 points
• Olivia Delancy contributed 12 points
• D'Shantae Edwards added 11 points
• Jocelyn Tate grabbed 5 rebounds
• Jaylia Reed controlled the tempo with 5 assists

Guard Jocelyn Tate, who hit the game-winning shot in the semifinal against Florida A&M just one day earlier, emphasized the team's commitment to controlling the boards and tempo.

"We did a good job coming out executing. I thought we controlled the boards, and that was huge for us. When we're grabbing those rebounds, we're controlling the tempo."

Overcoming Adversity as the Four-Seed

For Olivia Delancy, the championship run held special significance. Entering the tournament as the four-seed, the Jaguars faced skepticism, but their unity proved unstoppable.

"Coming in the tournament as the four-seed, it was hard; we were overlooked. But we never gave up on each other, and we always stuck together—that's really important for us."

Tate, coming off the bench, embraced her role as an energy player, understanding that championship teams require contributions beyond the stat sheet.

"People see numbers, but I know my job is to bring energy, defense, and rebounding. When I go in, I want to make sure the team never loses its momentum. That's what we've been built to do—wave after wave."

NCAA Tournament Bound with Championship Mindset

With their second consecutive SWAC title secured, the Jaguars now turn their attention to the NCAA Tournament, where they hope to make history. Tate expressed the team's ambitious goals for March Madness, including the possibility of upsetting a top-seeded opponent.

As the celebration continued, the message from this championship team remained clear: chemistry and togetherness trump individual talent. The Lady Jags have proven that staying united through adversity creates champions, and they're ready to carry that mentality into the national tournament.

Originally reported by HBCU Sports.