Jaguars Flip the Script to Claim SWAC Crown
Southern’s balanced attack powers championship victory over Alabama State
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Just over a week earlier, the outcome had gone the other way for the dynastic Southern Jaguars.
In a tight regular-season matchup, the Alabama State Hornets edged the Southern University Jaguars 65–63, a result that suggested the two programs were evenly matched heading into postseason play. But when the stakes rose at the SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament, Southern delivered a vastly different performance to capture their second consecutive conference title and third in the past four years.
Behind balanced scoring, relentless rebounding, and timely shot-making, the Jaguars dominated to capture the conference title, 73-56, showcasing the depth that has made them one of the most formidable teams in HBCU women’s basketball.
Depth Delivers on the Big Stage
Southern’s championship performance wasn’t built around a single star. Instead, it was a collective effort, with several players rising to the moment when it mattered most.
Guard Zaria Hurston set the tone early, finishing with 13 points while shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in 28 minutes. Her perimeter shooting stretched Alabama State’s defense and created space for teammates to operate.
On the wing, Olivia Delancy added 12 points and knocked down two three-pointers, providing steady scoring throughout the contest.
Meanwhile, guard D’Shantae Edwards contributed 11 points and four rebounds, while veteran leader Jocelyn Tate delivered one of the most complete performances of the night. Tate finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block, impacting nearly every phase of the game.
Southern’s supporting cast also proved crucial. Forward Demya Porter chipped in nine points and five rebounds, while guard Mykayla Cunningham added eight points and four assists off the bench.
The result was a well-balanced offensive effort that kept Alabama State’s defense constantly adjusting.
Hornets Fight but Struggle to Find Rhythm
Alabama State never stopped competing, but the Hornets struggled to find offensive consistency against Southern’s defensive pressure.
The Hornets finished just 17-of-60 from the field — a 28.3 percent shooting performance — and connected on only 3 of their 21 attempts from three-point range.
Still, guard Caylee Simpson delivered a standout performance, leading Alabama State with 19 points and providing much of the team’s offensive spark.
But Southern’s defensive intensity, coupled with its offensive efficiency, created a gap the Hornets could not close.
Rebounding Sets the Tone
After the game, Southern head coach Carlos Funchess said his team’s focus entering the matchup was simple: control the glass.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Funchess said. “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.”
Even as Alabama State attempted to rally, Southern continued to execute in critical moments.
“We knew they were going to make a run,” Funchess added. “They’re a well-coached team. But we made some big buckets when we needed to and held on.”
A Championship Built on Resilience
For Southern players, the victory represented more than just a title. It was validation of a season that included setbacks and adversity.
“It’s surreal right now,” Delancy said after the game. “We came into the tournament as the four seed and people overlooked us, but we stuck together and never gave up on each other.”
Tate said the team’s unity carried them through difficult moments during the season.
“It wasn’t easy getting here,” she said. “We lost some games we weren’t supposed to lose, but we stayed together and trusted the work we put in.”
Building a SWAC Powerhouse
With the victory, Southern secured back-to-back championships in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, further strengthening the program’s reputation as one of the premier forces in HBCU women’s basketball.
Funchess believes the culture inside the program has been the driving force behind that success.
“Our young ladies come to Southern to get an education first,” he said. “But they also come here to win championships. They sacrifice a lot and work extremely hard for moments like this.”
Now, with another conference crown secured, the Jaguars turn their attention to what is known around the world as “March Madness.” Southern will represent the SWAC in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament, hoping to extend its postseason run and showcase the strength of HBCU women’s basketball to a broader audience.