Here is everything we learned from last week’s action in HBCU Division II and NAIA basketball.
Florida Memorial riding high in The Sun Conference
In men’s and women’s basketball, Florida Memorial is having a better season than any team in Division II or NAIA.
The Lions men’s and women’s basketball teams have a combined 30-6 overall record, including a 15-3 record against the Sun Conference.
Florida Memorial’s men won two contests last week against Florida College and Southeastern (Fla.) to improve their win streak to eight games.
They are currently tied with Ave Marie for first place in the Sun Conference, each boasting 7-2 records in conference competition.
Meanwhile, Florida Memorial’s women took sole possession of the lead in the Sun Conference, winning their only game of the week against Southeastern (Fla.) to break the tie.
Virginia State women have a strong week
After taking over the lead in the CIAA North by handing Virginia Union its first conference loss of the season, Virginia State’s women maintained their top status with another strong week.
The Lady Trojans beat Bluefield State and Lincoln (PA) to improve to 8-1 against the CIAA and extend their win streak to seven games.
They are the only Division II HBCU women’s basketball team that has not lost in the 2025 calendar year.
Currently holding a 15-4 overall record with seven games remaining, the Trojans have a chance to record consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since 2017-2018.
Lincoln (PA) men stay perfect against CIAA
Another HBCU basketball team that has not lost in the 2025 calendar year is Lincoln (PA), the reigning CIAA men’s basketball champions.
The Lions beat Elizabeth City State and Virginia State last week to extend their win streak to four games, improving to 14-5 overall and 9-0 against the CIAA.
They are one of only two HBCU men’s basketball teams at any level that has yet to lose a conference contest this season, with the other being Southern.
Lincoln (PA) is one win away from matching their conference win total from last season.
A Struggle at the Top of the SIAC East
There has been a power struggle in the men’s SIAC East division, with three different teams jockeying for position at the top of the ladder.
Since the calendar turned to 2025, Clark Atlanta, Edward Waters, and Albany State have traded the lead in the division.
Edward Waters and Albany State currently have respective 9-3 records against the SIAC, while Clark Atlanta is a half-game behind them at 8-3.
Clark Atlanta was the first to take the lead, winning its first six conference contests. However, since then, they have lost three of their last five, including a loss in their most recent game against Albany State.
Meanwhile, Albany State, who started its conference schedule early, has caught fire, winning six of its last seven. Their one loss in that span came to the last team in the mix, Edward Waters.
The team with the best overall record among these teams at 13-6, Edward Water,s has won six of its last seven since December 21. Rounding out the trifecta, Edward Waters’ only loss in that stretch came against Clark Atlanta.
Fayetteville State’s epic comeback against Claflin
In the most exciting finish of the week, Fayetteville State snatched the lead in the CIAA South, overcoming a double-digit deficit to defeat Claflin.
In the second half of their Saturday afternoon, the Broncos trailed for the first 19:30 seconds, including facing their largest deficit of 12 points.
After hitting a pair of free throws to tie the game, Claflin got a bucket to go with four seconds left to take a 66-64 lead.
This set up Fayetteville State guard Ezekiel Cannedy to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to win the game and break the tie with Claflin at the top of the CIAA South.
