TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 6 seed Wiley University and No. 7 seed Rust College secured spots in the quarterfinals of the 2025 HBCUAC Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship, each earning hard-fought victories Wednesday at Stillman College’s Birthright Alumni Hall.
No. 6 Wiley University 78, No. 11 Wilberforce University 71
Wiley University’s women’s basketball team pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 11 seed Wilberforce University 78-71 in the opening round.
The first half was tightly contested, but Wiley, coached by DeWitt Mandley, capitalized on Wilberforce’s missed opportunities to take a 33-26 lead into halftime. Kelechi Dike and Kendall Campbell hit key shots to extend the advantage.
Wiley led by as many as 10 in the second half, but Wilberforce mounted a late third-quarter comeback. Monica Williams’ steal set up a Laniya Early 3-pointer, and Makyla Tucker followed with a steal and an and-one layup by Williams, giving the Lady Bulldogs a 50-49 lead. Mary Leday responded with a 3-pointer to put Wiley back in front at the end of the third quarter.
With the score tied at 56 and 7:07 remaining, Zacyria Dozier’s jumper ignited a Wiley run. Campbell stole an inbounds pass and converted a layup to establish a four-point lead. She later hit two 3-pointers, while Celebria Peacock drained another off an offensive rebound by Mya Jones, extending the lead to nine.
Campbell led Wiley with 21 points, making seven field goals, including four 3-pointers. Dike added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Leday contributed 14 points, including three 3-pointers. Jones led the team with nine rebounds and five assists.
Early paced Wilberforce with 31 points, hitting eight 3-pointers. Jada Hairston recorded a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Tucker added five assists and four steals.
Wiley will face No. 3 seed Tougaloo College in the quarterfinals Friday at 10 a.m. The teams split their regular-season meetings, each winning on their home court.
No. 7 Rust College 64, No. 10 Southern University at New Orleans 61
Rust College secured a 64-61 victory over Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) in a tightly contested opening-round game.
SUNO took an early lead behind strong shooting from Tierra Sylvas and Kaylan Jack, building an 18-9 advantage late in the first quarter. Rust responded with a second-quarter surge led by Taylia Cawthon, who scored nine points and tallied three steals. Amber Scott’s steal and layup tied the game at 29 before Rust took a 36-31 halftime lead behind Cameryn Morris and Cawthon baskets.
SUNO rallied in the third quarter, overcoming a 10-point deficit. Jordan Harris’ jumper and free throw cut the margin, and Jack briefly gave SUNO the lead with a jumper before the game entered the fourth quarter tied at 46.
In the closing minutes, Rust held a two-point lead when Patsy Johnson’s steal set up a Cawthon layup. Another SUNO turnover led to a Mykaylah Gray basket, extending Rust’s lead to six and sealing the win.
Cawthon led all scorers with 23 points, eight rebounds, and five steals. Johnson added 10 points, five assists, and three steals, while Michaela Payton grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds and scored eight points.
Jack paced SUNO with 22 points. Harris contributed 12 points and three steals, while Kyren Wilson added 11 points and seven rebounds. Jakhiya Smith secured 10 rebounds.
Rust advances to face No. 2 seed Dillard University in the quarterfinals Friday at 2 p.m. The Lady Bleu Devils won their regular-season matchup 64-60 on Jan. 6 in Talladega, Ala.
