TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 3 seed Dillard University outlasted No. 7 Wilberforce University in double overtime. In contrast, No. 5 Philander Smith controlled its semifinal matchup against top-seeded Stillman College to advance to the championship game of the 2025 HBCUAC Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship on Saturday at Birthright Alumni Hall.
No. 3 Dillard University 89, No. 7 Wilberforce University 80, 2OT
Dillard University overcame a second-half rally by Wilberforce University and pulled away in double overtime for an 89-80 victory to earn a spot in the conference title game.
Wilberforce took an early lead behind three field goals from Jesse Olverson Jr. Bentravin Phillips answered with a 3-pointer for Dillard, and teammates Justin Warren, Ben Fort and Elijahjuan Burke added triples to give the Bleu Devils an 18-15 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first half. Dillard built a double-digit advantage, but Wilberforce cut the deficit to 32-27 at halftime following a layup by Olverson.
Dillard led 54-45 with 7:29 left in regulation before Wilberforce rallied. Cali Davis scored on a layup, and Olverson tied the game at 58 with free throws. After Wilberforce briefly took a two-point lead, Warren was fouled on a 3-point attempt with eight seconds remaining and made two of three free throws to send the game to overtime.
Both teams traded the lead in the first overtime. Nekthy James gave Wilberforce a one-point edge on a layup and one with 2:28 to play, but Khalif Allim responded with a layup to put Dillard back in front. Trailing 71-69 with 15 seconds left, Eduardo Diaz stole the ball, drew a foul, and hit two free throws to force a second overtime.
In the second overtime, Dillard took control behind a tip-in from Armond Williams and a steal and layup by Warren. Preston Steele’s rebound and free throws cut the deficit to 78-76 with two minutes remaining, but Allim’s free throws and Fort’s putback-and-one extended Dillard’s lead. Wilberforce missed its final six shots, allowing Dillard to seal the win.
Warren led the Bleu Devils with 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Phillips followed with 17 points, while Allim recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Williams added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Fort finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
Olverson led Wilberforce with 20 points and eight rebounds. Davis added 15 points and nine rebounds, and Diaz contributed 13 points off the bench. Steele led the Bulldogs with 11 rebounds.
No. 5 Philander Smith University 79, No. 1 Stillman College 69
Philander Smith University controlled the game from the opening minutes and never trailed in a 79-69 victory over top-seeded Stillman College to advance to the championship game.
Xavier Alexander’s 3-pointer gave the Panthers an early lead, and D’Andre Lockett’s offensive putback and a pair of jumpers from Raymond Reece extended the margin to eight points. Dakhari Lewis increased the lead to double digits with another offensive putback, and Philander Smith held a 40-29 halftime advantage as Stillman shot just 37%.
The Panthers (22-8) continued to build their lead in the second half. David Berry’s steal and 3-pointer pushed the margin to 14, and Elijah Anderson’s jumper gave Philander Smith its largest lead at 17 points with 4:33 remaining. Stillman could not mount a significant comeback as Philander Smith dominated the boards, outrebounding the Tigers 50-29 and scoring 25 second-chance points off 18 offensive rebounds.
