image via Southern Athletics
In their previous meeting, the Southern University Lady Jaguars fell just short against the Alabama A&M Lady Bulldogs, losing 64–61. This time around, the defending champions flipped the script.
Southern kept its Southwestern Athletic Conference title defense alive with a gritty 51–49 victory over No. 1 seed Alabama A&M to advance to the SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game.
The Lady Jags’ defense was both stifling and timely. Southern held the Lady Bulldogs — the third-most efficient offense in the SWAC — to just 51 points on 35.6% shooting (16-for-45) and a mere 12.5% (1-for-8) from three-point range.
Southern’s defensive effort made life difficult for Kalia Walker, the SWAC Player of the Year. Walker was hounded throughout the contest and limited to just seven points while going 0-for-4 from the field.
Key Takeaways
1. Southern’s defense set the tone
The Southern University Lady Jaguars turned the game into a defensive grind and forced the Alabama A&M Lady Bulldogs well below their usual offensive production. Alabama A&M finished with just 51 points on 35.6% shooting and made only one three-pointer in the contest.
2. SWAC Player of the Year neutralized
Southern’s defensive game plan centered on slowing down Kalia Walker, and it worked to perfection. The SWAC Player of the Year was held to just seven points and did not make a field goal.
3. Jocelyn Tate delivered the biggest play
With the game tied late, Jocelyn Tate stepped up in the clutch. Her baseline basket in the final seconds proved to be the game-winning shot that sent Southern to the championship game.
4. Balanced scoring helped Southern survive
Southern didn’t rely on a single scorer, but DeMya Porter and Tate each finished with 10 points to lead the Lady Jaguars.
5. Southern one win from another SWAC title
With the win, Southern advances to the SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game, where the Lady Jaguars will face the winner of Alabama State Lady Hornets vs. Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions.
The opening quarter was tightly contested, featuring four lead changes and three ties, with neither team building more than a three-point advantage. After Rakiyah Beal knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game at 11, Aniya Palmer scored the final three points of the quarter to give Alabama A&M a 14–11 lead.
Southern reclaimed the lead in the second quarter when Jestiny Dixon connected from beyond the arc to make it 20–18 with 6:04 remaining. Palmer answered with a tip-in to tie the game again before Southern responded with a Jaylia Reed jumper and a three-pointer from Olivia Delancy to spark a 7–2 run. The Lady Jags maintained control the rest of the half and carried a 31–25 lead into the break.
Alabama A&M repeatedly threatened in the third quarter, pulling within one possession multiple times, but could not regain the lead as Southern held steady.
That changed when Moses Davenport scored in the paint to put the Lady Bulldogs ahead 42–41 with 7:36 remaining.
The teams traded blows down the stretch. After the game was tied at 44 and again at 46, Jocelyn Tate knocked down two free throws to give Southern a 47–46 advantage with 4:43 left.
With just 21 seconds remaining, Beal calmly stepped to the free-throw line and drained two shots to tie the game at 49.
On the ensuing possession, Tate delivered the decisive moment, scoring on a baseline drive to give Southern the lead. Walker’s desperation attempt in the closing seconds rattled off the rim, preserving the 51–49 victory for the Lady Jaguars.
DeMya Porter and Tate led Southern with 10 points each.
In the loss, Palmer finished with 15 points and nine rebounds for Alabama A&M. Coriah Beck added 11 points and six rebounds.
Southern advances to Saturday’s championship game, where the Lady Jaguars will face the winner of the Alabama State Lady Hornets and Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions semifinal.
