MORROW, Ga. — The Morehouse Maroon Tigers men’s basketball are champions once again.

Morehouse defeated the Tuskegee Golden Tigers men’s basketball 66–56 Saturday night at the Clayton County Convocation Center to win the SIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament title, completing a dominant run through the bracket and securing the program’s first tournament championship since 2003.

The victory marks the seventh tournament title for Morehouse in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and sends the Maroon Tigers back to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2018. Morehouse finished the season 22–9 overall.

In his first season leading the program, head coach Larry Dixon set a program milestone with 22 victories — the most ever by a first-year head coach at Morehouse.

The championship also carried special meaning for athletic director Harold Ellis, who became the first Morehouse alum to be part of both a regular-season and tournament championship as a player and later as athletic director.

Fast Start Sets the Tone

Tuskegee jumped out early behind perimeter shooting, taking an 8–0 lead after three-pointers from Khalil Genwright and Roy Obsaint.

But Morehouse quickly answered.

Sincere Key sparked the Maroon Tigers off the bench with back-to-back three-pointers and later added a jumper to tie the game at 10–10, igniting the Morehouse offense.

The Maroon Tigers then began attacking inside, with Josiah Lawson scoring on consecutive possessions during a 13–4 run that pushed Morehouse ahead 23–14 midway through the first half.

From there, the lead continued to grow.

Sincere Moore knocked down a pair of three-pointers, and a transition three-point play by Jared White helped extend the advantage. Later, a three from JerMontae Hill and a fast-break layup by Caleb Thompson stretched the lead to 31–16.

Tuskegee closed the half with a late three from R.J. Walker, but Morehouse still carried a comfortable 33–24 lead into halftime.

Tigers Pull Away

Morehouse wasted little time creating separation in the second half.

A three-pointer from Brandon Peters and another from Hill sparked a 9–1 run that pushed the Maroon Tigers ahead 42–25 — their largest lead of the night.

Tuskegee fought back midway through the half behind inside scoring from Anthony Wright and Kusamae Draper, cutting the deficit to 44–34.

But each push was answered.

Key knocked down a deep jumper and Lawson followed with a three-point play to restore a double-digit lead. Moments later, Lawson buried a three-pointer that stretched the margin to 54–38, effectively halting Tuskegee’s comeback hopes.

Morehouse controlled the final minutes with steady defense and disciplined offense to secure the 66–56 victory and the conference crown.

Standout Performances

Lawson led the way with 17 points and four rebounds and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Moore added 11 points and five rebounds, while Hill finished with 10 points, six rebounds and two steals. Key also contributed 10 points off the bench in the win.

With the championship secured, Morehouse now awaits the selection announcement for the NCAA Division II Tournament as the Maroon Tigers prepare for their return to the national stage.

MORROW, Ga. — The dynasty continues for the Miles College Lady Bears women’s basketball.

Miles held off Lane College Dragons women’s basketball 59–52 to capture the 2025 SIAC Women’s Basketball Tournament championship, securing the program’s third straight conference title and cementing a historic run for the Lady Bears.

With the victory, Miles (25–5) becomes the first program since Fort Valley State Wildcats women’s basketball from 2000–03 to win three consecutive championships in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The championship game was anything but easy.

Miles jumped out to an early 12-point lead in the first quarter, but Lane battled back and erased the deficit, sending the game into halftime tied at 24.

Lane (22–6) briefly grabbed momentum early in the third quarter after a basket by Lauren Lain gave the Dragons the lead. But Miles responded quickly.

Samarian Franklin buried a three-pointer with 7:17 left in the third to put the Lady Bears back on top, sparking a 9–0 run that shifted the game. Franklin added two free throws during the stretch before finding Mya Millner for a three-point play that pushed the Miles advantage to 33–26.

From that point on, the Lady Bears never trailed again.

Lane cut the deficit to five heading into the fourth quarter, but Makayla Rieves took over down the stretch. After a basket by Shannon Niles gave Miles momentum, Rieves followed with key buckets, including back-to-back scores that extended the lead to 54–46 with just over two minutes remaining.

The Dragons made one last push, trimming the margin to four late in the game. But Nayla Wesley delivered the final blow, converting a three-point play with 1:32 remaining to seal the victory and send the Miles bench into celebration.

Franklin finished with 12 points and four assists and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Rieves added a dominant performance with 11 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks, while Wesley chipped in nine points and seven rebounds.

With the win, Miles advances to its third straight appearance in the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament South Region, where the Lady Bears will learn their next opponent when the bracket is announced Sunday night.

For Miles, the championship wasn’t just another win — it was the continuation of a historic run that now stands among the conference’s best.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — After more than three decades of waiting, Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball is back on top of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Tennessee State delivered a statement performance Saturday night, rolling past Morehead State Eagles men’s basketball 93–67 at Ford Center to capture the 2026 OVC Men’s Basketball Tournament championship and punch its ticket to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The Tigers (23–9) overwhelmed Morehead State with a barrage of three-pointers and a dominant presence on the glass, controlling the game from the first half and never looking back.

Guard Antoine Lorick III led a balanced scoring attack with 18 points and two blocks, while Travis Harper II added 17 points. Off the bench, Carlous Williams chipped in 16 points to help fuel the rout.

Tournament MVP Dante Harris delivered a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, anchoring Tennessee State’s dominance on the boards. Aaron Nkrumah added 11 points and six assists in the win.

Tennessee State controlled the rebounding battle 44–29, including 14 offensive rebounds that led to 14 second-chance points. Defensively, the Tigers locked down Morehead State, holding the Eagles to just 36.2% shooting from the field and 30% from beyond the arc.

The game turned early.

After the teams were tied 7–7, Tennessee State ripped off a 13–0 run midway through the first half, capped by a three-pointer from Nkrumah that pushed the Tigers ahead 20–7. The momentum never shifted back.

By halftime, Tennessee State had already built a commanding 55–34 lead behind a scorching perimeter attack. The Tigers knocked down 12 three-pointers in the opening half alone, accounting for 36 of their points.

The second half was more of the same.

Tennessee State pushed its lead to as much as 28 points late in the game, highlighted by a three from Jc Brooks that made it 93–65 with just over a minute remaining. The Tigers’ bench added key production down the stretch, scoring 15 points in the final period.

Morehead State struggled to keep pace offensively and managed just eight offensive rebounds while producing nine second-chance points.

With the victory, Tennessee State captures its first OVC Tournament title since 1994 and secures the conference’s automatic bid to March Madness.

2026 OVC All-Tournament Team

• Dante Harris, Tennessee State — MVP

• Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State

• Travis Harper II, Tennessee State

• George Marshall, Morehead State

• Braxton Stacker, Southeast Missouri

March 1, 2026 – Tuscaloosa, AL – In a thrilling HBCUAC championship showdown, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) defeated top-seeded Tougaloo University 84-81 in overtime, capturing its first conference title since 2012. The Knights overcame an early 0-7 deficit and multiple double-digit holes in regulation, forcing overtime at 72-72 before taking control in the extra period. In a full-circle moment, SUNO defeated the same opponent they beat 14 years ago to win the championship.

Standout Performances

Dorian Booker dominated inside, scoring 26 points with 14 rebounds and clutch free throws that anchored SUNO’s effort. Donte Briggs contributed 16 points, including perfect 4-of-4 free throws in overtime, while Jaylon Hicks added 12 points and critical defense, including a pivotal three-pointer in OT. Caleb Williams provided steady leadership with 10 points and key late-game free throws, and Jermaine Lawrence anchored the interior defense, limiting Tougaloo’s second-chance opportunities.

Championship-Clutch Moments

Trailing 70-72 in the final seconds of regulation, SUNO tied the game at 72 with clutch free throws from Briggs. Tougaloo’s final shot missed, sending the game to overtime. Hicks’ three-pointer gave SUNO a 75-72 lead, and Williams’ free throw with 0:04 remaining sealed the 84-81 victory.

3/1/26 HBCUAC Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament SUNO vs Tougaloo (Final)
Photo by Trent Spruell

3/1/26 HBCUAC Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament SUNO vs Tougaloo (Final)
Photo by Trent Spruell

3/1/26 HBCUAC Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament SUNO vs Tougaloo (Final)
Photo by Trent Spruell

Coach James A. Matthews, III: A Journey Realized

This championship is especially meaningful for Head Coach James A. Matthews, III, who joined SUNO in 2014 as a volunteer, sweeping floors and washing uniforms. Now, as Director of Athletics and Head Coach, Matthews has guided the Knights from a two-win relaunch season in 2022-23 to HBCUAC champions with a 17-13 record. “This title proves the power of second chances,” Matthews said. “These young men believed when no one else did.”

All-Tournament Honors

• Donte Briggs – Tournament MVP

• Dorian Booker – All-Tournament Team

• Jaylon Hicks – All-Tournament Team

The SUNO Knights now await their opening-round matchup in the 2026 NAIA Championship, carrying the faith, grit, and momentum that fueled their historic HBCUAC victory.

Credit: sunoathletics.com

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BALTIMORE, Md. — Championship games often come down to one thing: who delivers when the pressure peaks. On Saturday inside CFG Bank Arena, Fayetteville State found its closer — and rode him all the way to a title.

Behind a spectacular second-half performance from Terrell Williams, Fayetteville State erased an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Bluefield State 71–68, capturing the 2026 CIAA Men’s Basketball Championship and securing an automatic berth into the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament.

Williams was unstoppable when it mattered most, finishing with 29 points while earning both Food Lion Player of the Game honors and CIAA Tournament MVP recognition. His shot-making, composure, and leadership fueled a comeback that transformed early frustration into championship celebration.

For Fayetteville State (23–6), the victory marked a return to conference supremacy — built on defensive pressure, resilience, and timely execution.

Bluefield State Strikes First

Bluefield State entered the championship loose and confident, playing with the energy of a team embracing the moment. Ellija Preddy led the early charge, scoring from all three levels on his way to a 20-point performance, while Anthony Latty dominated the interior with powerful finishes and second-chance baskets.

The Big Blue surged to a 28–14 advantage, controlling tempo and forcing Fayetteville State into uncomfortable offensive possessions. Even as the Broncos struggled to find rhythm, Williams kept them within striking distance, knocking down two critical three-pointers.

Additional contributions from Darius Boben, Larry Howell, and Travon Cooper helped steady the Broncos, but Bluefield State carried a 40–32 lead into halftime, appearing firmly in control.

The Turning Point

Championship teams respond — and Fayetteville State’s response came immediately after the break.

Williams opened the second half attacking downhill, scoring on a layup before drilling a deep three that reignited the Broncos’ sideline and cut the deficit to a single possession. Though Bluefield State briefly rebuilt its lead behind Latty’s interior presence, momentum was beginning to shift.

Boben ignited the rally with consecutive fastbreak layups sparked by defensive pressure, including a steal from Romeo Aquino that energized the crowd. Moments later, Ezekiel Cannedy buried a momentum-changing three, trimming the gap and forcing Bluefield State onto its heels.

Turnovers began to mount for the Big Blue as Fayetteville State’s defense tightened. Williams calmly sank free throws to pull within one, and Aquino tied the game at the line, completing the comeback.

Then came the defining moment.

Williams attacked the lane for a go-ahead layup — Fayetteville State’s first lead since the opening minutes — flipping the energy inside CFG Bank Arena entirely.

Closing Time

Bluefield State refused to fade quietly. Preddy connected on a contested three with 32 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to two, setting up a tense finish.

But Fayetteville State executed like champions.

Howell delivered the shot of the night earlier in the stretch, drilling a deep left-wing three to give the Broncos control before finishing a transition basket moments later off a Boben steal. Aquino added a clutch free throw in the closing seconds, and Howell secured the final rebound before sealing the victory at the line.

A last-second heave from Bluefield State fell short as the horn sounded, sending Fayetteville State players sprinting onto the court while blue confetti rained down from above.

Championship Identity

The Broncos flipped the game with a dominant 39–28 second half fueled by defense and efficiency. Fayetteville State shot 43.8 percent from three-point range and converted 16 steals into 25 points off turnovers — the difference in a game defined by momentum swings.

Alongside Williams’ 29 points, Howell and Boben each added 14, while Aquino and Cannedy delivered pivotal plays that shifted the contest during its most critical stretch.

Bluefield State’s effort matched the championship stage. Preddy finished with 20 points, Latty recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Myles Pierre added 13 as the Big Blue controlled long stretches offensively. Ultimately, Fayetteville State’s depth and late-game execution proved decisive.

What Comes Next

With the CIAA crown secured, Fayetteville State now turns its focus to the national stage. The Broncos earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament and will learn their postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 8, on NCAA.com.

For now, though, the moment belongs to Fayetteville State — a comeback forged through pressure, resilience, and a star performance that will live in CIAA championship history.

The Broncos are champions once again.

2026 CIAA Men’s Basketball All-Tournament Team

Jacob Cooper – Virginia State
Alex Atkinson – Claflin
Larry Howell – Fayetteville State
Julius Olanewaju – Lincoln (PA)
Anthony Davenport – Bluefield State
Malachi Dark – Virginia Union
Terrell Williams – Fayetteville State
Myles Pierre – Bluefield State
K.J. West – Bowie State
Jared Davis – Johnson C. Smith

Tournament MVP: Terrell Williams – Fayetteville State
Team Sportsmanship Award: Johnson C. Smith