HBCU ORIGINAL
Winston-Salem State Dominates Claflin, Advances to CIAA Women’s Championship
BALTIMORE, MD — February 27, 2026
Winston-Salem State left no doubt.
In one of the most dominant performances of the CIAA Women’s Tournament, the Rams (25–3) overwhelmed Claflin (17–9) from start to finish, rolling to a commanding 67–32 semifinal victory Thursday afternoon inside CFG Bank Arena.
Behind a complete two-way performance from Food Lion Player of the Game Nevaeh Farmer, Winston-Salem State punched its ticket to championship Saturday — and sent a clear message to the rest of the conference in the process.
Rams Take Control Early
From the opening possession, Winston-Salem State’s defensive pressure dictated everything.
Farmer opened the scoring with a driving layup, setting the tone for a relentless defensive effort that immediately rattled Claflin. The Rams forced turnovers, contested every shot, and turned defense into offense, sprinting out to a commanding 20–5 first-quarter lead.
Claflin struggled to even get looks at the basket, attempting just six shots in the opening period while committing multiple turnovers against WSSU’s aggressive pressure.
The game’s momentum never shifted back.
Dominance in the Paint
While the perimeter defense fueled the early run, Winston-Salem State controlled the interior behind Maia Charles, who delivered a powerful double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Second-chance points and transition opportunities continued to pile up as the Rams stretched the lead to 37–14 by halftime, firmly in control.
Every rebound, loose ball, and defensive stop seemed to fall WSSU’s way.
Complete Team Performance
The Rams showcased depth throughout the afternoon.
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Breonna Roaf added seven points and three assists while pushing tempo.
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Jakaiya Mack contributed eight points and eight rebounds with physical play inside.
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Bench energy from Amari Baldwin and TaNiya Simms helped maintain defensive intensity and extend the lead.
Meanwhile, Claflin struggled to find answers. Ariel Lucas led the Panthers with nine points, including three three-pointers, while Ashari Lewis added seven. But Winston-Salem State’s pressure proved overwhelming.
Claflin finished just 11-of-37 from the field and committed 26 turnovers — many converted directly into Rams scoring opportunities.
Defense Defines the Statement Win
The numbers reflected total control:
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38 points in the paint
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20 points off turnovers
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44 rebounds
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Season-low 32 points allowed
Even as Claflin attempted a late fourth-quarter push, Winston-Salem State never allowed momentum to shift. Farmer capped the performance with key scoring and playmaking down the stretch, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Winston-Salem State now advances to the CIAA Women’s Basketball Championship Game, returning to the title stage as one of the conference’s most complete teams. The Rams will face Fayetteville State on Saturday at 1:00 PM in Baltimore with the championship on the line.
The SWAC delivered one of the biggest championship storylines of the season as Jackson State and Florida A&M claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
Jackson State shocked the conference by capturing the men’s championship, powered by explosive sprint performances and clutch relay execution. The Tigers built momentum throughout the meet and held off late pushes to secure a historic breakthrough title.
On the women’s side, Florida A&M continued its championship tradition, controlling the meet with consistent scoring across sprints, hurdles, and field events. The Rattlers’ depth once again proved decisive as they stayed ahead of a competitive field to claim another SWAC crown.
Two different stories — one breakthrough, one dynasty — defined the SWAC season.
The SIAC championships belonged to Morehouse and Tuskegee as both programs delivered complete team performances to claim the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
On the men’s side, Morehouse controlled the meet from start to finish, scoring consistently across sprints, distance, and field events to build separation early. The Maroon Tigers maintained their advantage through the final events, sealing another conference championship built on depth and execution.
On the women’s side, Tuskegee continued its dominance with a back-to-back SIAC championship performance. The Golden Tigers delivered strong scoring across sprints, relays, and field events, holding off the field once again to repeat as conference champions.
Together, Morehouse and Tuskegee set the standard in SIAC track & field heading into postseason competition.
The HBCUAC championship meet marked a new era as Voorhees and Dillard claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles in defining early conference performances.
Voorhees secured the men’s championship through consistent scoring across sprints, middle distance, and field events, proving to be the most complete team in a tightly contested meet.
Dillard followed on the women’s side with a strong all-around effort, highlighted by relay execution and key individual performances that helped them control the championship race from start to finish.
The HBCUAC now begins its competitive identity with two early benchmark programs setting the standard.
HBCU ORIGINAL
OVC Outdoor Track & Field — Eastern Illinois & Southeast Missouri Take Control, Tennessee State Battles in the Mix
The Ohio Valley Conference delivered a high-level championship meet in Little Rock as Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles, while Tennessee State fought to stay inside the top tier.
Eastern Illinois captured the men’s championship with a powerful overall team performance, using depth across sprints, distance, and field events to hold off a competitive field. Southeast Missouri stayed right behind the pace, finishing runner-up behind a balanced scoring attack that kept pressure on throughout the meet.
On the women’s side, Southeast Missouri dominated the field to secure the OVC crown, led by consistent scoring across multiple event groups and a strong closing push in the final sessions. Eastern Illinois again finished near the top, locking in runner-up status and showing its program-wide strength on both sides of competition.
Tennessee State was the key HBCU presence in the conference, finishing in the middle of the standings on both the men’s and women’s side. The Tigers showed flashes in sprints, hurdles, and relays, but lacked the depth needed to break into the championship tier against the OVC’s top programs.
The meet reinforced Southeast Missouri’s growing conference dominance while Eastern Illinois remains a consistent championship contender on both sides.
The MEAC once again ran through two familiar powers as Norfolk State and Howard claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field championships in dominant fashion.
On the men’s side, Norfolk State continued its conference dynasty, securing its fifth straight MEAC outdoor title. The Spartans delivered across sprints, hurdles, and relays, using depth and execution in the final events to separate from the field and close out another championship run.
On the women’s side, Howard extended its own reign of dominance, stacking points across distance races, field events, and relays to secure another MEAC crown. The Bison’s balance and consistency across all disciplines once again proved too much for the rest of the conference.
MEAC dominance remains firmly in the hands of Norfolk State and Howard heading into postseason competition.
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