HBCU ORIGINAL
Winston-Salem State Makes History, Captures First CIAA Women’s Basketball Championship
BALTIMORE, Md. — History doesn’t always arrive quietly. Sometimes it comes with defensive stops, clutch three-pointers, and a celebration decades in the making.
Inside CFG Bank Arena on Saturday afternoon, Winston-Salem State delivered its defining moment, defeating Fayetteville State 60–43 to capture the first CIAA Women’s Basketball Championship in program history. For a Rams team that spent the season proving it belonged among the elite, the title was less a surprise and more the inevitable conclusion to a dominant 26–3 campaign.
From the opening tip, Winston-Salem State played like a team determined to leave no doubt.
The Rams established control early behind defensive intensity and disciplined execution, building a first-half cushion they never relinquished. Every Fayetteville State push was met with poise, every run answered with composure — the mark of a championship team fully in command of the moment.
At the center of it all was junior guard Nevaeh Farmer, the Food Lion Player of the Game, who delivered a performance worthy of the spotlight. Farmer poured in 24 points, knocked down five three-pointers, and added five steals, impacting the game on both ends while setting the tone for Winston-Salem State’s relentless pace.
Tournament MVP Makayla Waleed added 14 points, repeatedly delivering timely baskets whenever momentum threatened to shift. Forward Maia Charles embodied the Rams’ defensive identity, contributing 10 points, seven rebounds, and six steals in a gritty all-around effort that frustrated Fayetteville State throughout the afternoon.
The Broncos (21–5) refused to fold. Junior guard Talia Trotter led the resistance with 14 points and nine rebounds, while freshman standout Samiyah Barker added 12 points, including a momentum-sparking three early in the fourth quarter that briefly energized Fayetteville State’s comeback hopes.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Barker’s left-wing three trimmed the deficit to 47–35, igniting the Broncos’ bench and giving life to the arena. But championship teams respond — and Winston-Salem State did exactly that.
Waleed answered with a tough pull-up jumper through traffic, and moments later, Alana Biosse converted a transition basket to extend the lead back to double digits, silencing Fayetteville State’s momentum before it could fully develop.
Despite defensive stops and multiple opportunities, the Broncos struggled to convert offensively, missing key layups and battling against constant pressure in the paint. A fastbreak layup by Amina Miles cut the margin to 55–40 with just over four minutes remaining, but the Rams delivered the final blow when Waleed attacked downhill for a layup that stretched the lead to 59–42 — effectively sealing the championship.
As the final horn echoed through CFG Bank Arena, Winston-Salem State players stormed midcourt, embracing a moment generations of Rams had chased but never reached.
History had finally arrived.
For Winston-Salem State, the victory wasn’t just a win — it was a statement, a breakthrough, and the crowning achievement of a season defined by resilience, defense, and belief.
The Rams are CIAA champions for the first time ever.
2026 CIAA Women’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Tyra Floyd – Claflin
Nevaeh Colon – Fayetteville State
Makayla Waleed – Winston-Salem State
Mayah Garner – Bowie State
Jasmine Jenkins – Bluefield State
Bruni Martinez – Virginia Union
Jakaiya Mack – Winston-Salem State
Ashari Lewis – Claflin
Talia Trotter – Fayetteville State
Nevaeh Farmer – Winston-Salem State
Tournament MVP: Nevaeh Farmer – Winston-Salem State
Team Sportsmanship Award: Virginia State
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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