Southern Lady Jaguars Win SWAC Championship
In an impressive display of skill, the Southern Lady Jaguars secured their second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship with a commanding 73-56 victory over Alabama State on Saturday. This win marks the eighth title for Southern, now boasting a season record of 19-13 as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament, often referred to as March Madness.
Key Player Contributions
Key contributions came from Zaria Hurston, who led her team with 13 points, while Olivia Delancey added 12. D’Shantae Edwards and Jocelyn Tate ensured solid support with 11 and 10 points respectively, showcasing the team’s balanced scoring. Southern demonstrated their offensive prowess by shooting an impressive 49% from the floor and an outstanding 54% from three-point range. In contrast, Alabama State struggled, managing just 28% from the field and 14% from beyond the arc.
Game Highlights
The Lady Jaguars set the tone early, launching into a remarkable 9-0 run in the first quarter that put them firmly in control. They pushed their lead to as much as 22 points before halftime, finishing the first half ahead 41-19. Although Alabama State attempted a comeback with a 12-1 scoring spree in the third quarter, the effort was not enough to close the gap. Caylee Simpson led the Lady Hornets with 19 points, while Shamya Reid contributed 10 points, alongside Clearia Peterson, who made her mark with four steals.
Looking Ahead
Southern’s qualification for the Division I Tournament under head coach Carlos Funchess is noteworthy, as this marks their fourth appearance during his tenure. Last season, the Lady Jaguars achieved a landmark victory by defeating 16-seed UC San Diego before facing 1-seed UCLA in the first round.
As Southern awaits their seeding for the upcoming NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, which will be announced on Sunday, excitement builds with the tournament scheduled to begin with the First Four matchups on Wednesday and Thursday. The first round kicks off on Friday, as teams across the nation prepare for this high-stakes showdown.
