Philander Smith tops Wiley to claim 2025 HBCUAC women’s basketball championship

by HBCU Sports

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 4 seed Philander Smith University used a dominant defensive effort to defeat No. 6 seed Wiley University 49-38 and capture the 2025 HBCUAC Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship Sunday at Stillman College’s Birthright Alumni Hall.

The Lady Panthers (20-10) limited Wiley to just 29.4% shooting from the field and allowed only one made 3-pointer. The win secured Philander Smith’s second conference tournament title and first since 2020.

Wiley (15-14) took an early lead, 8-4, after the first quarter behind three baskets from Jessica Nerestant. Philander Smith seized control in the second quarter. Sidney Townsend tied the game with a steal and score off an offensive rebound and later gave the Lady Panthers the lead following a Wiley turnover.

Philander Smith forced seven turnovers in the second quarter while holding Wiley to 2-for-9 shooting. The Lady Panthers went on a 19-point run that carried into the third quarter, building a lead as large as 17 points.

Wiley was unable to mount a comeback, never scoring more than four consecutive points the rest of the way.

Townsend led all scorers with 17 points, adding six rebounds and two blocks. Dasia Turner followed with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Turner was named to the HBCUAC All-Tournament Team along with teammates Ashlyn Kimble and Miracle Thomas, who was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Nerestant led Wiley with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. She earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Celebria Peacock added 11 points.

Philander Smith secured the conference’s second automatic berth to the 2025 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Basketball National Championship Opening Round with the win. Stillman College, which earned the regular-season title, claimed the first automatic berth.

Both teams will learn their opening-round opponents and locations during the NAIA Selection Show, which airs at 6 p.m. Thursday on the NAIA Network.