No. 4 Talladega, No. 5 Philander Smith avoid Upsets on First Day of 2025 HBCUAC Championship
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - February 25, 2025 - No. 13 seed Oakwood University and No. 12 seed Voorhees University men's basketball teams presented challenges during the first day of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference 2025 Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship Tuesday at Stillman College's Birthright Alumni Hall, but in the end the higher seeds came out on top as No. 4 Talladega College and No. 5 Philander Smith University are set to matchup in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
No. 4 TALLADEGA 71, No. 13 OAKWOOD 59
In a compelling opening round of the HBCUAC 2025 Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship, the No. 4 seed Talladega College men's basketball team clinched a 71-59 victory over Oakwood University Tuesday at Birthright Alumni Hall.
The Tornadoes' win was highlighted by standout performances from Lamont Sams who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Shaun Walker, who added 19 points and 8 rebounds to the tally. Wilfred Campbell also played a crucial role, contributing 11 points including a key 3-pointer that widened the lead late in the game.
The game remained tense with the half-time score at 28-25 in favor of Talladega. A steal by Malachi Chavis leading to a critical layup by Walker, and a steal by Derek Burditt, who had 11 assists set up a momentum-shifting dunk by Sams.
Baskets by Walker and Sams widened the lead to eight with 13:48 left. The Ambassadors didn't surrender. Two 3-pointers by JaMarkus Alexander and a layup by Brian Williams tied the game at 45 with 12:32 remaining.
Sams hit a couple shots and a 3-pointer by Campbell increased the Tornadoes' lead to eight with 5:27 remaining. Oakwood didn't get closer than six.
Alexander led the Ambassadors (4-25) with 16 points. Williams followed with 12. Jordan Green and Jaywill Thornton each grabbed five rebounds.
No. 5 PHILANDER SMITH 73, No. 12 VOORHEES 53
Boxscore
In an exhilarating opening round of the HBCUAC 2025 Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship, the No. 5 seed Philander Smith University men's basketball triumphed over No. 12 Voorhees University 73-53, as it took control in the second half Tuesday at Birthright Alumni Hall.
The game began with the underdog Tigers taking an unexpected lead, finishing the first half ahead with a score of 30-29. Key player Tim Smith was instrumental, landing a critical 3-pointer and getting a steal to set up a basket by Omari Bryson to put the Tigers ahead. However, the Panthers, led by coach Todd Day Jr., adjusted their strategy during the break, shifting the game's momentum.
Philander Smith (20-8) opened the second half with increased defensive pressure, quickly forcing turnovers and embarking on a 15-point run that left Voorhees struggling to find their footing. The Panthers' defense was relentless, holding the Tigers scoreless for a stretch of over three minutes. This defensive prowess allowed the Panthers to build a lead up to 24 points.
Offensively, Raymond Reece was a standout performer for Philander Smith, scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds, and stole the ball twice. His efforts were well-supported by Elijah Anderson who added 13 points. On the visiting side, Keshawn Evans put up a valiant effort with 15 points and nine rebounds for Voorhees.
The Panthers and Tornadoes will play at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Birthright Alumni Hall. The Tornadoes won 74-67 at home on January 4 which started their turnaround in the second half of the season.
WEDNESDAY's OPENING ROUND GAMES
No. 6 Southern University at New Orleans (11-16) vs. No. 11 Rust College (8-16) 2 p.m. Live Stats
No. 7 Wilberforce University (13-13) vs. No. 10 Fisk University (9-19) 8 p.m. Live Stats
-HBCUAC-
About HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Oakwood University (AL), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.