East No. 6 Oakwood continues run, West No. 2 Philander Smith triumphs

Philander Smith advances to the semifinals for the fifth straight season.

February 28, 2026

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - East No. 6 seed Oakwood University overcame a double-digit second half deficit to continue its run. West No. 2 Philander Smith University took the lead near the end of first half to defeat East No. 3 Voorhees University in the 2026 Hope Credit Union Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Championship quarterfinals on Friday at Stillman College's Birthright Alumni Hall.

EAST No. 6 OAKWOOD 85, EAST No. 2 TALLADEGA 84
Boxscore | Broadcast

Oakwood was headlined by Joshua Barnett, who posted an impeccable 28 points (11-18 FG, 3-9 3FG, 3-3 FT) on top of 4 rebounds and 6 assists; his teammate Jordan Bell also poured in 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds, on top of three steals; both played all 40 minutes of the contest
Shaun Walker was Talladega's leading scorer with an efficient 16 points (5-6 FG, 6-7 FT) and one of 4 players on the team with double-digit scoring for the game
After early back-and-forth play, Talladega would find themselves up by as much as 15 in the first half, before Oakwood would go on a run and cut their deficit to nine by halftime; with just under 5 minutes left, Talladega would find themselves with an 80-70 advantage, but late heroics from Oakwood's entire lineup would allow them to finish the game on a 15-4 run, including a deep three by Barnett followed by a steal that would lead to an assisted go-ahead layup by Bell, allowed them to steal this win
Oakwood will play in the semifinals against West No. 1 Tougaloo College at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Talladega ends its year 13-13

WEST No. 2 PHILANDER SMITH 80, EAST No. 3 VOORHEES 64
Boxscore | Broadcast

HBCUAC Player of the Year and Defensive Payer of the Year Raymond Reece showed out for Philander Smith today when they needed him most: 24 PTS (6-11 FG, 12-14 FT) and 19 REB in a strong effort to lead his team to the win
Jemarquis Johnson and Rydarius Hill both scored 20 PTS and grabbed 5 REB for Voorhees this evening
With 3:03 left in the first, the score was all tied up at 35, but the Panthers would immediately go on a 10-2 run to close the half; they never lost the lead again, and Voorhees never got closer than cutting the lead to 5
Philander Smith will play West No. 4 Southern University at New Orleans in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Saturday
Voorhees ends its season 12-18

SATURDAY'S SEMIFINALS

4 p.m. West No. 3 Philander Smith vs. West No. 4 Southern University at New Orleans | Live Stats | Broadcast

8 p.m. West No. 1 Tougaloo College vs. East No. 6 Oakwood University | Live Stats | Broadcast

About the 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), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), 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 soccer, 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.