West No. 4 SUNO wins overtime thriller, captures First Conference Tournament Title since 2012
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Four years after reviving its basketball program, Southern University at New Orleans is back on top.
The fourth-seeded Knights outlasted top seed Tougaloo College 84-81 in overtime Sunday to claim the 2026 Hope Credit Union Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference Basketball Championship at Stillman College's Birthright Alumni Hall. The victory marks SUNO's first conference tournament title since 2012. It clinched its eighth National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship berth.
In the first overtime title game since 2014, the Knights (17-13) overcame a regular-season sweep by the Bulldogs to pull off the upset.
Tournament MVP Donte Briggs proved clutch in the final seconds, drawing a foul and sinking two free throws with 5.5 seconds remaining in the extra period to break an 81-81 tie. A subsequent baseline violation by Tougaloo on the inbound pass and a missed desperation 3-pointer as time expired sealed the win for SUNO.
The game early was largely based on efficiency as Tougaloo struggled from the floor, shooting just 30% in the first half. SUNO took advantage, leading 35-30 at the break behind a dominant performance from Dorian Booker. Booker finished the contest with a double-double, racking up 26 points and 15 rebounds.
Tougaloo (18-9) fought back from a 12-point second-half deficit, forcing four turnovers in the final 73 seconds of regulation. A late block by the SUNO interior defense and a missed corner three by Tougaloo's Willie Anderson sent the game into overtime knotted at 72.
Jaylon Hicks opened the extra frame with a deep 3-pointer, followed by a Briggs put-back to give the Knights a cushion they would eventually need. Tyler Hudson led the Bulldogs with 21 points off the bench in the loss.
The result continues a recent trend of parity in the conference, marking the third consecutive year that the No. 1 seed failed to take home the trophy.
2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player: Donte Briggs, Southern University at New Orleans
Dorian Booker, Southern University at New Orleans
Jaylon Hicks, Southern University at New Orleans
Antonio Patterson, Tougaloo College
Raymond Reece, Philander Smith
Jordan Bell, Oakwood
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.