TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Stillman College women's basketball team battled through stretches of strong defensive play but couldn't overcome a second-quarter drought in a 70-56 loss to the Wiley University Wildcats on Wednesday afternoon at Birthright Alumni Hall in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCU Athletic Conference Basketball Championships.
Stillman (12-12) erased an early deficit and tied the game after one quarter before Wiley used an 18-8 second period and a decisive fourth quarter to secure the win.
Jaida Minter led the Tigers with 14 points and seven rebounds, while
Jordan Harris added 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
Tanyah Lockhart finished with 11 points, and
Mya Jones grabbed 10 rebounds.
Rapid Recap:
Stillman set the tone defensively early, limiting Wiley to 4-of-15 shooting in the opening period. Harris scored inside on consecutive possessions, and Lockhart attacked the paint for a pair of early baskets to give the Tigers a brief two-point lead.
After Wiley answered with free throws and a late jumper, Minter hit a mid-range shot in the closing seconds to tie the game at 14-14 after one.
The Wildcats seized momentum in the second quarter, capitalizing on turnovers and second-chance opportunities during an extended Stillman scoring drought. Wiley opened the period on an 8-0 run and stretched the lead to as many as 10 late in the quarter.
Lockhart knocked down a three-pointer midway through the frame, and Harris added a short jumper to keep the Tigers within reach, but Stillman shot just 3-of-15 in the quarter and trailed 32-22 at halftime.
Stillman responded with its strongest stretch of the afternoon in the third, outscoring Wiley 20-15. Banks provided a spark off the bench with a three-pointer and an inside basket, while Lockhart and Minter connected from beyond the arc to trim the deficit to one possession.
Harris converted a pair of free throws and scored inside late in the period as the Tigers cut the margin to 47-42 heading into the fourth.
Stillman remained within striking distance early in the final period after a Minter jumper, and a Jones three-pointer made it a single-digit game. However, Wiley answered with a 10-3 run fueled by paint scoring and timely free throws.
The Tigers continued to attack the glass, finishing with 57 rebounds, but cold shooting down the stretch (5-of-23 in the fourth) prevented a comeback. Wiley extended the lead to 16 in the closing minute to seal the 70-56 final.
Notes and Numbers:
- Stillman outrebounded Wiley 57-49, including 22 offensive rebounds.
- Stillman shot 29.6 percent (21-of-71) from the floor and 22.2 percent (6-of-27)from three-point range.
- Harris scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
- Banks added five points and four rebounds off the bench.
- Wiley scored 38 points in the paint and 18 points off turnovers.
