LADY PANTHERS ON THE PROWL IN 2026 HBCUAC CHAMPIONSHIP

The Philander Smith Lady Panthers used a smothering defensive effort to stifle the Southern University of New Orleans Lady Knights 64-47 in the second-round matchup of the 2026 HBCUAC Basketball Championship.
The Lady Panthers used a balanced scoring attack led by Ashlynn Kimble and Sidney Townsend, pouring in 13 points apiece to lead Philander, who as a team recorded a season-high in assists with 15.

Leading 7-5 early in the opening quarter, the Lady Knights went on a 20-5 run to close the quarter with a 24-14 lead.

However, the going would not be as good for the Lady Knights thereafter.  The Lady Panthers held the Lady Knights scoreless for more than four and a half minutes while mounting a 12-0 run of their own, stretching back to the closing seconds of the first quarter to tie the game at 24.  During the run, the Lady Panthers got key contributions from Townsend and Samya Johnson, contributing four points each to lead the way in the absence of sophomore point guard Ashlynn Kimble, who had been sidelined with two early fouls.  The score was tied at 27 at the Media timeout break with five minutes and 30 seconds remaining.  The Lady Panthers allowed only one field goal for the remaining period thereafter to hold the Lady  Knights at bay.  Head Coach Larena Walker's squad was tremendously short-handed due to injuries and had to play all nine players.  Among them, making an impact in the game were seniors Siaderial Oliver and Miracle Thomas.  Both scored two baskets apiece during the decisive second period to give the Lady Panthers a 33-29 halftime lead.  Thomas pumped in 11 points as only three players scored in double figures.

Kimble returned to the game to start the second half.  She scored nine points in the third quarter, and Aveonna Glasper came off the bench to score four more as the Lady Panthers took a commanding 53-36 advantage.  

The Lady Panthers led by as many as 19 points by the 4:10 mark of the fourth quarter, as they were not threatened much thereafter.  The Lady Panthers held the Lady Knights to single digits in each of the last three quarters.  The Lady Panthers outscored the Lady Knights 32-20 in the paint and 15-10 in second-chance points. The Lady Panthers visited the free-throw line twice on the evening, both of which occurred in the fourth frame.  

The Lady Panthers advance on to the quarterfinal round on Friday, February 27 at 12 noon, facing the Talledega Lady Tornadoes.