Rust Holds Off Talladega Rally to Win 2026 HBCUAC Women's Basketball Title

Rust College guard Patsy Johnson named MVP after leading team to championship victory.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Lady Bearcats of Rust College defeated the Talladega Lady Tornadoes 67-60 in the 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Women's Basketball Championship in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Rust guard Patsy Johnson led all scorers with 25 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds to earn MVP honors. Genae Garner added 21 points and 6 rebounds for Rust, while Talladega was led by Teanna Watts' 18 points.

Why it matters

The HBCUAC (Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference) Women's Basketball Championship is a prestigious annual event that showcases the top talent from historically black colleges and universities across the region. Rust College's victory marks their first conference title in women's basketball.

The details

Rust shot 43.1% from the field, 53.8% from three-point range, and 84.2% from the free-throw line, while Talladega struggled at 35.6% from the floor, 31.3% from deep, and just 3-of-11 from the charity stripe. Rust led 37-24 at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for most of the game before Talladega mounted a late comeback attempt in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 8 points entering the fourth. However, Rust's defense held strong down the stretch to secure the 67-60 victory.

  • The 2026 HBCUAC Women's Basketball Championship was held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
  • The game took place on March 2, 2026.

The players

Patsy Johnson

The guard for Rust College, who was named MVP of the championship game after scoring a game-high 25 points.

Genae Garner

A forward for Rust College who contributed 21 points and 6 rebounds to the championship victory.

Teanna Watts

The leading scorer for Talladega College with 18 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“Winning the HBCUAC championship is a dream come true for our team. We've worked hard all season and it's an honor to bring this title back to Rust College.”

— Patsy Johnson, Guard, Rust College (SI.com)

What’s next

Rust College will now advance to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament, where they will look to continue their championship run on the national stage.

The takeaway

Rust College's victory in the HBCUAC Women's Basketball Championship showcases the talent and competitiveness of historically black colleges and universities in the region, providing an important platform to celebrate Black excellence in women's sports.