Southern University Defeats Samford, Sets Up South Carolina Clash

Lady Jaguars advance to face Dawn Staley's Gamecocks after First Four victory

Mar. 20, 2026 at 4:38am

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The Southern University Lady Jaguars secured a decisive 65-53 win over Samford in the NCAA First Four tournament, setting up a matchup with powerhouse South Carolina and head coach Dawn Staley. Led by Jaylia Reed's 16 points and Demya Porter's double-double, Southern overcame an early deficit and pulled away late to earn the 16-seed and a date with the Gamecocks.

Why it matters

Southern University's victory marks the third time an HBCU program has won in the First Four, showcasing the growing competitiveness of historically Black colleges and universities on the national stage. The Jaguars will now have the opportunity to test themselves against one of the top women's basketball programs in the country in South Carolina.

The details

Southern University jumped out to an early 9-2 lead, but Samford fought back to tie the game at 11-11 in the second quarter. The teams traded buckets until Samford took a 31-30 lead in the third quarter. However, Southern regained control with a 10-0 run late in the fourth quarter to pull away for the victory.

  • The game was played on March 19, 2026.
  • Southern University and South Carolina will face off on March 22, 2026.

The players

Jaylia Reed

Led Southern University with 16 points and three 3-pointers.

Demya Porter

Recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Lady Jaguars.

Jocelyn Tate

Contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds for Southern University.

D'Shantae Edwards

Played a key role on the defensive end with 5 steals for the Lady Jaguars.

Dawn Staley

Head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who will face Southern University in the next round.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working hard all season to get to this point, and I'm proud of the way our team fought and executed tonight. We're excited for the opportunity to take on South Carolina and show what we can do on the big stage.”

— Jaylia Reed, Southern University Guard

What’s next

The winner of the South Carolina-Southern University matchup will advance to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

The takeaway

Southern University's victory over Samford demonstrates the continued growth and competitiveness of HBCU programs in women's basketball. The Lady Jaguars now have the chance to test themselves against one of the nation's elite teams in South Carolina, providing an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.