HBCU notebook: How Southern polished its reputation with consecutive Big 12 wins

For the Southern women’s basketball team, it was business as usual. There was no lingering celebration; just the sweet satisfaction of a job well done. That’s why their five-hour ride back to campus along the darkened stretch of Interstate 10 felt so subdued.

The Jaguars left every ounce of energy on the court. Their 70-62 win over Houston on Sunday, Dec. 7, was more than a score. It was a statement, another beautiful brushstroke in their growing masterpiece. Mykayla Cunningham and DeMya Porter hugged, grinning wide as they moved through the handshake line. Laughter and cheers echoed in the locker room, water flying, TikToks made, memories sealed before the arena lights dimmed.

What began as a joyful uproar behind closed doors soon rippled far beyond the locker room, reverberating across the national stage.

“They’re loud, and it takes me forever to get them out of the locker room,” Southern assistant coach Patrece Carter told The IX Basketball during a recent Zoom call with a laugh. “They put a lot of effort into making as much noise as possible. But once they get on the bus, it’s different.”

Southern enjoyed a week that showcased every trait that makes its excellent program special. First, it defeated Arizona, 63-57, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, then, just four days later, the Jaguars took down Houston, both Big 12 opponents. The Arizona win raised eyebrows. Proving it wasn’t a fluke, Southern enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory over Houston.

According to Her Hoop Stats, Southern displayed different paths to winning against Arizona and Houston. The Jaguars held Arizona to a 77.0 team offensive rating, then turned around and posted a 106.1 offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) of their own against Houston. Both performances represent Southern’s best marks against Division I opponents this season.

“To some it might have been shocking, but to us, it shows hard work pays off,” Porter said to The IX Basketball on a Zoom after a thoughtful pause. “Winning two Big 12 games showed people who look down on us that you can’t count us out. They see these big teams, they see who we’re going to play, and they automatically want to bet against us … But to actually win and do it twice, shows everybody it wasn’t a fluke. This means a lot, and I just love coming out on top.”

The contrast fit them perfectly. Southern celebrated loudly, traveled quietly, and believed deeply.

Southern has long been a steady force, a program built on quiet strength. Outsiders might have been stunned by the upsets, but the Jaguars were not. Excited, yes. Shocked, never. Competing and winning are simply what they do.

Confidence is woven into Southern’s fabric like a Hermès bracelet — crafted, intentional, built to last. Balance. Trust. Depth. Discipline. These aren’t buzzwords; they’re the heartbeat of Jaguars basketball. For 18 consecutive seasons, Southern has finished with a winning record in SWAC play. One motto that says it all: “We Grind Different.” Grit, talent, experience. This is who they are.

Southern has reached the NCAA Tournament in two of the last three seasons, advancing to the Round of 64 after winning its opening-round game last year. They don’t need outside affirmation, likes, or viral moments to validate who they are. They already know. The work speaks: fighting for rebounds, absorbing screens, defending with purpose, making the extra pass, and celebrating one another with genuine joy.

In the two wins over Arizona and Houston, Southern exemplified balance by relying heavily on its bench scoring.

The Jaguars got significant bench contributions, with bench players scoring 34 points against the Wildcats. Jocelyn Tate, Jestiny Dixon, and Anaja Hall combined for 24 of those points. Southern built an 11-point fourth-quarter lead against Arizona, sealing the victory at the free-throw line in the final minute. The team held Arizona to 41% from the field and 23% from the 3-point line.

Leading the SWAC in assist-to-turnover ratio and second in assists per game, Cunningham had a career best nine assists. The Jaguars finished with assists on 18 of their 25 baskets.

Nine players scored, and the Jaguars tallied 32 bench points against the Cougars. Southern led 38-29 at halftime and widened the margin to 16 points in the fourth quarter, then withstood a late Houston run. The Jaguars dominated the interior, outscoring Houston 30-20 in the paint.

It’s no surprise that Porter earned SWAC Player of the Week and Impact Player of the Week recognition. She scored a then-season-high 16 points in the win over Arizona.

“Everybody plays a big part,” Edwards shared about her teammates. “It doesn’t matter what they do because they do everything right. It’s not on the stat sheet. … We hold each other to a higher standard, and we’re okay with it. We love having a different star every night. I feel like that brings something that we all can learn from each other, like not just the person who scores the most points, maybe it’s the person who takes the most charges, like something everybody contributes in a way.”

But with every big win comes a new set of challenges, especially for HBCU programs like Southern. Success can make the road ahead even steeper, especially when it comes to finding future opponents willing to take the risk.

With these wins, opposing coaches may unfollow veteran Southern head coach Carlos Funchess on social media or let his calls go to voicemail. When a mid-major walks into two Big 12 arenas, wins, and leaves with a paycheck, scheduling them becomes a risk, not a guarantee. Scheduling a team that can beat you is risky.

This practice reflects broader inequities in collegiate sports, highlighting the resource disparities that many mid-major programs often navigate. They face systemic hurdles that extend beyond the court, such as power conferences increasing the number of league games they play, influencing opportunities and access in ways that are often unseen.

Last season, Norfolk State beat two SEC programs, and the residual effect — influenced in part by a coaching change — was hosting zero Division I nonconference opponents this season. Next year, they’ll finally welcome Mississippi and Duke to Norfolk.

Southern knows the feeling.

Southern hasn’t hosted a nonconference Division I opponent since Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, when it faced Northwestern State. Since the decade began, Northwestern State and Oregon in 2022 have been the only Division I programs to visit Baton Rouge.

It’s not for lack of regional options. Beyond LSU, Tulane, and Grambling State, Louisiana is home to eight more mid-major programs that could, in theory, schedule home-and-home series with Southern.

The Jaguars don’t spend time thinking about that, though, because as long as there is a ball, a basket, and another team, they are ready to check rock and play. Southern typically plays a rugged nonconference schedule that mostly resembles the Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll.

This season, Southern’s first three road games were against No. 11 Iowa, No. 10 Iowa State, No. 17 Mississippi and No. 4 UCLA. The Jaguars will play nine power conference opponents, five of them ranked. Southern still has road trips to 13th-ranked Baylor and SMU later this week before beginning SWAC play against Prairie View A&M on Jan. 1.

Despite that gauntlet, the Jaguars don’t care. They don’t complain. They compete, slowly imposing their will on opponents because whenever Southern steps on the floor, it believes it’s the best team.

And if anyone still needs the thesis, Edwards delivered it herself in a statement that summed up Southern’s mentality and determination.

“Put some respect on our name,” Edwards said. “People overlook HBCUs, but you can’t. You can do anything anywhere. Any player can be anywhere, playing at any level. It’s about the dog inside you, how much you want it. That’s life, not just basketball. Our mindset is these girls tie their shoes the same way as us. Why go out scared? They’re just girls who play the same game as us.”

And when the next long bus ride comes, it will look much the same: quiet, focused, undisturbed. That’s Southern, letting its game speak loudly.

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Jefferson and Jones anchor MVSU’s climb

The ball snaps off the rim. Ariel Jefferson is in motion, racing down the floor and calling for the outlet. A defender shadows her, but Jefferson shields the ball and finishes with a smooth layup. For Mississippi Valley State’s graduate guard, every possession is more than a stat.

It’s a step toward something greater.

Named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Newcomer of the Week on Nov. 25, Jefferson barely glances at the accolade. She jogs back on defense, eyes scanning, mind steady. Her drive is rooted in something deeper than trophies or headlines. A quiet fire that burns beyond the game.

In practice, Jefferson’s voice is a steady drumbeat. Urging, encouraging, and holding teammates to the standard she sets for herself. Off the court, her leadership takes a quieter form: textbooks stacked beside her, film flickering on her laptop. Each night, she dials Arkansas, her heart stretching across the miles to her two-year-old son, Amuru, safe in her mother’s care.

No matter how far she runs or how many points she scores, her thoughts circle back to him.

“My why is to create better opportunities for my son,” she says, with each possession and decision on and off the court leading toward that purpose.

Her support system steadies her. After practice, Jefferson scrolls through her phone and smiles at a video of Amuru playing. His laugh bubbles through the screen. That joy fuels her through long nights of study and film breakdowns. She carries peace with her.

Each sprint, every shot, every late‑night study session is another brick laid in her son’s future. As Jefferson finds balance through her responsibilities, her sense of calm seeps into other parts of her life beyond basketball.

On quiet mornings by the water, she holds her fishing rod steady and waits. Sometimes the fish bite quickly, sometimes not at all. She never rushes; patience sets the pace, just as she trusts the right play will come. This patience, learned both on and off the court, also guides her discipline in other areas.

She finds discipline in the kitchen, too. Over Thanksgiving, Jefferson swapped her jersey for an apron and made macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and smoked turkey. Cooking requires timing, precision, and care.

“Being a mom is like being a leader,” Jefferson said. “You’re just basically trying to guide someone correctly. … I know I got to handle my business while I’m at school so I can get back home to my son, so he’ll have a successful life.”

With a sports management degree in hand, Jefferson arrived at MVSU after three seasons at Arkansas Baptist, where her game was defined by quiet consistency and a scorer’s touch. Now, she is carving her place in the SWAC.

Her steady presence in Itta Bena has shaped a competitive Devilette squad. Jefferson brings leadership, maturity, and confidence. The impact is clear.

She scored 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting to lead MVSU to its first win of the season against Lipscomb on Nov. 16, and she followed with 15 more in a tough road loss to Nicholls State. A rugged summer in a Memphis women’s league sharpened her game and hardened her edge. Jefferson is sixth in the SWAC in rebounding (6.5 per game).

“She’s an experienced player,” MVSU head coach Jason James said. “That’s one of my dogs right there. She’s a pure dog. She plays hard, and even though she’s undersized, she rebounds with the bigs. She got tested early because we played those power five schools, but she handled herself well, and it paid off in the game against Lipscomb. She completely dominated the boards. She wants to be great.”

Jefferson’s consistency has helped stabilize a team, finding contributions from all corners of the roster. Players like Kylah McCullers, Jaeda Murphy, and Janiya Jones have stepped into meaningful roles alongside her, giving MVSU a balanced and competitive rotation. The Devilettes won a SWAC tournament game last season and finished strong by winning four of their final five games.

Jefferson is one of four Devilettes who average at least 6.5 points per game. She is the team’s second-leading scorer with 9.6 points per game, just behind McCullers, who averages 9.8 and set career-high scoring marks in three straight games in early December.

Murphy adds 7.6 points and ranks fourth in the SWAC in assists, dishing out 3.0 per game, while Jones contributes 6.5 points each night. Jones’s growth, in particular, has been a story of quiet transformation.

A biology major, Jones has grown into her role, logging 23.3 minutes per game as the team’s point guard. She is learning the delicate balance between orchestrating for her teammates and trusting her own shot, with Coach James urging her to attack more often.

She responded right away, scoring 15 points in back-to-back games against Lipscomb and Nicholls State. Her love for the game comes from a family of athletes and the constant sound of basketballs in her home. Her mom and brothers played, and she spent years watching them, hoping to share their passion.

Softball was her first love, but basketball claimed her heart in fifth grade. Now, playing in her home state, the Olive Branch native finds herself performing for the very people who inspired her long before she ever dreamed of this stage.

“The biggest difference is the role I’m playing now,” Jones said. “Last year, I was coming off the bench and being a spark. Now, I’m the starter, and I have to score for my team. Even though we have a team full of scorers, the coach wants me to be more of a scorer this year. … Sometimes, it’s hard to decipher what’s a good shot or what’s a bad shot. I’m handling it pretty well. I don’t think I take necessarily bad shots. If anything, I hesitate.”

Jones is never shy about singing around her teammates. The Devilettes enjoy spending time together, whether they are working with their Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter or going to church as a team.

MVSU has two more nonconference games at Mississippi and UAB before breaking for Christmas and beginning SWAC play against Alabama A&M on Jan. 1. James has liked what he’s seen from his team, and he believes that once they get healthy and integrate additional newcomers, the Devilettes could surprise people this season.

As the Devilettes prepare for the challenges of the upcoming conference schedule, the foundation of hard work, leadership, and resilience already laid by players like Jefferson and Jones positions the team for continued growth and potential success.

From pain to purpose, Purifoy’s comeback lifts FAMU

Tahnyjia Purifoy is used to people counting her out before she ever checks in.

Even she had her moments of doubt.

“I honestly thought it might have been time to stop,” Purifoy said to The IX Basketball during a recent Zoom interview. “My body just had so much wear and tear.”

First, it was her height that drew whispers. Then came the injury, a porch pirate in broad daylight during the holiday season, threatening to steal away the game that had become her heartbeat.

But the traits that make the Florida A&M 5’0 senior guard and Pensacola, Fla., native one of the SWAC’s hidden gems aren’t measured in inches or listed on a roster. They live in places people can’t see: a heart that refuses to shrink, a faith that refuses to bend, and a resilience that keeps rising. Her determination insists her story isn’t over, and her tenacity mirrors her game — low to the ground but always climbing.

Pain was a constant companion, making every part of her day a struggle. Standing too long felt like fire, while sitting brought pressure rising within her bones. Even simple twists of her body sent sharp reminders that something was wrong, turning every walk to the bathroom into a tense contest of will against agony.

She explained that the source of her intense pain was fractures in her lower L5 vertebra on both the right and left sides. Purifoy played just two games last season before being shut down. After months of recovery and rehabilitation in the offseason, Purifoy returned near the start of this season.  

“When I went to the doctor, they basically suggested I could either do surgery or I could let it heal,” Purifoy said. “Talking with my parents, they chose the route just to let it heal on its own. It was shaky coming back, and rehab was tough. Everything hurt.”

Her spirit does not break. It bends, it battles, it believes. Through it all, she finds a way to rise.

“Sometimes I still have pain,” Purifoy said. “I honestly just never thought that it was going to get better. I kept going to the doctor, kept trying to figure some things out. It’s still kind of tricky. But you know when you trust God, and you believe in God, and you put it in his hands, it’s not too much else you can do.”

Purifoy has blossomed into a bright light for the Rattlers, who are still searching for their first win of the 2025–26 campaign, leading with her intensity, her play, and her gratitude.

“I feel very blessed,” Purifoy said. “I honestly can’t put it into words because I’m still floating on the high right now. I try to take my wins and stay humble with them. … I had those conversations with my parents, really hard, trying to figure out my next step. But I’m glad that I trusted God and stuck with the process.”

After a slow start to this season, Purifoy has scored in double figures in the Rattlers’ last three games. She had just 7 points total in FAMU’s first three games.

She poured in 14 points against Mercer, 13 against South Alabama, and a season-high 15 against Jacksonville, shooting a blistering 56.5% over that stretch. Every basket is a reminder: she takes nothing for granted, knowing how close she came to losing the game she’s loved since she was four.

Basketball wasn’t even supposed to be her sport. Purifoy was a gymnast first, while her older sister played basketball. With their practices far apart, her mother struck a deal: try basketball for now, and later she could return to gymnastics.

Purifoy’s confidence and presence radiate authenticity, sincerity, and power. Her return has been a gift to the Rattlers.

“People look at her size and want to count her out,” FAMU head coach Bridgette Gordon shared. “You can’t measure her heart, her leadership, and her IQ; that’s what people don’t see and don’t understand that she’s blessed to have and we’re blessed to have her. So what you’re seeing right now is not all that ‘little mama’ has. It’s just bits and pieces, and she’s putting it together at the right time. … She’s an extension of myself on the court, and the team responds to her very well.”

Majoring in general health to be accepted into FAMU’s nationally renowned pharmacy school, which graduates nearly 60% of all Black pharmacists in the country, Purifoy carries a purpose that reaches far beyond the court.

In quiet moments, whether she’s napping or chasing laughter with her 1-year-old nephew, Purifoy slips into the role of hairdresser. Her hands move with care and intention, reminding other women of their beauty and strength. That same steady, patient energy flows from her fingertips to the court, lifting those around her.

Now, optimism is sustaining her and the Rattlers. They begin SWAC play on Saturday, Jan. 3, against in-state rival Bethune-Cookman. FAMU has three nonconference contests remaining. Purifoy and the Rattlers believe they have the tools to be a factor during conference play.

Some of the Rattlers’ top scorers have been 5’8 junior guard Shaniyah McCarthy (10.9 points per game), 5’6 freshman guard Cornelia Ellington (9.5), and 5’7 freshman guard Niah Rhodes (8.5).

“We’re not where we expect to be right now (record-wise),” Purifoy said. “It did take us a little longer to come together … Nonconference is where you have those moments to grow, learn the team, and get these games out of the way. What matters to me right now would be SWAC play … I feel like from where we started to where we’re going, we’re doing an amazing job, and going to peak at the right time.”

After all she’s endured, who would dare count her out now?

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Stewart shining for Howard

Zoe Stewart bounced around the floor, slapped hands with her teammates, and kept sinking jumpers. In lifting Howard to its biggest win this season, a 72-69 triumph in a heavyweight women’s basketball contest against Fairfield on Dec. 5, Stewart was at her full-throttle best.

It was all gas and no brakes for the energetic guard who likes to dance during warmups.

The Stags entered the game ranked eighth in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 while the Bison came in ranked 19th. The nonconference showdown between the MAAC and MEAC preseason favorites lived up to the hype.

Yet, when the final buzzer sounded, it was Stewart’s season-high 23 points and leadership that shone brightest as her determined effort helped Howard rally from a 13-point first-quarter deficit. She scored 12 points in the second quarter as Howard outscored Fairfield, 22-8.

Her postgame smile spoke loudly, because beneath it was the sweet satisfaction of knowing she had made the best decision by transferring to Howard this season from Missouri State. Stewart has her groove back and a rekindled love for basketball after overcoming injuries and personal challenges.

“It’s been great,” Stewart said to The IX Basketball on Nov. 8 after Howard’s win over Florida A&M in a postgame interview. “I’ve been so happy here. That’s the one thing that I wanted. I wanted to be happy. I wanted to learn, and I wanted to enjoy my last two years of college. I’ve gotten 10 times more than that. I’ve fallen in love with basketball again, found that drive again. I’ve been around people who genuinely want what’s best for me, as a person and as a player. So, it’s been nothing but joy and happiness.”

It was a far cry from rehabbing from various injuries such as a ruptured bursa sac, Achilles discomfort and a high ankle sprain. Last season was challenging for Stewart because she spent more time spectating instead of playing. She tried to play on her injured ankle, but Stewart knew something was off.

There was a time when basketball felt like a sunrise to her: warm, alive, something that pulled her out of bed before the alarm rang. But somewhere along the way, the light dimmed. The dreams she once carried so boldly started gathering dust in the back of her mind.

Her steps slowed. Her smile disappeared. Practices blurred together. Drills felt mechanical.

Joy leaked out in small, quiet ways she couldn’t always identify. It all felt like clocking in. Like punching a timecard for a job she never applied for. It wasn’t fun anymore.

“I went through some injuries and some hardships that affected me off the court, basketball became a chore,” Stewart said. “God gave me the gifts to do it. But there wasn’t really love there. There wasn’t joy there, you know. … I didn’t get many minutes, and that was definitely frustrating, because I was supposed to be a big year.”

Stewart is making up for lost time and helping Howard enjoy a season to cherish. Howard is 8-5 overall after edging Hampton, 64-60, in the “Battle For The Real HU” this past week at CareFirst Arena. Howard’s win over Fairfield is the perfect complement to the season-opening road triumph against Providence. Stewart is second on the Bison in scoring (11.9 points per game).

She scored in double digits in six straight games from Nov. 23 to Dec. 10. Overall, she’s scored at least eight points in nine straight games.

Her bounce is back. She eagerly anticipates practices, film sessions, and bus rides.

“When I came here, I could definitely feel that shift,” Stewart said of transferring to Howard. “I wanted to be here. I wanted to do this every day, even days I was tired, you know. I step on the floor, and I find a joy in it. And so it just makes it more fun. You start to work for those goals that you have. It makes a big difference when you actually love what you do.”

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Coppin State learning to finish

First-year Coppin State head coach Darrell Mosley was low-key excited to see the same situation again. Close game. Little time remaining. The Eagles must execute and make winning plays.

“During a scrimmage, we were in the same position with a chance to win, but we went to overtime and lost,” Mosley said to The IX Basketball last week. “So when we found ourselves in the same scenario, I was confident that we could come through.”

He was right.

Trailing Sacred Heart by two points with 22 seconds remaining on Dec. 6, Coppin State’s Paris McBride sank a go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. Five seconds later, Khila Morris blocked a shot and split a pair of foul shots. Following another Sydney Burris foul shot, Coppin State had a 52-49 victory over Sacred Heart.

“Being able to finish this game in this manner was a huge lift,” Mosley said.

While it was only the Eagles’ second win of the season, it represented so much more. It was a sign to Mosley, who had to recruit 14 new players during a condensed window, that his Eagles are headed in the right direction and growing each game.

The Eagles followed that win with an 8-point loss on the road to SMU and a 7-point setback to William & Mary.

More importantly, Coppin State limited Sacred Heart and SMU to fewer than 60 points. Throughout the first two months, Coppin State has shown flashes and glimpses of brilliance against a powerful nonconference schedule. The Eagles trailed Ohio State and Penn State by single digits at intermission.

“I am impressed with the resiliency of my team and how hard they work,” Mosley said. “They never make excuses, and they’re always coming in ready to get after it … that’s great to see as a coach. It’s easier to keep their morale up, and I also keep them hungry by challenging them during practice and switching up the lineups. The fight has been impressive, and I tip my hat to them.”

One player who has delivered steady production is Morris, who is tied for sixth in the MEAC in scoring (12.0 points per game). Mosley has pushed her to elevate her impact — and she has responded. Morris has scored in double figures eight times, including a season-high 23 points against Penn State. She added eight points, six rebounds, and five assists against Towson, and three of her five blocks on the season came in the win over Sacred Heart.

McBride, averaging 6.6 points per game, has been the quiet heartbeat of the Eagles’ offense.

“Paris is the engine of the team,” Mosley said.

Together, Morris and McBride have accounted for 81 of Coppin State’s 137 assists, forming a steady and spirited backcourt tandem. McBride also dropped 17 points at Oklahoma.

Sophomore forward Shanaii Gamble has emerged as another bright spot, ranking second on the team at 7.3 points per game. She averaged 13.0 points during a two-game Big Ten road swing at Ohio State and Penn State. The Eagles also boast two of the MEAC’s top rebounders in Burris (eighth at 5.4 per game) and Patricia Sosa Lora (10th at 5.1).

Coppin State closes nonconference play with matchups against Temple (Dec. 19), Georgia (Dec. 21), and George Washington (Dec. 28) before opening league play against Delaware State on Jan. 3.