Alcorn State women’s basketball will play in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament for the first time in program history when it hosts South Alabama on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Davey L. Whitney Complex in Lorman, Mississippi, according to school officials.
The Braves (17-13) earned their postseason bid after falling in their conference tournament quarterfinals. South Alabama (16-18), also knocked out in their conference tournament, will be the opponent in the opening round.
This marks Alcorn’s first appearance in the WNIT. The last postseason appearance for the Braves was in the 2005 NCAA Tournament, when they faced Michigan State under coach Shirley A. Gibbs-Walker. The team has competed in three NCAA tournaments under Gibbs-Walker.
Leading scorer Nakia Cheatham, a graduate student and the 2026 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, averages 13.2 points per game and leads in rebounds and blocks. Kiarra Henderson, a senior, is second on the team with 10.1 points per game and tops in assists. Hunkin-Claytor set the school record with 71 three-pointers this season.
Alcorn last played Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the SWAC quarterfinals, losing 64-60. The Braves rallied in the final quarter but fell short. Cheatham scored a team-high 16 points in that game, and Henderson contributed seven points in the third quarter to keep Alcorn competitive.
South Alabama leads the all-time series 6-4, with Alcorn winning the most recent matchup during the 2002-03 season. The Jaguars are led by Amyah Sutton, who averages 11.4 points per game, and Cordasia Harris, who averages 10.2 points and leads in rebounds. South Alabama ranks in the top 40 nationally in offensive rebounds per game, with 14.5.
Fans can watch the game via SWAC TV, follow live stats, or listen to WPRL-FM 91.7. Updates are also available on Alcorn’s social media platforms, including Twitter and Instagram.
