A historic weekend for HBCU women's basketball saw Winston-Salem State capture its first-ever CIAA championship and Alabama A&M clinch a share of the SWAC regular-season title for the first time in program history.

Winston-Salem State defeated Fayetteville State 60–43 in the CIAA women’s tournament’s championship game on Feb. 28. Entering the matchup with a 26–3 record, the Rams relied on the same poised and physical style of play that defined their season. Throughout the 40-minute contest, the Rams remained relentless, stifling a Fayetteville State squad that struggled to find an offensive rhythm.  The Broncos fought until the final buzzer but couldn’t overcome the Rams’ defensive pressure.

The celebrations continued further south as Alabama A&M made history of its own. The Bulldogs clinched a share of the regular-season title with a gritty 51–43 victory over rival Alabama State on Saturday. Under the leadership of head coach Dawn Thornton, the Bulldogs are playing great basketball, extending their current winning streak to 15 games.

This milestone is particularly significant for Thornton and her players, as it marks the first time the Lady Bulldogs have posted consecutive 21-win seasons. With an overall record of 19–9 and a dominant 15–1 mark in conference play, the team is now on the verge of even greater heights. Alabama A&M can clinch the sole regular-season title with a win over Grambling State on Tuesday or Southern on March 5. After that, it’s on to the SWAC tournament, which kicks off in Atlanta on March 9.