LORMAN, Miss. – For the first time in school history, Alcorn Women's Basketball will host the opening round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) as the Braves welcome South Alabama to Davey L. Whitney Complex on Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m.
 
The invitation represents the third postseason appearance all-time for Alcorn Women's Basketball, and the first since the 2004-05 campaign under legendary head coach Shirley A. Gibbs-Walker. That season, the Braves took on Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament after claiming the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Regular Season and Tournament titles, respectively.
 
Across the 2025-26 regular season, Alcorn turned in a 17-12 record (14-4 SWAC) en route to earning the No. 2 seed in the SWAC Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves fell in the quarterfinal round to No. 7 seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 64-60, allowing them to finish 17-13 overall leading into the postseason. The Braves arrive to the postseason on the heels of back-to-back losses, both decisions coming at the hands of the UAPB Golden Lions, respectfully.
 
At home, Alcorn is 10-3 on the year, with losses coming to Nicholls, UAPB and Jackson State (overtime).
 
Alcorn is led in scoring by Nakia Cheatham – the 2026 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-SWAC First Team selection – with 395 points (13.2 ppg). She also leads the team in rebounds (228) and blocked shots (31). Kiarra Henderson is second on the Purple and Gold with 304 points (10.1 ppg), and second on the squad in rebounds (188), while topping the team in assists (133).
 
Maya Hunkin-Claytor is Alcorn's top threat from the outside with a school single season record of 71 made three-pointers, connecting at a 34.3 percent clip overall from beyond the arc.
 
As for South Alabama, the Jaguars reeled off seven consecutive wins before stumbling to James Madison in the quarterfinal round of the Sun Belt Tournament. For the Jaguars, the postseason nod marks the program's fifth WNIT appearance, with the last coming in 2019 versus Wyoming.
 
Ticket information and parking details will be powered by MyImpactTickets.com.
 
For more information about the WNIT, please visit WomensNIT.com.
 
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