Knights Women’s Basketball Faces Crucial Week with Wiley, Philander Smith Matchups as Conference Play Continues

The Southern University at New Orleans women's basketball team (6-2, 1-1 HBCUAC) faces a pivotal week with back-to-back road games heading into the heart of the season. They take on Wiley University (6-2, 1-0 HBCUAC) on Thursday evening and then head to Little Rock to take on Philander Smith University (5-4, 1-0 HBCUAC) on Saturday afternoon.

Bouncing Back from Heartbreak
SUNO enters the week after a narrow 69-67 loss to Paul Quinn on November 22 that snapped a strong four-game winning streak. The Knights had momentum rolling with impressive victories, including a dominant 101-71 dismantling of Mobile, but now must prove they can respond to adversity.

The silver lining? This team has shown it knows how to win. At 6-2 overall, the Knights have demonstrated they can compete with anyone when they execute their game plan and play with intensity on both ends of the floor.

Offensive Firepower Led by Sylvas, Harris
Senior guard/forward Tierra Sylvas continues to be the engine that makes everything go for SUNO. Leading the team with 127 points (15.9 ppg), Sylvas has been remarkably efficient at 44.6% from the field while also doing the dirty work on the glass with 73 rebounds (9.1 rpg). Her 29 assists and 20 steals showcase her complete game—she impacts winning in every category.

Jordan Harris provides the perimeter punch and facilitating the Knights need from the guard position. The senior is averaging 14.5 points per game while leading the team with 49 assists. Harris has connected on 18 three-pointers this season and maintains a solid 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio, showing poise with the basketball.

Inside, Jakhiya Smith has been a force. The sophomore forward is shooting 54.5% from the field and averaging 8.0 points per game while pulling down 9.5 rebounds. When Smith is on the floor, SUNO controls the paint.

Senior Hannah Cornelious adds 7.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while anchoring the defense with 13 blocks. Her presence around the rim allows the guards to be more aggressive on the perimeter.

The Wednesday Test at Wiley
The trip to Marshall, Texas, presents challenges beyond just the opponent. Road games in the HBCUAC are never easy, and Wiley will be looking to protect its home court. The Wildcats reached the HBCUAC Championship game last season, falling to Philander Smith, and return with championship aspirations of their own.

For SUNO to come away with a victory, several keys must fall into place:

Dominate the Paint: Smith and Cornelious must establish themselves early and control the rebounding battle. SUNO is essentially even on the boards this season (47.8 rpg vs. 47.6 rpg for opponents), but they need to win this battle on the road.

Perimeter Efficiency: The Knights are shooting just 30.3% from three-point range overall and an alarming 15.6% in conference play. Wilson's hot shooting needs to continue, and Harris must find her stroke to keep Wiley's defense honest.

Take Care of the Basketball: At 18.8 turnovers per game, SUNO is giving away too many possessions. On the road against a quality opponent, every possession matters. The Knights need Harris and the guards to value each trip down the floor.

Defensive Pressure: SUNO's 11.9 steals per game show they can disrupt opponents. Using full-court pressure to force turnovers and get easy baskets in transition could be the difference-maker.

Friday's Test in Little Rock
The road trip continues to Little Rock, Ark., where Philander Smith represents perhaps the week's biggest challenge. The Panthers are the defending HBCUAC Tournament champions and bring a winning pedigree to their home court. They've proven they know how to win in big moments.

Philander Smith will test every aspect of SUNO's game. The Panthers are well-coached, disciplined, and won't beat themselves. They'll make the Knights earn every basket, and the Knights have proven all season that this is a challenge they're built to overcome.

Keys to Victory:

Road Warrior Mentality: This will be the Knights' second straight road game in a condensed schedule. Mental and physical toughness will be essential. The team that stayed together during the four-game winning streak needs to resurface.

Match Their Physicality: Championship-caliber teams play with an edge, and Philander Smith has that DNA on their home floor. SUNO must match their toughness on every possession—loose balls, contested shots, and physical defense will determine this game.

Offensive Flow: The Knights average 78.1 points per game, and they need to find quality shots against the Panthers' scrappy defensive play. Ball movement, spacing, and attacking mismatches will be critical. Sylvas needs to have a big game, and the supporting cast must step up.

Rebound and Run: If SUNO can control the defensive glass and push pace, they can use their athleticism to create advantages. But they must secure the ball first—second-chance opportunities for Philander Smith energizes them, so SUNO has to limit those chances.

The Bigger Picture
This week represents a critical juncture for the  Knights. At 1-1 in conference play, they're right in the mix, but a challenging two-game road swing will test their resolve and championship aspirations.

The talent is there. Sylvas, Harris, Wilson, Smith, and Cornelious give SUNO the pieces to compete with anyone. The team has shown they have a short memory when it comes to adversity -  a mentality that will bode well for this as they face two tough teams.

The Knights have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly during their four-game winning streak. Now they need to prove they can sustain that level of play in back-to-back road games against quality conference opponents.

With Harris orchestrating the offense, Sylvas providing strong all-around play, and Kaylan Jack's ability to stretch the floor, SUNO has the offensive firepower. If they can clean up the turnovers, hit open threes, and bring consistent defensive intensity from Cornelious and Smith on the road, this team can make noise in the conference race.

The time for potential is over. This week is about results.

For the team's schedule, visit sunoathletics.com.

-SUNOKNIGHTLIFE-

Home Game Tickets & Media

Season tickets will be available through SUNO Athletics at the Emmett Bashful Administration Building cashier's office. Fans can make their purchase in person or by calling (504) 286-5321. Admission is $10 for basketball single games and $15 for doubleheaders.

Media inquiries, interview requests, and credential applications should be directed to athletics@suno.edu.

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About SUNO Athletics

The Southern University at New Orleans Knights Department of Athletics emphasizes competitive excellence, academic achievement and community engagement. For the full 2025–26 schedule, rosters, and ticket information, visit sunoathletics.com and follow @sunoathletics on social media.