Knights Women's Basketball Opens Championship Tournament against Fisk Bulldogs

Game Preview: 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Basketball Championship

No. 7 West SUNO Knights vs. No. 6 East Fisk Bulldogs

Tuesday | First Round | Watch Live | Live Stats

The 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Basketball Championship tips off Tuesday, and Southern University at New Orleans will look to make some noise as the No. 7 seed out of the West when they square off against No. 6 East seed Fisk University in the opening round. The two programs met just two weeks ago in the regular season, with Fisk escaping with a 66-63 victory — a margin that tells you everything you need to know about what kind of game this will to be.

Revenge on the Mind

That three-point loss to Fisk on February 7th was one of several agonizing near-misses that defined SUNO's 2025-26 season. The Knights closed the regular season on a strong note, winning two of their final three games including an impressive 79-69 victory over Morris, and they'll carry that momentum into Tuesday's matchup with plenty of motivation. They've already seen what Fisk looks like, they know what to expect, and if the margin last time was any indication, this is a team they can absolutely beat.

Slow It Down, Force the Mistakes

The biggest factor in determining a SUNO victory Tuesday will be pace of play. Fisk thrives in an uptempo, free-flowing game where they can get out in transition and put pressure on defenses before they can get set. The Knights, by contrast, are at their best when they can control the tempo, grind possessions out, and force opponents into uncomfortable situations. SUNO averaged 21.4 turnovers per game this season — a number they'll need to clean up — but they also proved capable of generating chaos on the defensive end, averaging 10.7 steals per game. If SUNO can pressure Fisk's guards into mistakes while taking care of the ball themselves, the Knights have the defensive tools to make Tuesday a very long night for the Bulldogs.

That shot-blocking presence will matter too. SUNO's 107 blocks on the season — compared to just 86 by their opponents — signals a frontcourt that can deter drives and protect the paint. If Fisk wants to push pace, they'll have to contend with a SUNO interior that has shown all season it can erase mistakes and change shots.

Sylvas Must Be the Anchor

If SUNO is going to come out with a win, Tierra Sylvas may be the single most important player on the floor. The do-everything forward averaged 11.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and contributed heavily on both ends of the floor all season long. She logged 45 minutes in an overtime game at Dillard back in February, showing the kind of endurance and toughness that becomes invaluable in high-stakes tournament basketball. Against Fisk's pace, SUNO will need Sylvas commanding the glass and refusing to allow second-chance opportunities that could fuel the Bulldogs' transition offense. If she can control the defensive boards and push the ball into a halfcourt setting, SUNO immediately takes away Fisk's biggest advantage.

Harris and Jack Must Set the Tone Early

Jordan Harris and Kaylan Jack are the one-two offensive punch that can absolutely keep SUNO in this game and ultimately win it. Harris, who averaged 13.5 points per game and led the team with 4.7 assists, is the key to dictating tempo from the jump. If she can be disciplined with the basketball — she battled turnover trouble at points during the regular season — and run the offense at SUNO's preferred pace, the Knights' offense is more than capable of hanging with anyone. Harris also connected on 44 three-pointers this season, and if Fisk's defense gives her space, she has proven she will make them pay.

Jack, meanwhile, averaged 13.3 points per game and is one of the most versatile players on the roster. Her 9-steal performance earlier this season is a reminder that she's as dangerous as a disruptor as she is as a scorer. If Fisk is trying to push pace, Jack's quickness and instincts in the passing lanes could be a genuine game-changer — turning Fisk turnovers into easy opportunities before the Bulldogs even get a chance to set up their offense.

The Three-Point Edge

One area where SUNO can exploit Fisk regardless of tempo is from beyond the arc. The Knights knocked down 6.1 three-pointers per game this season, well ahead of their opponents' average of 4.6. That perimeter shooting, spread across Harris, Jack, and Katelynn Wilson — who shot 50% from three in her five games this season — gives SUNO the ability to punish any defensive lapses and keep the scoreboard ticking even in a halfcourt game. If Fisk's defense collapses to stop Sylvas and Smith in the paint, the three-point line becomes SUNO's best friend.

The Bottom Line

This SUNO team is not the sum of its 8-13 record. They played close games all season, competed on nights when lesser teams would have folded, and closed out the regular season with the kind of energy a tournament run demands. They've already faced Fisk once and know what it takes to beat them. If the  Knights can control tempo, protect the basketball, dominate the glass with Sylvas and Jakhiya Smith anchoring the frontcourt, and let Harris and Jack create havoc on the defensive end, there is every reason to believe SUNO walks out of Tuesday's first round with a signature win and a chip on their shoulder heading deeper into the bracket.

The Knights have something to prove. Expect them to come ready to play.

For more information on SUNO Athletics, visit sunoathletics.com.

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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.