The Southern University Jaguars made history after beating UC San Diego Tritons 68-56
Southern University Jaguars #1 Aniya Gourdine (G) is being defended by UC San Diego Tritons #32 Parker Montgomery (G). Photo by Olumide Macaulay/TGSportstv1 March 19, 2025.
WESTWOOD, CA - The SWAC Conference made history for the first time in the NCAA Division 1 First Four Women's Basketball Tournament when Soniyah Reed scored 24 points, Aniya Gourdine with 17 points, and Tionna Lidge helped the No.16 Southern University Jaguars beat the No. 16 (Big West) UC San Diego Tritons 68-56 to advance to the first round and take on the No. 1 UCLA Bruins on Friday at Pauley Pavilion.
The Jaguars bench outscored the Tritons bench 33-12, and was 6 of 10 from three-point range, compared to UC San Diego being 9 of 26 from three-point range.
Southern head coach Carlos Funches and his team had to sweat it out as UC San Diego kept the game close late in the contest.
"I thought our ladies came out and set the tone early, knocking down shots," Funchess said. " Soniyah Reed was unbelievable starting the game off. Ari helped us close out the game, but they did a great job starting the game up. We had a 20-point lead. I knew they were going to make a run at some point. I didn't know when, especially with how they shoot the basketball, but we did a great job of knocking down free throws and keeping our composure down the stretch."
"Congratulations to Southern on not just an excellent season, but a hard-fought game tonight," UC San Diego head women's basketball coach Heidi VanDerveer told reporters during the postgame press conference. "I thought that they came out and set the tone defensively. We struggled in the first half and weren't in sync. They made us pay for every mistake we made. … Southern is well-coached and very talented. Bringing (Reed) off the bench is a luxury. She got loose in our defense in the first half and made us pay.
Southern took a 19-11 lead in the first quarter thanks to Soniyah Reed shooting, 4 of 4 from the floor, and three for three from the three-point range with 11 points.
The Jaguars led 27-13 in the second quarter with back-to-back three-pointers by Aleighyah Fontenot, forcing UC San Diego to call a timeout with 7:18 left before halftime.
UC San Diego Tritons #3 Sumayah Sugapong (G) is driving the baseline against several Southern Univeristy Jaguars defenders. Photo by Olumide Macaulay/TGSportstv1 March 19, 2025.
The Tritons were trying to stay close, trailing 36-17 after a jump shot by Sumayah Sugapong. The Jaguars led at halftime 40-20.
UC San Diego made the game much closer, now trailing 44-33 with 5:54 left in the third quarter after Sugapong knocked a three-pointer in front of her bench, and Southern had to call a timeout.
The Tritons continue to scrap and fight to get back in the game, down 49-38 with a three-pointer by Parker Montgomery. UC San Diego trailed by nine points at the end of the third quarter, 49-40, with two free throws by Sugapong.
Southern led 51-40 in the fourth quarter after D'Shantae Edwards was fouled on her made basket and missed the free throw. The Tritons were in striking distance with a driving layup by Kayanna Spriggs with 4:25 left in the game.
Janae Mahan cut the lead to nine points, 59-50, with her jump shot inside the key. UC San Diego got a break, forcing Southern to have a five-second count to inbound the ball. The Tritons trail 62-56 with a massive basket by Mahan with 54 seconds left in the game.
UC San Diego could only foul to give them some chance to win the game, but it was too late after the Jaguars made free throws to end the game 68-56 and send them dancing to the next journey on their trip in the NCAA Tournament.
Sugapong led the Tritons in scoring, with 19 points, Parker Montgomery with 15 points, and Erin Condron with 8 points.