HBCU Legends

Johnson C. Smith Captures The 2025 Black College Invitational Women's Championship

The Golden Bulls rallied from trailing by 18-points in the first half, to win by 6 points.

Kyle T. Mosley

BCIC Champions - Johnson C. Smith
BCIC Champions - Johnson C. Smith / HBCU GO
In this story:

Despite having four fouls, Kyshonna Brown came off the bench in the final quarter to lead Johnson C. Smith to a 65-59 victory over Clark Atlanta. Under the guidance of interim head coach Taisha Murphy, the Golden Bulls secured the inaugural Black College Invitational Women's Championship title at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Golden Bulls trailed by 18 points in the first half to the Panthers, but Coach Murphy kept her team focused on making the comeback.

"To just play our brand of basketball," Murphy said in her postgame interview. "We play really hard, we play really gritty. We got a little complacent after winning on Thursday. I think it was about bringing up our energy and locking down defensively that got us back in the game."

Johnson C. Smith Celebrates
Johnson C. Smith Celebrates / HBCU GO

Brown's passion and grit were fully displayed when she penetrated the paint to create a foul and finished with an old-fashioned three-point play. She led Johnson C. Smith, scoring 12 points, grabbing two rebounds, and snatching away four steals.

Desiree Smith and A'Qoyas Cody each scored 10 points in the Golden Bulls' incredible victory.

Clark Atlanta forward Corriana Evans scored a game-high 17 points while adding 11 rebounds, two steals, and one assist. Atreonia Garner had 12 points before halftime. The JCSU defense held her to four points in the second half, resulting in 16 for the match.

JCSU Celebrates
JCSU Celebrates / HBCU GO

Johnson C. Smith claimed their first contest lead when Desiree Smith made a layup off an A'Qoyas Cody pass. The Golden Bulls led 53-52 with 4:21 remaining in the final quarter.

The lead was a see-saw affair until JCSU started a 15-4 run at 2:26. Kyshonna Brown's three-point play was the exclamation point for the Golden Bulls, giving them a 63-57 advantage.

Clark Atlanta struggled throughout the game, with a 0-10 shooting performance from beyond the arc hampering their chances of making a comeback.

Johnson C. Smith held on to claim the victory, 65-59, and take home the first-ever Black College Invitational Women's Championship Trophy.

It's Championship Saturday at the BCIC with the women's title game tipping off at 12 PM ET and the men's game starts at 3:00 PM ET. Each contest will broadcast on HBCU GO from Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Women's Championship

Clark Atlanta vs. Johnson C. Smith

Clark Atlanta Leads JSCU at Halftime
Clark Atlanta Leads JSCU at Halftime / HBCU GO

Clark Atlanta leads Johnson C. Smtih, 32-23, at halftime. Panthers guard Atreonia Garner is already in double figures scoring 12 points in the first half. Corrina Evans and Trinity Jones each have 6 points apiece.

Johnson C. Smith is being led by A'Qoyas Cody with 6 points.

Atreonia Garner - Clark Atlanta
Atreonia Garner - Clark Atlanta / CAU Athletics

3rd Quarter

  • Golden Bulls close the gap to 34-30 with 5:52 left in the period.
  • Game tied at 34, 3:39 mark. Q3
Panthers lead again
Panthers lead again / HBCU GO

Clark Atlanta leads Johnson C. Smith, 43-38, at the end of the 3rd quarter at the BCIC Women's Championship game.

Clark Atlanta leads Johnson C. Smith, 43-38, at the end of the 3rd quarter at the BCIC Women's Championship game.
Clark Atlanta leads Johnson C. Smith, 43-38, at the end of the 3rd quarter at the BCIC Women's Championship game. / HBCU GO

4th Quarter

The Panthers open the scoring in the final period. But Golden Bulls answer. 48-44 at 7:52 in Q4.

Panthers keep lead
Panthers keep lead / HBCU GO

Johnson C. Smith eats away at the Panthers lead. Now just by one point, 51-50.

51-50
51-50 / HBCU GO

Smith takes their first lead of the contest at 54-53 with 3:00 minutes left.

Smith Takes The Lead
Smith Takes The Lead / HBCU GO

Smith has the advantage with 44 seconds left.

Smith Leads
Smith Leads / HBCU GO
Brown extends the lead
Brown extends the lead / HBCU GO

Johnson C. Smith takes a commanding lead, 63-57. with 18.5 on the clock.

Johnson C. Smith takes a commanding lead, 63-57. with 18.5 on the clock.
Johnson C. Smith takes a commanding lead, 63-57. with 18.5 on the clock. / HBCU GO

2025 Black College Invitational Women's Champions - Johnson C. Smith

Johnson C Smith Wins
Johnson C Smith Wins / Credit: HBCU GO

The Men's Championship

VA Union vs. Claflin

SEMIFINALS GAME RESULTS

Here are the game results at the Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC) games being held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Women's Game 1

Clark Atlanta - 72, VA Union 64

Men's Game 1

Central State - 64, Claflin - 80

Women's Game 2: Johnson C. Smith 77, Livingstone 59

Men's Game 2: VA Union 76, Johnson C. Smith 63

BCIC TEAMS ANNOUNCED

On Monday's HBCU Nightly with Joshua Sims Sr., he unveiled the BCIC Tournament of teams. Eight teams from the SIAC and CIAA - 4 men's, 4 women's - were announced as participants in the inaugural season of the Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC).

BCIC will host the following basketball teams:

Women's

Game 1: Clark Atlanta vs. VA Union (72-64, Clark Atlanta Wins)
Game 2: Johnson C. Smtih vs. Livingstone

Men's

Game 1: Central State vs. Claflin
Game 2: VA Union vs. Johnson C. Smith

The tournament's games will tip-off on Thursday, Mar. 20 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

BCIC BRACKETS
BCIC BRACKETS / Credit: BCIC

HBCU Basketball's Inaugural 'Black College Invitational Championship' Ready To Launch

HBCU Basketball will host the first-ever Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC) from Mar. 20 to 23 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The postseason playoff will feature sixteen Division I and Division II basketball teams from the HBCU conferences - CIAA, and SIAC - for the rights to be crowned the 2024 BCIC Champion.

The online seating purchase window is available for the Thursday to Saturday games at Ticketmaster.com.

Dr. Wes Bellamy, CEO of the Black College Invitational Championship, told 'The Highest Point Podcast' host Matt Devaunn that "each school participating in the postseason event would receive $10,000." BCIC covers "all travel, lodging, food, per diem, and a first-class experience for all student-athletes." He continued, "The winning school will get $25,000.00."

Bellamy believes in supporting HBCUs and having our talented basketball programs "not to beg anyone to be in their tournaments." The BCIC will have in-game experiences and activation areas for fans. Local high school bands will provide the musical entertainment, while B Dhat and No Limit Larry will host the event.

"I'm doing this for the culture, and sometimes it'd be for themselves or their pocket. Right. We're not making money from this [event]," Dr. Bellamy noted. "We're paying to do this tournament, and then the proceeds are going to be going back into our institutions."

The BCIC will begin on Mar. 20 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 16 participating teams have not yet been announced. For more information, visit the online website at https://blackcollegeinvitationalchampionship.org.

Follow Kyle T. Mosley on X (Twitter) @KTMOZE + @HBCULegends + @BlackSportsInc to never miss another breaking news story!

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our HBCU LEGENDS Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE

Subscribe to our free HBCU Legends newsletter for the latest HBCU sports news and updates delivered directly to your inbox from HBCU Legends on Sports Illustrated.

HBCU BASKETBALL NEWS

LISTEN TO HBCU LEGENDS PODCAST

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: