Pensacola, Fla. – No. 4 James Madison and No. 3 Arkansas State advance to the semifinal round of the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Championship presented by Air Force Reserve.
James Madison has not missed out on the semifinal round since joining the Sun Belt, while Arkansas State makes its second consecutive appearance.
GAME 9: (12) South Alabama 54, (4) James Madison 79 | Box Score
James Madison secured a spot in its fourth consecutive Sun Belt tournament semifinal with a 79–54 win over South Alabama.
No stranger to Pensacola, James Madison’s Peyton McDaniel led all scorers with 22 points while adding six steals and five assists. She was joined in double figures by Bree Robinson (16), Zakiya Stephenson (12), and Angel Williams (11).
James Madison opened the tournament game going 4-for-4 from the field to build an early lead over South Alabama.
Playing its fifth game in five days, a tired South Alabama team struggled against James Madison’s full-court press and was held scoreless for nearly eight of the first quarter’s 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the Dukes went on a scoring run and dominated the opening period, leading 28–8 heading into the second quarter.
The Dukes continued their strong play in the second, scoring 20 points while shooting 63.2 percent from the field to take a 48–21 lead into halftime.
James Madison’s dominance continued in the second half, with Robinson draining a three-pointer to open the scoring. The Dukes kept pulling away and went on to secure the 79–54 victory.
Since joining the Sun Belt, James Madison has reached the tournament semifinals every year. McDaniel is the only player who has been part of each of James Madison’s Sun Belt tournament teams.
No. 4 James Madison will face No. 1 Georgia Southern at 11:30 a.m. CT on Sunday.
GAME 10: (10) ULM 68, (3) Arkansas State 76 | Box Score
Arkansas State took down a tough ULM team in the tournament quarterfinals, winning 76–68.
Mia Tarver led the Redwolves with 15 points, going 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. Wynter Rogers and D’Arrah Allen also reached double figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Marcavia Shavers recorded her second double-double of the tournament with a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds. Marissa Gasaway added 11 points and eight rebounds, while J’Mani Ingram finished with nine points and 12 rebounds.
Arkansas State came out of the gate with a full-court press against ULM, looking to wear down the Warhawks in their fourth game of the tournament. The Redwolves’ defense forced 10 turnovers in the opening quarter.
ULM kept the score close until Arkansas State hit three consecutive three-pointers to take a 20–11 lead with a minute left in the first quarter.
Five different players knocked down shots from beyond the arc, as the Redwolves made nine three-pointers in the first half to take a 45–30 lead into halftime.
A competitive third quarter followed, with Arkansas State outscoring ULM by just one point. ULM held Arkansas State to just one three-pointer in the period as the Redwolves looked to pull away.
ULM opened the fourth quarter with consecutive baskets, cutting into Arkansas State’s lead. Finding a rhythm, the Warhawks went on a 12–0 run, holding Arkansas State scoreless for just over three minutes to cut the deficit to six, 66–60.
Defense dominated the fourth quarter, with both teams going scoreless for extended stretches. Arkansas State hit its biggest drought of the game, shooting just 2-of-12 from the field as time ticked away.
With 20 seconds to play, Jazmine Jackson hit a deep three-pointer to bring the Warhawks within four, 72–68. ULM ran out of time to mount a full comeback, as Arkansas State held on and punched its ticket to the semifinals.
Arkansas State will make its second consecutive appearance in the semifinals after winning last year’s championship. The Redwolves will face No. 2 Troy in tomorrow’s semifinal round.
2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Championship Presented by Air Force Reserve
Tuesday, March 3
Game 1 – (12) South Alabama 68, (13) App State 57
Game 2 – (11) Georgia State 66, (14) Louisiana 71
Wednesday, March 4
Game 3 – (9) Coastal Carolina 70, (12) South Alabama 80
Game 4 – (10) ULM 79, (14) Louisiana 63
Thursday, March 5
Game 5 – (8) Texas State 59, (12) South Alabama 69
Game 6 – (7) Southern Miss 72, (10) ULM 89
Friday, March 6
Game 7 – (5) Marshall 58, (12) South Alabama 73
Game 8 – (6) Old Dominion 67, (10) ULM 68
Saturday, March 7 (Quarterfinals)
Game 9 – (4) James Madison 79, (12) South Alabama 54
Game 10 – (3) Arkansas State 76, (10) ULM 68
Sunday, March 8 (Semifinals)
Game 11 – (1) Georgia Southern vs. (4) James Madison – 11:30 a.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 12 – (2) Troy vs. (3) Arkansas State – 2 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Monday, March 9 (Championship)
Game 13 – Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 – 1 p.m. CT [ESPNU]