Complete Schedule and Key Matchups for Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Tournament

March Madness is here, and the Sun Belt Conference is getting ready for its women’s basketball tournament in Pensacola, Florida. The tournament uses a stepladder system, which should make things interesting for everyone involved.

Georgia Southern, the regular-season champ, and second-ranked Troy have already locked in their spots in the semifinals. Meanwhile, No. 3 Arkansas State and No. 4 James Madison will start in the quarterfinals.

The tournament runs from Tuesday to Monday, and the winner grabs an automatic ticket to March Madness. All games stream on ESPN+, and the championship airs on ESPNU.

If you want more details, check out the Montgomery Advertiser.

Opening Rounds: Early Surprises and Key Performances

The first games brought some real surprises. In Game 1, No. 12 South Alabama beat No. 13 Appalachian State 68-57.

*Cordasia Harris* stood out with 15 points and 15 rebounds, helping the Jaguars move on. Game 2 had No. 14 Louisiana upsetting No. 11 Georgia State, 71-66.

The Ragin’ Cajuns came back from being down 11 in the first quarter to win. But their run ended in Game 4, where No. 10 Louisiana-Monroe edged them out 79-73 in a tense in-state battle.

South Alabama’s Momentum

South Alabama kept rolling in Game 3, taking down No. 9 Coastal Carolina 80-70. *Chrysta Narcisse* led with a huge 24-point game, pushing the Jaguars forward.

Upcoming Matchups: Quarterfinals and Beyond

Things are only going to get tougher as the tournament moves ahead. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:

• Game 5: No. 8 Texas State vs. No. 12 South Alabama (11:30 a.m.)
• Game 6: No. 7 Southern Miss vs. No. 10 Louisiana-Monroe (2 p.m.)
• Game 7: No. 5 Marshall vs. Game 5 Winner (11:30 a.m.)
• Game 8: No. 6 Old Dominion vs. Game 6 Winner (2 p.m.)

Semifinals and Championship

The quarterfinal winners will face the top-seeded teams next:

• Game 9: No. 4 James Madison vs. Game 7 Winner (12 p.m.)
• Game 10: No. 3 Arkansas State vs. Game 8 Winner (2:30 p.m.)
• Game 11: No. 1 Georgia Southern vs. Game 9 Winner (11:30 a.m.)
• Game 12: No. 2 Troy vs. Game 10 Winner (2 p.m.)

The winners of Game 11 and Game 12 will battle for the title at 1 p.m. on ESPNU.

Key Players to Watch

A few players have already made big statements in the early rounds. Here are some names to remember as things heat up:

• Cordasia Harris – South Alabama: She opened the tournament with a double-double. She’s tough to stop.
• Chrysta Narcisse – South Alabama: Her 24 points against Coastal Carolina show she’s a real scoring threat.
• Georgia Southern and Troy: The top seeds have plenty of talent. Their stars will matter most in the late rounds.

Strategies and Predictions

The stepladder format shakes things up, letting higher seeds like Georgia Southern and Troy rest while others fight through extra games. That’s a nice advantage, but is it really enough?

Georgia Southern and Troy look like favorites based on their regular seasons. Still, Arkansas State and James Madison have shown they can hang with anyone, so I wouldn’t count them out just yet.

Conclusion: A Tournament to Remember

The Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball tournament is shaping up to be something special. There’s a real sense of excitement in the air, with big plays and unexpected twists popping up every game.

An automatic bid to March Madness is at stake. Every team is going all out, fighting for their shot.

If you’re even a little curious, it’s worth checking out the latest updates and results on the Montgomery Advertiser.