JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Edward Waters University women's basketball team continues to make a powerful statement on the regional and national stage, earning the No. 3 spot in the latest NCAA Division II South Region Rankings during a historic stretch of play.
The Lady Tigers' rise has also been reflected nationally, as EWU received 14 votes in the latest WBCA NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll — an increase of ten votes from last week — highlighting the program's growing recognition across the country.
Edward Waters enters the matchup on a 12-game winning streak and currently sits atop the SIAC East Division standings with an impressive 21-4 overall record and a 19-3 mark in conference action. The sustained success has been fueled by a dominant defensive identity and balanced offensive production, positioning the Lady Tigers as one of the most complete teams in NCAA Division II.
Defensively, EWU has emerged as statistically the top defensive team among 290 NCAA Division II programs. The Lady Tigers are allowing just 49.6 points per game and have held opponents under 50 points in seven consecutive contests. Even more impressive, Edward Waters is limiting opponents to just 32.3 percent shooting from the field and 23.2 percent from three-point range — ranking second and third nationally in those respective categories.
Offensively, junior guard Tan Brown continues to lead the charge for the Lady Tigers. Brown is averaging 14.0 points per game — fifth best in the SIAC — and leads the conference with 63 made three-pointers. The Eustis, Fla. native has consistently stretched opposing defenses and delivered timely scoring throughout EWU's 12-game surge.
Senior forward Shcira Fowles has been a dominant presence on the glass and a key anchor in the Lady Tigers' success. The Harlem, N.Y. native leads the SIAC with 10.0 rebounds per contest, ranking 18th nationally. Fowles has recorded eight double-doubles this season while averaging 7.4 points per game. A two-time SIAC Newcomer of the Week honoree, she also ranks ninth in the conference with 2.6 assists per game, showcasing her versatility and all-around impact.
Junior guard Imani Harris continues to orchestrate the offense with poise and efficiency. The Bronx, N.Y. product is fourth in the SIAC with 3.5 assists per game and leads the conference with a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. Harris is averaging 11.3 points per game and has earned both SIAC Player of the Week and SIAC Newcomer of the Week honors this season, further highlighting her leadership in the backcourt.
The Lady Tigers will now face one of their toughest tests of the season as they travel to take on Miles, the top-ranked team in the SIAC West Division. The Golden Bears are currently ranked No. 21 in the nation and mirror EWU's success with a 21-4 overall record and a 19-3 conference mark, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between two of the conference's elite programs.
Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. tonight in Fairfield, Ala., inside Knox-Windham Gymnasium. The game will be live streamed on the SIAC Network.
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