By MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAIN STREET
JACKSONVILLE, FL— The numbers tell one story. The journey tells another.
In just its second season competing at the NCAA Division II level, Edward Waters University women’s basketball has produced one of the most remarkable seasons in the country. The Lady Tigers enter the 2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament with a 23–6 record, the SIAC East Division Championship, and a No. 22 ranking in the WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches Poll—the highest national ranking in program history since transitioning to Division II.
But the statistic that has captured the attention of college basketball observers across the country is this:
Edward Waters owns the No. 1 scoring defense in all of NCAA Division II.
Now Edward Waters will carry that identity into the NCAA Tournament when the Lady Tigers face No. 1 seed University of Alabama in Huntsville (28–5) in the opening round of the South Regional on March 13 at Spragins Hall in Huntsville, Alabama.
The matchup features one of the most compelling contrasts in the tournament.
The nation’s top defense against one of Division II’s most productive offenses.
But for Edward Waters, the moment represents more than a postseason appearance.
It represents the rapid rise of a program — and a coach — building something special.
The Architect of the Turnaround
At the center of Edward Waters’ emergence is head coach Eric Jackson Jr.
At just 38 years old, Jackson has completed his 11th season in collegiate coaching, and his arrival in Jacksonville immediately began changing the trajectory of the Lady Tigers program.
In his first season at Edward Waters, Jackson guided the team to a 16–9 record, finishing third in the SIAC East Division. The Lady Tigers’ 12–7 conference record marked the program’s first winning record since joining NCAA Division II.
That inaugural season also saw Jackson recruit and develop Mia Morel, who was named SIAC Newcomer of the Year and an All-SIAC Third Team selection.
The season laid the foundation for what would follow.
In year two, that foundation turned into a breakthrough.
EWU Coaching Staff: Jordan Jackson (Asst. Coach), Eric Jackson, Jr. (Head Coach), Kavaci-A "Shay" Johnson (Asst. Coach) and Ato Green (Asst. Coach). Courtesy EWU Athletics
From Building Year to Breakthrough
The Lady Tigers’ 2025–26 campaign did not begin as a national storyline.
Edward Waters opened the season with three early losses while adjusting to the challenges of Division II competition.
What followed was one of the strongest runs in the country.
The Lady Tigers responded with a program-record 14-game winning streak, finishing the regular season 23–6 overall and 21–3 in SIAC play, securing the first SIAC East Division Championship in program history.
Edward Waters climbed steadily in the national rankings before finishing No. 22 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, placing the Lady Tigers among the nation’s elite Division II programs.
The rise reflected Jackson’s philosophy — discipline, defense, and balanced leadership across the roster.
The Nation’s Best Defensive Team
Under Jackson, Edward Waters has developed one of the most effective defensive systems in Division II basketball.
The Lady Tigers rank among the national leaders in multiple categories:
• No. 1 nationally – scoring defense (50.4 points per game)
• No. 1 nationally – three-point defense (22.5%)
• No. 2 nationally – opponent field-goal percentage (32.0%)
During the final stretch of the season, nine of Edward Waters’ last ten opponents failed to reach 50 points.
The defensive identity became clear in December at the HBCU Hoops Invitational in Orlando, where the Lady Tigers defeated Division I Bethune-Cookman 55–46, a statement victory that helped ignite their historic run.
Leaders on the Floor
Edward Waters’ success has been driven by a balanced roster of standout players.
Senior forward Shcira Fowles anchors the team’s rebounding presence. The Harlem native ranks:
• No. 18 nationally in rebounds per game (10.0)
• No. 20 nationally in total rebounds (290)
• No. 8 nationally in defensive rebounds per game (7.7)
She has recorded eight double-doubles this season.
Point guard Imani Harris directs the offense with composure, averaging 11.1 points and 3.3 assists per game while posting a 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Senior guard Amelya Hatch provides reliability in key moments, ranking No. 27 nationally in free-throw percentage (86.5%).
Strength in Depth
What makes Edward Waters particularly dangerous is the depth across the roster.
Players such as Diana Letaru and others have delivered key contributions throughout the season, allowing the Lady Tigers to maintain defensive intensity and rebounding pressure for all four quarters.
That depth has allowed Edward Waters to remain fresh late in games while sustaining the defensive energy that defines the program.
It’s a team built not around a single star, but around collective execution.
The NCAA Tournament Challenge
Standing between Edward Waters and the next chapter of its historic season is University of Alabama in Huntsville, the No. 1 seed in the South Region.
The Chargers feature one of the most explosive offenses in Division II basketball.
Lili Wilken ranks No. 4 nationally in scoring, averaging 22.2 points per game, while guard Bella White ranks No. 36 nationally in assists with 126 and maintains a 1.80 assist-to-turnover ratio.
UAH thrives on offensive tempo and ball movement.
Edward Waters counters with the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense, elite rebounding, and a roster capable of sustaining pressure throughout the game.
A Moment Bigger Than the Game
For Edward Waters, the 2025–26 season has already reshaped the program’s future.
A national ranking.
A division championship.
The best defense in Division II basketball.
And now the NCAA Tournament stage.
But when the Lady Tigers step onto the floor in Huntsville, they will represent more than their own program.
They will represent the continued rise of HBCU basketball on the national stage.
Because this season has already proven something important.
The toughest defense in Division II basketball doesn’t belong to a traditional powerhouse.
It belongs to an HBCU in Jacksonville, Florida.
And now the rest of the country is about to see it. 🏀
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