The Governors State women’s basketball team pulled off a historic upset Thursday afternoon, defeating top-seeded Campbellsville (KY) 59-52 in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.
In a game that tested their grit from start to finish, the fifth-seeded Jaguars showed no fear on the big stage, outplaying one of the nation’s top teams with tough defense, smart offense, and a whole lot of heart.
Cencere McDaniel was locked in from the opening tip, leading all scorers with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including three triples and three clutch free throws. The junior guard also added seven rebounds and stayed cool under pressure, helping GovState maintain composure through every run Campbellsville tried to make.
Kalvina Eubanks had another standout performance in the paint, recording a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double while anchoring the defense with smart rotations and key stops. Tabetha Jones added 11 points and five assists while knocking down 7-of-8 free throws—most of them coming in key fourth-quarter moments.
Zareia Chevre contributed nine points, five rebounds, and three assists in a versatile outing, and Da’Naria Washington quietly filled the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
While the offensive effort was balanced, it was the Jaguars’ defense that stole the show. GovState held Campbellsville to just 27.9% shooting from the field and only 5-of-21 from three-point range. The Tigers, who entered the game with a high-powered offense, never found a rhythm thanks to the Jaguars’ pressure and control on the boards.
GovState lost the rebound battle to Campbellsville 38-41, but racked up nine steals, with several of them leading to fast-break points that swung momentum.
Even when Campbellsville made a late push, the Jaguars stayed locked in and closed strong—outscoring the Tigers 16-13 in the final quarter to seal the deal.
Next Stop: National Quarterfinals
With the win, Governors State (29-5) moves on to the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championship. They’ll face off March 21 at 8 p.m. CT against the winner of No. 7 Mid-America Christian (Okla.) and No. 3 Briar Cliff (Iowa).
After taking down the tournament’s No. 1 seed, the Jaguars have shown they can hang with the best—and they’re not done yet.