Charleston Cougars make history with first CAA Tournament crown
Charleston has claimed its first-ever CAA Tournament title with a 68-56 victory over Hofstra. The win secures the Cougars a historic spot in the women's NCAA Tournament, marking a first for the programme.
The final saw standout performances from the Barbot sisters, who led the team's dominant second-half surge.
Charleston started strong, opening the game with an 11-0 run to take an 18-11 lead in the first quarter. Hofstra fought back in the second, outscoring the Cougars 22-12 to enter halftime with a narrow 33-30 advantage.
The momentum shifted decisively after the break. Charleston stormed out with a 14-0 run to begin the third quarter, powered by 10 straight points from the Barbot twins. This surge extended their lead to 51-40 by the end of the period.
Taryn Barbot led all scorers with 23 points, while her sister Taylor added 16. Jami Hill contributed 14 points, including four three-pointers, and Grace Ezebilo recorded a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds. The Cougars' defence held Hofstra to just 56 points, continuing their tournament trend of keeping opponents under 60.
The victory marks Charleston's first CAA Tournament championship and their first appearance in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Their defensive consistency and offensive firepower, particularly from the Barbot sisters, proved decisive in securing the title. The Cougars will now prepare for their debut in March Madness.
