LAUREL, Miss. — The Ecclesia College women's basketball team opened its 2025–26 season in impressive fashion Friday night, defeating Southeastern Baptist College 66–51 on the road. The Royals showcased a balanced offensive attack and tough defense to start the year 1–0.
After a slow first quarter, Ecclesia found its rhythm and began to control the game on both ends of the floor. Trailing 11–8 after the opening period, the Royals outscored the Chargers 16–10 in the second quarter to take a 24–21 lead into halftime. Ecclesia extended that advantage with a dominant second half, winning the third quarter 19–14 and the fourth 23–16 to seal the 15-point victory.
Prendergast Leads the Way
Senior forward Kaidence Prendergast powered the Royals with a strong all-around performance. She finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 7-of-9 from the field while adding three assists and three steals. Her energy in the paint and effort on the boards gave Ecclesia a steady presence inside all game long.
Balanced Attack Behind Her
Junior guard Lillie Taylor added 13 points, connecting on two three-pointers and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. Antaniece Jackson contributed 12 points and four rebounds, while freshman Liberty Miller provided a spark with seven points and six boards in her Royals debut.
Ecclesia shot 39% from the field and dominated the paint, outscoring Southeastern Baptist 36-4 inside. The Royals also turned defense into offense, converting Charger turnovers into 26 points. Ecclesia's defensive intensity held SBC to just 26% shooting for the game and 25% from three-point range.
Setting the Tone
The Royals controlled the glass, outrebounding the Chargers 42-39, and won nearly every hustle category, including second-chance points and points off turnovers. The performance displayed strong team chemistry and poise throughout the lineup — a promising sign for the season ahead.
Next Up
With the season off to a winning start, Ecclesia will look to carry the momentum into their next matchup at Randall University as the Royals continue their early-season road stretch.
