Cherokee, NC — December 20–22, 2025 | Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
The 4th Annual Cherokee Invitational College Tournament delivered high-level competition and memorable performances as top collegiate programs went head-to-head at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Featuring matchups between Michigan State, Ole Miss, Old Dominion, and Indiana State, the tournament showcased women’s college basketball talent and provided fans with an exciting two-day event.
COLLEGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM & MVP
MVP: Grace VanSlooten – Michigan State
VanSlooten was Michigan State’s most impactful player despite logging just eight minutes in the opening-game rout of Indiana State. In that contest, she scored 12 points on four field goals and four free throws, adding a steal and a block. In the Championship game versus Ole Miss, she delivered a dominant performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block, leading the Spartans to the tournament title.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
En’Dya Buford – Old Dominion
Buford was Old Dominion’s most consistent scorer and primary offensive threat, particularly in the opening-round matchup against Ole Miss. She scored 20 points against the Rebels on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting performance. Over two games, she shot an impressive 14-of-18 from the floor, making her the tournament’s most accurate scorer. She complemented her scoring with five assists and four steals, finishing as the leading scorer of the 2025 Cherokee Invitational and ranking third All-Time in tournament history.
Christeen Iwuala – Ole Miss
Iwuala delivered a strong performance for Ole Miss, recording 23 points and 10 rebounds against Old Dominion to help secure a first-round victory. She finished the tournament with 31 points and 17 rebounds, placing her among the Top 10 All-Time performers in Cherokee Invitational history in both categories.
Cotie McMahon – Ole Miss
McMahon was Ole Miss’s only player to score in double figures in both tournament games, finishing with a combined 32 points. She was also the Rebels’ lone double-digit scorer in the Championship game versus Michigan State, contributing 13 points.
Kayla Smith – Indiana State
Smith totaled 25 points across the tournament, highlighted by a 16-point performance against Old Dominion. She ranks among the All-Time Cherokee Invitational leaders in points (Top 30), rebounds (Top 25), and finished tied for third All-Time in made three-pointers.
Isaline Alexander – Michigan State
Alexander posted two consistent scoring performances, scoring 15 points against Indiana State and 14 against Ole Miss. She finished Top 15 All-Time in scoring and delivered a Top 5 All-Time shooting performance, going 12-for-18 from the field over two games. She also ranked Top 20 All-Time in rebounding.
Kennedy Blair – Michigan State
In just 19 minutes against Indiana State, Blair put together a remarkable stat line, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor while collecting 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. She followed that performance with seven points, seven rebounds, and two assists in the Championship game, placing her in the Top 10 All-Time in field goal percentage, rebounds, assists, and steals.
For cumulative and single-game detailed tournament statistics, visit the official Cherokee Invitational stats page: