MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAIN STREET™

Scores That Matters!!

2012-01-28T00:04:00.000-05:00

January 26, 2012

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MEAC
Savannah State 74, Talladega 58
Maryland Eastern Shore 59, Lincoln Pa. 45 (1/25/12)

GCAC
Cumberland TN 60, Fisk 52

CIAA
Virginia Union 59, Virginia State 48
Chowan 68, Elizabeth City State 59
Livingstone 80, Allen 68 (1/25/12)

OTHERS
Voorhees SC 59, Morris SC 40
LSU Shreveport 75, Wiley TX 70
Langston OK 86, Texas College 63
Jarvis Christian TX 51, Huston-Tillotson TX 49
William Woods 68 Harris-Stowe State (MO) 44

SIAC
Tuskegee 74, Lane 60
Stillman 58, Kentucky State 54
Benedict 48, Claflin 45
Albany State 81, Miles 69
Fort Valley State 74, LeMoyne-Owen 64

MEN BASKETBALL

CIAA
Chowan 80, Elizabeth City State 72
Shaw 80, Livingstone 77

OTHER
Harris-Stowe State (MO) 71, William Woods
Morris SC 87, Voorhees SC 70
Abilene Christian 88, Paul Quinn TX 70
Jarvis Christian TX 106, Huston-Tillotson TX 86
Texas College 79, Langston OK 77
LSU Shreveport 67, Wiley TX 56
Life GA 108, Oakwood AL 91

SIAC
Claflin 77, Benedict 58
Stillman 79, Kentucky State 76
Lane 83, Tuskegee 66
Miles 60, Albany State 56
Clark Atlanta 77, Morehouse 64
LeMoyne-Owen 73, Fort Valley State 68

GCAC
Mountain State WV 84, Talladega 67

Fort Valley State University Blue Machine Marching Band Recruitment Video 2012

2011 SIAC Football Highlights

2012-01-27T12:07:00.000-05:00

Former Jackson State University coach sues school

2012-01-27T12:04:00.001-05:00

JACKSON, Mississippi - Denise Taylor, the former Jackson State women's basketball coach who was fired in June, has filed a lawsuit against the university alleging wrongful termination and discrimination.

The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court, is seeking unspecified damages.

According to information received by The Clarion-Ledger through public records requests, Taylor's firing stemmed from ...

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Ex-JSU Coach Sues to Get Job Back

JACKSON, Mississippi - Denise Taylor-Travis says she was fired after claiming inequity.

Taylor-Travis coached 10 seasons of the Jackson State Women's basketball team. School officials fired her last June. Her lawyer, Louis Watson, says school officials said she was fired over claims of harassment, violation of policy, misuse of funds, and not complying with school standards.

However, Watson believes his client was really fired after she claimed school officials violated the Title IX ammendment by giving more funding to men's sports. Taylor-Travis also claimed she could not go certain conventions that her male colleagues attended.

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No room for error: ASU Hornets hope to end losing slide

2012-01-27T12:03:00.000-05:00

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - It was a long bus ride home from Baton Rouge, La. The loss to Southern was bad enough, but the shooting percentage (54 percent) of the Jaguars was higher than any Southwestern Athletic Conference team has recorded against a Lewis Jackson-coached team in recent memory.

And the Alabama State men's basketball players have paid the price for it this week. "It's been really extreme these past couple of days," said senior Tramaine Butler. "Practice has been pretty crazy these last three days."

This was a team picked to win the conference and even if Jackson would have given the edge to Mississippi Valley State because of its strong presence in the paint and its perimeter shooters, he never would have expected his team to go on the road in January and allow Alcorn State and Southern to shoot a combined 51 percent from the field.

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MEAC Tournament 2012

2012-01-27T07:01:00.000-05:00

Tennessee State University Volleyball Season Review

2012-01-27T06:51:00.004-05:00

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Tennessee State University 2011 volleyball season may not have ended with an Ohio Valley Conference championship but it was still a successful run that featured a number of accomplishments for the Tiger program.

Tennessee State finished the 2011 campaign with an overall record of 18-11 (13-7 OVC) after being selected to place eighth in the preseason predictions.

TSU wrapped up the season in second place in the conference standings and boasted three All-OVC team selections, including the 2011 OVC Player of the Year, Shaquita Williams. Erika Moss and Terakka Walker also garnered post-season honors.

Williams became the first Tennessee State University player to receive Player of the Year honors since the award began in 1985.

TSU kicked-off the season on a good note after defeating South Carolina State and Loyola (MD) at the Big Orange Bash to finish the tournament in second place. The Tigers also notched a second place finish at the Bear Brawl a week later.

The Tigers opened up Ohio Valley Conference action with a loss at Morehead State before winning three straight matches. The 3-1 record was good for fourth place in the league standings.

TSU went 6-5 over the next 11 contests before winning five out of the last six matches of the season to make a push for second place in the OVC.

Tennessee State entered the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference tournament as the second seed and faced UT Martin in the semifinals. After receiving a bye in the first round, TSU dropped a tough 3-1 (22-25, 21-25, 25-10, 18-25) decision to UTM.

With the 18-7 record, TSU had its first winning season since the 2007 campaign. For a full list of 2011 Volleyball Notables Click Here

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

Xavier's Erves named Boxtorow National Player of the Week

2012-01-27T06:49:00.001-05:00

DENZELL ERVES #15
BOXTOROW NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
6' 7"/205 FORWARD, JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI
VICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL

FUQUAY-VARINA, North Carolina -- Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball forward Denzell Erves has been named Boxtorow National Player of the Week.

The 6-foot-7 junior from Vicksburg, Miss., averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in two victories for the Gold Rush last week.

Erves is featured on http://www.boxtorow.com/ as Boxtorow National Player of the Week and will also appear as a guest on the sports talk show FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW with host Donal Ware.

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW airs on 36 radio stations around the country including Saturdays from noon-1 p.m. in New Orleans on WBOK-AM 1230 as well as at www.boxtorow.com. Boxtorow also airs Fridays from noon-1 p.m. CT on Sirius XM Channel 141. For a list of radio stations that carry the show, visit http://www.boxtorow.com/affiliates.php

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW airs in markets such as Atlanta, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Raleigh, New Orleans, Nashville, and Austin, Texas.

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW is the nationally syndicated sports talk radio show that places major emphasis on HBCU Sports. The show is celebrating six years on the air and was featured in JET Magazine (Aug. 9/16, 2010).

NOTE: This news release comes from Donal Ware of DWCommunications. Xavier's Denzell Erves was selected from players at all HBCUs, including NCAA Division I members.

Tennessee State Tigers Use All-Around Effort to Derail UTM

2012-01-27T06:47:00.001-05:00

MARTIN, Tennessee - Tennessee State University used a combination of defense and strong second-half shooting to defeat UT Martin, 72-59, at the Elam Center on Thursday evening.

Three Tigers reached double-digits as Tennessee State improved to 12-10, 5-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference. TSU used a 16-to-6 run in the second half to pull away and sweep the regular season series with the Skyhawks.

The Skyhawks (3-19, 0-9 OVC) turned the ball over 20 times, shooting 44 percent (20-of-46) for the game. TSU scored 25 points off 20 UTM turnovers.

Offensively, the Tigers shot 48 percent (23-of-48) from the field, making 24-of-34 attempts at the free throw line. In the second half, TSU made 12-of-18 for 67 percent from the field. TSU was out-rebounded by an opponent, 31-29, for the first time in 11 games.

Patrick Miller led the Tigers with 17 points, all of which were scored in the second half. The sophomore was 7-of-11 from the field. He also dished out three assists, notching a career-best two blocks and a steal.

Reigning Co-OVC Newcomer of the Week Kellen Thornton scored 14 points, picking up three boards in 24 minutes.

Also reaching double-figures for the 21st straight game was Robert Covington. The junior forward added 11 points, swatting away three blocks, recording three steals and dishing out two assists in 24 minutes.

Forward Kenny Moore set a season-high with four assists and three rebounds. In 20 minutes of action, Moore also picked up a block and a steal.

Senior Wil Peters added seven points and three rebounds, while freshman M.J. Rhett notched four points and four rebounds. Guard Jay Harris tallied seven points, an assist and a steal.

Tennessee State held a narrow 26-25 lead over the Skyhawks in the first half. The Tigers shot 37 percent (11-of-30) from the field, as Covington led TSU with 10 points. The Tigers scored 20 of their 26 points off of UTM turnovers, forcing 14 in the first half.

The Tigers jumped out early to a 10-5 advantage with 15:36 left on the clock as Covington and Harris combined for all the points. UTM fought back tying the game at 10, but TSU used a 10-0 run to stretch their lead to 10.

UTM used a 9-to-2 run, narrowing the Tigers' advantage to 22-19 with 3:43 left in the first period. The Skyhawks used back-to-back baskets from Corderio Maclin to take a brief 25-22 lead. TSU snapped a six minute scoreless drought with four consecutive points, taking a 26-25 lead at the break.

In the second half, TSU started on a 16-to-6 run, capped off by a Chris Conner trey at 14:32 to take a 42-31 advantage. TSU stretched its lead to 16 with a basket at 8:37. From there, the Tigers traded baskets and sealed the win at the free throw line.

Tennessee State returns to the Gentry Center for a two-game home stand beginning on Saturday. The Big Blue welcomes Eastern Kentucky for a 7 p.m. start.

TSU at UTM Box Score

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

Tallahassee Godby offensive lineman Griffin commits to play at Savannah State

2012-01-26T12:29:00.001-05:00

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - A visit to Savannah, Ga., this past weekend made the decision that much easier for Percy Griffin. A senior offensive lineman on the Godby High football team, Griffin committed Wednesday night to the Savannah State Tigers. He becomes the seventh Cougar to commit to a four-year university.

"I liked Savannah State because the head coach — Coach (Steve) Davenport — made me and my family feel like it was home," Griffin said. "They have a really good coaching staff and I enjoyed meeting them. I really enjoyed meeting their players, too."

Griffin (6-foot-3, 300 pounds) made it a point to thank the other programs who recruited him, including Troy, Western Kentucky and Albany State. "I want them to know how thankful I am they showed interest in me," Griffin said.

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Donald Evans heading to CIAA hall of fame

2012-01-26T12:25:00.000-05:00

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - It’s hard to believe that Donald Evans of Winston-Salem State hadn’t already been enshrined into the CIAA’s John B. McLendon Hall of Fame. But Evans, a former football star for the Rams, will be enshrined on March 2 at the Charlotte Convention Center during the CIAA basketball tournament.

Evans, whose son, also named Donald, was a backup lineman on the 13-1 Rams this past season, became the highest-drafted player in school history when he was a second-round pick in 1987 by the Los Angeles Rams. He wound up playing eight seasons in the NFL with the Rams, Eagles, Steelers and Jets.

During his 90 games in the NFL he had 17 sacks with his best season coming in 1993 when he had 6.5 sacks for the Steelers.

Bill Hayes, the athletics director at WSSU, was Evans’ coach when he played for the Rams in the mid-1980s. Despite being such a high draft pick Evans, who was enshrined into WSSU’s Big House Gaines hall of fame in 2004, never made an All-CIAA team during his career.

READ THE ARTICLE

Tennessee State Football Hosts Signing Day Event Next Week

2012-01-26T06:55:00.001-05:00

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Tennessee State University football team will host its' annual signing day event on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in the TSU Faculty Dining Center.

Third year Head Coach Rod Reed and others from the TSU football staff will be on hand to discuss the latest additions to the Big Blue football program. Fans will have a chance to get an inside scoop on the season ahead.

Admission to the signing day event is free and open to the public. All of those in attendance will also receive a complimentary ticket to the Lady Tigers vs. Eastern Kentucky game at 7 p.m. inside the Gentry Center.

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Juco standout Huggins joins XU Gold Rush for spring season

2012-01-26T06:50:00.001-05:00

COREY HUGGINS
MEN'S TENNIS TEAM
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

NEW ORLEANS — Corey Huggins, a standout the past two seasons for Seminole State College of Seminole, Okla., has signed a men's tennis scholarship with Xavier University of Louisiana.

Huggins, a 6-foot-2, 182-pound right-hander from Brooklyn, N.Y., is an XU junior majoring in marketing and eligible for the 2012 spring season, which the Gold Rush will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Tulane.

Huggins was a semifinalist at No. 5 singles at the 2011 NJCAA Division I National Tournament and, for the second consecutive year, helped the Trojans finish fifth in the team standings. This past season he recorded a doubles victory against Baylor, ranked 13th in NCAA Division I, and a singles victory against Cameron, ranked 19th in NCAA Division II. As a freshman Huggins was a regional runner-up in doubles during the fall and finished fifth in the NJCAA division of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.

Huggins was 19-6 in singles as a Seminole sophomore. He was 14-5 in singles and 18-6 in doubles as a freshman. In the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association NJCAA rankings, Huggins was 84th in singles and 18th in doubles as a sophomore and 47th in singles and 19th in doubles as a freshman.

"Corey is a strong doubles player and has a really big forehand," Seminole coach Brian Nelson said. "He's solid at the net with his volleying. He's a mature tennis player. He doesn't get rattled and doesn't get nervous, probably because of all the juniors experience he has."

Huggins is a native of Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and moved to the United States from that Caribbean country in 2004. He graduated from Brooklyn's Bedford Stuyvesant Preparatory High School but did not compete in sports there. TennisRecruiting.net rated him as a four-star recruit.

Huggins is one of four newcomers — the others are Loic Didavi, Nikita Soifer and Viktor Svoboda — on the Gold Rush roster.

NOTES: XU coach Alan Green said fifth-year student Ashley McGill has rejoined the women's roster for 2012. McGill, who played tennis the past two seasons and basketball the past four seasons for the Gold Nuggets, is from Memphis, Tenn., and a graduate of Northside High School. The Gold Nuggets' first match will start at 9 a.m. Sunday at Tulane.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Charleston's West Ashley Football Star Commits to Howard Bison

2012-01-26T06:45:00.001-05:00

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - Marvin Harris has shut it down. The West Ashley High senior just recently made his decision as to where he will be suiting up next season. The 6-4, 240 pound OL/DL will be taking his skill set to Howard University, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, also known as the MEAC.

Harris chose Howard over North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, amongst several other small DI programs. Harris, who primarily lined up at right tackle for the Wildcats last season, informed us that the coaching staff at Howard plans to bring him on as a tight end.

Harris took his official visit to Howard University on this past weekend, where he was highly intrigued with what the prestigious MEAC program had to offer.

READ THE ARTICLE

Grambling adds trio of commitments

2012-01-26T06:41:00.001-05:00

GRAMBLING, Louisiana - The Grambling State defense helped carry the Tigers to a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship this year. On Wednesday, the Tigers got verbal confirmation that reinforcements are on the way as a pair of defensive recruits committed to play at GSU.

The Tigers added size in 6-foot-2, 254-pound Houston defensive lineman Devaughn Madise and speed in Byrd cornerback/return specialist Nicholas Peoples (5-10, 180). Peoples was The Times' All-City Defensive Player of the Year after recording 62 tackles and intercepting four passes for the state semifinalist Yellow Jackets.

Grambling also secured an offensive commitment, landing Dallas Skyline receiver Travondre Raybon, whose build is similar to that of departed big-play receiver Mario Louis. The 6-2, 190-pound Raybon expressed a strong level of commitment to Grambling.

READ THE ARTICLE

XU's Rush, Nuggets will face challenging 2012 schedules

2012-01-25T12:20:00.002-05:00

COACH ALAN GREEN
MEN'S & WOMEN'S TENNIS HEAD COACH
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

NEW ORLEANS — The Xavier University of Louisiana tennis teams will get a heavy concentration of ranked NAIA opponents and NCAA Division I opponents in 2012.

Alan Green, in his ninth season as coach of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets, announced Tuesday the spring portion of the schedules.

Approximately 65 percent of both teams' schedules will consist of opponents which were ranked in the final 2011 NAIA coaches top 25 poll or are NCAA D-I members. Xavier competes in the NAIA.

Competition will begin this weekend when the XU men visit Tulane at 2 p.m. Saturday. XU's women will visit Tulane at 9 a.m. Sunday. The first home duals will be Feb. 1 when Xavier's men and women play the University of New Orleans at the City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center, which opened 10 months ago. That facility will play host to most of Xavier's home matches this season.

Ranked 2011 NAIA teams on the schedules of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets include top-10 programs Auburn Montgomery — whose women won the national championship this past season — Point Loma Nazarene and Vanguard. NCAA Division I opponents will include the men and women of Nicholls State and the women of Louisiana Tech and South Alabama.

"This will be our toughest men's and women's schedules ever," Green said. "I'm not looking to play a lot of cream puffs. We want to challenge ourselves with difficult competition and use those challenges to become better and stronger."

For the second straight year the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference will not crown tennis champions — only Xavier, Tougaloo and Fisk sponsor the sport — but both XU teams will compete in an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament in the Atlanta area in late April for automatic bids to the NAIA National Championships.

Xavier's men will attempt earn a fourth consecutive berth at the NAIA nationals, and the women will attempt to qualify for the sixth time in eight seasons. The Gold Nuggets missed qualifiying last year after reaching the previous three seasons.

The first NAIA team rankings of the season will be announced next Wednesday.

2012 Xavier Women's Tennis Schedule
January
29 Sunday: at Tulane, 9 a.m.

February
1 Wednesday: NEW ORLEANS, 3 p.m. (1)

4 Saturday: at South Alabama, 11 a.m.

10 Friday: at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
12 Sunday: at McNeese State, noon
18 Saturday: • TOUGALOO, 10 a.m. (2)
18 Saturday: BELHAVEN, 3 p.m. (2)
24 Friday: at Southeastern Louisiana, 6 p.m.
25 Saturday: WILLIAM CAREY, 10 a.m. (1)

March

3 Saturday: at Southern, noon

6 Tuesday: TENNESSEE WESLEYAN, 3 p.m. (1)
7 Wednesday: SHORTER, 3 p.m. (1)
9 Friday-11 Sunday: at AUM Invitational, Montgomery, Ala.
14 Wednesday: NICHOLLS STATE, 3 p.m. (1)
17 Saturday: LOUISIANA TECH, 11 a.m. (1)
17 Saturday: LOYOLA, 5 p.m. (1)
20 Tuesday: CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, 4 p.m. (1)
24 Saturday: AUBURN MONTGOMERY, 4 p.m. (2)

April

2 Monday: at Point Loma Nazarene, 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)

3 Tuesday: at Westmont, 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)
4 Wednesday: at Concordia (Calif.), 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)
5 Thursday: at Vanguard, noon (10 a.m. PDT)
14 Saturday: • at Tougaloo, 9 a.m.
14 Saturday: at Alcorn State, 3 p.m.
27 Friday-28 Saturday: NAIA unaffiliated group tournament at Norcross, Ga.

May
15 Tuesday-19 Saturday: NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

Home matches in BOLD TYPE
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match
All times are Central except where noted
(1) at City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center
(2) at University of New Orleans Tennis Center
TBA — to be announced

2012 Xavier Men's Tennis Schedule

January

28 Saturday: at Tulane, 2 p.m.

February
1 Wednesday: NEW ORLEANS, 3 p.m. (1)
10 Friday: at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
11 Saturday: Bethany (Kan.), 10 a.m. (3)
18 Saturday: • TOUGALOO, 10 a.m. (2)
18 Saturday: BELHAVEN, 3 p.m. (2)
25 Saturday: WILLIAM CAREY, 10 a.m. (1)

March
6 Tuesday: TENNESSEE WESLEYAN, 3 p.m. (1)
7 Wednesday: SHORTER, 3 p.m. (1)
9 Friday-11 Sunday: at AUM Invitational, Montgomery, Ala.
14 Wednesday: NICHOLLS STATE, 3 p.m. (1)
17 Saturday: LOYOLA, 5 p.m. (1)
24 Saturday: AUBURN MONTGOMERY, 4 p.m. (2)

April
2 Monday: at Point Loma Nazarene, 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)
3 Tuesday: at Westmont, 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)
4 Wednesday: at Concordia (Calif.), 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)

5 Thursday: at Vanguard, noon (10 a.m. PDT)

14 Saturday: • at Tougaloo, 9 a.m.

14 Saturday: at Alcorn State, 3 p.m.

27 Friday-28 Saturday: NAIA unaffiliated group tournament at Norcross, Ga.

May

15 Tuesday-19 Saturday: NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

Home matches in BOLD TYPE

• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match

All times are Central except where noted

(1) at City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center

(2) at University of New Orleans Tennis Center

(3) at Prairie View, Texas

TBA — to be announced

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

TSU's Jasmin Shuler named adidas® OVC Player of the Week

2012-01-25T12:13:00.001-05:00

JASMIN SHULER
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - JUNIOR CLASS
HOMETOWN: CLARKSVILLE, TN
KENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University women's basketball junior Jasmin Shuler was named the adidas® OVC Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Shuler, a 5-8 guard, led TSU in scoring last week to help the Lady Tigers go 1-1 in Ohio Valley Conference action. The Clarksville, Tenn. native averaged 30.0 points per game and shot over 50 percent from the field and beyond the arc.

She exploded for a career-high 38 points on 14-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-9 from three-point range in an, 86-80, overtime win against Morehead State. She also tallied five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the victory.

Against Eastern Illinois, she led the Lady Tigers with 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting. She knocked down three triples and registered four rebounds in the game.

Shuler leads TSU while ranking sixth in the OVC in scoring with 15.9 points per game. She is also fourth in the league in made three-pointers and ninth in three-point field goal percentage.

This marks the first time that Shuler has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week and the fourth time a Tennessee State player has received a weekly award this season. Destiney Gaston was named Player of the Week on Dec. 6 while Rachel Allen garnered two Freshman of the Week honors on Nov. 22 and Jan. 3.

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

TSU's Avian Hughes Named BEYA STEM Award Winner

2012-01-25T12:11:00.000-05:00

AVIAN HUGHES
6'2" JUMPS
HOMETOWN: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
TOM CLARK HIGH SCHOOL

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University's Avian Hughes was selected as a Black Engineer of the Year Award's STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) student-athlete award winner last week.

Hughes, a member of the TSU track & field program, holds a 3.10 GPA with a major in Electrical Engineering. He has been a three-year letter winner for the Flying Tigers track & field team and a member of the Air Force ROTC program.

"Avian is a great example of what being a college student is all about," noted TSU Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services, Dr. Johnnie Smith. "For a young man to balance academics, athletics and ROTC, and excel in all three, he is truly the epitome of excellence. I am so proud of Avian and I salute him on this national achievement."

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Hughes claimed All-Conference accolades during his freshman campaign in the long jump. Hughes primarily focuses in the long jump and triple jump.

His best triple jump mark this season came with a distance of 13.57-meters at the UNC Dick Taylor Invitational. Hughes also leapt 7.04m in the long jump at the Dick Taylor Invitational.

"First of all congratulations to Avian for being an outstanding student-athlete," said TSU Track & Field Director Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice. "He is really dedicated on what he does on the track and it shows in the classroom as well."

Hughes will be recognized at the Student Leadership Awards Dinner during the 26th annual BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference in Philadelphia, Pa., on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

Scores That Matter!!

2012-01-25T07:53:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MEAC
Hampton 78, South Carolina State 66
Morehead State 75, Norfolk State 69

CIAA
North Greenville 67, Fayetteville State 65
Virginia State 66, Johnson C. Smith 63
Winston Salem State 100, Washington Adventist 84

SIAC
Lane 64, Stillman 62
LeMoyne-Owen 83, Albany State 65
Tuskegee 65, Kentucky State 60
Clark Atlanta 54, Claflin 51
Paine 60, Benedict 55
Fort Valley State 73, Miles 69

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

CIAA
Shaw 63, Virginia Union 57
Johnson C. Smith 59, Virginia State 55

SIAC
Stillman 62, Lane 39
Tuskegee 64, Kentucky State 54
LeMoyne-Owen 76, Albany State 66
Paine 55, Benedict 28
Clark Atlanta 75, Claflin 72
Miles 59, Fort Valley State 57

GCAC
Philander Smith 66, Central Baptist AR 61

OTHERS
Voorhees SC 73, Webber International 66

Crosstown Classic returns with free tickets for XU students

2012-01-25T00:10:00.002-05:00

NEW ORLEANS — The oldest college basketball rivalry in New Orleans, Xavier vs. Dillard, will heat up again Saturday when the Crosstown Classic returns for what should be the final time at The Barn.

The women's game will start at 5 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7. Tailgating in front of The Barn will start at 3 p.m.

The Barn, Xavier's gymnasium since 1937, will be replaced later this year by a 4,500-seat facility, the Convocation Academic Center, which is under construction.

Xavier students with a valid XU identification card will be admitted free to the doubleheader. A limited number of advance student admission tickets will be available through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University Center information desk on the first floor and from 2 to 4 p.m. in the XU Office of Student Services, room 305b on the UC's third floor.

Additional student tickets will be available at the box office at The Barn beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday.

A limited number of $10 general admission tickets will be available in the athletics administration office of The Barn from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Thursday. Tickets also will be sold at the doubleheader.

"Because seating at The Barn is limited, we ask our students to arrive early to the games on Saturday, regardless of when they pick up their tickets," said Dennis Cousin, XU's director of athletics.

Fans unable to attend can watch the doubleheader on the internet via PSBLive.com. The free webcasts can be accessed at www.xula.edu/athletics/stream.

The games will be the 122nd meeting between the men's teams and the 75th between the women's teams. The men's series began in the 1947-48 season, and the women's series started in 1977-78.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Panthers Hold Off UAPB In A 76-75 Thriller On ESPNU

2012-01-24T16:44:00.000-05:00

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Jourdan DeMuynck hit the go-ahead free throw with 22 seconds remaining as Prairie View A&M held off Arkansas-Pine Bluff 76-75 in conference action on Monday before 4,319 fans in the William Nicks Building.

“Every time we play them (UAPB) the game comes down to one point,” said head coach Byron Rimm II. “Both teams were amped to play each other and it showed both on-and-off the court.”

Holding a one-point halftime lead, Prairie View A&M jumped out to a 45-38 lead less than two minutes in. UAPB closed to within three on two occasions but the Panthers held their ground as they claimed their largest lead (52-44) of the evening at the 15:16 mark following a jumper from DeMuynck.

UAPB refused to go away though as they continued to hang around and closed to within one point on two occasions over the next nine minutes. The Golden Lions regained the lead for the first time since the first half with 6:45 left as Savalance Townsend recorded a three-point play for a 65-64 advantage. Nearly a minute later, DeMuynck hit 1-of-2 free throws to knot the contest at 65.

From that point, the game went back-and-forth as UAPB's Clay Johnson hit a basket followed by two free throws by PV's Marcellus Jackson. Townsend moved the Golden Lions back on top 69-67 with 4:51 left following a driving layup down the lane. However, Jackson kept the Panthers in contention as he tied the contest at 69-all with a huge basket in the paint.

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Mississippi Valley State edges TSU in OT

2012-01-24T16:31:00.001-05:00

HOUSTON, Texas - Several fans rushed the court at Texas Southern's H&PE Arena to celebrate when TSU guard Madarious Gibbs made a layup as time expired in regulation against Mississippi Valley State to send the game into overtime tied at 63.

Security officials needed several minutes to clear the court so the contest could continue. Unfortunately for TSU fans, the celebration was premature.

Gibbs hit two layups in the final 12 seconds of regulation to send the game into overtime, but TSU fell flat in the extra period en route to dropping a 77-69 decision to the Delta Devils before a crowd of 1,412 on Monday night.

The Tigers, who ended their home winning streak at 14, shot themselves in the foot repeatedly in the final minutes. TSU (6-13, 5-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) made only ...

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Erves earns Xavier's fourth straight GCAC player award

2012-01-24T13:16:00.001-05:00

DENZELL ERVES

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Denzell Erves is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's basketball for Jan. 16-22. It's the second time this season that Erves earned the honor and the fourth consecutive week that the Gold Rush received the award.

Erves, a 6-foot-7 junior forward from Vicksburg, Miss., and a graduate of Vicksburg High School, averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks and shot 73.7 percent from the floor and 90 percent from the line during Xavier's 2-0 week. Erves had career highs of 23 points and 13 rebounds Jan. 16 in an 87-80 home victory against Philander Smith — 17 points and nine rebounds in the second half to help Xavier erase a seven-point halftime deficit — and 14 points in a 77-64 home victory against Talladega on Saturday. He scored five points against Talladega during an 11-2 second-half run which gave Xavier the lead for good.

Erves has started all 20 games this season and is averaging 8.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 24.8 minutes. He is shooting 56.2 percent from the floor and 78 percent from the line. Erves leads Xavier with 18 blocked shots.

Four XU players — the others are Cordell Hadnot, Nick Haywood and Anthony Simmons — have accounted for six of the GCAC's 11 player awards this season. Simmons won the award the previous two weeks, and Hadnot started the Gold Rush streak with a victory for Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

Xavier, 14-6 and ranked 19th in NAIA Division I, will play Dillard at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Crosstown Classic at The Barn.

Xavier's 2011-12 GCAC Players of the Week in Men's Basketball

Oct. 31-Nov. 6 Denzell Erves

Nov. 21-27 Nick Haywood

Dec. 26-Jan. 1 Cordell Hadnot

Jan. 2-8 Anthony Simmons

Jan. 9-15 Anthony Simmons

Jan. 16-22 Denzell Erves

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Tougaloo's 59-51 victory ends XU Nuggets' many streaks

2012-01-24T13:14:00.001-05:00

TOUGALOO, Mississippi — Victoria Jones had 13 points and 19 rebounds Monday to lead Tougaloo in a 59-51 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against NAIA No. 15 Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Lady Bulldogs (10-11 overall, 4-2 GCAC) snapped the nine-game win streak of the Gold Nuggets (16-6, 6-1) and beat Xavier for the first time in 14 tries. The most recent Tougaloo victory had been in 2005.

Also snapped was Xavier's 35-game win streak against GCAC opponents, 30 in the regular season.

Jones, who recorded her fifth career double-double against Xavier, was one of four Lady Bulldogs in double figures. Kierra Addison scored 11 points, and Brittany Patterson and Tangela Rich had 10 apiece.

SiMon Franklin scored 16 points for Xavier — her fifth consecutive game in double figures — and Brandi Young scored 10.

Tougaloo led 27-21 at halftime. Both teams made less than a third of their field-goal attempts — Xavier shot 30 percent, Tougaloo 31.5 — but the Lady Bulldogs dominated at the line, making 21-of-30 free throws to the Nuggets' 9-of-15. Tougaloo outrebounded Xavier 42-33. In the Gold Nuggets' previous seven games they outrebounded each opponent by 10 or more.

It was the third notable home victory of the season for Tougaloo, which beat NAIA No. 18 Belhaven and NCAA Division I Jackson State in December.

Xavier's loss and Dillard's 72-70 home victory against Talladega knocked the Nuggets out of first place. Dillard, 6-0 in the GCAC, will visit Xavier at 5 p.m. Saturday in the opening game of the Crosstown Classic doubleheader at The Barn.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, SID

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Scores That Matters!!

2012-01-24T13:12:00.001-05:00

Monday, January 23, 2012

MEN'S BASKETBALL

SWAC
Missississippi Valley State 77, Texas Southern 69 (O.T.)
Prairie View A&M 76, Arkansas Pine Bluff 75
Alabama A&M 65, Alcorn State 64
Southern University 68, Alabama State 56

MEAC
Savannah State 75, Stetson 45
Delaware State 65, Florida A&M 51
Morgan State 71, North Carolina Central 64
North Carolina A&T 93, Coppin State 92 (O.T.)
Bethune Cookman 67, Maryland Eastern Shore 55

GCAC
Tougaloo 69, Xavier University of Louisiana 64
Southern-New Orleans Fisk
Talladega 76, Dillard 60
Philander Smith 81, Edward Waters 67

CIAA
Bowie State 89, Elizabeth City State 64
Lincoln Pa. 51, Chowan 48

SIAC
No Games

OVC
No Games Scheduled

OTHERS
Texas College 83, Jarvis Christian TX 74
Cumberland TN 75, Oakwood College 57
Texas Wesleyan 88, Langston OK 64
Wiley TX 60, Paul Quinn TX 58

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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

OVC
Eastern Illinois 88, Tennessee State 73

SWAC
Mississippi Valley State 68, Texas Southern 54
Southern University 71, Alabama State 51
Prairie View A&M 102, Arkansas Pine Bluff 51
Alcorn State 49, Alabama A&M 45

MEAC
Hampton 52, Howard 39
Florida A&M 84, Delaware State 65
Coppin State 85, North Carolina A&T State 63
Maryland Eastern Shore 47, Bethune-Cookman 43
Morgan State 64, North Carolina Central 59

GCAC
Dillard 72, Talladega 70
Edward Waters 74, Philander Smith 71
Tougaloo 59, Xavier University of Louisiana 51
Southern-New Orleans Fisk

CIAA
Lincoln Pa. 68, Chowan 67
Elizabeth City State 60, Bowie State 50

SIAC
No Games Scheduled

OTHERS
Texas College 74, Jarvis Christian TX 69
Warner FL 65, Voorhees SC 63
Cumberland TN 64, Oakwood College 24
Texas Wesleyan 60, Langston OK 57
Wiley TX 82, Paul Quinn TX 56

DSU women fall to MEAC leader, Florida A&M

2012-01-24T13:07:00.001-05:00

DOVER, Delaware - It was far from an ideal scenario for Delaware State's young women's basketball team. The Hornets have not won a game since Dec. 11 and were hosting Florida A&M, which leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, averages a league-best 72.9 points per game and plays tenacious pressure defense.

It all added up to a miserable time for DSU as Tameka McKelton scored 25 points and Antonia Bennett hit for 24 points to lead FAMU to an 84-65 rout of the Hornets at Memorial Hall Monday night, sending them crashing to their eighth-consecutive defeat. Delaware State (3-15 overall, 0-5 MEAC) fell behind early, wilting in the face of the Rattlers' full-court pressure and failing to convert open baskets.

FAMU (14-5, 7-0) took a 9-2 lead on Qiana Donald's basket underneath and continued to put the defensive squeeze on the Hornets as they pulled out to a 47-20 lead at halftime. The Rattlers made 55.2 percent (16 of 29) of their shots from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while DSU shot 24.2 percent (8-of-33).

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One Bulldog looks to the NFL as another Dog changes colors

2012-01-24T13:04:00.000-05:00

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina - This past Saturday at Tropicana Field was, in Christian Thompson's words, a "chill day."

The South Carolina State strong safety was excited about the opportunity to increase his NFL draft stock with a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Game. As the game progressed, however, it became clear to Thompson the chance to display his hard-hitting talents before a national television audience would be few and far between.

In the end, Thompson said it was all about staying healthy and enjoying the camaraderie.

"We wanted to win," he said. "Everybody wanted to win. But at the same time, it was an All-Star Game. We were just enjoying the moment. We weren't really focused on ‘we've got to beat them' and this and that. We were just focused on having a good time and just playing with players we've never played with but that we watched on TV."

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Xavier Nuggets move up to 15th, Rush still 19th in NAIA polls

2012-01-24T13:01:00.021-05:00

NEW ORLEANS — The Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team climbed one place to 15th, its highest position of the season, in the NAIA Division I coaches poll. The XU men are 19th for the second consecutive week.

The polls, the sixth of the season, were announced late Monday afternoon, just before Xavier's doubleheader at Tougaloo.

The Gold Nuggets are in the top 25 for the 24th consecutive time. The Gold Rush appear in the top 25 for the 17th time in 18 polls.

Both XU teams were unbeaten this past week, recording home victories against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponents Philander Smith and Talladega.

Freed-Hardeman's women and Shorter's men are top ranked for the second consecutive week.

The only other ranked GCAC school is Tougaloo, which is 24th in the men's poll and climbed one place.

Xavier is one of 10 schools with women's and men's teams in the top 25. The other schools are Azusa Pacific, Georgetown (Ky.), Lee (Tenn.), Lindsey Wilson, MidAmerica Nazarene, Union (Tenn.), Shorter, Westmont and Southern Nazarene.

NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Jan. 22)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Freed-Hardeman (12) 18-2 312 1
2 Oklahoma City 17-1 301 2
3 Union (Tenn.) 19-2 293 3
4 Westmont 18-1 281 4
5 Lee (Tenn.) 19-1 269 6
6-tie Lewis-Clark State 18-2 254 7
6-tie Cumberlands 18-1 254 8
8 Langston 17-1 247 5
9 Lubbock Christian 14-3 233 9
10 Vanguard 13-3 223 10
11 Shawnee State 16-4 212 12
12 Azusa Pacific 13-5 199 13
13 Saint Xavier 14-5 196 11
14 Olivet Nazarene 17-3 184 14
15 Xavier 16-5 169 16
16 Southern Nazarene 14-5 156 15
17 Georgetown (Ky.) 14-6 151 tie-18
18 Belhaven 16-5 148 tie-18
19 Campbellsville 14-7 132 17
20 Westminster (Utah) 11-7 113 21
21 MidAmerica Nazarene 15-6 111 24
22 William Woods 13-5 96 25
23 Loyola 15-2 92 23
24 Shorter 14-4 84 RV
25 Lindsey Wilson 14-7 64 20

Others receiving votes: Robert Morris (Chicago) 46, Lyon 45, Columbia (Mo.) 33, LSU-Shreveport 29, Rogers State 28, Avila 20, Biola 6, Texas Wesleyan 3, Oklahoma Baptist 1, Our Lady of the Lake 1, Bethel (Tenn.) 1, Rocky Mountain 1, St. Catharine 1, Rio Grande 1.

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Jan. 22)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Shorter (12) 18-0 312 1
2 Robert Morris (Chicago) 19-1 302 3
3 Oklahoma Baptist 16-2 288 2
4 Georgetown (Ky.) 17-3 279 tie-7
5 Southern Poly 15-3 273 4
6 Rogers State 16-3 257 5
7 Our Lady of the Lake 15-3 248 10
8 Lindsey Wilson 15-4 240 11
9 Martin Methodist 15-4 237 9
10 The Master's 14-5 229 RV
11 Texas Wesleyan 14-3 194 13
12 Westmont 14-3 192 16
13 Montana State Northern 18-3 191 12
14 Southern Nazarene 15-4 190 14
15 Mountain State 14-6 187 15
16 Azusa Pacific 15-4 162 tie-7
17 Lee (Tenn.) 13-4 141 18
18 Concordia (Calif.) 15-4 133 6
19 Xavier 14-5 130 19
20 Montana Western 16-5 114 22
21 Columbia (Mo.) 16-5 94 24
22 MidAmerica Nazarene 14-7 84 RV
23 Pikeville 12-7 76 RV
24 Tougaloo 15-5 71 25
25 Union (Tenn.) 13-7 64 RV

Others receiving votes: Saint Xavier 63, John Brown 50, Evangel 43, Freed-Hardeman 29, Science & Arts 28, Point Loma Nazarene 21, Cal State San Marcos 14, Westminster (Utah) 10, St. Catharine 8, Avila 3, LSU-Shreveport 3, Oklahoma Christian 1, Cumberland 1, Southwestern Assemblies of God 1, Voorhees 1.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

NSU Spartans football team welcomes quartet of newcomers

2012-01-24T12:58:00.000-05:00

NORFOLK, Virginia - The Norfolk State football team needs to rebuild on defense - quickly if it hopes to defend its MEAC title. The Spartans put potential building blocks in place this week with four newcomers, including a trio from big-name schools. All four play defense, three play linebacker, and three should be able to help out immediately.

"I was trying to think myself (if we've ever had three) from BCS schools," coach Pete Adrian said. "Obviously, we had (wide receiver) Xavier (Boyce) last year and we had (quarterback) Dennis Brown before that, but three in a year, I'm not sure."

Lynden Trail transferred from Florida and will have three years of eligibility at NSU. Brent Singleton transferred from Minnesota and has two years of eligibility left. Neither played a down last season.

Lamonte Clark, a defensive end, originally committed to Kansas State but never began school. He can redshirt without penalty at Norfolk State if he chooses. The final newcomer, linebacker Justin Gant, played for Atlanta Sports Academy, a prep school in Georgia.

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Bowie State men win fifth straight, women lose at Elizabeth City

2012-01-24T12:55:00.000-05:00

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina - The 21st -ranked Bowie State University men’s basketball team won its fifth straight game after downing Elizabeth City State University 89-64 Monday in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association game in Elizabeth City, N.C. The Bowie women, however, were not as fortunate as they fell to the Vikings 60-50 in the first game of Monday night’s double header.

The Bowie men (14-3, 6-2 CIAA) led 50-32 at the half before going on to post the win before a crowd of 1,089. Byron Westmorland (Mergenthaler) led the Bulldog scoring with 21 points (six rebounds) and Darren Clark added 16 points (nine rebounds) and Bryan Wilson 13 points. Marquie Cooke scored 16 points for Elizabeth City (9-9, 3-5) followed by Quintin Spady with 13, Angelo Sharpless with 11 and Omar Jones with 10.

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HU’s Home Winning-Streak Halted by Hampton, 52-39

2012-01-24T12:51:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The lack of bench production was the deciding factor for the Howard Women’s basketball team as the Hampton Pirates handed the Lady Bison their first loss at Burr Gymnasium, 52-39.

The Pirates outscored the Bison 14-0 from the bench.

With Saadia Doyle playing the entire game in foul trouble, she led all scorers with 17 points, shooting 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, and 4-for-10 from the field, in just 24 minutes of action. Tamoria Holmes tallied 10 points in 40 minutes of action. Cheyenne Curley-Payne had a solid performance with seven points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Nicole Deterville finished with a game-high of eight rebounds and two blocks.

HU (13-7, 5-2 MEAC) quickly came out battling, with Doyle hitting a jumper in the first 33 seconds of the match to open up scoring. Hampton’s Jericka Jenkins responded with a traditional three-point play. Alyssa Bennett scored a lay-up just under the 15-minute mark to spread the Pirate lead to 8-3. Kara Smith answered with a wide-open layup closing the gap to 8-5. After a trey from Choicetta McMillian, Howard notched a 7-0 run to capture its first lead of the match, 12-11, from a three-pointer by Holmes at the 10:30 mark. However, with just under seven minutes left in the half, Hampton (15-3, 7-0) picked up its momentum and scored six straight points to end the half for a 23-12 spread.

Howard came out the lockeroom with a quick basket by Doyle within the first 24 seconds. Hampton’s Bennett responded with a jumper inside the paint spreading the lead back to 11, 25-14 by the 19:12 mark. Both teams battled back to back until the Bison closed the lead to seven points (32-25) with 13:44 left in the ball game. Hampton went on a 7-0 run pushing the lead back to double figures (40-25) in just under three minutes of play, however.

The Pirates controlled the rest of the ball game, defeating Howard for the second time this year and handing the Bison their first loss at Burr Gym this season.

After scoring 23 points in the last meeting, Bennett scored another team-high against HU, finishing with 16 points, off 7-of-12 from the field. Jenkins recorded 12 points and nine assists. Hamilton, who was the game changer for Hampton, contributed eight points in 23 minutes of action.

Howard will be back on the road traveling to Georgia to face Savannah St. on Jan 28. The game is slated for 2 p.m.

Follow Coach G’s fan page on Facebook to get a behind the scenes look at the team as they make their push toward the Big Dance: www.facebook.com/NikiGeckeler.

Box Score

Written by Julee O'Neal, W. Basketball, Broadcast Journalism '13

Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
HOWARD-BISON

Tougaloo beats Xavier 69-64 in matchup of ranked teams

2012-01-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

TOUGALOO, Mississippi — Marquise Mems scored Tougaloo's final 11 points and finished with 26 Monday in the Bulldogs' 69-64 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Bulldogs (14-5 overall, 5-1 GCAC) snapped the four-game win streak of the Gold Rush (14-6, 5-2) and took over first place in the conference. Tougaloo is ranked 24th in NAIA Division I, and Xavier is 19th.

Mems made two free throws with 42 seconds remaining to put Tougaloo ahead to stay, 64-62. Mems and Juan Gray then had steals which led to baskets and capped a half in which there were 10 ties and seven lead changes.

Wanto Joseph made two free throws with 3:50 remaining to give Xavier its final lead, 56-55. The Gold Rush gained a tie at 62 when Chris Iles made a 3-pointer with 1:02 remaining.

Iles and Joseph scored 10 points apiece.

Donteeno Todd scored 13 points for Tougaloo, and Gray had 10. Mems grabbed 11 rebounds and had four steals.

Xavier outshot Tougaloo 39.6 to 36 percent but the floor, but the Bulldogs had advantages of 9-4 in made 3-pointers, 24-18 in made free throws and 38-30 in rebounds. Mems and Todd each made three 3-pointers.

Tougaloo led 33-32 at halftime and won at home against Xavier for the sixth consecutive season. Overall the Bulldogs won eight of the past 10 meetings.

Xavier will play Dillard at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Crosstown Classic at The Barn.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Thornton Named OVC Co-Newcomer of the Week

2012-01-24T12:44:00.001-05:00

Courtesy TSU Sports Information

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State University's Kellen Thornton was named adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Co-Newcomer of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

The redshirt junior forward put together 11.0 points and 6.5 rebounds as TSU went 1-1 last week. The Chicago product led the Tigers with 14 points, grabbing six boards in the victory at Eastern Illinois. Against the Panthers, Thornton shot 5-of-7 from the field for 71 percent.

In the tough loss at Austin Peay, Thornton notched eight points and seven rebounds with a season-best three steals. On the season, Thornton is averaging 8.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest.

Thornton, a transfer from Illinois State, is the third Tiger to earn a weekly honor this season. Robert Covington was named OVC Player of the Week on Nov. 21, while Jordan Cyphers garnered Co-Newcomer of the Week accolades on Dec. 26. Thornton shared this week's award with Austin Peay's Jerome Clyburn.

Tennessee State (11-10, 4-4 OVC) returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 26 with a visit to UT Martin. The Tigers then return home for two games in three days with Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Jan. 28 and rival Austin Peay on Jan. 30.

By Tennessee State University Sports Information

Alabama State stadium runs over budget: $12 million needed for expanded project

2012-01-24T00:05:00.018-05:00

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Alabama State University's football stadium project is on pace to be $12 million over budget, and university officials acknowledged this week that they will have to go back to the bond market to secure more funds in order to complete the project.

However, ASU president William Harris said that the overrun was due to changes in the scope of the project and that it is still on track to be completed in time for November's Turkey Day Classic.

"When we originally went to the bond market two years ago, we went with a projected cost for the project using estimated drawings," Harris said. "There have been many changes to those plans. Some of the phases of the project that we bid out, the bids came back higher than we originally anticipated. And there has been some increase in costs over the last two years.

"The final cost is $12 million more than we anticipated," Harris added. The original projected cost for the 22,500-seat stadium was $50 million. That's the amount university officials procured when they went to the bond market two years ago.

PHOTO GALLERY: ASU'S STADIUM CONSTRUCTION

VIEW ASU ONGOING STADIUM CONSTRUCTION 24/7

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NOTE: In my opinion, an exceptionally well written story by Josh Moon, Montgomery Advertiser, but with a misuse of contract management terminology. Strictly by definition and application, this is not an overrun, as described or scope creep as some believe.

Anytime the client (ASU) authorizes changes in the scope of the contract by formal contract modification, it is nothing more than a contract change. A Change Order may increase or decrease the estimated costs of a project/contract -- in this case it increased the ASU stadium project estimated costs by 19.35 percent or $12 million. Therefore, the revised project baseline has been increased from $50 million to $62 million.

A major project may be re-baselined (revised) at any time the price is increased or decreased. However, the project baseline (estimated project costs) and the contract baseline (contract award amount) must always be in total alignment (or equal). Currently, the contract is out of alignment with the estimated project costs, as it is budgeted/funded at 80.65 percent or $50 million.

A cost overrun is simply when a contractor exceeds the estimated project/contract costs without (1) prior written notification to the client; and (2) prior written approval by the client. Cost overruns are a bad thing for a contractor as the client is not obligated to reimburse the contractor for his overrun of the contract award amount or ceiling. To do so is solely at the contractor's risk and expense or in layman terms -- the contractor eats the costs of any overrun! No fee or profit is paid on contractor cost overruns.

Scope changes can make a project larger or smaller and can affect the timeline and the cost of the project. In a nutshell, scope creep is the change or growth of project scope. In this instance, making the design change at the front end of construction may save millions more, as no aspect of the project requires demolition in the later stages of construction to make the modifications and there is minimum impact on the project schedule for completion. Assuming the project manager completed the apppropriate cost benefit analysis, I see no problem with upgrading a project 1/5 of its initial estimated costs.

In this case, a more accurate depiction of the situation is: "The stadium project is presently underfunded by $12 million dollars (19.35%) due to approved change orders and upgrades in project scope initiated by ASU. The budget shortfall will be addressed soon by procuring additional funding from the bond market, upon approval of the action by the ASU Board of Trustees." The prime contractor and its subcontractors are currently performing on schedule, at the revised estimated contract costs, and are delivering a quality product as expected."

It appears ASU is doing an exceptionally great job in project management and has all the necessary cost controls and an effective third-party project management team in place. The initial $9 million saved on the bond rate discount nearly covers the costs of the change order upgrades ordered by ASU. With the contractor spend rate at an average of $3.9 million per month, ASU made a very wise decision to delay acquiring the additional $12 million needed, as market conditions are improving and bond rates are falling slightly. With $31 million on hand in the stadium construction fund, this will not become a problem until August 2012.

There is no scandal or abnormal business practices going on here; just routine contracting and sound project and budget management by Alabama State's administration. I only wish all institutions and governments would manage their financial and real property resources in such an effective and efficient manner as ASU is demonstrating on this stadium project.

-beepbeep

Bethune-Cookman search committee to look for President Trudie Kibbe Reed's replacement

2012-01-23T18:42:00.000-05:00

DR. TRUDIE KIBBE REED

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- A search committee has been named to start looking for a new president for Bethune-Cookman University.

Larry Handfield, the university's board chairman, said today that he has named a committee of board members, faculty, student government association and other representatives to start looking nationally for a replacement for Trudie Kibbe Reed, who has served as president since August 2004. He said that Reed, 64, currently remains as president but will be retiring.

A transition committee of the board is working out her departure date and the transition plan. An announcement is expected in the next week. Reed is out-of-town and could not be reached for comment.

"She is still the president. More details will be made public as far as when her retirement will go into effect," he said.

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TSU men finding ways to win despite lack of playmakers

2012-01-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

HOUSTON, Texas - The Texas Southern men's basketball team sorely lacks dynamic scorers. The Tigers are shooting just under 59 percent from the free-throw line. They don't have a dominant rebounder, feared shot blocker or pure point guard.

Yet Texas Southern is only one game out of first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

TSU (6-12, 5-1) continued its strong start to SWAC play with Saturday's 69-55 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the H&PE Arena. The Tigers weren't sharp - shooting only 43.4 percent from the field, committing 19 turnovers and hitting just 16 of 30 free throws - but they managed to turn back a late rally from the SWAC's worst team and win their 14th consecutive home game.

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Prairie View A&M basketball legend Greg Burks is giving back to Flint-area through assistant coaching

2012-01-23T09:44:00.001-05:00

FLINT, Michigan — Greg “Toine” Burks is usually even keel about most things in life. He’s never been pompous and he doesn’t like to brag about his past accomplishments in basketball. However, next month will be a memorable one for the 1998 Flint Northern graduate.

Burks will enter The Prairie View A&M Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 4. The ceremony will be held in Prairie View, Texas, at the Willie A. Tempton Memorial Student Ballroom beginning at 11 a.m. The 30-year-old alumnus is eager to return to his college alma mater for such a prestigious award.

“It’s a tremendous honor, and it’s something that I didn’t set out to achieve when I got to college,” said Burks. “I just wanted to go there and play the game the right way and I just felt I always had something to prove as far as basketball was concerned.”

He will be enshrined alongside eight others in the hall’s 18th class. Burks starred for the Panthers from 1998-2003 in men’s basketball. For his career, Burks averaged 17.1 points, 4.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 117 games. In the 1999-00 season, Burks led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in points per game with 18.4.

Gregory Burks, 5'-7" point guard, played professional basketball in Germany for seven years for the Mitteldeutscher BC (MBC), the highest German Basektball League. Burks is #0 in dark jersey with white headband in this 2009 game vs. Koln.

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Shaw rout rival St. Augustine's in division opener

2012-01-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Kyria Buford loves playing against her rival. The senior from Charlotte has had career-scoring games against St. Augustine's in her two years at Shaw. And Saturday was no different. Buford led five Shaw players in double figures with 28 points, plus 17 rebounds, three blocks and two steals as the Bears clawed the Falcons 99-53 in a division opener for both teams.

"None of us got any sleep last night for this game," said Buford who is back in the starting lineup. "You have to be (caught up in the rivalry) with them being just down the street, and coach knew he wouldn't have to get us motivated for this game. Plus, we wanted to get our jerseys back."

Those jerseys were team uniforms the Bears didn't wear in their game against Lincoln (Pa.) Thursday night. Coach Jacques Curtis made the women play in T-shirts and shorts as punishment for a lackadaisical practice.

Shaw (11-5, 7-0) shot 50 percent for the game, including 58.6 percent in the second half. The Bears, who have struggled from the free-throw line, made 26 of 31.

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No 'I' in 'NSU': Spartans play, and win, as one

2012-01-22T17:29:00.000-05:00

HAMPTON, Virginia -- "Unity," Rob Johnson said Saturday night after another victory on the road for Norfolk State's basketball team. "You can't fake that." Escaping with the 80-75 victory, the Spartans have won three consecutive games away from home. It keeps their MEAC record spotless. But just as importantly, according to Johnson, it strengthens their confidence in one another.

"When everybody wants to win as a team, from man one to 15, you can do anything," he said. Without Johnson's best game as a Spartan, Norfolk State's short trip over the water would have been far less harmonious. His 19 points and 15 rebounds were career highs, including the two years the 6-foot-7 junior spent at Marist. "It was his time to break out," coach Anthony Evans said. "He picked a good night."

With both teams failing to take care of the ball, it was a wild night of back-and-forth basketball. Wide open and sometimes sloppy, but never dull. Johnson kept Norfolk State in it with his shooting - 8 for 13 - before the Spartans' defense cooled off Hampton's shooters in the second half.

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Hampton Lady Pirates rout Norfolk State women

2012-01-22T15:43:00.000-05:00

HAMPTON, Virginia - The Hampton University women’s basketball team won its fifth straight game on Saturday, as the Lady Pirates upended rival Norfolk State 92-43 at the HU Convocation Center.

The Lady Pirates (14-3, 6-0 MEAC) have also won 16 straight at home and 19 in a row over conference foes – not to mention their 11th straight over the Spartans. Hampton also set a new season high in points scored and came within one 3-pointer of tying the program record for treys in a game.

Senior guard Choicetta McMillian and sophomore guard Nicole Hamilton each led Hampton with 16 points, while junior forward Keiara Avant added 14 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore forward Alyssa Bennett poured in 13 points.

Senior guard Jericka Jenkins scored 12 points to go along with a career-high-tying 17 assists. Junior forward Ariel Phelps added 10 rebounds off the bench.

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XU Gold Rush fight the power, outlast Talladega

2012-01-22T15:40:00.000-05:00

NEW ORLEANS -- Chris Iles and Denzell Erves scored 14 points apiece Saturday to lead NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 77-64 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Talladega.

The Gold Rush (14-5 overall, 5-1 GCAC) won for the fourth straight time to tie a season high and for the seventh time in eight games.

The game was completed after a partial power outage which occurred with 4:39 remaining and caused a 46-minute delay.

Cordell Hadnot scored 10 points for Xavier, which led 39-36 at halftime.

Kerry Harvis and Ivan Sostanic scored 18 points apiece for Talladega.

Tarium Taylor's 3-point play in the first minute of the second half tied the score at 39, and the Tornadoes grabbed their only lead of the half, 58-57, on Christopher Hyche's basket with 8:42 remaining. But Iles and Erves combined for all the points in an 11-2 run during the next five minutes.

Xavier led 66-60 when about half the lights and both scoreboards lost power. The game was completed with partial lighting and a spare portable scoreboard and clock. The Gold Rush outscored Talladega 11-4 after the delay.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Tennessee State Track and Field Completes Illini Classic

2012-01-22T15:37:00.002-05:00

Champaign, Illinois - The Tennessee State University track & field teams put together 20 top-10 finishes at the Illini Classic hosted by the University of Illinois on Saturday.

The Tigerbelles were led by Felicia Oladokun who finished sixth in the women's triple jump, leaping a distance of 11.20-meters. The freshman also registered a 10th place finish in the long jump (5.03m). Her teammate, Ashontae Jackson claimed ninth with a leap of 5.13m.

Jackson also earned TSU's top finish in the 60-meter dash preliminaries (7.83, 10th) and the 200-meter dash (25.89, 11th).

Sophomore Breanna Adams set a season-best in the 800-meter run with a pace of 2:24.70, placing 12th overall in the meet.

Leading the Flying Tigers was Royce Dates with a distance of 6.89-meters in the long jump. His finished tied him for third in the meet and was the Tigers' only podium finish.

Arthur Combest had a solid day, recording a fourth place height of 1.94-meters in the high jump. Combest also inked a season-best run of 8.24 seconds in the 60-meter hurdle finals, placing sixth overall.

Mt. Juliet native Sean Jenkins finished fifth in the high jump, notching a mark of 1.89-meters. Avian Hughes claimed sixth in the triple jump, clearing a distance of 13.17-meters.

Other Flying Tigers setting season-bests were Desmond Trice with a run of 2:02.72 (7th) in the 800-meter run and Alex Griffin with his toss of 10.05-meters (16th) in the weight throw.

Overall, the Tigerbelles claimed an eighth place finish with seven points, while the Flying Tigers earned sixth with 35.5 points at the Illini Classic.

TSU returns to action next Sunday, Jan. 29 with the annual TSU Invite held at the Gentry Center.

ILLINI CLASSIC FINAL RESULTS

TIGERBELLES RESULTS

60m Dash Preliminaries
Ashontae Jackson - 7.83 (10)

Brittany Betts - 8.21 (24)

200m Dash

Ashontae Jackson - 25.89 (11)

Diera Taylor - 26.44 (15)

Brittany Betts - 27.27 (17)

400m Dash

Kya Riley - 1:01.22 (12)

Diera Taylor - 1:01.70 (14)

Felicia Oladokun - 1:03.89 (15)

800m Run

Breanna Adams - 2:24.70 (12)

Charita Harris - 2:24.86 (13)

Leah Carr - 2:39.08 (22)

60m Hurdles Preliminaries

Brielle Moore - 9.36 (11)

LaTia Carney - 9.53 (12)

Long Jump

Ashontae Jackson - 5.13m (9)
Felicia Oladakun - 5.03m (T-10)

Triple Jump
Felicia Oladokun - 11.20m (6)

Shot Put
Brittani Logan - 10.47m (14)

FLYING TIGERS RESULTS

60m Dash Preliminaries
LeQuinn Davis - 7.11 (12)
Travon Alexander - 7.15 (15)
Julian Mallory - 7.23 (19)
Royce Dates - 7.27 (T-20)

200m Dash

Lamonte Burton - 22.58 (7)

Michael Johnson - 22.80 (10)

LeQuinn Davis - 22.90 (12)

Julian Mallory - 22.99 (14)

Osafa Hippolyte - 23.71 (17)

Travon Alexander - 23.79 (18)

Sean Jenkins - 25.14 (21)

400m Dash

Lamonte Burton - 51.04 (9)

Michael Johnson - 51.24 (10)

Osafa Hippolyte - 53.08 (14)

Tamorron Key - 53.33 (15)

600m Run
Jamill Jackson - 1:24.08 (9)

800m Run
Desmond Trice - 2:02.72 (7)
Jonathan Owens - 2:03.48 (8)
Christopher Hobbs - 2:04.18 (9)
Donnie Johnson - 2:06.73 (10)

Mile Run
Christopher Hobbs - 4:45.86 (12)
Jonathan Owens - 4:48.39 (13)
Donnie Johnson - 5:02.97 (14)

60m Hurdles Preliminaries

Arthur Combest - 8.67q (8)

60m Hurdles Finals

Arthur Combest - 8.24 (6)

High Jump

Arthur Combest - 1.94m (4)

Sean Jenkins - 1.89m (5)

Long Jump

Royce Dates - 6.89m (T-3)

Avian Hughes - 6.59m (6)

Adrien Hill - 6.56m (7)

Triple Jump

Avian Hughes - 13.17m (6)

Shot Put

Alex Griffin - 12.62m (11)

Weight Throw
Alex Griffin - 10.05m (16)

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information
VISIT: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: TSUTIGERS

Xavier Gold Nuggets beat Talladega 66-48, extend GCAC streak

2012-01-22T15:18:00.001-05:00

SiMON FRANKLIN #3
NUGGETS GAME HIGH SCORER: 12 PTS, 2A, 2 Steals, 1 Block
5-7 GUARD, JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: BATON ROUGE, LA
ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY

NEW ORLEANS -- SiMon Franklin scored 12 points Saturday to lead NAIA No. 16 Xavier University to a 66-48 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Talladega.

The Gold Nuggets (16-5 overall, 6-0 GCAC) took sole possession of the conference lead by a half-game over Dillard, which was idle. Xavier has a nine-game win streak and has won 35 in a row against GCAC opponents, 30 in the regular season.

Franklin, who scored six points in each half, was Xavier's only double-figure scorer. Dalila Robinson made 3-of-5 3-pointers and scored nine points. Danielle Kennebrew grabbed a season-best nine rebounds, and Jazmoné Kelly had six of the Nuggets' season-high 22 steals.

Shakila Cole scored 15 points, Ebony Richardson 12 and Bianca Thomas scored 11 points for Talladega (11-5, 3-1).

Xavier led 32-24 at halftime and held a double-digit advantage for the final 17½ minutes.

The Nuggets outshot the Lady Tornadoes 37.1 to 27.1 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 55-44. All six of Xavier's conference opponents have scored less than 50 points and shot less than 30 percent from the floor.

Xavier's bench accounted for 31 points and 32 rebounds.

BOX SCORE

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Scores That Matters!

2012-01-22T13:15:00.002-05:00

Saturday, January 21, 2012

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

GCAC

Edward Waters 63, Fisk 57

Xavier 66, Talladega 48

Southern-New Orleans 91, Philander Smith 90

CIAA

Shaw 99, Saint Augustine's 53

Elizabeth City State 60, Lincoln (Pa.) 56

Bowie State 70, Chowan 65

Johnson C. Smith 73, Livingstone 62
Winston Salem State 74, Fayetteville State 56

SIAC
Stillman 64, Clark Atlanta 62
Claflin 61, Lane 53
Miles 81, Paine 57
Benedict 64, LeMoyne-Owen 52

SWAC
Texas Southern 57, Arkansas Pine Bluff 36
Prairie View A&M 61, Mississippi Valley 56
Grambling State 59, Jackson State 56 (O.T.)
Southern 51, Alabama A&M 32
Alcorn State 56, Alabama State 49

MEAC
Hampton 92, Norfolk State 43
Florida A&M 54, Maryland Eastern Shore 49
Coppin State 84, North Carolina Central 44
Savannah State 76, South Carolina State 65

Bethune-Cookman 52, Delaware State 50

Morgan State 85, North Carolina A&T 83 (O.T.)

OTHERS
Texas Wesleyan 59, #5 NAIA Ranked - Langston OK 54
LSU Shreveport 69, Paul Quinn 51
Texas College 73, St. Thomas Tx 51

WOMEN BASKETBALL CONFERENCE LEADERS

GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
1. Xavier University of Louisiana 6-0 GCAC, 16-5 Overall Streak, Won 9
2. Dillard University 5-0 GCAC, 8-6 Overall, Streak Won 5
3. Talladega 3-1 GCAC, 11-5 Overall, Streak Lost 1

4. Southern-New Orleans 5-2 GCAC, 8-7 Overall, Streak Won 5

CIAA-Northern Division
1. Elizabeth City State 4-3 Conf., 1-0 Division, Overall 10-7
1. Bowie State 2-5 Conf., 1-0 Division, Overall 2-12

CIAA- Southern Division
1. Johnson C. Smith 6-0 Conf., 1-0 Division, Overall 12-3
2. Winston Salem State 7-0 Conf., 0-0 Division, Overall 12-5
2. Shaw University 7-0 Conf., 0-0 Division, Overal 11-5
4. St. Augustine's 5-2 Conf., 0-0 Division, Overall 10-7

SIAC
1. Fort Valley State 10-2 Conf., 12-4 Overall
2. Benedict College 7-2 Conf., 8-3 Overall
2. Stillman College 7-2 Conf., 9-4 Overall
4. Tuskegee University 6-3 Conf., 9-4 Overall
5. Miles College 7-4 Conf., 9-6 Overall

SWAC
1. Southern University 5-2 Conf., 6-8 Overall, Streak Won 1
1. Alcorn State 5-2 Conf., 7-12 Overall, Streak Won 2
3. Mississippi Valley 4-2 Conf., 7-10 Overall, Streak Lost 1
4. Jackson State 4-3 Conf., 7-9 Overall, Streak Lost 1

MEAC
1. Florida A&M 6-0 Conf., 13-5 Overall, Streak Won 10
1. Hampton 6-0 Conf., 14-3 Overall, Streak Won 5
3. Howard 5-1 Conf., 13-6 Overall, Streak Won 3
4. Coppin State 4-2 Conf., 9-10 Overall, Streak Won 2

OVC
1. Eastern Illinois 5-0 Conf., 14-4 Overall, Streak Won 7
2. Tennessee Martin 4-1 Conf., 10-8 Overall, Streak Won 1
3. Morehead State 4-2 Conf., 7-11 Overall, Streak Lost 1
8. Tennessee State 3-4 Conf., 7-12 Overall, Streak Won 1

GCAC Weekender: Fisk Bulldogs vs. Edward Waters Tigers (1/21/12)

HELP for UNABLE TO SEE ABOVE VIDEO BROADCAST: CLICK HERE FOR DIRECT LINK
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Description The Fisk University Bulldogs look to climb up in the conference standings with a victory against the EWC Tigers.
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Fisk University • Publisher

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM 2011-12
HEAD COACH: Frank Burnell (Stetson 1985)
ASSISTANT COACHES: DANNY PERSON, SHAWN TAYLOR
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Johnny L. Rembert
2011-12 ROSTER
(Click on Photo to Enlarge)

MEN'S BASKETBALL

GCAC
Philander Smith 96, Southern-New Orleans 88
Xavier 77, Talladega 64
Edward Waters vs. Fisk (Watch GCAC Weekender)

CIAA
Winston Salem State 58, Fayetteville State 54
Shaw 70, St. Augustine's 62
Bowie State 81, Chowan 71
Johnson C. Smith 74, Livingstone 69
Elizabeth City State 72, Lincoln Pa. 47

SIAC
Clark Atlanta 53, Stillman 47
LeMoyne-Owen 65, Benedict 63
Tuskegee 69, Morehouse 60
Lane 68, Claflin 59
Miles 87, Paine 70

SWAC
Mississippi Valley State 81, Prairie View A&M 57
Southern University 75, Alabama A&M 69 (O.T.)
Texas Southern 69, Arkansas Pine Bluff 55
Alcorn State 61, Alabama State 60
Jackson State 80, Grambling State 67

MEAC
Florida A&M 68, Maryland Eastern Shore 63
Norfolk State 80, Hampton 75
Savannah State 83, South Carolina State 53
Coppin State 77, North Carolina Central 57
Bethune-Cookman 60, Delaware State 50
North Carolina A&T 62, Morgan State 61

Other
Texas Wesleyan 79, Langston OK 69
Texas College 62, St. Thomas Tx 53
LSU-Shreveport 79, Paul Quinn Tx 59

MEN'S BASKETBALL CONFERENCE LEADERS

GCAC
1. Xavier University of Louisiana 5-1 GCAC, Overall 14-5, Streak Won 4
2. Tougaloo College 4-1 GCAC, Overall 13-5, Streak Won 5
3. Southern-New Orleans 5-2 GCAC, 9-9 Overall, Streak Lost 2

CIAA-Northern Division
1. Virginia Union 5-3 Conf., 2-0 Division, Overall 10-10
2. Bowie State 5-2 Conf., 1-0 Division, Overall 13-3
2. Elizabeth City State 3-4 Conf., 1-0 Division, Overall 9-8

CIAA-Southern Division
1. Shaw University 7-0 Conf., 1-0 Division, 15-2 Overall
1. Winston Salem State 7-0 Conf., 1-0 Division, 14-2 Overall
3. Johnson C. Smith 3-3 Conf., 1-0 Division, 8-8 Overall
4. St. Augustine's 5-2 Conf., 0-1 Division, 10-7 Overall

SIAC
1. Benedict College 7-3 Conf., 8-4 Overall
1. Tuskegee University 7-3 Conf., 7-5 Overall
3. Paine College 9-4 Conf., 10-5 Overall
4. LeMoyne-Owen College 8-5 Conf., 8-7 Overall
5. Fort Valley State 7-5 Conf., 7-7 Overall

SWAC
1. Mississippi Valley State 6-0 Conf., 7-11 Overall, Streak Won 6
2. Texas Southern 5-1 Conf., 6-12 Overall, Streak Won 1
3. Southern University 5-2 Conf., 9-11 Overall, Streak Won 1
4. Alabama State 4-2 Conf., 7-11 Overall, Streak Lost 1

MEAC
1. Norfolk State University 7-0 Conf., 15-5 Overall, Streak Won 8
2. Bethune-Cookman 5-1 Conf., 8-12 Overall, Streak Won 3
3. Savannah State 5-2 Conf., 9-10 Overall, Streak Won 1
4. Coppin State 4-2 Conf., 9-10 Overall, Streak Won 1
5. North Carolina Central 3-2 Conf., 9-9 Overall, Streak Lost 1

OVC
1. #10 Ranked Murray State 7-0 Conf., 19-0 Overall, Streak Won 19
2. Southeast Missouri State 5-1 Conf., 10-8 Overall, Streak Won 2
3. Eastern Kentucky 5-3 Conf., 11-9 Overall, Streak Won 1
4. Austin Peay 4-3 Conf., 7-13 Overall, Streak Won 4
5. Tennessee Tech 3-3 Conf., 11-8 Overall, Streak Lost 2
6. Tennessee State 4-4 Conf., 11-10 Overall, Streak Won 1

Police Arrest 4 FAMU Clarinetists in Hazing Case; Trombonist Allahandro Bradford Booted Off Campus for One Year

2012-01-21T13:14:00.002-05:00

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Four more students are under arrest in the Florida A&M hazing scandal, but not for the death of a drum major. Police said the group attacked five clarinet players pledging a secret group, and the new arrests brings the total to seven students charged in hazing cases.

WFTV's Daralene Jones learned that the four new suspects are still on campus, despite the accusations. University officials said they are in the process of drafting dismissal letters, and students have to receive the letter before they can be kicked out of school.

Hakeem Birch, Anthony Mingo and Denise Bailey were headed to class late Thursday when FAMU police arrested them on a warrant for misdemeanor hazing. Brandon Benson turned himself in after he heard campus police were looking for him. Mingo also was arrested on misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of narcotics equipment.

DOCUMENT: Hazing Incident Arrest Warrant

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RENEWED REQUEST FOR FULL REINSTATEMENT OF BAND DIRECTOR

TALLAHASSEE — Four Florida A&M Univeristy students were charged and arrested yesterday due to alleged hazing incidents which occurred before the death of drum Robert Champion. These incidents, according to the Probable Cause Affadavit issued by the FAMU police department, were reported in November 2011 by Dr. Julian White, director of bands.

The students, Hakeem B. Birch, Denise Lashawn Bailey, Anthony Mingo and Brandon X. Benson are members of “The Clones,” an illegal and unsanctioned clique loosely affiliated with the band’s clarinet section.

Bailey was suspended by Dr. White last year for missing rehearsals, and was not a member of the Marching 100 during the fall 2011 semester. Birch, Mingo and Benson were members of the band when the hazing incident occurred. White issued letters of suspension and withheld scholarships of all students whose names were provided to him once the incident was reported. White initially reported the incident to FAMU police chief Calvin Ross, and was subsequently instructed to provide information to Investigator John Cotton.

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FAMU BAND MEMBER SAYS HE WAS HARASSED

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida A&M University police have ordered a Marching 100 band member to stay away from campus for a year. Police say the student was harassing another band member.

According to police documents, 21 year old Joshua Thomas says he was verbally harassed by 20 year old Allahandro Bradford for not joining the band's underground trombone subsection, known as Thunder. Thomas said he wanted to report the incidents before the situation became violent.

FAMU President James Ammons told ABC27 Thursday it's important for students to report hazing or harassment right away.

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TSU Hale Stadium Renewal Kicks Off With Building Demolition

2012-01-21T08:19:00.001-05:00

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – With the single pull of a backhoe bucket, Tennessee State University officially started the upgrades to Hale Stadium when demolition to the old ROTC building began today.

The demolition of the building, which has stood at the entry of the stadium since 1931, is the first project in a series of upgrades in preparation for football returning to “The Hole” during the Centennial Celebration.

“The slated improvements to the stadium will enhance the infrastructure necessary to support a return of football games to the stadium,” said Ron Brooks, Vice President of Facilities Management. “The improvements to this area of campus will have an immediate impact for our campus community as we look forward to creating an even more inviting place to hold events not only during the Centennial Celebration but for years to come.”

TSU old ROTC Building Demolition
Photo Courtesy: TSU Media Relations

The demolition project is expected to take approximately six weeks. During that time, University officials ask that as a safety precaution, pedestrians use the opposite side of John A. Merritt Blvd.

Built in 1953, the “The Hole” was once an integral part of the TSU campus and a source of pride, legacy and tradition. Unfortunately the stadium fell into a state of disrepair, and since 1999, the Tigers have played their home games at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans.

“We want to be able to bring that sense of pride and tradition back to ‘The Hole’” even if just for the Centennial year,” said Dr. Portia Shields, President of the University. “We’ll be working hard to be able to return that Saturday Night Tradition to our current students and recent alumni.”

Possible future plans for Hale Stadium released by TSU Media Relation on Sept. 29, 2011. TSU's NFL Hall of Fame DE Richard Dent has made his first financial donation earmaked for the renovations. He has a matching fund campaign in which he will match donations from other alumni under his Make a Dent Foundation, and will help fund the project.

The $1 million face lift of the stadium not only includes the demolition of the ROTC building, but also the installation of a temporary sound system and digital scoreboard, painting and general cleanup, as well as renting portable restrooms and concession areas. Seating capacity will also be increased with the addition of portable bleachers that will accommodate 4,000, bringing the total capacity to 16,000.

Two or three games will be played during the 2012 season. The first game is tentatively scheduled for September 15 against cross-town rival and Ohio Valley Conference opponent Austin Peay State University. Games that draw larger crowds, such as the John Merritt Classic and Homecoming, will still be played at LP Field.

“For our students,” said Shields, “this represents the better of two powerfully important worlds; a past to cherish and a future to fulfill.”

Courtesy: TSU Media Relations
VISIT: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: TSUTIGERS

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University (TSU), a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) and a 1890 land-grant institution, is Nashville’s only urban and comprehensive public University, as well as middle Tennessee’s first public Carnegie doctoral/research institution.

TSU consists of seven colleges: the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, Technology & Computer Science, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Public Service & Urban Affairs; and has a School of Graduate Studies and Research.

TSU offers 39 bachelor’s degrees, 23 master’s degrees and awards doctoral degrees in seven areas: biological sciences, computer information systems engineering, psychology, public administration, curriculum and instruction, administration and supervision and physical therapy.

Nearly 430 full‐time faculty and approximately 200 part‐time faculty serve a student population of more than 8,500 drawn from 42 states and 45 countries. More than 70% of the student population is African-American, while 22% is white. A growing number of Latino, Asian, and international students is also present at the University.

Tennessee State Tigers Use Balanced Attack to Drop EIU, 55-46

2012-01-21T08:16:00.000-05:00

Charleston, Illinois - Tennessee State men's basketball took an early first half lead and behind a balanced scoring attack held off an Eastern Illinois comeback, as the Tigers captured a 55-46 victory at Lantz Arena.

The victory marked the first time in over a year TSU (11-10, 4-4 Ohio Valley) had captured a road victory over an OVC opponent, snapping a nine game losing skid against conference foes on the road. The OVC road win was the first for TSU since defeating UT Martin on Jan. 8, 2011.

Eastern Illinois (9-8, 2-3 OVC) took a brief two point lead early, but the Tigers battled and stretched their advantage to 11 in the first half. TSU's advantage was cut to 33-30 in the second half, but the Tigers used critical baskets from Wil Peters and Kenny Moore to extend the advantage. EIU cut the lead within six a couple of more occasions, but it wasn't enough as TSU held on for the win.

TSU shot 45 percent, knocking down 22 of 49 attempts. The Tigers out-rebounded Eastern Illinois 35-to-30. TSU dished out 11 assists, including six from Illinois native Patrick Miller. EIU was held to 36 percent shooting (20-of-25), including 3-of-21 (14 percent) behind the arch.

Chicago native Kellen Thornton led TSU with 14 points and pulled in a team-best six rebounds in the victory. Thornton was 5-of-7 from the floor in 25 minutes of action.

Peters completed the game with 12 points, going 5-of-8 from the field. The senior guard also hit a pair of triples and corralled two rebounds in 25 minutes.

Junior forward Robert Covington extended his double-digit scoring streak to 20 games, notching 11 points. The Bellwood, Ill., native grabbed four boards, picked up two blocks and collected a steal in 33 minutes.

Kenny Moore notched eight points and a season-high eight rebounds for the Tigers. M.J. Rhett added six points and three boards in 13 minutes.

Tennessee State took a 29-23 lead into the locker room. The Tigers made 12-of-25 from the field for 48 percent. EIU was held to 31 percent (9-of-29) shooting from the field. Rhett led the Tigers with six points, while Thornton had five points and five rebounds. EIU's Joey Miller had 17 points to lead the Panthers at the break. Miller finished the game with 19 points.

Tigers held on to an early 7-6 lead with 15:35 left in the first half. Covington and Moore hit back-to-back baskets to put the Big Blue up 13-9. TSU then proceeded on a five point run to expand their lead to nine.

The Tigers expanded their lead to 11 when Peters knocked down a triple at 4:12 in the first period. The Panthers battled back going on a 5-0 run to close out the half, Miller hit a triple to make it a 29-23 contest at the half.

The second half started on a strong run for the Panthers as they cut the Tigers lead to 33-30 in the first five minutes. However, the Tigers added another five point string to go up 37-30 with 13:37 remaining.

Eastern Illinois went on an 8-to-4 run, cutting Tennessee State's advantage to 41-38. Peters drains a triple at 5:12 to put the Tigers back up by six.

Covington added a basket to give the Tigers the 52-44 edge with just over a minute remaining. EIU's Jeremy Granger followed up with a fade-away to reduce the Tigers' lead to six with approximately a minute left. TSU added three freebies down the stretch to secure the win.

The Tigers take a week hiatus before visiting UT Martin on Thursday, Jan. 26. Tipoff with the Skyhawks is 7 p.m.
`
TSU at Eastern Illinois Box Score (PDF)

Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information
VISIT: TSUTIGERS
VISIT: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

Diamond in the Rough: Marquette King, P, Fort Valley State

2012-01-21T07:37:00.000-05:00

ATLANTA, GA - It was 9:00 in the morning in Atlanta, Georgia for the 3rd Annual HBCU Bowl, and there was a repetitive “BOOMING” sound in the background. When the scouts and players looked over, they saw a 6’1, 192 pound, punter booming kicks in the air. When scouts looked over they seemed surprised to see a young African American man kicking the ball so high. It was almost instantaneous, when you looked at the NFL scouts they all began reaching for their stop clocks.

The next BOOM came with something special it was an electrifying 80 yard punt, which registered a 5.3 hang time on some scouts watches. It seemed that at this moment, young Marquette King of Fort Valley State, had begun showing the NFL scouts that he had what it takes to be in the next level.

Marquette King is a very soft spoken young man from Macon, Georgia. Marquette is a family man, a person that was raised by both his mother and father and has a little sister, who attends the University of Georgia. Marquette played high school football for Rutland High School where he was the Placekicker, Punter and Wide Receiver. Marquette was named Special Teams player of the year his senior season but that still didn’t get the looks he was hoping for. The biggest problem was that Marquette was a Punter, and we all know Punters and Kickers are never given any love. Marquette decided that Fort Valley State was a good decision for him and decided to stay close to home and play for Fort Valley State.

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Livingstone 65, Chowan 60

2012-01-20T22:28:00.000-05:00

SALISBURY, North Carolina — Sixty long days rolled off the calendar between Livingstone men’s basketball victories, but Thursday’s 65-60 CIAA victory against Chowan had everyone thinking positive.

The Blue Bears finally ended an eight-game slide by holding off the Hawks (6-12, 0-6) in front of a big crowd at New Trent Gym, but blue-collar forward Tyler Johnson wore a smile like a man who had just tasted the champagne of an NBA title.

“We had the same kind of rough stretch last year, but we came back strong,” Johnson said. “It does feel great to win a game, and we’re not that far from being right back on track.”

Livingstone survived last season’s rough patch well enough to reach the CIAA championship game, so coach James Stinson isn’t throwing in the towel.

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Five Historically Black Colleges and Universities to participate in 2012 MLB Urban Invitational as tournament relocates to Houston

2012-01-20T12:43:00.004-05:00

HOUSTON, Texas - The Urban Invitational, the annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed to give Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs national exposure, is relocating to Houston, Texas and will feature five HBCUs – the most-ever in the tournament’s five-year history.

The Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be the primary site of the tournament on Friday, February 17th and Sunday, February 19th, while the games on Saturday, February 18th will be played at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Two of those contests will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

HBCUs Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama), Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana), Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas) and Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas) will all participate in the Urban Invitational along with NCAA Division-I school University of California, Irvine.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Houston Astros in bringing these six outstanding programs to Houston for this year’s Urban Invitational,” said Jimmie Lee Solomon, Executive Vice President, Baseball Development, Major League Baseball. "Through this event, Major League Baseball strives to bring much needed exposure to these individual institutions and attention to collegiate baseball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Additionally, we are very pleased to give local high school students the opportunity to learn more about higher education directly from the more than 20 colleges and universities at the college fair. This will be a great experience for all involved, especially these young men playing in a beautiful ballpark such as Minute Maid Park.”

“The Houston Astros are extremely excited about hosting the Urban Invitational in Houston this year,” said Daryl Wade, Manager of the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy. “This event gives the organization a chance to reach out to inner-city high school youth with a message that seeking education after high school is attainable for anyone. The high quality of baseball, music and schools, at our college fair over the weekend, should give these students the idea that there are many routes that can be taken to reach that next step in their lives. Whether it’s through baseball, music, academics or all three, these kids have a chance, and we’re happy to support such a cause.”

As an additional aspect of the Urban Invitational weekend activities, MLB and the Houston Astros will host a college fair at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, February 18th beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT. More than 20 colleges and universities will be represented and will provide information about college preparation, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. ET), the games at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, February 18th will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com, with play-by-play from Greg Amsinger and analysis from two-time MLB All-Star Harold Reynolds. In between these contests, fans at Minute Maid Park will be entertained in a collegiate “battle of the bands,” with live performances from Southern University’s “Human Jukebox,” Texas Southern University’s “Ocean of Soul” and Prairie View A&M University’s “Marching Storm.”

Tickets to the games and events at Minute Maid Park will be available to the general public for $5.00, and parking for Minute Maid Park is also available for $5.00. There is a special ticket package available for $10.00, which will allow access to the ballpark and provide a concession voucher for a hot dog and soda. High School students and below with a valid student ID will be admitted to the ballpark for free.

Games at the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be available on game day for a suggested $5.00 donation. Children 12 and under, and any student 18 and under with a valid student ID, will be admitted free. All proceeds from the ticket donations at the Academy will benefit the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Foundation, which is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) corporation.

Games and Entertainment Schedule (all times Central):

Friday, February 17, Southern University vs. Prairie View A&M University, 11:00 a.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Friday, February 17, University of California, Irvine vs. Alabama State University, 2:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Friday, February 17, Grambling State University vs. Texas Southern University, 6:00 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Saturday, February 18, Alabama State University vs. Grambling State University, 11:00 a.m. at Minute Maid Park

Saturday, February 18, University of California, Irvine vs. Southern University, 3:00 p.m. at Minute Maid Park – LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com

Saturday, February 18, Texas Southern University vs. Prairie View A&M University, 7:00 p.m. at Minute Maid Park – LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com

Sunday, February 19, University of California, Irvine vs. Texas Southern University, 11:00 a.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Sunday, February 19, Alabama State University vs. Southern University, 2:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Sunday, February 19, Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M University, 5:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Major League Baseball is committed to addressing the issue of African-American participation in professional baseball through its various community and multicultural programs. With the three MLB Urban Youth Academies operating in Compton, California, Houston, Texas, and Gurabo, Puerto Rico; one under construction in New Orleans, Louisiana; two others announced in Hialeah, Florida and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and additional soon-to-be announced facilities, MLB has continued to pledge resources to bringing America’s pastime to young people in urban communities.

HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M), as well as current Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, played in HBCU baseball programs. Thirteen HBCU players were selected in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, six of whom played in last year’s Urban Invitational in Compton. Through the annual Urban Invitational, MLB aims to help these programs continue providing young players from underserved communities the opportunity to play collegiate-level baseball.

In just its first year, the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy has registered approximately 700 young athletes, conducted ten one-day baseball clinics and five week-long summer day camps, and currently provides daily Major League-style instruction. The Academy has hosted 150 games including NCAA, high school, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) and Jr. RBI contests. The Academy also offers off-field and academic opportunities, and this spring provided students with Texas Assessment of Skills tutorials in advance of area-wide testing. In addition to baseball and softball instruction, boys and girls attending the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park can participate in free seminars on umpiring, athletic field management, scouting and player development, sports and broadcast journalism, public relations and statistics, as well as athletic sports training. Information about the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy is available at Astros.com/uya or by calling 281-960-9166.

Alabama A&M football: Jones feels recruiting delay won't be a problem

2012-01-20T07:50:00.000-05:00

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - More than a month after leading Alabama A&M to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game, coach Anthony Jones and his staff are working overtime to make inroads in recruiting. Jones said A&M lost two weeks on the recruiting trail while preparing for the championship game, but believes playing for the title will help the Bulldogs.

"You lose a little bit by playing in the championship game, but you gain a little bit because you're on TV," said Jones, who has compiled a 72-45 record in his 10 seasons. "While the coaches are going to the homes, we're coming into the homes, and the kids are seeing our program and we're trying to build upon that.

"Whenever you have a good year, it aids in recruiting. People are drawn to teams that have a winning history. The fact that we are 8-4 and came close to winning the championship, some kids think they can be a difference-maker and some look at the depth situation. We're going to go out and find the best kids we can find to fill our needs and try to sign them."

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Morgan State reinstates men's basketball coach Todd Bozeman

2012-01-20T07:45:00.000-05:00

Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman has always openly
expressed emotions for his players, as shown in this 2010
photo with former Bears star Reggie Holmes. After the
unproven allegation by SCSU, will we see less of Bozeman
in the future and more of a stoic John Wooden styled coach?

BALTIMORE, Maryland - (EXCERPT) -- More than a week after being placed on paid administrative leave following an on-court confrontation with one of his own players, Morgan State men's basketball coach Todd Bozeman was reinstated Thursday night, a school spokesman said. Bozeman will return to sideline for his team's home game Saturday against North Carolina A&T.

Clinton Coleman, a spokesman for Morgan State president David Wilson, said in an interview that "results of the investigation were inconclusive" looking into the incident that led to Bozeman's suspension.

Bozeman's attorney was not as diplomatic. "He should never have been suspended before the investigation was completed," said Ricky Lefft, Bozeman's South Carolina-based attorney. "If the findings were inconclusive, a suspension was not appropriate. They punished him and damaged his reputation irreparably."

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