Xavier plays host to GCAC tournaments next week

Free admission for XU, Dillard and SUNO students with valid university ID

Xavier University of Louisiana's Convocation Center
 opened in November 2012 and seats nearly 4,000.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Convocation Center will be the site of 10 games next week — five men's and five women's — in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference basketball tournaments.
   
Tournament dates will be March 6-9, with games at Xavier on March 7-9. Students with a valid university ID from Xavier, Dillard and SUNO — the GCAC's three New Orleans members — will receive free admission to all games.
   
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children.
   
Regular-season games will conclude Saturday. Seedings, pairings and the schedule will be finalized and announced Sunday. Here's the schedule of tournament games:

Thursday, March 6 — First Round:
At Dillard's Dent Hall
Women (No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed) at 5 p.m.
Men (No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed) at 7 p.m.

Friday, March 7 — Quarterfinals:
At Dillard's Dent Hall
Women at noon
Men at 2 p.m.
Women at 5 p.m.
Men at 7 p.m.

At Xavier's Convocation Center
Women at noon
Men at 2 p.m.
Women at 5 p.m.
Men at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 8 — Semifinals:
At Xavier's Convocation Center
Women at noon
Men at 2 p.m.
Women at 5 p.m.
Men at 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 9 — Championship:
At Xavier's Convocation Center
Women at 3 p.m.
Men at 5 p.m.

There will be an awards luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursday in the ballroom (third floor) of Xavier's University Center. Driving directions to the University Center can be found online by using 4980 Dixon St. and the 70125 zip code as the destination.

The GCAC men's and women's tournament champions will receive automatic berths in the NAIA Division I National Championship. The NAIA men's tournament will be played in Kansas City, Mo., and the women's tournament will be played in Frankfort, Ky. Dates of both events will be March 19-25.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold

Winston-Salem State Rams Dig Deep for Semi-Final Win over Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams clawed their way back from a 16 point deficit to secure a spot in Saturday's CIAA Championship game with a 78-71 win over Johnson C. Smith University.

The Rams are slated to take on the Livingstone College Blue Bears in an 8:30 p.m. contest in Time Warner Cable Arena.

Winston-Salem State head coach Bobby Collins commented, "Tonight…was more like a prizefight.  We wanted to see what they had in the tank.  They came out and hit some shots early and took a lead, but obviously it wasn't enough…the outcome of the game tonight was a result of our brother-ship and it shows how close we really are."

The Golden Bulls end their season with an 18-12 record and saw a three-game win streak in the CIAA Tournament come to an end.   Steven Joyner, Sr., head coach of Johnson C. Smith noted, "Let me start out by congratulating Winston-Salem State.  They could have folded after the first half…but they recognized what our strengths were and just physically handled us.  We didn't have our legs and they dominated the second half.  I'm very pleased with our effort, but we just fell short."

Marquez Jones had a monster night for the Rams, scoring 29 points in the win.  Preston Ross and Tyre Desmore added 16 and 14 points respectively.  Emilio Parks led the effort for the Golden Bulls with 22 points.  Antwan Wilkerson added 16 points while Robert Williams notched 12 points in the loss.

Parks scored first in the contest with a jumper for Johnson C. Smith University.  Brian Okam answered with a dunk on the next possession but a three-pointer by Joshua Linson gave the Golden Bulls a 5-2 lead with 17:22 on the clock.

Johnson C. Smith built their lead to nine points (18-9) with 13:12 on the clock after a three-pointer by Antwan Wilkerson.  A 7-2 run by the Rams made the score 20-16 with 11:18 left to play and cut Winston-Salem State's deficit to four points.

The Golden Bulls and Rams traded baskets as the minutes ticked away in the first half but Johnson C. Smith maintained control of the momentum and the score.  With 6:34 left in the half and trailing 29-23, Winston-Salem State used a 5-0 run to make it a one point game.

Johnson C. Smith took over from there, orchestrating an 8-2 run to pull away 37-30 with 1:53 left in the half.  Wilkerson completed the three point play and Robert Williams drained a three pointer for a 43-32 advantage.  Desmore made a jumper for Winston-Salem State but the Golden Bulls headed into halftime with a 43-34 lead.

A dunk by Williams at the 17:16 mark in the second half gave the Golden Bulls a ten point lead (47-37).  Winston-Salem State fought to stay on Johnson C. Smith's heels but fell behind by as many as 16 points (59-43) after a dunk by Alandre Davis with 10:42 left in the game. 
 .
Slowly but surely Winston-Salem State worked their way back into the game.  Beginning at the 12:41 mark, the Rams outscored the Golden Bulls 28-9 en-route to the win.  The Rams chipped away at the deficit, holding the Golden Bulls scoreless as they strung together seven unanswered points to make the score 59-50 with 9:29 remaining.

A dunk by Wilkerson on the next possession put the Golden Bulls ahead by 11 points but a three-pointer by Javan Wells and bucket by Ross put the Rams right back in the game. With Johnson C. Smith leading 63-55 with 8:06 left in the contest, a layup by Jones fueled an 8-1 run and left the Golden Bulls gripping to a one point lead.

Parks drained two free throws with 5:05 left in the game but Jones nailed back-to-back three-pointers to give Winston-Salem State a 69-66 advantage and the momentum from a packed arena with 3:39 on the clock.  A Golden Bull turnover led to another score for the Rams thanks to a bucket by Ross. 

Ross tacked on two free throws for Winston-Salem to extend the Rams' lead to 73-66 with just 2:38 left in the contest.

With Winston-Salem State leading 73-67, the Rams added four points using free throws from Wells and Jones to gain a 10 point cushion (77-67) with 34 seconds left to play.

The teams exchanged free throws and Davis added a jumper for the Golden Bulls with three seconds on the clock but Winston-Salem State walked away with the 78-71 semi-final victory.  The Rams advance to take on Livingstone College on Saturday, a team that has never won the CIAA Tournament.  Winston-Salem State has 11 CIAA Tournament titles in the history of the men's basketball program.

Box Score

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Livingstone Blue Bears Advance to CIAA Finals with 79-73 Win over Fayetteville State

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – CIAA Player of the Year Mark Thomas scored 28 points and Jody Hill added 14 points as Livingstone College survived a late Fayetteville State run for a 79-73 men's basketball semifinal win at Time Warner Cable Arena on Friday, February 28 to reach the CIAA Tournament finals for the second consecutive year.

The Blue Bears (20-7 overall) will play for the CIAA title on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. They are aiming for their first conference crown in school history.

The backcourt duo led five Blue Bears in double figures. Food Lion MVP Emarri Bailey had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Eric Mayo finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Anthony Welch scored 10 points and snatched eight rebounds and Hill pulled down seven rebounds. 

The Blue Bears, the Southern Division champions, held a huge advantage at the free throw line. They made 24-of-38 free throws compared to 9-of-15 for the Broncos. In the last five minutes, the Blue Bears hit 10-of-16 free throws to stave off the Broncos. 

Mayo made two big free throws. He swished one of two at the charity stripe for a 76-73 Blue Bears lead with 23 seconds left. After coming up with a huge steal, Mayo made one of two free throws for a 77-73 lead with 20 seconds remaining.
 

The Blue Bears survived after the Broncos (19-10 overall) reeled off 18 straight points to erase a 62-49 deficit. A jumper by Tyrell Tate from the left corner put the Broncos up 67-62 with 6:39 left in the game. 

"Fatigue started to set in," Livingstone Head Coach James Stinson said about his team during that stretch. "If you miss, [the Broncos] are running a layup drill."

The lead was short-lived, however, as Tate fouled out with 4:27 left. Welch made one of two free throws, but a tie-up gave the Blue Bears possession. Thomas put the Blue Bears back in front 68-67 with his sixth three-pointer of the game. The Blue Bears then held on at the free throw line.

"At the end [Livingstone] finished strong, but I am proud of our kids," Fayetteville State Head Coach Alphonza Kee said. "We fought back through the 38 free throws [that Livingstone shot]."

Tate scored 19 points and collected eight rebounds for the Broncos, the No. 3 Southern Division seed. Joshua Dawson added 13 points and Anthony Shelton chipped in 11 points.

The contest featured seven ties and 12 lead changes including five ties and nine lead changes in the first half. Travis Marcus scored four points and Torian Showers had three points to give the Broncos a 7-5 lead early. The Blue Bears quickly led 17-12 on a jumper by Eric Dubose. 

The Broncos gained momentum and built a 29-23 lead on a layup by Travis Marcus off a steal by Marquette Hill. The Blue Bears came roaring back, going on an 8-1 run on a drive by Thomas for a 31-30 lead. The Broncos ended up leading at halftime 35-33 on Sheldon's three-pointer with 13 seconds left in the first half.

Hill and Thomas both scored 10 first-half points for the Blue Bears. Shelton had 11 points for the Broncos in the opening 20 minutes.

The Blue Bears started fast in the second half, taking a 40-35 after scoring seven consecutive points capped by a Thomas three-pointer. Tate stopped the run momentarily with a three-point play, but Welch scored a three-pointer to begin a 17-4 run for a 57-42 lead. Thomas scored eight points in the run including two treys.

 

Box Score

 

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE BLUE BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

SIAC basketball tournament: Tuskegee (capsule)

TUSKEGEE
Record: 15-11, 12-5 SIAC
Last 5 games: 3-2

Next game:  TBD 

For the record: The Golden Tigers, coached by former Alabama standout Leon Douglas, sit atop the SIAC West standings. After a six-game winning streak,  their longest of the season, the Tigers have gone 4-3 in their last seven, including a four-point defeat against Paine College (Ga.) in their regular-season finale.

Key players: Richard Dixon (16.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.9 apg); Javier McKinney (14.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 apg); Elliot Dean (12.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.7 apg); Olatunji Graham (11.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.5 apg). 

Why they could win the tournament: The Golden Tigers put the ball in the hole better than almost any team in the league, shooting 47.4 percent from the field as a team. Two of their top scorers Dixon and Graham, are shooting better than 54 percent. They've also got a ton of experience with only one freshman on its roster after depending heavily on newcomers a year ago.

CONTINUE READING 

SIAC basketball tournament: Stillman College (capsule)

STILLMAN 
Record:16-12, 11-6 SIAC
Last 5 games: 4-1
Next game:  TBD

For the record: Stillman is currently second in the SIAC West behind in-state foe Tuskegee. The Tigers split a pair of games with each team winning on other's floor. Coach Michael Grant's team was stellar at home with a 9-3 mark at Birthright Hall while being solid on the road with a near-.500 mark (6-7).

Key players: Bryant Daniel (19.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.0 apg) Markeith Madison (16.6 ppg, 7.3 rbg, 1.7 apg); Justin Harris (13 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.4 apg); Stanley Magee (12.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.0 apg); Jeffrey Wherry (10.6 ppg, 3.9, 2.9 apg); D'uanaway Barnes (10.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.1 apg).

Why they could win the tournament: At 83.7 points per game, Stillman leads the SIAC in scoring. Having six players who average double-figures in scoring means they spread it around incredibly well. They'll be a tough cover for any team that has to defend them. 

CONTINUE READING

Miles College Golden Bears Releases 2014 Football Schedule

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Coming off its second appearance in the SIAC Football Championship in the last three years, Miles College announced its 2014 football schedule on Monday. The Golden Bears schedule is highlighted by six home games at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium and four road contest.

MC opens the season at home against CIAA conference foe Shaw University on Sept. 6, at 6 p.m.. Miles College and the SU Bears will be meeting for the second time in three years as the Golden Bears defeated Shaw in 2012 by a score of 28-15 in Durham, NC.

Following the season opener Miles will host the University of West Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.. Last season the Wolves defeated MC 31-7 in Carrollton, GA.

After starting the season with consecutive home games the Golden Bears wrap up the non-conference portion of the schedule and will travel to Hampton, VA on Saturday, Sept. 20 to take on FCS and MEAC conference member the Pirates of Hampton University. Kick-off is set of 5 p.m.

Miles remains on the road to begin SIAC conference play and do battle against the Golden Rams of Albany State University in a rematch of the 2013 SIAC Football Championship, on Saturday, Sept. 27, in Albany, GA at 6 p.m.

The Golden Bears return home to face the Tigers of Benedict College on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.. Last season MC went into Columbia, SC and pulled out a 27-13 victory over BC.

The following week on Oct. 11, will be 2014 HOMECOMING against the Marauders of Central State University. The Golden Bears look to avenge a disappointing 25-21 loss to CSU in 2013. Kickoff for homecoming is set for 4 p.m.

Up next are the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University as Miles travels to Frankfort, KY on Oct. 18. Last season the Golden Bears toppled KSU, 40-17, during homecoming 2013.

A week later MC remains on the road and makes the trek to Jackson, TN to do battle with Lane College on Oct. 25. A year ago Miles won a hard-fought battle 38-26 over the Dragons.

Miles closes out the season with consecutive home games as they take on western division powers Stillman College in a Thursday night match-up on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m., and the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 4 p.m.. Last season the Golden Bears used a miraculous, 31-30, come from behind victory over SC and an upset victory over previously SIAC unbeaten TU, 41-36, to clinch a birth in the 2013 SIAC Football Championship.




2014 Miles College Football Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 6 – Shaw at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13 – West Georgia at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – at Hampton at 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27 – at Albany State at 5 p.m. *
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Benedict at 6 p.m. *
Saturday, Oct. 11 – Central State at 4 p.m. *#
Saturday, Oct. 18 – at Kentucky State TBA *
Saturday, Oct. 25 – at Lane TBA *
Thursday, Oct. 30 – Stillman at 6 p.m. *%
Saturday, Nov. 8 – Tuskegee at 4 p.m. *
Saturday, Nov. 15 – SIAC Championship TBA

*SIAC Conference Opponent
#Homecoming
%Thursday Night Game
All times are Central Standard Time and are subject to change    

COURTESY MILES COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Tickets for the Centennial SIAC Basketball Tournament are on Sale!

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference today announced that tickets for the 2014 SIAC Basketball Tournament are now on sale. The 81st installment of the annual tournament will be played from Monday, March 3 through Saturday, March 8, in the Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama.

General admission for adults will be $10, while students with a valid ID and kids 12 and under will gain admittance for $5. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.thesiactickets.com.

The 2014 SIAC Basketball Tournament will feature both men's and women's basketball teams from the 14 members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SIAC). For more information or to request media credentials for the 81st SIAC Basketball Tournament, visit www.thesiac.com. For the latest updates on the SIAC Tournament, "Like" the SIAC Tournament on Facebook and follow the SIAC on Twitter www.twitter.com/thesiac.
announced that tickets for the 2014 SIAC Basketball Tournament are now on sale. The 81st installment of the annual tournament will be played from Monday, March 3 through Saturday, March 8, in the Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama.

EVENT: SIAC Basketball Tournament
DATES: Monday, March 3 - Saturday, March 8
VENUE: The Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex
TICKET PRICES: $10, $5    

COURTESY THESIAC.COM