Sunday, February 7, 2016

NSU Spartans Finish Nightcap, Incredible Day with 99-92 Win over Howard in 2OT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ready to get on the court, the Norfolk State men's basketball team instead had to wait its turn on Saturday at Burr Gymnasium after the Spartan women won in double overtime against Howard in the first game of the afternoon. Then the Spartan men decided they wanted to play extra as well.

Senior Jeff Short completed a four-point play with time ticking down in the first overtime, and the Spartans survived to defeat Howard by a 99-92 score in double overtime in one of the wildest days ever for the two NSU basketball teams.

The Spartan men had not played an overtime game yet this season and had gone four years since their last double OT contest. Howard made it so after rallying late in regulation.



Norfolk State held a 10-point lead with four and a half minutes remaining in the second half. The Spartans were still up by seven with two minutes to go before the Bison got clutch scoring from James Daniel, the nation's leading scorer, to force overtime.

But a year after Daniel made a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime in last season's two-point Howard win at Burr, it was Short's turn to play the hero. Down by four after HU's Marcel Boyd made two free throws with 11.8 seconds left in the first extra session, Short made an off-balance trey with 5.6 seconds left from five feet beyond the top of the key.

Short spun toward the basket and put up a Hail Mary while getting pulled down by the back of the jersey. His shot found nothing but net, and Short calmly sank the free throw to tie the score at 86-86. Howard's Keon Hill missed a trey from the left wing as time ran out to force double OT.

It was then basically all NSU in the second overtime. The Bison (10-13, 4-4 MEAC) did not make a basket for the entire five minutes, while Short added eight points in the second extra session to help the Spartans pull away.

Short finished with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting after tallying just five points by the end of regulation. Senior D'Shon Taylor sank 7-of-13 from the floor for a 22-point night, while sophomore Zaynah Robinson surpassed his career high with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Robinson added five assists and made 4-of-6 from 3-point range, helping the Spartans go 11-of-28 overall from 3-point range (39.3 percent) as well as 35-of-71 overall (49.3 percent).

The victory improved NSU's record to 11-13 overall and 7-2 in the MEAC. After Hampton's loss to UMES on Saturday, the Spartans moved to within a half game of first place in the league behind the Pirates and South Carolina State (both 8-2).

Daniel, meanwhile, shot 8-of-20 from the field, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range, as well as 12-of-12 from the free throw line for a game-high 34 points. He scored 18 straight points for Howard between the end of regulation and the first overtime to single-handily keep the Bison in the game.

Robinson's 3-pointer put the Spartans ahead 69-58 with 5:05 left in the second half. But after Taylor made 1-of-2 from the free throw line with 4:32 left for a 10-point edge, Daniel made a 3-pointer and then got fouled shooting a trey on the next possession. He sank all three free throws to cut the deficit to four, but Robinson sank 1-of-2 from the line, and Taylor's jumper in the lane with 2:10 on the clock pushed the lead back to seven.

After a timeout, Daniel drove right down the court and made an immediate 3-pointer before doing the same and completing a four-point play on the next possession. His free throw shot on the and-1 tied it up at 73-73 with a minute and a half left.

NSU took an ill-advised shot with 25 seconds left, but Howard turned it over by the left sideline to give NSU a chance at the win in regulation. The Spartans' last second shot in traffic down low, though, did not fall as time was about to expire.

Then at the start of overtime, Daniel made yet another fallaway trey, and NSU was forced to play catchup. The Spartans did tie it up at 78-78 with 3:19 in overtime when Robinson drained a trey from the top of the key. Senior Charles Oliver made two from the line to again tie the score a little less than a minute later, but after the two teams traded free throws, Boyd made a layup with 34.3 seconds left and then two free throws at the 11.8-second mark.

That four-point lead did not last, as Short then tallied his own four-point play to force the second overtime.

That bucket by Boyd proved to be the last for Howard, which got outscored 13-6 in the second overtime with all six points coming off free throws.

After head coach Robert Jones purposely lost his suit coat early in the second session in a heated matchup, freshman Alex Long had a fastbreak dunk and Short drained a 3-pointer at the 4:08 mark - near the same spot as his four-point play - for a three-point lead. The Spartans led the rest of the way, as Robinson's fastbreak bucket off a poor inbounds pass by Howard and a layup by sophomore Jordan Butler helped the Spartans push the lead to its eventual seven-point margin at the end.

The Bison had four turnovers and went 0-of-6 from the field in the second overtime.

The Spartans, meanwhile, hit 8-of-8 from the line over the two extra sessions after uncharacteristically struggling in the earlier part of the game. NSU hit 19-of-28 from the foul line for the day but just 11-of-20 in regulation.

Howard made 34-of-38 from the line and held a 50-33 edge on the glass. Boyd played a big part with 17 rebounds to go with 12 points. Damon Collins had 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting with eight rebounds, while Tyler Stone added 18 points and eight boards.

The Spartans got up and down the court in the early part of the game, building an 11-4 lead just three minutes into the contest. The Bison scored seven of the next nine points before NSU extended its lead to seven on a trey from sophomore Devonte Banner at the 11:17 mark.

NSU held Howard scoreless for a three-minute span, and a trey from Taylor and a long two-pointer by Robinson put the Spartans ahead 25-17 with less than seven minutes left in the stanza. The Bison, however, used a 13-5 run that lasted four minutes to tie the score at 30-30. Collins had six points during that time as he finished with 14 at the break.

Taylor sank his third 3-pointer of the half with a little more than a minute remaining, and the Spartans went into the half up 35-32. Taylor had 11 to lead NSU at the intermission.

Daniel scored the first five points of the second half for Howard, but thanks in part to two 3-pointers from Robinson, the Spartans jumped ahead 47-39 before the under-16 media timeout. The lead eventually reached 11 before Daniel sank a 3-pointer from the left corner at 14:38.

The Spartans pushed the lead back into double digits, eventually reaching 60-48 after buckets from Taylor and Long. The Bison answered with a 10-3 run to cut the deficit to five, but a long two from junior Jonathan Wade and a 3-pointer from Robinson put the Spartans ahead by double digits, 69-58, before Daniel took over for the Bison.

Long also reached double figures with 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Wade and Oliver each tallied eight points, while Butler posted nine points and seven boards.

Howard hit just 26-of-68 for the game (38.2 percent) as well as 6-of-17 from long range. Daniel, of course, made all six treys for the Bison, who made 13-of-23 from the floor in the second half but just 13-of-45 in the first half and overtime.

Howard also got just two points from its bench after playing only eight players for the game. Daniel played all but one of the game's 50 total minutes, with Collins finishing with 48 minutes on the floor.

Thanks in part to 25 Bison turnovers, the Spartans outscored them 32-12 in points off turnovers. Howard only outscored the Spartans, meanwhile, 12-7 in second chance points despite doubling up on the offensive glass (22-11).

After a day of much-needed rest, NSU will complete the road trip with a contest at UMES on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Box Score

Mike Bello, Asst. SID
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

MSU Men’s 4x400 Meter Squad Takes Second at the Armory Track Invite

COURTESY: MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NEW YORK, New York –  The Bears racked up a couple of solid performances as the men's track and field team wrapped up competition at the Armory Track Invitational Saturday night in New York City.

Desean White and Fonyi Agendia advanced to the 60-meters semifinals where they both clocked in with a time of 6.88.

In the 400-meter dash, Joel Roberson posted a seventh place time of 48.43, while teammate Evan Johnson finished eighth with a time of 48.49.

Onyx Johnson posted a Top 10 finish in the 800-meter run by placing ninth in a time of 1:53.22. Devon Hairston advanced to the semifinals of the 60-meter hurdles where he posted a time of 8.43.

In the field events, Lloyd Hylton continued to tear it up on the runway for the Bears. Hylton claimed eighth place with a mark with a personal best leap of 7.19m (23'7¼").

Closing out the meet was the 4x400-meter relay team comprised of Donovan St. Louis, Evan Johnson, Onyx Johnson and Joel Roberson. The quartet crossed the tape in a time of 3:11.96 behind Mississippi State (3:09.31). It marked a season best time for the Bears, and the second fastest time in the MEAC this season.

The schedule continues when the Bears compete in the MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, which will run at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex in in Landover, Maryland on Feb. 11-13.

Complete Results

Armory Track Invitational
Feb. 5-6, 2016
Armory Track & Field Center
New York, N.Y.

60 Meters College
Semifinals

19. Desean White, 6.88
20. Fonyi Agendia, 6.88

60 Meters
Preliminaries

23. Desean White, 6.92
25. Fonyi Agendia, 6.93
45. Kevin Leach, 7.10
47. Lloyd Hylton, 7.11
52. Joel Roberson, 7.15
54. Wilfred Asamoah, 7.18
60. Devon Hairston, 7.26

200 Meters
Preliminaries
9. Desean White, 21.97
15. Evan Johnson, 22.36
16. Donovan St. Louis, 22.38
21. Kevin Leach, 22.51

400 Meters
7. Joel Roberson, 48.43
8. Dajuan Harding, 48.49
22. Donovan St. Louis, 49.71
24. Onyx Johnson, 49.79

800 Meters
9. Onyx Johnson, 1:53.22
35. Haneef Hardy, 1:57.21

60 Meter Hurdles
Semifinals

23. Devon Hairston, 8.43

60 Meter Hurdles
Preliminaries
25. Devon Hairston, 8.27
28. Wilfred Asamoah, 8.38

4x400 Relay Division 4
2. Morgan State 'A', 3:11.96
(Donovan St. Louis, Evan Johnson, Onyx Johnson, Joel Roberson)

Long Jump
8. Lloyd Hylton, 7.19m

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Morgan State Wins Season Opener At Delaware State, 4-1

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
DOVER, Delaware -- The Morgan State women's tennis team opened up the 2016 campaign with a season-opening and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division victory over host Delaware State, 4-1 on Saturday.

The Lady Bears (1-0, 1-0 MEAC) earned the doubles point and then won the first four singles matches for the victory.

Chelsi Russell and Danielle Thompson teamed up to defeat Milan Graves and Sofia Rachi of Delaware State by a score of 6-0 in a No. 1 doubles match. Cierra Plummer and Chloe Kabamba would earn a No. 2 doubles victory by a score of 6-1 over Delaware State's Elvira Gallieva and Aayishi Chouhaw.

In singles play, Kayla Price, Thompson and Russell all recorded straight set victories, respectively, at the No. 1-No. 3 positions to secure the win.

Morgan State will now travel to Richmond, Va. on Super Bowl Sunday to take on the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth in a non-conference match at 3 p.m.

Feb. 6, 2016
Dover, Del. (Delaware State)
Morgan State 4, Delaware State 1

Doubles
No. 1 – Chelsi Russell/Danielle Thompson (MSU) def. Milan Graves/Sofia Rachi 6-0
No. 2 – Cierra Plummer/Chloe Kabamba (MSU) def. Elvira Gallieva/Aayishi Chouhaw 6-1
No. 3 – Shelby Moffat/Liz Bessonova (DSU) won by default

Singles
No. 1 – Kayla Price (MSU) def. Shelby Moffat 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 – Danielle Thompson (MSU) def. Milan Graves 6-1, 6-3
No. 3 – Chelsi Russell (MSU) def. Elvira Galieva 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 – Chloe Kabamba (MSU) vs. Aayshi Chouhaw 6-3, unfinished
No. 5 – Sofia Rachi (DSU) vs. Cierra Plummer 7-6, unfinished
No. 6 – Liz Bessonava (DSU) won by default

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alcorn loss hurt Jackson State in more ways than one

JACKSON, Mississippi -- It was just one loss, but Jackson State's slip up against Alcorn State on Saturday night hurt in more ways than one.

Fortunately for the Tigers, they'll have the chance to redeem themselves in a big way when they host Southern at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Lee E. Williams AAC.

Saturday's loss knocked JSU (12-11, 7-3 SWAC) from a second-place tie in the conference with the Jaguars (16-7, 8-2) and into a tie for third with the Braves (9-12, 7-3).

The Tigers' hopes were for a win against Alcorn State, which would set up a date for sole possession of second place against Southern. That dream has been washed away now, though.

A win would create a tie for second place with JSU and Southern. If the Braves win, it would be a three-way tie. A Tigers' loss could possibly drop them to fourth place.

So even though this upcoming game isn't the exact scenario JSU was imagining, the stakes are still high.

CONTINUE READING 

TSU Lady Tigers sweep season series with PVAMU

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – Texas Southern swept the season series against Prairie View A&M as it defeated the Lady Panthers, 50-43, Saturday afternoon at the W.J. Nicks Building.

The Lady Tigers were paced by Keiana Vines who claimed a game-high 19 points with 12 rebounds – her fifth double-double of the season.

Toni Cheadle also managed a double-double in the game, scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds – eight of which were offensive.

Joyce Kennerson joined the scoring game with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Tori Carter went 6-for-10 in shooting for the Lady Panther as she earned a team-high 15 points with four rebounds and three steals – all off the bench. She was joined in double-figure scoring by Lamaria Cole who managed 14 points and three rebounds.

TSU compiled a shooting percentage of 34.9 and forced 16 turnovers.

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Nearly 70 Xavierites qualify for AD's Honor Roll



NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana honored approximately 70 students Saturday who qualified for its second Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
    
Intercollegiate athletes and members of Xavier's spirit groups qualified for the AD's Honor Roll by passing 12 or more hours with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average during the spring 2015 semester or the fall 2015 semester. Honorees were recognized during the Xavier-Dillard basketball Crosstown Classic at the Convocation Center.
    
Five teams/groups had eight or more representatives on the AD's Honor Roll, led by women's cross country/track and field with 15 student athletes and women's volleyball with 11.
    
The following are members of the AD's Honor Roll for their 2015 academic achievements:

     Men's Basketball
     Elex Carter
     Wesley Pluviose-Philip
     Jarvis Thibodeaux

     Men's Cross Country/Track and Field
     Langston Adams
     Keairez Coleman
     Emmanuel Detiege
     Ethan Gipson
     Brent Kitto
     Erwin Simmons
     Ammiel Williams
     Darrick Williams

     Men's Tennis
     Adam Albrecht
     Jeremiah Capdeville
     Manav Chakma
     Kevin Chaouat
     Vincenzo Ciccone
     Tushar Mandlekar
     Karan Salwan
     Nikita Soifer

     Women's Basketball
     Mikayla Bates
     Emoni Harvey
     Alesha Smith

     Women's Cross Country/Track and Field
     Clarke Allen
     Carlie Calais
     Drew Chatters
     Terri Cunningham
     Catherine Fakler
     Dorian Hill
     Chelsea James
     Janelle Jones
     Katelyn McMorris
     Alexis Milton
     Brianna Pace
     Kayla Quincy
     Devinn Rolland
     Chelsea Simpson
     Maliya Vaughan

     Women's Tennis
     Sha'Nel Bruins
     Simone-Alyse Ewell
     Brandi Nelson
     Jana van der Walt

     Women's Volleyball
     Jada Broussard
     Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova
     Claudia Haywood
     Jodi Hill
     Kayla Jones
     Franziska Pirkl
     Taylor Reuther
     Kaelan Temple
     Simone White
     CeCe Williams
     Aliyah Wilson

     Gold Star Dancers
     Mizani Ball
     Kyla Baron
     Sarah Hale
     Kendra Jenkins
     Shalani Taylor

     Golden Girls Pom Squad
     Kayla Beamon
     Dominique Cameron
     Destane Garrett
     Tiffany Hogan
     Theresa Hudson
     Alethia Love
     Bianca Moore
     Candice Moses
     Angela Washington

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Rush heat up to beat DU in Crosstown Classic


NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana rallied Saturday for a 69-61 men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 21 Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at XU's Convocation Center.
       
 The Gold Rush (17-8, 4-4 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) trailed 10-0 after five minutes and 16-4 after eight but shot 63.2 percent from the floor in the final 31 1/2 minutes. Morris Wright, scoreless for the first 12 minutes, finished with a game-high 20 points for Xavier. RJ Daniels had 13 points, a season-high nine rebounds and a career-high-tying two blocks, and Gary Smith scored 10.
    
Demetric Austin had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Bleu Devils (14-8, 5-2), and Montrey Thomas scored 15.
    
Dillard led the first 29 minutes, including 32-28 at halftime. Daniels' basket with 9:16 remaining put Xavier ahead to stay, 47-45. Xavier extended its lead in the final four minutes by making its final three 3-point attempts — the first by Smith, the final two by Wright.
    
Xavier finished the game at 50 percent from the floor and limited the Bleu Devils to 34.3 percent. Dillard grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and outrebounded the Gold Rush 41-31. Xavier blocked a season-high seven shots, three by freshman Kevin Murph.
    
Xavier clinched a 16th consecutive winning season, which extended a school record. It's Xavier 25th consecutive non-losing season.
    
Attendance was 1,768, the fifth-largest for an XU men's basketball game in the four-year history of the Convocation Center. Both XU basketball teams played at home on the Saturday before Mardi Gras for the first time since 2005. The GCAC's tentative 2017 schedule has Xavier out of town on the Saturday before Mardi Gras.
    
Xavier will play host to NAIA No. 18 William Carey in a non-conference game at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Convocation Center.

BOX SCORE


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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