Perfect at Burr, HU Defeats B-CU Wildcats 54-39

Howard University Lady Bison Coach Niki Reid Geckeler

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Howard Bison women’s basketball team successfully took down the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, 54-39, leaving the Bison at running on a perfect eight-game MEAC winning streak at Burr Gymnasium, and on a three-game winning streak overall.

“We play well at home,” sophomore Tamoria Holmes said. “We are all just comfortable and we want to play good for our friends and family.”

Howard (13-15, 9-5 MEAC) dominated the game’s momentum during the opening half and went on to lead 27-20. Keeping the Bison at the forefront were sophomores Saadia Doyle, Cheyenne Curley-Payne and Holmes.

“Saadia is a premiere player in this conference,” head coach Niki Geckeler said. “Anytime Saadia is in the game it opens it up for our other players such as Tamoria, Cheyenne and Adele. We are able to get confidence from our guards.”

Doyle, who was recognized by the MEAC as one of the conference’s top performers this week and for the third time of the season, finished the game with a double-double after leading the Bison in points (22) and rebounds (10). Doyle was also perfect behind the free throw line (6-6).

Doyle is now seven points away from reaching the landmark 1,000-points milestone, leaving her on pace to become one of Howard’s all-time leading scorers.

Alongside Doyle was Holmes, who went 2-for-4 behind the arc en-route to 12 points on the night. Curley-Payne went 3-of-9 from the field and chimed in with two three-pointers while also leading the team in assists (7) and steals (3). Curley-Payne tied for second on the team alongside Portia Deterville with rebounds (5).

Turnovers would cost the Wildcats (12-13, 5-8 MEAC) the game as they surrendered 21 compared to Howard’s 13. The Bison would take advantage of Bethune-Cookman’s turnovers, converting them into 24 points over the course of the game.

“We focused on taking away the high posts and guard penetrations,” Geckeler said. “We wanted to box out more and not let BCU have any offensive rebounds.”

Both Howard and Bethune-Cookman were nearly even in rebounding, (HU-33, BC-32), however the Bison were fought harder near the rim to produce 16 points on second chances. Compared to Howard, the Wildcats only notched eight points on second chances.

Overall Howard shot 41.2 percent from the field (21-of-51) while BC was held to 31.1 percent (14-of-45).

“Right now is crunch time,” Geckeler said. “FAMU and BCU were both big for us Now, we are calling our games coming up ‘championship week’.”

The Bison will look to maintain perfection at home as they host Hampton on Thursday, Mar. 3 for their final game of the regular season. Before meeting their MEAC rival, Howard will travel to take on Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md. Feb. 26 at 2:00 p.m. where Doyle is expected to burst through the 1,000 point mark.

By Tiffany White
Sports Information Assistant
Howard University

B-CU Vanessa Inge Named MEAC Coach of the Year

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - In an official announcement Thursday, conference officials named Bethune-Cookman women's basketball Head Coach Vanessa Inge the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year. This is the first MEAC honor for the second-year coach, but far from her first accolades. MEAC officials also announced the All-MEAC teams, and for the third consecutive year, a Lady Wildcats was on the lists, as Demetria Frank was recognized on the All-MEAC second team for the second time.

Inge guided the Lady Wildcats to 15-14 mark, and 9-7 record in conference play, including an 8-1 record at home. In her second year at the helm, the Lady Wildcats tallied their highest win total since the 1987-88 season and secured their first winning season in eight years. Inge is only the second coach at B-CU to earn such an honor since joining the MEAC, with the first being Sandra Booker, who won the award in 2003.

Although this is her first coaching award at B-CU, and in the MEAC, it is not new territory for the Lady Wildcats' head woman. In her stop at Mount St. Mary's before B-CU, Inge earned Northeast Conference (NEC) Coach of the Year in her debut season. Additionally, she earned NEC Player of the Year twice, as a post player at MSM. With her track record for success, Wildcat fans can expect this to be the first of many.

Demetria Frank earned her third consecutive conference honors, as MEAC officials tabbed her for the All-MEAC second team. So far this season, Frank is averaging 9.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 2.8 assists per game. She leads the team in scoring, free throws, and steals, while second in rebounds, assists, and blocked shots. In the MEAC, Frank is second in steals (27th in the NCAA), eighth in scoring, and eleventh in rebounds. Demetria was named to the All-MEAC second team last season and on the MEAC All-Rookie team in her freshman season.

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FAMU's Curry doubles up in finale with Bethune Cookman Lady Wildcats

Photo: Farewell to Coach Debra Clark; we love you too, but you can't coach the Lady Rattlers to championships.

Florida A&M women's basketball coach Debra Clark had a hard time leaving the Gaither Gymnasium court Thursday night without hugging one more player and posing for one more picture. The thrill of posting a much-needed 49-38 victory over rival Bethune-Cookman was special. But the chance to wipe off a few tears and say good-bye to four seniors in their final home game meant so much more.

"I did cry a little bit," Clark said. "They're like my little babies.

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Coach Debra Clark has reasons to cry--just look at her record after starting the season with a 9-1 streak. Would I feel better if she started with a 1-9 record?

Heck no!

This has been one under-achieving team on the basketball court it's entire career. Exceptional students and great people, but still under-achieving players that lacked consistency and weren't coached to get better. I don't hire or fire coaches, but I sure would be looking towards Texas or a place called A&T--in North Carolina for a championship driven coach that can recruit Division I talent and coach the players to their maximum potential and 20 win seasons.

Debra Clark has shown me nothing during her career but records like 13-16, 3-13 in the MEAC and a ton of excuses. Like Rubin Carter, her teams are giving me gas and it's not from a bowl of spicy chili gumbo. Eight game losing streaks and/or four game losing streaks will tear your insides up, if you care about Rattler basketball.

Give me a break--3-13 in the M-E-A-C! We're talking 'bout the ME-AC.

I'm crying worst than Clark and I for one, don't look forward to next year if it's going to be another repeat of the Clark and Clark horror show.

A seven year record of 100-106 (.485) at FAMU says it all. Time for a change in coaching staff.

WANTED! Proven Division I winning coach for the Lady Rattlers program. Able to WIN MEAC championship each year, make NCAA Tournament annually, and fill a brand new 9,000 seat on campus arena.

Let me end this on a positive note--Clark did beat those sorry BCU Wildcats for two of her three MEAC victories this season.

The Lady Rattlers are scheduled to play next the lowly Howard University Bison on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the MEAC Tournament at Raleigh, N.C. The Bison are favored to stampede the Rattlers with their 4-25, 3-13 MEAC record, as the Lady Rattlers have shown the inability to hold a lead in the second half.

2007-08 MEAC Standings

Team Conference Overall Record
North Carolina A&T 15-1, 23-6
Coppin State 13-3, 19-11
Delaware State 12-4, 17-13
Morgan State 10-6, 18-11
Hampton 10-6, 17-12
Maryland-Eastern Shore 10-6, 17-12
South Carolina State 9-7, 12-16
Florida A&M 3-13, 13-16
Howard 3-13, 4-25
Bethune-Cookman 2-14, 6-23
Norfolk State 1-15, 5-22

Congratulations to departing senior Lady Rattlers --Q'Vaunda Curry, Thyeis Halley, Joslyne Jackson and Evette Young. We are very happy you are Rattlers. Thanks a million for your contributions.