SAC Falcons thrilled with new track

Falcons Coach George Williams

RALEIGH, NC -- George Williams studied the stop watch tied around his neck during a track and field practice last week. Every so often, the legendary St. Augustine's track and field coach glanced at the sprinters barreling down the straight. "Turn it on," he instructed.

It was mostly a familiar scene for the former U.S. Olympic coach, who has led the school's women's and men's track and field teams to 31 national titles during his 35-year career at St. Aug's. Yet last Wednesday there was something significantly different about practice.

For the first time in three years, the Falcons were jogging, sprinting and jumping on their home track. They had been without a home facility while construction was completed on the state-of-the-art George Williams Athletic Complex. Student-athletes used the new facility - which is scheduled for official completion in late September - for the first time last Monday. The complex features a nine-lane track, an artificial turf football field and a custom scoreboard.


Videographer: StAugCollege; Beyond the Dream (Facility to be completed Sept. 2011)

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Saint Augustine's Lady Falcons Rally For 70-68 Win Over ECSU!

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Saint Augustine's College advanced to the CIAA Tournament semifinals for the second time in three years Tuesday because the Lady Falcons never quit.

Down 13 points late and seemingly headed for defeat, the Lady Falcons staged a spectacular comeback to pull out a 70-68 victory over Elizabeth City State at Time Warner Cable Arena. The win avenged last year's first-round defeat to the Lady Vikings in the tournament. More importantly, the victory sends the Lady Falcons (19-10 overall) against arch nemesis Shaw in a 1 p.m. semifinal game Friday between the two Raleigh, N.C., schools.

It is a good thing the semifinals start later in the week because the Lady Falcons need a day or two to enjoy the win over the Lady Vikings, who led 63-50 with 7:08 left in the game. The game left the Lady Falcons exhausted but exhilarated. This was the second victory over ECSU this season.

That was a very tough game, ECSU played a very tough game,” Lady Falcon first-year head coach Rachel Bullard said. “We played very resilient at the end and I am very proud of the girls. They didn't give up on me.”

Boxscore

Saint Augustine's upsets Elizabeth City State

Mallard Creek High graduate Umeka Benson's free throw with 7.4 seconds left lifted St. Augustine's to a 70-68 win against North No.1 seed Elizabeth City State and a semifinal date against cross-town Raleigh rival Shaw.

Benson, the CIAA's rookie of the year, converted the second of two free throws after stealing a pass in the final seconds to push St. Augustine's (No. 4 South, 19-10) in front. She scored 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting and pulled down nine rebounds. Three other Falcons scored double-digits, paced by Crystal McCaffity (6-of-13 from the field) and player-of-the-year Allison Sikes with 19 each. Le'Keisha White tossed in 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for St. Augustine's, which overcame a 35-28 halftime deficit.

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NEXT GAME: 1 P.M. FRIDAY, VS. SHAW UNIVERSITY
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