Long Distance Shooting Lifts Shaw Bears Over Armstrong Atlantic Pirates, 88-71

MALIK ALVIN
6-4/180 POINT GUARD, SENIOR
BINGHAMTON HIGH SCHOOL
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Average: 18.3 ppg., 3.5 rpg., 4.5 Asst.

SAVANNAH, Georgia (Dec. 30, 2011) -- Shaw found a long distance shooting touch and easily handled Armstrong Atlantic 88-71 at the Wingate By Wyndham Holiday Classic hosted by Armstrong. Malik Alvin - who was six of seven from beyond the three-point arc - had 28 points, tying his season high mark.

As a team, the Bears (7-2) hit 14 of 25 three-point attempts for a 56 percent mark. Overall, the Bears hit slightly less from the floor, hitting 54.2 percent on a 32 for 59 shooting performance. By contrast, the Pirates (4-7) could manage only four of 16 attempts from long range and hit only 26 of 54 from the floor on the night.

The Bears built the lead early on a fast-tempo game, with breaks often ending with wide open three-point opportunities. Shaw had 20 points off of fastbreaks. The Bears outrebounded the Pirates 37-32 and forced 18 turnovers while committing 15.

The Bears broke the game open in the first half. Trailing 14-10, the Bears ran off 17 straight points to take a 27-14 lead with 11:43 left in the half. The Bears used the long-range shooting to build the run, hitting six of six from beyond the three-point arc in those opening minutes.

With 2:22 left in the first, Alvin hit a layup to give the Bears a 43-27 lead. The Pirates responded with a seven-point run to cut the Shaw lead to nine. Junius Chaney closed out the half with a dunk that gave the Bears the 11-point margin.

Armstrong opened the second half strong, nearly eliminating the Shaw lead by scoring the first eight points of the half.

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Texas Southern University Hires Darrell Asberry as New Head Football Coach

Coach Darrell Asberry (bio)

HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern University has hired Darrell Asberry from Shaw University as the Tigers new head football coach. Shaw is a member of NCAA Division II and is located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

In six years as the head coach at Shaw Asberry's record is 40-25 and 30-13 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. On Asberry's watch the Bears won three CIAA titles in the last five years.

"We hired Darrell Asberry as our next football coach at Texas Southern because if you look at his background and his track record, he developed Shaw into one of the premier Division II football programs," said Charles McClelland, TSU's athletics director, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

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Shaw's Asberry named head football coach at Texas Southern

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Shaw University football coach Darrell Asberry was named head coach at Texas Southern University on Thursday.

Asberry led the Bears to a 40-25 overall record in six seasons at Shaw. The Bears won conference championships in 2007, 2008 and 2010 and the team made the NCAA Division II tournament in 2007 and 2010. In 2008, the Bears appeared in the Pioneer Bowl.

Asberry was named CIAA Coach of the Year in 2007, and was named the Pigskin Club’s (Washington, DC) 2010 CIAA Coach of the Year.

Asberry said that the choice to take the job at Texas Southern was a difficult one.

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Shaw Bears hold on to pick off St. Aug's Falcons

DURHAM, North Carolina -- On paper, Shaw and St. Augustine's are out of the CIAA title race, but that's just paper. When these two teams get together - in any sport - fireworks are sure to spark.

Saturday was no different as the Bears scored the only touchdown in the second half for a 20-16 come-from-behind win. But that's just part of the story. After the game, the two coaches - St. Augustine's Michael Costa and Darrell Asberry - had to be separated, and St. Aug's President Dianne Boardley Suber and Asberry also had words.

The Falcons (4-6) were frustrated after being intercepted seven times between their two quarterbacks. Still, Shaw needed a last-minute defensive stop to seal the win.

Leading 20-14 with 7 minutes, 15 seconds left in the game after an interception by Shaw safety Rico Brown, St. Aug's got a safety after a holding penalty call on the Bears in the end zone. But the Falcons couldn't capitalize any further.



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Rivers' defense holds back Shaw Bears

DURHAM, North Carolina -- One of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's biggest tasks this season is to get talented freshman guard Austin Rivers to play as well on defense as he does on offense. The Blue Devils looked shaky at times Wednesday night in an 80-66 exhibition defeat of Shaw University at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Talented Shaw guards Tony Smith and Malik Alvin drove the lane and created plays almost at will at times in the first half, when the Bears shot 50 percent from the field. But over the first nine minutes of the second half, Shaw was held to nine points. Smith managed three of his 13 points in the half, and the defense of Rivers - the preseason ACC Rookie of the Year according to the media who cover the conference - was a big reason for that.

"I thought Austin really played Smith well in that second half," Krzyzewski said. "I think Smith's good, really good. "And Austin for a freshman, in wanting to play defense - he's known as this great scorer - I thought it was a really big half for Austin."



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Maynor, WSSU Rams have sights set high

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor approaches a familiar football intersection driving a John Deere utility vehicle that resembles a golf cart as it climbs the rocky hill from the Winston-Salem State practice field to Bowman Gray Stadium.

The green cart, adorned with a tiny Rams decal on the front, matches the recreational tastes of a former quarterback who shoots around par during golfing months.

On October's final Saturday afternoon, though, golf takes a back seat beside bags of workout footballs while Maynor strives to scratch out a win against Shaw. The Rams, 8-0 and No. 9 in the NCAA Division II coaches' poll, look perfectly situated, having clinched a spot in the CIAA title game.



Despite routing the field by an average score of 48-16 thus far, the Rams could still blow their NCAA ride. Cruise control remains a dangerous illusion, which WSSU discovered last season when St. Augustine's and Shaw derailed the roaring red revivalists. Shaw intercepted a disastrous screen pass and converted a short touchdown drive for the second defeat.

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WSSU Notebook: Team returns to full strength for Shaw

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State will be at full strength for the first time in weeks when it plays Shaw on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Several players who have been held out of recent games with injuries will be available, coach Connell Maynor said. Included in that group are wide receivers Jamal Williams and Patrick Terry, defensive lineman Barry Tripp and linebacker Khendra Reid.

“We are pretty healthy, and I don’t think we’ll have to hold anybody out…,” Maynor said. “We’ve got guys with bumps and bruises, but that’s expected at this point in the season.”

Maynor said that trainers Rob Woodall and Ian Mushinski have done excellent work keeping the Rams healthy.

“They both know that we want guys back to near 100 percent because we’ve got enough depth,” Maynor said. “And the players understand we want them healthy, because it’s a long season.”

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Rams can't afford to overlook Bears

Winston-Salem State, coming off lopsided wins against Livingstone and Edward Waters, will try to remain unbeaten Saturday when it plays Shaw, last season's CIAA champion. The ninth-ranked Rams (8-0) have been steamrolling CIAA opponents and already have clinched a berth in the CIAA championship game, but Saturday's home game is important for many reasons.

To continue their drive to the Division II playoffs, the Rams must keep winning. Shaw, 2-6 and out of contention, could be viewing this as its championship game this season. Kickoff is set for 1:30 at Bowman Gray Stadium.

"It's going to be four quarters of pure football," coach Connell Maynor of WSSU said. "They are the defending champions, and there is no quit in the Shaw players because they've proven it over the years."

The Bears have won four of the last seven CIAA titles, and Maynor said they're better than their record. "The coaching staff over there didn't just wake up and forget how to coach," Maynor said.

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Chowan Hawks Use Potent Passing Attack to Defeat Shaw, 34-32

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina – Kevin Hodrick and Robert Holland each caught one touchdown and had over 100 yards receiving as the Chowan University Hawks defeated the Shaw University Bears in thrilling fashion on Saturday, 34-32.

In front of a Homecoming crowd, Hawks quarterback Cameron Stover threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns to torch the Shaw defense, who entered tonight's action allowing a CIAA-best 92.3 passing yards per game. DaKorion DeSamme recorded two interceptions in a 29 second span, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Chowan, who had never beaten Shaw before tonight, improves to 2-6 overall and picks up their first CIAA win of the season (1-4). Shaw, the two-time defending CIAA champions, falls to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in CIAA play.

“We have faced some adversity this year and to our guys' credit, they competed tonight,” said Head Coach Tim Place. “We showed up today. They competed for 60 minutes and that's all we can ask.”

The Bears struck first in an action packed first quarter. Following a Chowan fumble on their opening play from scrimmage, Shaw took over at the CU 11 yard line. Two plays later, Frederick Holliday rushed for a five yard touchdown to give the Bears a 7-0 lead just 2:32 into the contest. Holliday led the Bears' rushing attack with 100 yards on 24 carries.

Chowan did not wait long to respond. The Hawks forced a three-and-out on Shaw's next possession and took over on the Shaw 32 yard line. Stover found a wide open Sherman Ratliff on the first play of the drive to tie the game at seven.

Reigning CIAA Quarterback of the Week Quinshon Odom led the Bears on a five play, 71 yard drive midway through the quarter to answer the Hawks' score. Odom was 3-3 through the air on the drive, throwing for 60 yards. He found Malik Cross for a 49 yard touchdown pass with 7:03 remaining in the quarter.

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Fayetteville State lets big lead slip away in overtime loss to Shaw

Fayetteville, North Carolina -- Fayetteville State had a commanding lead and seemed to end its homecoming week on a high note until a second-half aerial attack by Shaw grounded those plans.

Quinshon Odom connected with James Pettiway for a 17-yard touchdown in overtime, and the defense forced a fumble by Colon Bailey to give Shaw a stunning 35-29 win over Fayetteville State on Saturday.

Odom threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns as the Bears (2-5, 2-2) scored the final 28 points of the game to overcome a 22-point deficit and end the Broncos' two-game winning streak. Odom did most of his damage after halftime with 249 yards passing.

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Loyal fans turn out for Fayetteville State homecoming parade

Fayetteville, North Carolina -- Die-hard parade and Bronco fans arrived hours ahead of time on Saturday to score the best spots to watch the annual Fayetteville State University homecoming parade.

With the clear, blue sky, pleasant fall temperatures and entertaining bands, cheerleaders and marchers, spectators said it was worth it. The parade ran more than a mile along Murchison Road, from the edge of the downtown area to the north end of the FSU campus.

Thousands of people lined Murchison Road. Some walked from nearby neighborhoods, and some drove in from out of town.

Some sat for two hours before they heard the first drum taps and booms and the trumpet blares from down the street. Parked cars filled the surrounding roads.

• SLIDE SHOW:
  FSU homecoming parade
• SLIDE SHOW:
  Game: Fayetteville State vs. Shaw

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Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls ends skid against Shaw Bears

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Before Saturday, the last time a Johnson C. Smith football team had beaten CIAA rival Shaw was 1978. But in his first game against the Bears, Smith freshman quarterback Keahn Wallace played a leading role in snapping the streak.

Wallace passed for 179 yards, three touchdowns and rushed for a late score to seal the Golden Bulls' 36-27 win at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

J.C. Smith improved to 3-3 and 2-1 in the CIAA. Shaw, which beat Livingstone 54-0 last week for its only win this season, is 1-5, 1-2.

The Golden Bulls, who never trailed, outgained Shaw 367-257 in total offense. Smith running back Dedric Anderson carried much of the load, rushing for 119 yards on 16 carries and scoring two touchdowns, one on a 10-yard pass.

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CIAA Football: Shaw 54, Livingstone 0

DURHAM, North Carolina — The success the Livingstone Blue Bears found last week couldn’t be duplicated Saturday as Livingstone managed only 33 yards of total offense in a 54-0 loss to the Shaw University Bears in a CIAA Southern Division contest.

Livingstone’s second possession ended with a botched punt and Shaw needed to move only 17 yards to reach the end zone. The ensuing kickoff was fumbled by freshman John Paplillion and Shaw recovered. The Bears added a field goal off the turnover to go up 10-0. Another field goal was added only 2:07 into the second quarter to put Shaw up 13-0.



The turnover bug bit the Blue Bears again as the pass from sophomore quarterback Jaren Troutman was picked off. Shaw marched 39 yards on four plays for a score to go up 20-0.

Shaw added two more touchdowns before the half, including a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with less than a minute to play in the first half. The two scores put the Bears up 34-0 at halftime.

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DSU capitalizes on fumble for comeback win

DOVER, DE -- Delaware State was handed the gift of life as a driving rainstorm pounded Alumni Stadium in the closing minutes of the Hornets' home opener against Shaw University on Saturday night.

With 49 seconds remaining, the Bears handed the football to James Langford, who was hit immediately by DSU defensive lineman Olusegun Ayanbiola, who forced a fumble and recovered it at Shaw's 12-yard line.

Two plays later, with the rain still dripping in his eyes, Delaware State quarterback Nick Elko launched a 12-yard pass to Darius Jackson, who caught it for the game-winning touchdown in the right-corner of the end zone as the Hornets capped an improbable 31-27 comeback victory over Shaw in a nonconference game.

"I was very surprised," DSU middle linebacker Brandon Harvey said. "I actually asked the ref, 'Are they going to down the football?' And he said, 'No.' I said, 'OK, we're going to cause a turnover.'"

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Shaw Suffers Fourth-Quarter Collapse - Loses to DSU 31-27

Shaw played three strong quarters against Division I Delaware State on Saturday, but allowed the Hornets to swarm in the fourth - giving up 22 last period points, including a last-minute touchdown that sent the Bears home with a 31-27 loss.

With the loss, the Bears drop to 0-2 while the Hornets improve to 2-0 on the season.

With 1:01 left on the clock, DSU lined up for a field goal that would have tied the game at 27. In a driving rain and into a strong wind, Mitchell Ward's attempt went wide right and the Bears got the ball at their own 20.

After a loss of five on a delay of game penalty, James Langford got the handoff, but Quentin Ferguson forced a fumble, giving the Hornets the ball 13 yards from the end zone. Two plays later, Nick Elko covered that ground with a 13-yard strike to Darius Jackson - giving the Hornets the win.

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Progress Name of the Game for Shaw Bear's Darnell Evans

Darnell Evans

From academic casualty to walk-on to pre-season All-America, former Dodger now fulfilling potential.

Raleigh, N.C. - Darnell Evans began practicing this week for his Shaw University encore. The former Madison High School standout is coming off a 2010 football season in which he led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association with six interceptions and was the only freshman named to the all-conference First Team.

The cornerback helped the Bears to their third CIAA title in four years and earned the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Already named as a Consensus Draft Service Preseason All-American First Team selection—one of only four sophomores on the first team—it's easy to see that Evans was destined for an impressive collegiate career.

Except he almost never gave himself the chance for such accomplishments.

Had he not refocused his academic energies at County College of Morris, then spent a second year in the Shaw classroom, Evans would've been left imagining success instead of realizing it.

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Shaw University Bears lead All-CIAA

Raleigh, N.C. - The preseason All-CIAA football team was released on Tuesday, as was the conference's predicted order of finish. Both lists were selected by the CIAA Football Coaches Association. Shaw, Elizabeth City State and Winston-Salem State each had five players chosen to the 26-player preseason All-CIAA team. Two players were selected from St. Augustine's.

PRESEASON ALL-CIAA TEAM

OFFENSE
QB - Creven Powell, sr., Elizabeth City State
RB - Daronte McNeill, jr., Elizabeth City State
RB - Nicholas Cooper, sr., Winston-Salem State
WR - Robert Holland, jr., Chowan
WR - Tehvyn Brantley, so., Winston-Salem State
TE - Bobby Holiday, sr., Shaw
OL - Larry McDonald, sr., Fayetteville State
OL - Baron Coffin, sr., Elizabeth City State
OL - Bryan Garnett, sr., Elizabeth City State
OL - Allen Buckner, sr., Shaw
OL - Markus Lawrence, jr., Winston-Salem State
PK - Austin Turner, sr., Fayetteville State
KR - Tyron Laughinghouse, jr., St. Augustine's

DEFENSE
DB - Andre Lyles, sr., Fayetteville State
DB - Kenny Turner, sr., Bowie State
DB - Darrell Evans, so., Shaw
DB - Alton Keaton, sr., Winston-Salem State
DL - Larry Jones, sr., Elizabeth City State
DL - Charles Deas, sr., Shaw
DL - Stanley Porter, sr., Shaw
DL - Akeem Ward, sr., Winston-Salem State
LB - Delano Johnson, sr., Bowie State
LB - Brucelee Sterile, sr., Lincoln
LB - Jeremy Pruitt, sr., Va. State
P - William Rudd, so., Va. State
PR - Tyron Laughinghouse, jr., St. Augustine's

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NEXT GAME: 9/3/11 AT STILLMAN COLLEGE, TUSCALOOSA, ALA. AT 5 PM
VISIT: SHAW UNIVERSITY
VISIT: SHAWBEARS

CIAA nets big gains in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After six years in Charlotte, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has made one thing clear: It’s a slam dunk for local hotelsand restaurants.

Economic impact grew to $44.3 million for the CIAA this year, a 19% increase over 2010, according to figures compiled by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The 2011 tournament ended March 5.

“This is a great time for the CIAA,” CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said in prepared remarks. “Not only have we reached the goals we set for this year’s tournament, but we’ve continued to raise the bar to provide our alumni and fans with a new and exciting experience each and every year.”

CIAA Tournament Soars to New Heights 

HAMPTON, Va. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) 66th annual men’s and women’s basketball tournament soared to new heights in 2011 by breaking previous economic impact and attendance records.

According to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), the 2011 CIAA Tournament accounted for a total economic impact of $44.3 million* over the six-day Tournament period; a 19 percent increase from 2010. Overall attendance for official CIAA and Uptown functions increased to over 190,000** as the multitude of event options continued to bring fans to the area. The Tournament is unique in its ability to draw loyal fans from across the country who continue to support the Conference, as well as, those who just want to be “part of the scene” – much like the Superbowl or NBA All-Star Weekend.


Videographer: SportsGrooveTV

The CIAA increased its ticket revenue to $2 million, a five percent increase from 2010, maintaining the momentum through its loyal fans that view the Tournament week as an absolute must-attend annual event.

“Year-after-year we have seen the validation of Charlotte as a destination for the CIAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament and the reunion of its alumni, friends and family. Charlotte has embraced the CIAA, its history and its importance in the lives of those who attend,” said Tim Newman, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “We are so fortunate to have grown this not only into a $44 million record year in 2011 in terms of economic impact to the Charlotte region, but one that we can truly say has initiated lifelong friendships and memories.”

The week-long Tournament made Charlotte its home in 2006 and together the CIAA and the city of Charlotte have produced a series of successful tournaments for the member schools, its fans and sponsors, and the local community. The CIAA’s marquee event showcased its rich tradition and prestige as the Conference celebrated 99 years of existence in 2011 as a prelude to the CIAA’s 100th anniversary celebration – February 27 through March 3, 2012 in Charlotte.

“This is a great time for the CIAA. Not only have we reached the goals we set for this year’s Tournament, but we’ve continued to raise the bar to provide our alumni and fans with a new and exciting experience each and every year, none of which is possible without the help of our corporate sponsors and our partners in Charlotte,” says Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner. “The CIAA is excited with the momentum we have generated leading into the CIAA’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2012. We have the support of our loyal fans, member institutions and sponsors. As a team, we’re constantly enhancing the Tournament and affiliated activities to ensure the ‘CIAA Experience’ is as strong as ever.”

The CIAA generated $1.55 million in scholarship dollars, which will be split amongst the 13 member institutions providing educational opportunities for students to attend any CIAA school.

The CIAA welcomed back Winston Salem State University and Lincoln University (PA) during the 2011 Tournament. The Tournament also proved successful from a corporate standpoint, as sponsor support and activation programs remained active with the addition of Toyota as the CIAA’s new automotive partner.

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Shaw Bears Raheem Smith Has Career Night In NCAA Loss to West Liberty U.

West Liberty, WV - On what would become the final night of his collegiate career, Raheem Smith exploded for a career-high 36 points - including 27 in the first half alone - but it wasn't enough as Shaw fell to the nation's highest ranked team, West Liberty, 98-93. The NCAA Atlantic Regional Semi-final was played on WLU's home court.

Shaw (23-9) had their highest offensive outburst of the season and held West Liberty (31-0) below 100 - only the second time all season the Hilltoppers have been held under triple digits on their home court.

"This was a great game from a fan standpoint. We were up and down the court, throwing in three pointers and playing good defense," said Shaw Head Coach Cleo Hill, Jr. "Both teams played hard, but in the end, the home team won."

In the end, the game was decided at the free throw line. The Bears went to the charity stripe 12 times -- hitting eight -- while the Hilltoppers found themselves shooting 31 free throws, sinking 26.

Boxscore

Hilltoppers Outlast Shaw 98-93

Atlantic Region Player of the Year Corey Pelle led four double-figure scorers with 23 points and senior pivot John Wolosinczuk hit a back-breaking 3-point bomb with less than 90 seconds remaining as unbeaten and No. 1-ranked West Liberty held off a determined Shaw squad in a regional semifinal thriller.

The Hilltoppers will host defending regional champion and No. 2 seed Indiana (Pa.) Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Atlantic Region championship game with the winner advancing to next week’s NCAA Division II Elite Eight at Springfield, Mass.

West Liberty led throughout the second half but weren’t able to put the hot-shooting Bears away until Wolosinczuk’s clutch 3-pointer pushed the Hilltoppers out to a 92-86 lead with 1:25 to play. Barry Shetzer then came up with a steal and hit a streaking Alex Falk for a runout layup that finally put the game out of reach, 94-86, heading into the final minute.

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NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional: Shaw men roll over WSSU 75-47

WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. -- Shaw didn’t have any hangover from its CIAA Tournament championship on its way to 75-47 thumping of conference-rival Winston-Salem State on Saturday in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional.

The Bears (23-8) controlled the game throughout thanks to an effective fast break and the all-around play of point guard Tony Smith. The Bears, who won their sixth straight, will play top-seed and host West Liberty on Sunday in the semifinal of the region. West Liberty improved to 30-0 with a 117-73 win over Slippery Rock.

Greg Thomas led the Bears with 15 points and David Jones added 12 with Dwight Bell, Devon McLendon and Darryl Johnson added nine points each.

Bears Defense Smothers WSSU in NCAA Tourney Opener

West Liberty, WV - After a closely played first half, No. 4 seed Shaw found its transition game in the second - even with three starters on the bench with foul trouble - and easily defeated No. 5 seed Winston-Salem State in an NCAA opening round game played at the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex on the campus of West Liberty University.

With the win, Shaw (23-8) now advances to take on No. 1 seed and 30-0 West Liberty at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. WSSU finishes their season at 19-8.

"Both teams came out slowly," said Shaw Head Coach Cleo Hill, Jr. "Both teams were sluggish. Both teams had been off a while since the CIAA and you can practice all you want, but you can't simulate actual game situations."

Both teams were slow to find offense - and WSSU struggled offensively the entire game. Midway through the first half, Shaw held a six-point 15-9 lead. By the end of the first half, the two teams had combined for only 52 points -- only five more than Shaw would score alone in the second.

Rams Take Tough 75-47 Loss to Shaw at NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Atlantic Regional Quarterfinal

WEST LIBERTY, WV - The Winston-Salem State Rams (19-8) just couldn't find the answers in a tough 75-47 loss to the Shaw Bears (23-8), Saturday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Atlantic Regional tournament. The Rams gave a solid overall effort, but the team struggled mightily in the second half to take the tough loss. Though the Rams shot a solid 41.7% from the field in the game, but the Rams shot 25% from the field in the second half with just six field goals made in the half and were outscored 47-23 to take the season-ending loss.

NEXT GAME: SHAW BEARS (23-8) vs. WEST LIBERTY (30-0) --SUNDAY, MARCH 13@ 7:35 p.m.  VIEW GAME LIVE ON INTERNET AT:  www.wltvonline.com OR CLICK HERE

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VISIT: shawbears.com

Shaw men, women in NCAA field

Shaw's men's and women's basketball teams, who each won a CIAA tournament championship on Saturday, are headed to NCAA Division II tournaments.

The women, who defeated Johnson C. Smith in the CIAA final, have been designated the eighth seed in the Atlantic Region and will begin play on Friday at Edinboro, Pa., taking on No. 1 seed Edinboro. The Bears are 21-11. The Fighting Scots, winners of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, are 26-3.

Johnson C. Smith was seeded second in the Atlantic Region and will face Glenville State.

2011 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Brackets



Shaw women aim for national glory

Winning the CIAA women’s basketball championship is old hat for Shaw’s Bears. Winning the national title, now that’s a prize that’s worth chasing.

“Shaw’s won the CIAA championship,” said Bears coach Jacques Curtis, who has earned six since 2003. “What we’re trying to do is a little bit different.”

Shaw (21-11) and fellow CIAA member Johnson C. Smith (24-4) are in the Division II tournament, which starts March 11 with the Atlantic Regional in Edinboro, Pa. Shaw will face top-seeded and region host Edinboro (26-3) while the No. 2 Golden Bulls Bulls will play No. 7 Glenville State (23-8).

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Shaw University Raheem Smith's Late Free Throws Clinch CIAA Championship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Raheem Smith scored 28 points including two free throws with 2.3 seconds left in the game to give Shaw a 72-69 win over Livingstone Saturday for its second CIAA men's championship in school history.

Victory wasn't assured until a desperation three-pointer by Livingstone misfired, setting off a celebration inside Time Warner Cable Arena. Smith was named Tournament MVP, and he joined the Bears' Tony Smith and Devon Mclendon on the All-Tournament team. They led the Bears (22-8 overall), the No. 2 Southern Division seed, to victory over a game Livingstone squad making its first CIAA finals appearance.

Charlotte Observer Photos: Championship games 

"I can't say enough about this team," Shaw Head Coach Cleo Hill, Jr. said. "I'm proud of them and we fought throughout this tournament."

Mclendon added 19 points and 14 rebounds and Tony Smith scored 11 points for the Bears, who shot 52 percent from the floor including 54 percent in the second half. Livingstone, who put Darius Cox and Greg Henry on the All-Tournament team, shot 46 percent for the game including 50 percent in the second half, to make the game close.

The win gave Shaw a sweep of the men's and women's tournaments, which is a first for the private Raleigh, N.C., school. Hill, Jr., claimed his first crown in only his third season as head coach after being an assistant coach on the 2001-02 team which won the CIAA Tournament with former NBA player Ronald "Flip" Murray, who was the NCAA Division II player of the year for the Bears at the time.


Videographer: Cwallace281; Shaw University Choir joins Wake Forest Baptist Church in Wake Forest North Carolina, featuring soloist Brandi Hancock. Song: Lord Make Me An Instrument

Blue Bears Fall 72-69 to Shaw in CIAA Championship

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Livingstone men’s basketball team fell in its bid to win the 2011 CIAA Championship Saturday, falling in its first-ever title game, 72-69 to the Shaw University Bears at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Livingstone finishes its 2010-2011 campaign with a 17-12 overall record.

The Blue Bears were led by game MVP and All-Tournament Team selection Darius Cox who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Fellow All-Tournament Team selection Greg Henry finished with 10 points and six boards. Also in double figures was Nasir Austin with 11 points and Carl Boswell who added 10 points.

Mush as they had all tournament, the Blue Bears jumped out to an early lead on Saturday. Livingstone led 12-5 with 13:42 left in the first half, but a 14-4 run by Shaw gave the Bears a 19-16 edge with 8:58 remaining in the opening half. Towards the end of the first half the Blue Bears stayed close and went into the break only down two, 32-30.

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By Livingstone College and Shaw University Media Relations

Shaw Defense Shuts Down Elizabeth City State 71-48

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Shaw defense shut the door on Elizabeth City State, holding them to only 13 points and 21 percent shooting in the first half on the way to a convincing 71-48 victory.

The Vikings (18-10) missed 13 of their first 15 shots and connected on only six field goals in the first half en route to a 71-48 defeat to Shaw University in the quarterfinals of the CIAA Tournament Thursday afternoon. Shaw shot 52% from the floor in the first half, including 12 points from Tony Smith (Jr., Greenville, NC).

Shaw's defense never allowed Elizabeth City State, the #3 seed out of the North, to get into an offensive groove. The Vikings were forced into taking nine three-pointers and were outrebounded 24-15 in the first half. They shot only one free throw in the stanza, while Shaw (20-8) went to the line 10 times.

Raheem Smith Perfect As Shaw Rolls Over Lincoln, 67-43

CHARLOTTE, NC - A perfect day from Raheem Smith led Shaw to a 67-43 victory over Lincoln (PA.) Wednesday in a CIAA men's basketball first-round game at Time Warner Cable Arena.

With the victory, the Bears - the No. 2 Southern Division seed - heads to the quarterfinal round to square off against the winner of the Saint Augustine's College-Elizabeth City State game Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Lincoln (PA) - the No. 7 Northern Division seed - ended its season at 4-23 with its second-lowest scoring output this season.

Smith, a 6-2 senior All-CIAA guard from Greenville, NC, scored 25 points by connecting on nine of nine shot attempts from the floor, including four for four from the three-point line. He also was three for three from the free-throw line and added nine rebounds for the Bears, who upped their record to 19-8 overall.

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