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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Late basket lifts Shaw women to semifinals

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Brittney Spencer's pass didn't look like it would reach the intended target. Without the junior guard's vision, Shaw's women's team likely would have seen its storybook season come crashing down. Spencer hit Brittany Ransom with a pass that eluded the fingertips of two Metro State defenders in the closing seconds of Tuesday afternoon's Division II national quarterfinal at St. Joseph Civic Arena.

Ransom's spinning layup bounced off the glass and caromed around the rim and down as time expired to give the Bears a 46-45 win.

The Spencer-Ransom connection provided a thrilling end to a game in which both teams shot just a shade over 30 percent. The hero proved to be a reserve guard who averages only 6.8 points per game.

Metro State loses at buzzer in women's Elite Eight

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Brittany Ransom's layup at the buzzer knocked Metro State out of the women's basketball NCAA Division II Elite Eight on Tuesday. The Roadrunners lost 46-45 to Shaw (N.C.) University. Their season ended at 30-3, while Shaw improved to 24-11.

"I knew the ball was coming," Ransom, who scored a game-high 13 points, told the The (Charlotte) News & Observer. "I didn't know how much time was left, but I had to make the basket somehow." Metro State, which led virtually the entire game, held a four-point lead with 19 seconds left after Jasmine Cervantes made 1-of-2 free throws for the Roadrunners.

But Kyria Buford, who was 2- for-17 from the field in the game, made a 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds remaining to cut Metro State's lead to 45-44.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

NCAA Division II National Championship: SHAW UNIVERSITY LADY BEARS WINS! IN FINAL FOUR

Shaw University Lady Bears (25-11) defeated Metro State College Roadrunners (28-5), 46-45 with a last second layup by 5-6 junior guard Brittany Ransom. The Lady Bears rebounded and drove the length of the court in 6.4 seconds to earn the FINAL FOUR berth.

This will be the first Final Four in Shaw University history. Talk about March Madness--Shaw got the winning fever with her 11th straight win.

The Lady Bears will face Number 2 ranked Clayton State University Lakers (33-1) from Morrow, Georgia (Metro Atlanta) in the semi-finals.  Clayton State defeated 15th ranked Bentley University Lady Falcons, 84-61 in the Elite Eight

The Final Four game is scheduled at 7 p.m. ET, tomorrow (March 23) at the Civic Arena at St. Joseph, Missouri.  Both final four games will be televised by ESPNU HD and ESPN3.com (Internet).

Here's what we know about Clayton State...

Dennis Cox, head coach at Clayton State University, is the 2011 Russell Athletic/WBCA National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Coach of the Year, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, which was announced today.

With a record of 181-45 at Clayton State and a winning percentage of .801, Cox is the second-winningest active women’s head coach at the Division II level. The Lakers are members of the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and went undefeated in league play this season. The top women's teams in the PBC are:  Clayton State, Georgia College, Lander, USC Aiken and Francis Marion.

This will be the Lakers seventh visit to the National Tournament and second Final Four (2007, 2011).

How will they match up with the Lady Bears...

33-1 says it all with speed, balance scoring, experience and depth. This will be a battle of contrasting styles with the Lady Bears holding the advantage of size and rebounding. But the Lakers can shoot with accuracy.

The Lady Bears will have to improve their defense and shooting in this game and not get into a run and shoot affair with the Lakers. The Lady Bears are now on an 11 game win streak and have the weapons to pull out another win to get to the National Championship Game.

More Updates Coming Later...

By beepbeep

NCAA Division II National Championship: Shaw women thriving

Shaw University Lady Bears Coach Jacques Curtis
Career Record: 234-103

  RALEIGH, N.C. -- Jacques Curtis knows what he's saying, even if to you it comes off as brash or cocky or arrogant.

The Shaw women's basketball coach has never run from those labels and has had plenty of success to back up his talk, guiding the Bears to six Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships and five NCAA Division II tournament appearances over the past 11 seasons.

So he continues to talk, and this time it's before his team faces Metro State (30-2) today in the Division II round of eight in St. Joseph, Mo. The Bears make their third trip to the quarterfinals and are searching for the program's first trip to the Final Four.

"If we get to the national championship game, it's over," Curtis said. "To me, it's like the CIAA championship and the regional, we don't get there and lose. Anytime we get to a championship game, it's a wrap."

Bracket

Listen to Game via Internet: (Tuesday, March 22, 2011) At 3:30 pm EDT - Shaw University WSHA- FM 88.9 - CLICK HERE

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, March 22 Video at NCAA.com
12 p.m. (CDT) Bentley vs. Clayton State
3:30 p.m. (EDT) Metro State vs. Shaw Lady Bears -- CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO GAME (then click on Shaw vs. Metro State; Click on Speaker symbol next to Shaw Bears logo)
6 p.m. (CDT) Arkansas Tech vs. Michigan Tech
8:30 p.m. (CDT) Northwest Missouri State vs. Cal Poly Pomona

Women's Basketball Stomps Adams State in Second Half to Advance to Elite Eight

DURANGO, Colo. – No. 10 Metro State held Adams State to just four field goals over the final 30 minutes and rally from a 14-point deficit to win 49-36 on Monday night in Durango, Colo., to win the NCAA Division II Central Region championship and advance to the Elite Eight. The Roadrunners improved to 30-2 this season, while ASC’s season ended at 23-10. It is the first 30-win season in school history.

Kristin Valencia had 10 rebounds and five points. Metro State endured a miserable first half, shooting just 19.4 percent and getting outrebounded 26-23. It was all Adams State in the first 10 minutes as ASC held a 20-6 lead with 10:51 left in the half. However, that was the final field goal for the Grizzlies in the first half as the Roadrunners closed on a 15-4 run with all of ASC’s points coming on free throws in the final 10 minutes. Adams State missed its final 17 field goal attempts in the first half.

Box Score

Metro's Bratton takes long route to national quarterfinals

The next thing she knew, Colorado women's basketball legend Tanya Haave, who was familiar with Bratton from when they crossed paths at the University of Denver, was hired as head coach at Metro State. After that, everything seemed to fall into place.

Bratton, 25, returned to the court after sitting out two seasons and will cap her career this week when she leads Metro State into its first appearance in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. The Roadrunners (30-2) will take on Shaw, N.C. (24-11) in the quarterfinals at 1:30 p.m. today in St. Joseph, Mo. The winner plays in the semifinals Wednesday. The national championship game is Friday night.

"I was done. I was just happy working and going to school part-time," said Bratton, a 5-foot-10 forward and a graduate of Pomona High School.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

On To the Elite Eight: Shaw Beats JCSU For NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Title

Shaw University Women's Head Coach Jacques Curtis

The best season in Johnson C. Smith women’s basketball history ended a step from the Division II Elite Eight.

CIAA South rival Shaw beat the Golden Bulls 74-54 Monday in the Atlantic Regional Championship in Edinboro Pa. JCSU ends the season 26-5, the most wins in a single season in school history. The previous best was a 22-5 mark in 2009.

“We’ve had a good season, even though it didn’t end the way we would have liked,” said CIAA Coach of the Year Vanessa Taylor, who led the Golden Bulls to a pair of tournament wins – the first in six regional appearances. “Sometimes you give your best and it isn’t good enough, but we have certainly learned more from this experience and will apply these lessons as we prepare for next season.”

No. 8 seed Shaw upsets Johnson C. Smith in D-II regional

EDINBORO, PA -- Eighth-seeded Shaw University, led by D-I transfers Kyria Buford and Demaria Liles, ran away from CIAA rival and second-seeded Johnson C. Smith for a 74-54 victory Monday to win the Division II Atlantic Regional at McComb Fieldhouse in front of 93 fans.

The Bears (24-11), the CIAA tournament winner, advanced to the Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Mo., March 22-25. The Golden Bulls finished 26-5.

The 6-foot 1-inch Buford, a junior forward who played one season at Florida State, had 24 points and five assists, and MVP Liles, a 6-foot 1-inch senior forward who played at Maryland for one season, had 17 points and 14 rebounds. The Bears were 13-1 after Liles joined the team.

"Demaria took so much pressure off of me when she became eligible,'' Buford said.



Lady Bears Earn Berth in D-II Elite Eight With Win Over JCSU

Edinboro, PA - It was a drama in three acts - a game that was the fourth in a series, but had the highest stakes: a trip to the NCAA Division II Women's Elite Eight Tournament.

In the end, Shaw claimed the first and third act - and the win - downing CIAA rival Johnson C. Smith 74-54 to earn the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Title and a spot in the Elite Eight.

It was the fourth time the two teams had met this season. Johnson C. Smith (26-5) won the two regular season contests while Shaw (24-11) claimed the two post-season contests: the CIAA Championship and tonight's game, held at McCombs Field House on the campus of Edinboro University.

Shaw broke on top early, fought off a furious charge from the Lady Golden Bulls, and then built an increasing lead as the game ended.

"Smith changed their style today," said Shaw Head Coach Jacques Curtis. "They were running the ball, but today they basically took the air out of the ball. We weren't playing well at all."

Shaw's transfers too advanced for Edinboro women

EDINBORO, PA -- There are Division I players transferring to Division II schools all the time, but many of them saw little playing time or didn't fit and did not want to sit out the year necessary to play for another D-I school.

Then there's Shaw University's pair of Demaria Liles, who spent one full season starting on Maryland's Elite Eight team in 2008-09, and Kyria Buford, who played at Florida State as a freshman in 2005-06. Buford was homesick and first transferred to Johnson C. Smith, Shaw's rival and opponent at Edinboro's McComb Fieldhouse on Monday night.

CIAA schools had done little in the Atlantic Regional, to which the conference was moved before the 2008-09 season. They were a non-factor when host California (Pa.) won in 2009 and when Gannon captured the regional in 2010.  Edinboro, which had a magnificent season (26-4) and was top seed and host of the Atlantic Regional, was a victim of bad luck.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

CIAA rivals Shaw and JCSU to decide Regional title

Shaw and Johnson C. Smith have been rivals in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association for decades. Now, the two women's basketball teams will face each other hundreds of miles away from North Carolina in the NCAA Atlantic Regional final today at 7 p.m. at Edinboro's McComb Fieldhouse.

Eighth-seeded Shaw (23-11) has won nine straight, and the Bears from Raleigh, N.C., beat second-seeded Johnson C. Smith (26-4) in the CIAA championship game after the Golden Bulls beat them twice during the regular season.

Shaw demolished cold-shooting host and top-seed Edinboro 72-51 in the quarterfinals when the Scots missed 28 straight 3-pointers. In the semifinals, the Bears rallied past fifth-seeded California, Pa., 70-63 for their second straight win over PSAC teams that have dominated the regional in recent years.

NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship
Shaw (23-11) vs. Johnson C. Smith (26-4)
Today, 7 p.m.
Edinboro's McComb Fieldhouse

Live Stats
Live Audio

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

NCAA Division II Women's Atlantic Regional: California upset by No. 8 seed Shaw

EDINBORO, PA - Demaria Liles scored a game-high 23 points Saturday night and eighth-seeded Shaw pulled off its second upset in as many days, defeating California University of Pennsylvania, 70-63, in the second round of the NCAA Division II women's basketball Atlantic Regional.

Shaw (23-11), located in Raleigh, N.C., overcame an eight-point second half deficit by holding Cal to nine points over the final 12 minutes.

California (23-8) led 36-33 at halftime and padded the advantage to 52-44 with 12:19 remaining. Shaw then went on a 9-0 run to take a 53-52 lead as the Vulcans went nearly nine minutes between field goals. Two free throws by Kayla Smith, who was held to six points - 12 below her average - gave the Vulcans their final lead at 54-53.



WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Shaw bowls over No. 1 seed Edinboro University (Pa.) in opener

EDINBORO, Pa. -(March 12, 2011 7:00 a.m.) — Stan Swank has had confidence in his team all season long. So down by 11 at halftime, the 24-year veteran head coach had every reason to believe his team would come back and find a way to win. It just wasn’t Edinboro’s night.

The Fighting Scots (26-4), ranked 17th in the WBCA USA Today/ESPN Division II Top 25, saw their outstanding season come to an end Friday with a 72-51 loss to Shaw University Lady Bears in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional quarterfinal at McComb Fieldhouse.

Shaw women advance

EDINBORO, Pa. -- They will meet again, but this time, a trip to the quarterfinals will be on the line. Rallying from an eight-point, second-half deficit, Shaw advanced to NCAA Division II Atlantic Region women's basketball final with a 70-63 win against California (Pa.) on Saturday night.

The eight-seeded Bears will face CIAA rival Johnson C. Smith in Monday's 7 p.m. regional title game at Edinboro University.

The second-seeded Golden Bulls (26-4) swept the regular-season series, but the Bears (23-11) beat them in the CIAA championship game March 5.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

NEXT GAME: SHAW UNIVERSITY LADY BEARS vs. JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY LADY GOLDEN BULLS at EDINBORO UNIVERSITY (Pa.), MCCOMB FIELDHOUSE, MONDAY, MARCH 14, 7 PM.



2011 PSAC Championship: California vs. Edinboro; Shaw Lady Bears beat the best of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

New season begins as 8 teams seek Atlantic Regional title

EDINBORO, PA -- A month ago, the Shaw Bears were 13-10 and just about out of the running to make an NCAA Division II women's basketball Atlantic Regional appearance for the first time since 2008.

But today at 6 p.m., the eighth-seeded Bears (21-11), who earned their way to the regional by winning their sixth CIAA title in nine seasons, are the focus of the young, top-seeded host, No. 17 Edinboro (26-3), in the quarterfinals at McComb Fieldhouse.

"They are very talented with some great athletes, and I recruited one of their players," Edinboro coach Stan Swank said. "I knew about another of their players, a girl from Lakeland (Fla.), so it's not like you don't know about them."

What everyone with an interest seems to know about Shaw is that 6-foot 1-inch senior forward Demaria Liles, who played two seasons at...



Bears on hot streaks

Excerpt:
While Hill was chasing his first CIAA title as a head coach, Shaw women's coach Jacques Curtis was seeking to expand his already stocked repertoire. His season was filled with more ups and downs than a roller-coaster ride, but Saturday night proved doubly sweet for Shaw, as Curtis' team claimed the women's CIAA title with a 62-56 win over Johnson C. Smith.

The eighth-seeded Shaw women (21-11) open play today in the NCAA Division II championship tournament with a 6 p.m. road game at Edinboro (Pa.) University, a No. 1 seed. The Shaw men, a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Division II men's bracket, is set to face - for the third time this season - fifth-seeded Winston-Salem State at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night in West Liberty, W.Va.

Teams' successes boost Shaw pride

RALEIGH, NC -- Shaw University, a small private school in downtown Raleigh, sent both its men's and women's basketball teams off to national tournaments this week.

Today, Shaw's Lady Bears will play in the opening round of the NCAA Division II tournament in Edinboro, Pa., where they'll face the Edinboro Fighting Scots.

On Saturday, the men will begin their quest for national glory in West Liberty, W.Va., against in-state rival Winston-Salem State University.

Both teams cut down the nets at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte last weekend after winning the CIAA Tournament championships. The teams' winning ways have had a transformative effect on campus morale and spirit.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Hunt for national glory: CIAA champion Shaw, Johnson C. Smith aim for women’s title

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).


Videographer: UrbanSportsITG; Inside The Game: Johnson C. Smith vs. Shaw- Women's CIAA Championship

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Shaw Lady Bears Reclaim Their Perch Atop The CIAA

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Shaw Lady Bears virtually owned the last decade at the CIAA Tournament, winning five championships between 2003-2008. Now they are working on the next one. And it is something Johnson C. Smith knows all too well.

Tournament MVP Demaria Liles had 15 points, six rebounds and three steals as the Lady Bears captured the 2011 CIAA Championship after a 62-56 victory over the Lady Golden Bulls on Saturday evening at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

"This one is big," said Shaw coach Jacques Curtis, who has led the Lady Bears to each of their six titles in the last nine years. "And it's big because there was a lot of pressure on this team from the beginning, especially early in the season when we lost a couple of games. We knew we had to win this tournament to go on to the next level."

It is the fifth time the Lady Bears (21-11) have defeated Johnson C. Smith (23-4) in the CIAA Championship and the fourth time in the last nine years the Lady Golden Bulls, the 2009 CIAA champion, have finished as the tournament's runner-up.

"Although in defeat, we are extremely proud of our women's basketball team and what they've accomplished thus far," said Johnson C. Smith coach Vanessa Taylor, the CIAA Women's Coach of the Year. "We hope that it is enough for the NCAA to say to us that we can live to play another day."


Videographer: pbsstep1914; Shaw University 2011 CIAA Champions

LADY GOLDEN BULLS FALL SHORT IN A 62-56 CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP LOSS TO SHAW

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball were seven points shy of claiming their second CIAA Tournament title in three seasons after a 62-56 loss against Shaw University in the 2011 CIAA Women's Championship game on Saturday evening inside the Time Warner Cable Arena. The Lady Golden Bulls finish the conference post season with the best overall record in the history of the women's program at 24-4; previous mark 22-5 during the 1999-00 season. Reigning CIAA Coach of the Year Vanessa Taylor also set a new career mark for most wins in an individual season; surpassing her mark of 22-5.

This is the fifth time in history the Lady Bears (21-11) have defeated Johnson C. Smith in the CIAA Championship and the fourth time in the last nine years the Lady Golden Bulls, the 2009 CIAA champion, have finished as the tournament's runner-up (1989, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2011).
The Shaw Lady Bears virtually owned the last decade at the CIAA Tournament, winning five championships between 2003-2008.

“Although in defeat, we are extremely proud of our women's basketball team and what they've accomplished thus far,” said Taylor. “We hope that it is enough for the NCAA to say to us that we can live to play another day.”

The Lady Bears were down 43-37 with 10:05 remaining in the game after junior guards Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, MD) and Terrica Jones (Raleigh, NC) combined for 13 points in an 18-5 run. Aslea Williams, who finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, scored seven straight points in a span of 1:40 to spark Shaw's decisive run of the game, a 12-0 spurt that handed the Lady Bears a 51-45 edge they would never relinquish.

CIAA Championship Box vs. Shaw

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.


Videographer: ombudlady; CIAA 2011 JCSU Cheerleader Exhibition

By Shaw University and Johnson C. Smith University Media Relations

READ MORE AT: theCIAA.com

Shaw Shows No Fatigue As They Down Virginia State

CHARLOTTE, NC - After playing less than 24 hours earlier, Shaw showed no signs of fatigue in a 72-53 CIAA Tournament women's quarterfinal victory over Virginia State Tuesday at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Demaria Liles, a 6-1 forward, produced a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Lady Bears (19-11), who scored 34 points off 31 VSU turnovers for the win. Jackie Sanders, a 6-3 forward, came off the bench to score 12 points while Kyria Buford and Brittney Spencer added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Lady Bears, the No. 2 Southern Division seed.

The Lady Bears advance to Friday's semifinal where they will play the Saint Augustine's College-Elizabeth City State winner at 1 p.m.

VSU LADY TROJANS ELIMINATED FROM CIAA TOURNAMENT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After playing less than 24 hours earlier, Shaw showed no signs of fatigue in a 72-53 CIAA Tournament women's quarterfinal victory over Virginia State Tuesday at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Demaria Liles, a 6-1 forward, produced a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Lady Bears (19-11), who scored 34 points off 31 VSU turnovers for the win. Jackie Sanders, a 6-3 forward, came off the bench to score 12 points while Kyria Buford and Brittney Spencer added 11 and 10 points, respectively for the Lady Bears, the No. 2 Southern Division seed. The Lady Bears advance to Friday's semifinal where they will play the Saint Augustine's College-Elizabeth City State winner at 1 p.m.

The Lady Bears were coming off a first-round victory Monday against Lincoln (Pa.) which started at 7 p.m. Despite beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Lady Bears had enough energy to dispatch the Lady Trojans. In the only meeting against VSU this season, the Lady Bears came up short 74-68 in overtime on Jan. 8. This time, the Lady Bears led mostly the entire way mainly because of Liles, a 6-1 forward, and Sanders, a 6-3 forward.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

NEXT GAME: 1 P.M. FRIDAY, VS. SAINT AUGUSTINE'S COLLEGE
VIEW GAME LIVE AT: theciaa.com -- or CLICK HERE