Bayou Classic to decide SWAC West

NEW ORLEANS -- BCSP No. 3 North Carolina Central prevailed over rival and BCSP No. 1 North Carolina A&T 42-21 Saturday in a North Carolina showdown to claim the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference championship and that league’s berth in the 2nd annual Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17 at the Atlanta Georgia Dome.

There’s another spicy rivalry game on tap this week as the attention shifts to New Orleans and the 43rd annual Bayou Classic between Louisiana rivals, the new BCSP No. 1 Grambling State (8-1, 8-0 SWAC West) and BCSP No. 4 Southern (8-2, 8-0 W), for that league’s West Division title. The game will be carried live Saturday on the NBC Sports Network beginning at 4 p.m. The winner of the showdown will face East Division champ Alcorn State next week (Dec. 3) in the SWAC Championship Game for a chance to meet N. C. Central in the Dec. 17 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.

The SWAC West usually comes down to this season-ending classic in New Orleans and this year is no different. Both teams are 8-0 and undefeated and relatively unchallenged in conference play. All eight of Grambling and head coach Broderick Fobbs’s SWAC wins have been by at least 21 points. Southern had two league wins by single-digits, 28-24 over Jackson State and 41-33 over Alcorn State. The rest have been blowouts. But the teams could not be any closer matched than this year, particularly in conference stats.



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Nuggets dig a Trench, and LSU-Shreveport falls in it

NEW ORLEANS — Maya Trench scored a career-high 21 points Thursday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 69-61 women's basketball victory against LSU-Shreveport in the Xavier Classic.
     
Trench, a 5-foot-2 freshman point guard, tied a career high with eight assists, and she had six rebounds and one turnover in 34 minutes. She is the first XULA player this season to reach 20 points in a game.
  
Mikayla Bates scored a career-high-tying 10 points for the Gold Nuggets (5-5), and Angelle Simon had career highs of nine points and five rebounds. Aliyah Bell grabbed 10 rebounds and reached double figures for the second time this season.
     
Kourtney Pennywell had 17 points, a season-high 12 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Lady Pilots (1-6). Courtney Randle and Chaterra Cage scored 11 points apiece, Quiana Tucker grabbed 12 rebounds, and Bria Freeland had a career-high nine assists.
     
After a halftime tie at 28, XULA went ahead to stay, 34-33, on Jordan Coleman's basket at 7:03 of the third quarter. The Gold Nuggets led 51-42 by the end of the period and took their biggest lead, 56-42, on a Trench 3-pointer with 7:28 remaining. The trey was Trench's third of the game, also a career best.
     
XULA outshot LSUS 38.2 to 32.4 percent from the floor. The Gold Nuggets made eight 3-pointers for the second consecutive game.
     
XULA has won two straight after losing five in a row. It was the fourth consecutive loss for LSUS, whose only win this season was at home Nov. 12 against XULA.
     
Langston defeated Dillard 67-66 in the opening game of the event. On Friday, Dillard will play LSUS at 1 p.m., and XULA will play Langston at 5 p.m. A girls high school game between East St. John and Ellender will tip off at 3 p.m.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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McWright's late basket lifts Langston over Dillard

NEW ORLEANS — Ri'Kell McWright's basket with nine seconds remaining Thursday lifted Langston to a 67-66 women's basketball victory against Dillard in the opening game of the Xavier Classic.

McWright, a senior guard, did not start but had game highs of 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Lady Lions (2-1).

After McWright's score, the Lady Bleu Devils (6-2) missed a pair of shots, including a Shaelynn Moore 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Reagan Widener scored 21 points for Langston, and Akia Frett had 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Moore had 20 points and four steals for Dillard. Adriiana Jackson scored 14 points, Keona Favis had 13 points and nine rebounds, and Alyssa Washington scored 10.

The teams were tied at 33 at halftime after Langston led 17-6 late in the first period. Dillard led by five twice in the third quarter and took its final lead on Moore's 3-pointer with 1:08 remaining.

Langston outshot Dillard 51.9 to 37.5 percent from the floor. Dillard was plus-12 in turnovers, committing 14 and gaining 26. The loss was the Lady Bleu Devils' second in a row after six straight victories to open the season.

On Friday, Dillard will play LSU-Shreveport at 1 p.m., and Xavier University of Louisiana will play Langston at 5 p.m. A girls high school game between East St. John and Ellender will tip off at 3 p.m. XULA defeated LSUS 69-61 in the second game Thursday.

Date: 11/24/2016 Arena: Convocation Center
Time: 5:01 pm City, State: New Orleans, LA

VISITOR: Langston (2-1)
TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS
NO PLAYER P FG FGA FG FGA FT FTA OFF DEF TOT PF TP A TO BK S MIN
22 Dickerson, Kaylyn F 2 2 0 0 1 2 0 5 5 3 5 0 2 2 1 15:15
34 Lewis, Che'Ron F 3 4 0 0 1 2 1 4 5 3 7 1 5 1 1 27:28
1 Frett, Akia G 5 10 0 3 0 1 1 5 6 4 10 7 8 0 1 40:00
5 Climpson, Destiny G 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 20:38
32 Widener, Reagan G 9 15 2 3 1 2 0 4 4 0 21 3 4 0 1 38:49
3 McWright, Ri'Kell 9 15 1 1 4 6 3 9 12 3 23 2 5 1 1 33:23
10 Brox, Calynne 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 8:00
21 Betts, Kennady 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4:23
24 Strong, Alexandra 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 5:57
30 Anderson, Nyesha 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 6:07
TEAM REBOUNDS 0 0 0 0
Team Totals 28 54 3 13 8 15 6 31 37 17 67 14 26 4 5 200

Total FG% - 1st: 15/29 0.517 2nd: 13/25 0.520 Game: 0.519 Deadball
3-PT FG% - 1st: 2/9 0.222 2nd: 1/4 0.250 Game: 0.231 Rebounds
Total FT% - 1st: 1/4 0.250 2nd: 7/11 0.636 Game: 0.533 (4,6)

HOME: Dillard (6-2)
TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS
NO PLAYER P FG FGA FG FGA FT FTA OFF DEF TOT PF TP A TO BK S MIN
45 Favis, Keona F 5 12 0 0 3 5 5 4 9 4 13 1 1 0 1 31:39
1 Lumar, Shantrell G 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 3 0 0 1 22:25
3 Moore, Shaelynn G 8 21 3 12 1 2 2 0 2 2 20 2 4 0 4 31:46
11 Jackson, Adriiana G 6 10 1 2 1 2 1 3 4 0 14 3 2 0 1 32:53
32 Washington, Alyssa G 4 9 2 3 0 0 1 4 5 3 10 4 2 0 0 30:23
4 McDonald, Alexia 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 4 4 0 0 0 3 0 1 12:01
00 Verrett, Chelsea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1:52
23 Norris, Daizha 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 9:52
31 Taylor, Lauren 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 6:51
34 Ephrom, Destiny 2 6 0 0 1 1 0 2 2 2 5 0 1 0 0 10:09
35 Collins, Makeedah 1 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 3 2 2 2 0 0 1 10:09
TEAM REBOUNDS 1 1 2 0
Team Totals 27 72 6 20 6 12 11 22 33 19 66 17 14 0 9 200

Total FG% - 1st: 13/34 0.382 2nd: 14/38 0.368 Game: 0.375 Deadball
3-PT FG% - 1st: 3/10 0.300 2nd: 3/10 0.300 Game: 0.300 Rebounds
Total FT% - 1st: 4/8 0.500 2nd: 2/4 0.500 Game: 0.500 (3,1)

Technical Fouls: LU (0)
: DU (0)

OFFICIALS : Sterling Higgins Jake Regal Robert Brown
ATTENDANCE : 378

SCORE BY PERIODS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOTAL
Langston 19 14 20 14 67
Dillard 11 22 17 16 66

Last FG: Langston 4th-00:09, Dillard 4th-01:08
Largest lead: Langston by 11 1st-01:22, Dillard by 5 3rd-07:02
Score tied: 5 times, Lead changed: 10 times

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Southern, Grambling prepared for 43rd annual Bayou Classic

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Bragging rights are always on the line whenever the Bayou Classic comes around, but there will be much more than that at stake when Southern takes on Grambling at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday.

In the 43rd edition of the Bayou Classic, both teams come in with 21 victories in the all-time series and 8-0 records against Southwestern Athletic Conference competition in 2016.

The winner of the game will take the lead in the Bayou Classic's all-time series and advance to next week's SWAC Conference championship game against two-time defending conference champion Alcorn State.

"It's gonna be a great contest, I wouldn't have it any other way," Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said during the SWAC's weekly teleconference. "Two teams from the state of Louisiana, two teams that are undefeated in conference and two teams that have really good talent. I'm looking forward to it."

That talent with both teams begins with the play on the offensive side of the ball.

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Grambling ready for 'dog and pony show' at Bayou Classic

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Broderick Fobbs likes to refer to the annual Bayou Classic as a dog and pony show.

This year's version happens to be one of the biggest in recent memory.

Grambling and Southern meet Saturday in New Orleans for all the marbles. The Tigers and Jaguars are undefeated in conference play for the first time in a Bayou Classic, and the winner will be crowed as the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division championship.

Fobbs, Grambling's third-year coach who has played and coached in several Bayou Classic's, wants his players to stay in character. Defensive coordinator Everett Todd only hopes to be less nervous than the past two years.

"It's a big-time game. It's always that way," Todd said. "There's always a bit of butterflies on the stomach because it is important and you want to be successful and you want to do good things and you want to play. Anybody in their right mind who walks into any game has a little bit of that, then particularly one you have an opportunity to have the championship on the line."

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Jeff Mills: Playoffs feel like consolation prize for N.C. A&T in Celebration Bowl era

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — Once upon a time, two short years ago, this was the ultimate goal.

N.C. A&T would start the season on a quest to get to the FCS playoffs and compete in a 24-team football tournament to win a national title.

The Aggies made it. They’re back in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. No. 17 A&T (9-2) will play at No. 12 Richmond (8-3) at 2 p.m. today in the first round of the NCAA Division I Football Championships.

It’s the Aggies fifth appearance in the FCS playoffs and their first at-large berth.

What: First-round game of NCAA Division I Football Championships

Who: No. 17 N.C. A&T (9-2) at No. 12 Richmond (8-3)

When: 2 p.m. today

Where: Robins Stadium (8,700), Richmond, Va.

Broadcast: ESPN3, WCOG-93.7, WCOG-1320

And yet, somehow it feels like getting socks for Christmas. You appreciate the gift, but it’s not what you really wanted.

That’s because a funny thing happened in 2014 when ESPN negotiated the deal for a made-for-TV postseason game matching the champions of the MEAC and SWAC.

The Celebration Bowl became a priority. It’s the priority in black college football.

“Our goal going into this season was definitely the Celebration Bowl,” A&T coach Rod Broadway said. “But this is not a bad consolation prize. It’s a great honor for this team at this time.”



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Everything you need to know for Coastal Carolina vs. Hampton

CONWAY, South Carolina

Series record
Coastal Carolina 1-0

Last meeting
CCU 50, Hampton 17, on Sept. 21, 2013

Coastal Carolina
Strength: Running game, defense
Weakness: Injuries at quarterback and offensive line

Hampton
Strength: Defense
Weakness: Running game

Key matchup
Coastal Carolina’s offense against Hampton’s defense: Down to its seventh quarterback, CCU turns to graduate senior and former Chants baseball player Tyler Chadwick as he gets his first career start under center in his last game ever. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina has relied on its rushing attack most of the season and likely will again Saturday, giving the Pirates a tough matchup.

Players to watch
Coastal Carolina
Senior running back De’Angelo Henderson: The All-American has one game left in his career and plans to leave it all on the field. He has recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out for three games, but has now played two games since then. He is the program’s all-time leading rusher and will look to tack on quite a few more yards to his name Saturday.

Senior linebacker Alex Scearce: He is now on the list for the FCS Buck Buchanan Award, given to the NCAA Division I-AA’s best defensive player. He led the team in tackles last season and is the leader again this season.

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Savannah State has another chance to achieve more goals on Saturday

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Goals for a 3-6 team in the season finale?

Savannah State first-year coach Erik Raeburn didn’t have to look hard for reasons to be excited about today’s game with visiting Morgan State.

“Geez, if you’re a senior and you don’t want your career to end on a positive note, if that doesn’t motivate you, there’s nothing I can do for you,” Raeburn said.

“As a team, we have a chance to go undefeated at home for the first time in a long time. If we win, we’d be .500 in the MEAC so we’d avoid having a losing season in the MEAC for the first time ever.

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The Series: Morgan leads the series, 8-0.

“Winning would carry some momentum into our offseason workouts. It would carry momentum into our recruiting. It’d be a great thing for our program.”

So the seemingly meaningless 1 p.m. tilt at T.A. Wright Stadium — a makeup of an Oct. 8 game postponed because of Hurricane Matthew — comes with program-enhancing implications.

After losing to South Carolina State 32-0 a week ago, the Tigers (3-6, 3-4 MEAC) can’t get to a .500 record for the first time since 1998. But considering SSU hasn’t had more than one win a year during the last six seasons, every chance of victory should come with eager anticipation.

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Bayou Classic is 'alive and well' despite recent perceived decline

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Eric Dooley knows legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson will be smiling down on the Superdome this weekend.

Grambling's offensive coordinator, who has experience on both sides of the Bayou Classic as an assistant for Grambling and Southern, can speak with certainty that the biggest game of the year in black college football is alive and well.

"This is what he envisioned for the Classic to be something of this nature. He wouldn't back down from the competition," Dooley said earlier this week. "It's great. Both teams are doing well and it helps out both schools. I think it's at a good spot right now."

Dooley's opinion hasn't changed, but outsiders questioned the annual rivalry played in New Orleans on Thanksgiving weekend.

This year's matchup Saturday afternoon has all the fixings and then some with Grambling and Southern entering with 8-0 records in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The winner secures the division title and a spot in next weekend's championship game against Alcorn State.

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UC Bearcats to Welcome Howard Bison on Saturday

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team will host the Howard Bison on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 5:30 p.m. inside Fifth Third Arena.

Cincinnati Game Notes | BearcatsTV | Live Stats

// THE GAME
UC (3-1) will begin a three-game homestand Saturday when it welcomes the Howard Bison (0-4) to Fifth Third Arena at 5:30 p.m. in the second game of a men’s and women’s basketball double-header. Admission to the game will be complimentary, as it is all season long, as part of the Experience UC initiative. Fans unable to attend can watch the game live on Bearcats TV. A subscription is required to watch online.

// THE SERIES
Saturday’s contest will the second all-time matchup between UC and Howard with the Bison holding a 1-0 series advantage. In the only previous matchup, Howard knocked off UC, 72-70, on a neutral floor on Dec. 29, 1994.

// SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
UC picked up its third-straight road victory of the season Tuesday when it knocked off the Miami Redhawks, 49-43, inside Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio.

With the win, UC improved to 3-1 on the season -- including 3-0 on the road -- while Miami dropped to 2-2 on the year and 0-1 inside Millett Hall.

In their second midweek, midday game in seven days, the Bearcats got off to a sluggish start but were able to muster enough production to take a 26-25 lead into halftime. UC was able to separate from the Redhawks in the third quarter, outscoring the home team 14-8 to take a 40-33 lead into the final quarter. Scoring the first five points of the fourth proved to be the difference as UC went scoreless for eight minutes but were able to lock down enough on defense to get the win.

Senior guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) led all scorers in the game with a season-high tying 13 points and a season-best eight rebounds. Junior Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O’Hara/Monroe CC) recorded her second-consecutive double-double with 11 points and a game-best and season-high 14 rebounds.

At Miami, UC got 16 points from its bench and scored 18 points in the paint. The Bearcats limited the Redhawks to 24 percent shooting for the game including only five made field goals in the second half. Cincinnati committed a season-high 25 turnovers which Miami turned into 10 points.

Freshman guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) posted her second-consecutive double-figure scoring game with 10 points and a season-high tying six rebounds. Junior guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) scored a season-low three points on 0-of-11 shooting from the field. Sophomore forward Maya Benham (Douglasville, Ga./Osborne) scored her first point of the season.

// SCOUTING THE BISON
Howard will enter Saturday’s game at 0-4 on the season after falling 67-55 at Cornell on Tuesday night at Newman Arena.

Rookie Jayla Myles had a career night with 13 points and 15 rebounds at Cornell while for the fourth consecutive game, redshirt senior Te’Shya Heslip topped the team in scoring with 17 points to go along with three steals, two rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Redshirt junior Erin Blaine finished the night with nine points and seven boards.

As a team, Howard went 12-for-16 (.750) at the free throw line and scored 29 points in the paint. The Bison also had 19 second chance points.

For the season, the Bison are led by Heslip’s 18.8 points per game. Blaine paces Howard with 4.0 rebounds per contest. Howard averages 55.8 points per game which ranks 10 out of 13 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and gives up 88.5 points a contest which ranks last in the league. The Bison shoot 71.2 percent from the free throw line which is second best in the conference.

Senior forward Sydni Johnson was selected to the MEAC Preseason All-Conference Third Team. The Bison, who went 7-24 (4-12 MEAC) last season, were picked to finish ninth out of 13 in the league preseason poll.

// MOBILE APP: CINCINNATI GAMEDAY
Improved for the 2016 season, the Cincinnati Gameday app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices offers fans a wide variety of information on the Bearcats — home and away. The free app is available in the App Store and Google Play. The app offers live scores & stats, social interaction, and fan maps, among other features, to enhance the Cincinnati gameday experience.

// EXPERIENCE UC
Again this season, the Bearcats will be participating in the University’s “Experience UC” initiative which offers complimentary, free of charge admission to home games. The initiative is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the University. Groups interested in attending games in 2016-17 should contact Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Branding Luke Willman (513-556-1081; luke.willman@uc.edu) for more information.

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI BEARCATS ATHLLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Western Carolina Travels West to Face First Time Foe JSU

CULLOWHEE, North Carolina --  The Western Carolina men’s basketball team will travel to Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member Jackson State for a Saturday night clash which will mark the first meeting between the two programs. Both teams enter the contest having fallen to North Carolina Central, Marshall and Ohio State in the Global Sports Invitational. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm Saturday night with audio coverage through the Catamount Sports Network with Daniel Hooker on the call.

Western Carolina (1-4, 0-0 SoCon) at Jackson State (1-4, 0-0 SWAC)
Saturday, Nov. 26 | 7 p.m. | Jackson, Miss. | Williams Athletics Center (6,000)

MEDIA
Radio: Catamount Sports Network 
Talent: Daniel Hooker (PxP)
Live Stats: CatamountSports.com 
Twitter Updates: @Catamounts

WCU Game Notes 

Catamounts Versus Jackson State
• Saturday night’s game will be the first meeting between Western Carolina and Jackson State in men’s basketball.
• Jackson State is one of two first time opponents for the Catamounts this month. WCU had also never faced Miami (Fla.).

WCU and the SWAC
• The Catamounts have played just one of the 10 current members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and hold a perfect 1-0 mark in those games.
• The only SWAC school the Catamounts have faced is Grambling State University.
• The lone meeting took place in 1991 at the Ball State/Cardinal Varsity Club Classic in Muncie, Ind. WCU won the contest 112-87.

On The Road Again
• The game against Jackson State marks the third of a seven game road swing for the Catamounts.
• WCU will travel to five different states for the seven games.

International Flair
• Three of Western Carolina’s five starters come from outside the United States.
• Starting guard Haboubacar Mutombo is from just north of the U.S. in Pickering, Ontario, Canada while WCU’s two forwards call Europe home.
• Sophomore forward Marc Gosselin is a native of Lyon, France while freshman forward Yalim Olcay comes from Izmir, Turkey.
• Olcay has the longest journey home which is 5,670 miles. Gosselin has to travel 4,439 miles home while Mutombo has a relatively short 861 mile journey.

Rebounding The Ball
• Haboubacar Mutombo and Marc Gosselin have each led the Catamounts in rebounds in two of the last four games.
• Mutombo led the squad against Hiwassee and Marshall while Gosselin grabbed the lead against North Carolina Central and Ohio State.
• They have each surpassed their career-highs in boards over the last two games as well.
• Mutombo ripped down a career-best 13 boards against the Thundering Herd while Gosselin had a career-high 14 rebounds at Ohio State.

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Hampton Pirates to close out season at Coastal Carolina

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

CONWAY, South Carolina -- The Hampton University football team will wrap up its 2016 season on the road on Saturday, traveling to take on Coastal Carolina at Brooks Stadium at 2 p.m.

 
Game Notes: Click here.
Radio: WHOV 88.1 FM.
Live Stats: Click here.
 
Last Time Out: The Pirates (5-5) are coming off a 17-10 loss to Norfolk State in their home finale this past weekend, while the Chanticleers (9-2) defeated Liberty 42-7 this past Thursday.
 
The Series: The Pirates are 0-1 against Coastal Carolina, having fallen 50-17 on the road to Chanticleers in 2013.
 
Pirates on the Road: Hampton opened the 2016 season with a road game at Old Dominion, falling 54- 21, before falling 31-9 at North Carolina A&T on Sept. 29, defeating Delaware State 27-17 on Oct. 8, and falling 31-14 at Florida A&M. The Pirates went 2-3 on the road last season, closing out the campaign with a 42-3 defeat of Savannah State. Hampton's only other road win last season came at Morgan State – and the Pirates are a combined 4-11 in true road games under head coach Connell Maynor. Hampton has five true road games this season, including two non-conference games (ODU, Coastal Carolina).
 
Picked to Finish Fifth: The MEAC preseason poll, voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors, picked the Pirates to finish fifth this season. The Pirates picked up one first-place vote and 265 points, while defending co-champion North Carolina A&T was picked to repeat. Twarn Mixson and Christian Faber-Kinney were both Preseason First Team selections, while Dwayne Garrett, Donovan Johnson, Ryan Gould, and Myles Morris all earned Preseason Third Team honors.


Mixson Among the Leaders: Mixson was a First Team All-MEAC selection and a Black College All-American in 2015, and coming into 2016, he again finds himself on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team. Mixson led the MEAC in both receiving yards (93.4 per game) and receptions (5.4 per game) last season, becoming just the second Pirate ever to have a 1,000-yard receiving season (1,027). Mixson had five 100-yard receiving games last season, including a season-high 172 yards at Savannah State, and he caught a season-high four touchdowns in the season opener against Kentucky State. He had his best game of 2016 against South Carolina State, catching six passes for 130 yards and a score. So far this season, Mixson is fifth in the MEAC, averaging almost four catches per game.
 
Proctor Coming On: After back-to-back 100-yard games -- a career-high 188-yard performance on Sept. 29 at North Carolina A&T, in which he caught 12 passes, and a 102-yard, seven-catch effort at Delaware State -- wideout Rashawn Proctor leads the MEAC in both receiving yards (93.2 per game) and receptions per game (6.5). He caught nine passes for a then-career-high 161 yards in the season opener at Old Dominion (the first 100-yard receiving game of his career), and he added eight catches for 61 yards and a touchdown against William & Mary. Against Morgan State, Proctor caught six passes for a team-high 93 yards and a touchdown.
 
Williamson Airing it Out: Eleven weeks into the 2016 season, quarterback Jaylian Williamson leads the MEAC in passing, averaging 210.9 yards in the air per game. A large part of that came to the tune of 388 yards on 32-for-54 passing on Sept. 29 at North Carolina A&T. That total ranks fifth in program history; Williamson now has two of Hampton's five best single-game passing performances (in terms of yardage); he also holds the program record for passing yards in a game, thanks to the 407 he racked up in 2014 at Old Dominion. Williamson followed that up on Oct. 8 with 252 yards and a score on 17-for-22 passing at Delaware State, and in the upset win over South Carolina State, he had 271 yards and three touchdowns.
 
At or Near the Top: Through 11 weeks, the Pirates lead the MEAC in passing offense (222.9 yards per game), while ranking second in total defense (341.9 yards per game), punting (34.8 yards per punt), opponent first downs (17.0 per game), third down conversions (39.5 percent), fourth down conversions (60.0 percent), and opponent penalties (77.8 yards per game). Hampton is also third in the MEAC in scoring defense (24.3 points per game), rushing defense (149.7 yards per game), PATs (26-for-27), and time of possession (32:06 per game).
 
Carter Returning: Eric Carter Jr. will be in the backfield again this season, making his return after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Pirates' 2015 opener. Carter was second on the team in rushing as a freshman in 2014, averaging 5.8 yards per carry while racking up 541 yards on 94 carries. He had three 100-yard rushing games that season, including a season-high 120 in an upset of then-nationally ranked Bethune-Cookman. He also had 113 yards at Delaware State and 103 at Howard. Carter had 41 yards on nine carries in his return at Old Dominion, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, before averaging 4.6 yards per attempt against William & Mary. Carter ranks 10th in the MEAC in rushing (48.9 yards per game), and he rushed for a career-high 127 yards at Delaware State – his first 100-yard game of the season.
 
Johnson Breaks Out: Yahkee Johnson had his breakout with the Pirates on Sept. 10, rushing for a game-high 115 yards on 12 carries against William & Mary. He averaged almost 10 yards per carry (9.6). He also had three catches for 11 yards, and in eight games so far this season, Johnson is fourth in the MEAC in rushing, averaging 74.5 yards per game after rushing for a team-high 112 yards two weeks ago against Savannah State.
 
Garrett Providing Depth: Garrett had his best game as a Pirates against Florida A&M last season, celebrating Senior Day with a career-high 147 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown for Hampton's lone 100-yard rushing effort of the season. Garrett, a transfer from San Diego State, averaged 7.4 yards per carry, and for the season, he was ninth in the MEAC in rushing with 52.1 yards per game. For the season, Garrett had 478 yards on 87 carries and two touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He led the Pirates with 57 rushing yards against Howard, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
 
Faber-Kinney Reliable: After being named Second Team All-MEAC in 2013, Faber-Kinney was a First Team All-MEAC selection each of the last two seasons. He led the conference in punting in 2015, averaging 40.9 yards per kick and recording 11 punts of at least 50 yards. He pinned nine punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line, and he had a season-long boot of 59 yards at William & Mary. Faber-Kinney also starred in track & field last season, winning MEAC titles in both the indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon. Faber-Kinney is second in the MEAC in punting after nine weeks (41.6 yards per punt).
 
For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5757, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Old friends: Grambling's Donovan McCray charged with stopping high school teammate Lenard Tillery in Bayou Classic

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Donovan McCray spent his high school career creating holes for Lenard Tillery to run through as teammates at McKinley High in Baton Rouge, McCray as an offensive lineman at the time and Tillery as a running back.

His college years were spent trying to bring him down as a defensive tackle at Grambling and Tillery as a star rusher at Southern.

On Saturday, the final chapter of McCray and Tillery’s football relationship will be written in what’s geared to be one of the biggest Bayou Classics in history — a fitting end for a pair of old friends turned rivals one Saturday each year.

McCray is one of the leading experts on Tillery’s running style by this point and the same can be said about Tillery of McCray’s defensive prowess.

For one last time, when Tillery takes the handoff, he’ll see a familiar face bearing down on him. There’s no hiding from the inevitable, and neither player would want it any other way.

“It’s real crazy,” McCray said. “You never think you’d have to tackle your high school teammate you used to actually block for.



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'If you've got a good one, he's a matchup nightmare' Southern's not so secret weapon? The tight ends

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- The Grambling defensive video room has probably spent a large amount of time poring over the work of the usual Southern standouts, Lenard Tillery and Willie Quinn.

But the Tigers are also likely keeping a close eye on the Southern tight end group, led by junior Dillon Beard, whose 35 catches for 452 yards and six touchdowns are all the second-best marks on the team behind Quinn.

“We use them a lot,” quarterback Austin Howard said. “They’ve played a big part in our offense this year.”

That position group in particular is key to Southern’s balanced offensive attack. Not only have the tight ends been effective catching passes from Howard, but they have also created space for Tillery and the Southern running backs.

It’s the sort of dual threat at the position that Southern coach Dawson Odums said most teams in the league do not possess.

“We are an up-tempo, multiple-formation type of team,” Odums said. "The tight end stretches the box, so it widens out the defense and creates gaps. You are able to get more done with that tight end.

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The 'monumental task' from Grambling, Southern that's set up historic Bayou Classic showdown

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- There has never been a Bayou Classic quite like the one coming up Saturday.

It’s the 43rd edition of the series under the Bayou Classic name, and it's the first time that both Grambling and Southern enter with undefeated records in SWAC play.

“I didn’t know that,” Southern coach Dawson Odums said. “That makes it even more special. With a chance to be undefeated, playing in a rivalry game, a chance to decide who goes home for Christmas and who moves on.”

They’ve been close quite a few times.

This is the 13th time Grambling has carried a perfect SWAC record into the Bayou Classic and the fifth time Southern has done so. On a handful of those occasions, most recently in 2008, one team was undefeated while the other came in with just one conference loss.

The idea that both teams could enter the rivalry game undefeated started to crystallize around the midpoint of the season, when Southern went on the road to beat Alcorn State for the first time in five years. Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs admitted that he was pulling for both teams to make it through unblemished to add to what should be an intense atmosphere Saturday.



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Alabama State notebook: Graham comes up big on Senior Day

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- It’s been a long time coming for Hornets freshman wide receiver Palmer Graham.

Mostly known for his kick returning prowess, Graham’s number was called upon to help the ASU passing game during Thursday’s 53-20 win over Miles during the 93rd Turkey Day Classic.

Graham had career-highs with five receptions and 61 yards with a long reception of 35 yards on Thursday.

Graham, who came into Thursday’s game with six receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns, said the night was really humbling for him.

“I knew that one of our main receivers went down and I had to step up,” Graham said. “I was just looking to the older guys and I wanted to play hard for the seniors.”

The Schaumburg, Illinois, native was one of the top kick returners in the SWAC, averaging 19.9 yards per return this season.



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Texas Southern Lady Tigers win 64-58 in Puerto Rico Clasico

BAYAMÓN, Puerto Rico – The Texas Southern Lady Tigers withstood a Thanksgiving Day challenge from the University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón on the first day of the Puerto Rico Clasico, claiming a 64-58 win over their hosts.

TSU scored eight unanswered points midway through the fourth quarter to pull away from Puerto Rico– Bayamón as the Lady Tigers improved their season record to 3-1.

Artavia Ford turned in a double-double performance with 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Lady Tigers. She shot 8-of-16 from the floor and went to the free throw line 14 times, making 10 of her attempts. Ford also blocked five shots.

Joyce Kennerson added 11 points for the Lady Tigers. Breasia McElrath chipped in eight points, followed by Kaitlyn Palmer's seven points.

Jamillette Quinones led UPRB, an NCAA Division II independent program, with 22 points.

The Lady Tigers led for most of the final three quarters but fended off a late run by the UPRB at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Back-to-back layups from Lyannis Torres – four of her 11 points, tied the game 49-49 with 8:15 remaining in the game. The teams exchanged leads as the hosts held a 52-51 lead at the six-minute mark.

Ford knocked down a jumper with 5:59 remaining in the game that started an 8-0 run by the Lady Tigers. She scored five of the team's eight points during the two-and-a-half minute stretch, with McElrath adding another three points.

The Lady Tigers conclude play at the Puerto Rico Clasico on Friday against Presbyterian College.

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Alabama State 53, Miles 20: Seniors leave good foundation with decisive win

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State senior center Kerry Williams said that winning his final game as a Hornet will leave a sweet taste in what has been a sour season.

The disappointment of the 2016 football season for Alabama State didn’t diminish the excitement of another edition of a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Montgomery.

There were plenty of tears, hugs and laughs to go around on the field before the families of the 18 seniors went back to their seats.

The first half started as slow as many have for Alabama State this season, but the Hornets came up with the big plays they needed.

Alabama State running back Khalid Thomas rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries as the Hornets ended the season with a 53-20 win over Miles in the 93rd Turkey Day Classic at ASU Stadium on Thursday.

Thomas earned the game’s offensive MVP award.



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Former Wiley Wildcat Tawiah Living His Dream Playing in Czech Republic League

Christopher Tawiah #50 is playing for the BK Lions Jindrichuv Hradec in the
Czech Republic.

CZECH REPUBLIC -- During his senior season at Wiley College, Christopher Tawiah's goals were to play professional basketball. After graduating last May, Tawiah is living his dream as he is playing for the BK Lions Jindrichuv Hradec in the Czech Republic National Basketball League.

"It's a wonderful feeling but a lot of hard work," Tawiah said.

After last season, Tawiah hired an agent and created a highlight tape – which ultimately led to him getting a deal. The former Wiley College center made his debut on September 24 and scored 12 points. Tawiah is leading his team in rebounds at 5.8 per game through 12 games. His career best is 10 rebounds which he recorded twice. He is averaging 5.7 points per game. As a professional athlete in a different country, Tawiah has had a lot things to get used to.

"English is not their first language and I've had to adjust," Tawiah said. "Living in my own apartment has made me more responsible. Now that I'm a professional athlete, I have to make sure I have good work ethic, performing well and being consistent. I have to make sure I manage my time and diet and remember I represent the team wherever I go."

The attention Tawiah receives as a professional athlete is something new for him. Last season at Wiley College, Tawiah got off to a strong start and was of the NAIA leaders in rebounds. An infection in his elbow sidelined him for 12 games. He finished the season averaging 9.3 rebounds per game. Tawiah said his experience last year has made his opportunity more satisfying but also allowed him to mature.

"Everything happens for a reason," Tawiah said. "Not being able to play basketball, allowed me to focus on my studies – which allowed me to graduate on time in the spring semester."



WILEY COLLEGE WILDCATS SPORTS INFORMATION

Miles Golden Bears Upsets No. 16 West Georgia, 74-69

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- Two weeks ago, West Georgia throttled Miles by more than 30 points and the Golden Bears did not look like a team that could cause the Wolves much trouble.

But since then, the Golden Bears have seen a quick maturation and added a few pieces to the roster. With chef Leon Douglas adding some new ingredients and seasoning, the Golden Bears have started to cook. On Tuesday night, it was UWG in the broiler and Miles ate well, racing out to a double figure lead in the second half before holding on for a 74-69 win over 16th-ranked West Georgia.

Freshman KeAndre Swopes scored a team-high 15 points while the Golden Bears (2-3) forced 17 turnovers and held UWG (3-1) under 40 percent shooting from the field to en route to a second straight win.

Aaron Jones, playing in his first game of the season, scored seven points, grabbed seven rebounds, and gave Miles a big boost with his work in the paint in the first half. The second half saw Javier McKinney and Chauncey Day (10 points each) attack the UWG defense while Josh Johnson - who did not play in the first matchup between the two teams - steadied the team from the point guard spot. He finished with six points, six rebounds, and five assists.

But it was Swopes who gave the Golden Bears a big edge in the second half. He scored nine of Miles' first 11 points in the second half, all before the 16-minute media time out, that gave the team a 50-40 advantage. Day would score the next six points - two on a fast break dunk - that helped the team to a 56-42 lead, its biggest of the game. West Georgia would get as close as three points ate but Miles would knock down 4-of-6 free throws to seal the victory.

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MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Five Lincoln Blue Tigers Score In Double Figures In 90-81 Win

LEBANON, Illinois -- Five players scored in double figures and the Lincoln men's basketball team led for nearly the entire game as the Blue Tigers defeated McKendree, 90-81, on the road on Tuesday night (Nov. 22).

Richie Lewis opened the scoring by hitting a pair of free throws, and McKendree answered with a three-pointer just under a minute into the game. That ended up being the Bearcats' only lead of the night, as a jumper by Tacourrus Mattox keyed Lincoln on a 12-0 run that gave the Blue Tigers would never relinquish.

After McKendree (1-2) made it an eight point game with about nine minutes left in the half, Lincoln (4-1) responded with nine-straight points to go up 37-20 with 5:38 until halftime. Maurice Mason started the run with a layup off a fast break and finished it with a three-pointer. The Blue Tigers ended up taking a 46-34 lead into halftime.

Lincoln scored the first seven points of the second half, and led by as many as 20 early in the period. The closest the Bearcats would come to a rally was a nine-point deficit with 5:43 remaining, but Jaylon Smith ended that brief run with a jumper and later hit a trey to put the Blue Tigers back up by 17. McKendree never got the LU lead back down to single digits until hitting a three with 15 ticks left on the clock.

Smith led a balanced LU scoring attack with 26 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds while dishing four assists, registering three steals and recording a block. Mattox and Mason each scored 14 points, with Mattox also grabbing three rebounds. Rod Ollison added 12 points and three rebounds to the winning cause while Anthony Virdure chipped in 11 points, dished five assists and grabbed four boards.

O'Shai Clark finished just outside double figures with nine points, three assists and a pair of steals. Lewis totaled four points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds while Darrius Spencere had a pair of rebounds.

Lincoln will open its home slate on Saturday (Nov. 26) when the Blue Tigers host Truman State at 4:00 p.m. CST. Lincoln is holding a canned food drive in conjunction with the game, and fans who bring three or more canned food items will be granted free admission to the contest.

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LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Harriman Signs With North Carolina A&T Golf

Madison Harriman 

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- North Carolina A&T golf coach Richard Watkins continued his quest of building depth for the women’s golf team on Tuesday when he announced the signing of Madison Harriman (High Point, N.C., Southwest Guilford).

N.C. A&T’s newest athletics program has already competed in four tournaments with two players shooting in the 70’s thus far. Therefore, Harriman’s addition will only enhance the youthful program.

“The first thing I wanted to do was to have enough quality golfers to not only have a team but to have a team that was going to competitive the first year,” said Watkins who has five golfers on his roster. “Now we’re starting to enter the phase where I want enough golfers to make people have to compete for the opportunity to travel to each tournament. Madison is going to be a great addition to our team, and she is going to make others raise their level of play on the golf course. That’s a good thing.”

Harriman is one of best high school golfers in North Carolina. As a junior, she finished tied for 47th at the Class 4A state championships. This past October she improved that standing by finishing 27th by shooting a 23-over par 167 at Pinehurst No. 5. She was among the top qualifiers coming out of the 4A Central region.

She shot a season-low 33 (nine holes) at the Southwest Guilford Tri-Match on Sept. 7. She matched that with a 33 on Sept. 12. She shot a 75 at the Piedmont Triad Conference 18-hole Final Match, one stroke behind medalist Madison Isaacson of Ragsdale.

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Cover Two: Beat writers share insights on North Carolina A&T and Richmond

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — N.C. A&T is back in the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2003, playing in the postseason for the second consecutive season.

The Aggies (9-2) are ranked No. 17 in both FCS national polls, and they play at No. 12 Richmond (8-3) at 2 p.m. Saturday.

It’s the first meeting between the two programs, and a journey into the unknown for both.

John O’Connor, who covers Richmond for the Richmond Times Dispatch, traded questions and answers with us ahead of the playoff game.

Mills: A&T beat Kent State in overtime back in September for its first victory against a higher-division FBS program. It was a milestone win for the Aggies, setting the tone for a fine season.

A week earlier, Richmond dismantled a power five conference team, clobbering the ACC’s Virginia 37-20.

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Lady Walker and the Cleveland-VUU connection

RICHMOND, Virginia -- It’s a small world.

If you didn’t believe that before, you will with Virginia Union University basketball standout Lady Walker.

For starters, her first name really is Lady. She has the same name as her fraternal grandmother.

“It’s funny,” she said with a smile. “I’ll hear someone on the street say, ‘Hey, Lady!’ and I think they’re talking to me. And then I see they’re calling someone else.”

And, yes, she really is all of 6-foot-2, making her among the tallest ladies — and certainly the tallest named Lady — to don the Panthers’ maroon and steel colors.

Without much prodding, she shows a guest how she can touch the 10-foot rim — a rare quality for a woman. With an easy, short approach, she stretches her fingertips two inches over the east rim at VUU’s Barco-Stevens Hall without benefit of a warm-up.

Walker was a major cog in the Lady Panthers’ 28-3 CIAA and NCAA Atlantic Region championships last season. She began her final season at VUU with 1,028 points, 853 rebounds and 161 blocked shots.

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University of Maryland-Eastern Shore leads the MEAC once again in graduation success rate

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Director of Athletics Keith Davidson is already looking forward to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) summer meetings. That is because in June, Davidson will collect Maryland Eastern Shore’s eighth straight award for producing the highest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in the league.

Previous years have seen Davidson bring home a $25,000.00 check from the conference for his department for the accolade.

Last week the NCAA released its latest graduation success rate figures and while the Hawks rate was lower than the previous year, it still ranks first among all 13 conference schools, and is the only one at 80 percent or above.

The Hawks posted an 81 percent for the 15-16 year, a collection of the 2006-2009 cohort. Rival Delaware State posted a 77 percent rate, the second highest in the league while Howard and North Carolina Central both had a 75 percent GSR.

Among Maryland state schools, Eastern Shore was third, falling just behind Maryland and Towson who posted 85 and 84 percent respectively. The Hawks bettered UMBC, Coppin State and Morgan State.

The GSR measures graduation rates at Division I institutions as well as those transferring into those schools, according to the NCAA. The rate was created to reflect mobility of college students in graduation data.

“I am so very proud of this accomplishment,” said Davidson. “After all, this exemplifies what we do in athletics. We prepare student-athletes for life after their collegiate competition days are over. We help give them the values they need to be successful in multiple facets of life.”

In the most recent data, seven of the Hawks’ 14 teams earned a perfect score of 100 in the GSR, with men’s basketball, women’s bowling, women’s tennis, women’s volleyball and women’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field. Softball posted an 88 percent rate in that period.

Below are Eastern Shore’s results from the previous twelve years in descending order:

2006-09, 81-percent; 2005-08, 88-percent; 2004-07, 88-percent; 2003-06, 89-percent; 2002-05, 89-percent; 2001-04, 90-percent; 2000-03, 84-percent; 1999-02, 77-percent; 1998-01, 78-percent; 1997-00, 79-percent; 1996-99, 84-percnet; 1995-98, 92-percent

Maryland Eastern Shore has averaged an overall GSR of 85 percent in that 12-year period.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION