Claflin University To Join Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- After notifying the SoutherSn Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) of its decision to exit, Claflin University is pleased to announce that it is joining the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), commencing July, 1, 2018. President Henry N. Tisdale said the decision to move to the conference headquartered in Charlotte, N. C. was made after careful consideration of potential benefits.

"We believe this is a win-win situation for the University and our student-athletes," Tisdale said. "The CIAA aligns with our institutional profile and the proximity of its members to Orangeburg is very attractive for our alumni and supporters."

Claflin raised its athletic program profile when it became a NCAA Division II member in 2008 and concurrently joined the SIAC. Claflin sponsors men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, men's and women's indoor track and field, men's and women's outdoor track and field, and men's and women's cross country. A tradition of excellence describes Claflin's athletic history.

A plethora of championship trophies and banners adorn the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center, the University's indoor athletic facility. Since joining the SIAC, Claflin has won volleyball, baseball, softball and men's basketball championships. An impressive number of student-athletes have won top individual honors, including an Olympic qualifier.

"It is my pleasure to welcome Claflin University's administration, student-athletes, staff, alumni, and fans to the CIAA," said Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner. "The institution is a fit for our conference based on their location within our demographic region and commitment to sponsoring sports programs that bring competitive and championship growth in the CIAA. They will expand our footprint into the South Carolina market and reinforce our commitment to the student-athlete experience and employ strategies that engage alumni and fans within the region to support our mission and vision.

"The CIAA is committed to sponsoring a range of male and female sports programs that bring competitive and championship growth within the conference and to the regions that all our participating schools represent," said CIAA Board of Directors Chair and Fayetteville State University Chancellor Dr. James A. Anderson. "The CIAA will seek to sponsor additional men's sports like baseball and tennis to maintain a healthy number of automatic qualifications. The addition of Claflin University allows the conference to facilitate this goal while expanding our geographical footprint."

"This is a new day for Claflin University," President Tisdale said. "We look forward to continuing our success in athletics with all the administrative support we can provide. Our student-athletes deserve nothing less."

Claflin University is a comprehensive institution of higher education affiliated with The United Methodist Church. A historically black University founded in 1869, Claflin is committed to providing students with access to exemplary educational opportunities in its undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs. With a record enrollment of 2,100 students, Claflin is a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff and administrators who work to cultivate practical wisdom, judgment, knowledge, skills and character needed for globally engaged citizenship and effective leadership. For more information on Claflin, visit www.claflin.edu.

Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com.

CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS

Missouri’s Martin leads field of black coaches into NCAA Tournament; Butler will have some bite

Head Coach Kevin Sampson, University of Houston Cougars speaks on Mike Davis and Texas Southern University Tigers.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Of the 68 participants in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which includes the “First Four” participants who played Tuesday and Wednesday, 15 have African-American/minority head coaches at their helm.

That comes to about 22 percent of the coaches. This would seem like an outstanding number, except for the fact that the number of black players in the tournament (especially those who start or play major minutes) will probably be three times as high.

Also, if you take out the head coaches of mid-major or HBCU schools, the number drops significantly. Just five are from Power 5 Conferences, which includes the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 13 and SEC.

he black/minority coaches in the 2018 NCAA Tournament are:

Mike Anderson, Arkansas – The former Missouri coach was a stalwart in the SEC this season, guiding his Razorbacks to a 23-11 record and a No. 7 seed. He was on the hot seat when the season started.

LeVelle Moton, North Carolina Central – Respected ESPN pundit and former Indiana coach Dan Dakish said it is just a matter of time before Moton gets a big-time coaching opportunity. Moton, who led his team to the MEAC tournament title over Hampton, is headed to the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year.

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Former Alabama State standout Isaiah Crowell getting new NFL home

NEW YORK, New York -- Former Alabama State standout Isaiah Crowell will become a member of the New York Jets on Wednesday.

Cleveland.com reported on Tuesday that the running back had reached a three-year contract agreement with the Jets.

CROWELL VIDEO

Crowell becomes an unrestricted free agent at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday after playing four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. After that, he'll be able to sign with the Jets.

Terms of the contract have not been reported.

Crowell has been Cleveland's leading rusher in each of the past three seasons. With the Browns, Crowell has run for 3,118 yards and 21 touchdowns on 737 carries and caught 96 passes for 770 yards and one touchdown.

In 2017, Crowell ran for 853 yards and two touchdowns on 206 carries and caught 28 passes for 182 yards. That came after he'd run for 952 yards and seven TDs on 198 carries and caught 40 passes for 319 yards in 2016.

Crowell entered the NFL as an undrafted player in 2014.

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Isaiah Crowell's Jets contract: Complete breakdown, analysis | A win for Mike Maccagnan?

Here is a complete breakdown of the contract the Jets gave to free agent running back Isaiah Crowell, formerly of the Browns, along with our takeaways from the numbers, which were provided to NJ Advance Media by a source with knowledge of the deal:

Maximum length: Three years

Maximum value: $12 million

Signing bonus: $3 million

Total guarantee: $6 million (signing bonus, all of 2018 salary, half of 2019 salary*)

Fully guaranteed money at signing: $4 million

2018: $1 million salary, $2 million salary cap figure

2019: $4 million salary, $5 million salary cap figure, $2 million dead money figure

2020: $4 million salary, $5 million salary cap figure, $1 million dead money figure

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From 0-13 to NCAA Tournament, Texas Southern advances to play Xavier basketball in Nashville

DAYTON, Ohio -- Xavier basketball will face the unlikeliest of opponents in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Texas Southern University Tigers famously started the 2017-18 season 0-13, but on Wednesday night advanced from an NCAA Tournament First Four game and will now meet the top-seeded and 28-win Musketeers Friday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

The Mike Davis-coached Tigers (16-19 overall) defeated North Carolina Central, 64-46, to advance from their First Four game on the University of Dayton campus as the No. 16 seed for the NCAA Tournament's West Region.

The NCAA Tournament win was the first ever for Texas Southern.

Texas Southern sophomore guard Demontrae Jefferson, standing all of 5-foot-7, played big in the play-in game as he scored 25 points on 8 of 18 shooting.

Graduate guard Donte Clark went for 18 points on 5 of 16 shooting for the Tigers.
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SWAC spring football outlook

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --That every week is a championship week has taken on renewed meaning in the SWAC.

The conference championship game has been eliminated and the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl bid will be decided by the regular season. This comes just one year after the 10 teams dropped from playing a nine-game conference schedule to just seven games.

It might create some squawking in late November – especially if the division champs haven’t played each other – but the teams are turning up the focus already.

Following is a look across the SWAC with spring practices underway in college football:

EAST DIVISION

ALABAMA A&M

HEAD COACH: Connell Maynor (first season; 65-31 overall)

2017 RECORDS: 4-7, 3-4 SWAC East (Tie/3rd)

SPRING PRACTICES: Feb. 23-March 19 (spring game is March 17)

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Nuggets defeat No. 8 Hawks to finish 4-0 in Phoenix

PHOENIX, Arizona — Farah Baklouti and Yi Chen Pao won in doubles and singles Sunday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 5-1 victory against San Diego Christian in a matchup of NAIA top-10 women's tennis teams.

The Gold Nuggets (9-7), ranked 10th, finished 4-0 in Phoenix. Earlier Sunday they defeated Westmont 5-1 in a dual that was suspended Saturday because of rain.

The XULA women have a six-dual win streak, their longest since two streaks of that length in 2014. The Gold Nuggets won 11 straight in 2013.

Results vs.  Westmont   |   San Diego Christian

Overall this season the Nuggets have won six duals against top-20 opponents, all on the road. The Hawks (4-4), ranked eighth, became XULA's third top-10 victim of 2018.

"This was a great trip out west. A great experience for us," XULA coach Alan Green said. "Our goal was to win every (dual) match out here. And we did. The Nuggets represented Xavier well."

The Gold Nuggets will play NAIA No. 15 SCAD Atlanta at noon next Sunday at XULA Tennis Center. It will be the Nuggets' first home event since Jan. 28. The XULA men, ranked second and idle since March 2, also will play SCAD Atlanta that day. The Bees' men are ranked 25th.


Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Hampton, MEAC finally reach agreement on Pirates' departure to Big South

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Officials from the MEAC and Hampton University hammered out a compromise agreement during last week’s basketball tournament at Scope that allows the Pirates to exit to the Big South Conference next season.

The league and university announced the agreement Monday morning.

Terms weren’t announced, but Hampton agreed to pay “an undisclosed fine for failing to meet the MEAC’s July 1, 2017 deadline for withdrawal from the Conference,” according to a statement released jointly by the MEAC and Hampton.

Hampton announced in November, four months after the MEAC deadline, that it was leaving for the Big South in July.

MEAC officials imposed a $250,000 fine and, oddly, told the Pirates they would be required to play full league football schedules through the 2021 season, Hampton officials said.

That was despite MEAC football refusing to play the Pirates in 2018.

Hampton officials called the fine unfair and accused the MEAC of telling league schools not to play the Pirates in nonconference games in any sport in 2018.

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Notre Dame Men’s Hoops Blows Out Hampton in First Round of NIT

SOUTH BEND, Indiana -- The Notre Dame Fighting Irish blew out the Hampton Pirates this evening, opening NIT play with a 84 to 63 win over the #8 seed from the MEAC.

Martinas “The Bird Whisperer” led the way for ND, scoring 18 points and grabbing 6 rebounds while shooting 7-of-9 from the field. TJ Gibbs scored 17 points and had 6 rebounds while shooting 7-of-13, and BONZIE COLSON added his usual double-double of 14 points and 12 boards. Matt Farrell also chipped in 9 points and 6 assists, Nik Djogo had 7 and 9, and Rex Pflueger had 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Irish shot 42% from the field and 26% from deep while also out-rebounding Hampton 55 to 49. The Pirates, meanwhile, shot 30% from the field and 23% from deep, led by Jermaine Marrow with 21 points, 7 assists, and 9 rebounds, and Kalin Fisher, who finished with 12 and 7.

The game began about how everyone expected, with the Irish taking an early lead and then really pushing that lead further in the 2nd quarter (this game had quarters — the NIT will feature a bunch of experimental rule changes, including quarters, extended three point lines, shot clocks resetting to 20 on offensive rebounds, etc.). Notre Dame led 46-34 at the half after Hampton mounted a small run to keep themselves within striking distance.

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'We matchup well with them': Jaguars set for WNIT meeting with Tide in Tuscaloosa

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern coach Sandy Pugh’s remembers the feeling of playing in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament to end her 1985-86 season at Northwestern State. The fact that the Demons lost to Idaho didn’t matter. It was March, and she was playing.

“We got beat, but I always remember how exciting that was,” Pugh said Tuesday. “And the excitement that I’m playing in March. I try to pass that along to my players. At this stage in the game, everybody’s great. Doesn’t matter who you play … you’ve got to bring it.”

This year as Southern's coach, Pugh’s returning to the postseason. Her regular-season championship Southern team will meet Alabama (17-13) at 7 p.m. Wednesday inside the Tide’s Coleman Coliseum in the opening round of the 2018 WNIT.

Southern (17-13) automatically qualified for the WNIT after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s regular-season title and not being selected for the NCAA tournament.

The Jaguars’ game time, opponent and location were revealed late Monday, creating a quick and abrupt turnaround for Southern prior to Wednesday’s tipoff.

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Bethune-Cookman To Head To Georgia Tech For WNIT Opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman will meet Georgia Tech in the opening round of the 2018 Women's National Invitation Tournament Thursday night at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Ga.

A tipoff time will be announced Tuesday.

2018 WNIT Bracket

This is the Lady Wildcats' third consecutive appearance in the WNIT and second against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent. B-CU faced Wake Forest last year.

Georgia Tech (18-13) is making its fourth consecutive WNIT appearance.

Bethune-Cookman enters the WNIT 24-6 after finishing atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the third straight year. Junior Angel Golden was named MEAC Player Of The Year and junior Ashanti Hunt the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year as Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis received Coach of The Year honors for the third straight year and fourth overall.

WNIT first-round action begins Wednesday, March 14 and continues through Friday, March 16. Round 2 games take place March 17-20; Round 3 games are March 21-23, Round 4 runs March 24-26, and the semifinals are March 28-29. The championship game will be held at 3 p.m. ET on March 31, and televised on CBS Sports Network. All games are hosted by participating schools.

Follow our official twitter feed -- @BCUWBB for updates.

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Alabama State Hornets fall in extra innings to Florida A&M

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State battled from behind early to take a late lead, before Florida A&M came back with two big innings to come away with a 13-10 non-conference victory over the Hornets at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex Tuesday night.

Alabama State (9-7), who has dropped their last three games, fell behind early only to take a 10-8 lead into the ninth inning. However, Florida A&M was able to get to Chase Laney and Terrell McCall out of the bullpen when they opened the inning with Octavian Moyer reaching second on a two base throwing error by Cristopher DeGuzman, followed by a bunt by Brett Maxwell to put runners at the corners with no outs. The next batter, Ty Russ was able to get the squeeze down to trim the deficit to 10-9. They were able to take the lead with Jordan Curtis singling home Maxwell to tie the game.

Curtis was stranded at third to end the inning as McCall induced a ground ball out, then struck Daniel Oliver out to end the inning.

After Alabama State went down in order in the bottom of the ninth, Florida A&M was able to add three more to the board to push the lead to 13-10 with three hits and a two-base throwing error by Joshua Dunson that allowed a pair of runners to score.

The Hornets had their chance in the bottom of the frame when Santiago Garcia drew a leadoff walk. After Gustavo Rios popped out, Chris Lewis drew a walk to put runners at first and second with one out. Following a strikeout, Dunson was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs; however, Josh Barr was able to strike out Ricky Perez for the final out and his first save of the season.

Hunter Phillips and Garcia led the Hornets with three hits each, with Phillips finishing 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and a pair of walks; while Garcia finished 3-for-5 with three runs batted in. Yamil Pagan finished with a pair of singles.

BOX SCORE

Alabama State fell behind early in the game, 5-0, as Florida A&M scored four runs in the top of the fourth inning off starter Channing Walker (0-1) in his first collegiate start. Walker lasted 3.2 innings, allowing five runs off of four hits and recorded three strikeouts.

The Hornets answered in the bottom half of the fourth with six runs of their own as they sent 10 batters to the plate and collected three hits, using a pair of Florida A&M (9-12) errors. In that inning, Alabama State got RBIs from Garcia and Dunson to take the lead. They would add three more in the sixth on a pair of hits and another Florida A&M error.

McCall (0-1) suffered the loss out of the bullpen, working two innings and allowing three runs – two earned – on four hits and recorded two strikeouts; while Laney went two innings out of the bullpen and allowed two runs (none earned) on two hits.

Alabama State will send Ivanniel Vazquez (0-2, 3.14 ERA) to the mound against Samford tomorrow night at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 6 pm, and the game can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network.

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North Carolina A&T Aggies Season Ends at CIT

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- For the Liberty Flames, it was not how many 3-pointers they made, it was when they made them. North Carolina A&T saw its season come to an end Monday night in men’s basketball with a 65-52 loss to Liberty at Vines Arena in the College Insider Tournament.

In what was a close game throughout, the Flames pulled away with some well-timed threes to end the Aggies season at 20-15.

“First and foremost, it’s been a great season,” said N.C. A&T coach Jay Joyner. “The expectations for our team were very low coming into the season. The kids did a phenomenal job. Someone’s season had to come to an end, and they were playing on their homecourt, and that’s an advantage especially this time of the year.”



But I will be forever grateful to these young because they believed in me and where I wanted to take this program when it wasn’t easy to do so. I am going to walk into that locker room, and give each and every one of them a hug and say thank you. They deserve it.”

N.C. A&T took its largest lead of the game, 34-31, on a Devonte Boykins 3-pointer. The Flames (21-14) took over from there. They put together a 12-2 run that included two Keegan McDowell 3-pointers that gave Liberty a 43-36 lead. Junior Aaren Edmead stopped the Flame run with a 3-pointer, but the Flames scored the next four points before another Edmead 3-pointer got the Aggies to within seven at 49-42 with 7:35 remaining.

A spinning move baseline by senior Davaris McGowens got the lead down to five before a 7-0 run capped by a Scottie James 3-pointer put the Aggies away as Liberty took a 56-44 lead with 4:05 to play.

“We lost their shooters tonight and that can’t happen,” said Joyner. “You can’t allow that to happen when your season is on the line.”

N.C. A&T trailed by as many as seven in the first half, 23-16. But the Aggies ended the half on a 5-0 that included a Femi Olujobi layup and a steal and a layup from freshman Kameron Langley that put the Aggies behind 23-21 at the half. Edmead was the only Aggie in double figures as he finished with 14 points. Olujobi had eight points and 12 rebounds. Liberty’s Caleb Homesley led all scorers with 16 points.

The Flames advanced in the CIT while the Aggies will prepare for the 2018-19 season without key contributors from the 2017-18 like fifth-year forward Denzel Keyes who closed his men’s basketball career with a third-team All-MEAC selection. McGowens, who led the Aggies in scoring during conference play, also played his last collegiate game on Monday.

Boykins, a graduate transfer out of Georgia Southern, led the Aggies in 3-pointers made. But he too is gone along with 3-point threat Amari Hamilton and reserve Donte Watson.

BOX SCORE

Olujobi, the Aggies leader scorer, is scheduled to return along with Edmead and freshman point guard Kameron Langley who had a superb rookie season. Milik Gantz, who had 21 points at Georgetown, is also scheduled to be back along with promising freshman center D’Andre Johnson.

“I’m proud of these guys. No one can take away from them the fact that they proved a lot of people wrong this year,” said Joyner whose team was picked to finish last in the MEAC prior to the season. “Again, I’ll remember them for the rest of my life. They have no reason to hold their heads down tonight. They played in a postseason game. Now it’s time to hit the recruiting trail, so we can get better and continue to play and coach the right way.”

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Claflin Men’s Basketball Storied Season Ends with Loss in NCAA DII South Regional Semifinal

ATLANTA, Georgia — Claflin University men's basketball team history making season comes to a close Sunday (March 11) with an 89-64 loss to Barry University in the 2018 NCAA DII South Regional Semifinal at Forbes Arena on the campus of Morehouse College.

The Panthers finish the 2017-18 season with a 26-7 record. The 26 wins are the most in the program's history since joining the NCAA DII ranks in the 2008-09 season. The previous high was 25 wins during the 2008-09 season.

Benjamin "Tre" Williams scored 11 of his team-high 17 points in the first half to lead Claflin.

Jaleel Charles scored 16 points, 14 in the second half, with five rebounds. Tondric Johnson came off the bench to contribute five points with six rebounds in the loss.

Sawyer Glick led all scorers with 22 points, including 18 from behind the arc.

Daniel Mortensen dropped in 15 points and seven rebounds while Marko Tomic scored 12 and Evan Walshe dropped in 11 for Barry in the win.

As a team, Barry shot 46.7 percent from three-point range (64.7 percent in the first half) while holding Claflin to 10 percent from the game (2-of-20).

"Congrats to Barry and its play tonight," head coach Ricky Jackson said. "We've seen a team like this before in Clark Atlanta earlier in the season, when they just came out blistering hot, draining three's – Barry had 14 in the game. Not to take anything away from Barry or making excuses, but the injuries and the schedule over the last 10 days has made it tough on us. Around the 3, 4, 5 minute mark of yesterday's (Saturday's) game I looked at my team and I kind of felt like we were going to hit that wall."

"My hats off to my crew as well, we made history at Claflin and we had great ride, and I'm proud of my guys. No one wants to lose, but for me and my guys even with this loss I'm proud of them."

Claflin opened the second half with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 24, 56-32. The Panthers managed to cut the lead to 21, 63-42, but the hot three-point shooting continued for Barry as Elvar Fridriksson drained a three-pointer to push the lead back to 24, 66-42, with 13:36 remaining in the contest.

After Claflin scored two straight baskets, the Bucs scored 13 straight points to take its then biggest lead of the contest, 31 points (79-48).

Barry's maintained at least a 30 point lead until late in the half when Claflin scored the final four-of-six points of the game.

The opening period belonged solely to Barry.

Claflin began the game very sluggish, going down by 12, 20-8, at the 11:56 mark of the first half. Barry increased its lead to 19 (33-14) with 7:37 remaining. The Bucs pushed their lead to 27, 47-20, before owning the 30 point lead at intermission, 56-26.

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South Carolina Gamecocks Opens NCAA Tournement With North Carolina A&T

Friday's contest against the Aggies at Colonial Life Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

COLUMBIA, South Carolina — South Carolina (26-6) earned a No. 2 seed in its 15th berth in the NCAA Tournament and will face 15th-seeded North Carolina A&T (23-8) on Fri., March 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the contest set to be televised on ESPN2 in the event's opening round. The Gamecocks are in the Albany Region and will host the first and second rounds of the tournament at Colonial Life Arena. The other first-round game in Columbia pairs seventh-seeded California (21-10) and 10th-seeded Virginia (18-13) on Fri., March 16, at 5 p.m. ET.

Single-session tickets for the first and second rounds will go on sale at 10 a.m. Tue., March 13. General admission seating is available for $15 (adult) for the first round (both games) and $12 (adult) for the second round. Youth, University faculty/staff and group pricing is also available. Booklets for the entire weekend are available for $23 and include a general admission ticket for each round. Purchase ticket booklets by calling 1-800-4SC-FANS, visiting the Colonial Life Arena box office during regular business hours or going online at GamecocksOnline.com. Single-sessions tickets are available at TicketMaster.com.

This is the seventh-consecutive season the Gamecocks will participate in the NCAA Tournament, the longest streak in program history. South Carolina reached the NCAA Final Four for the first time in 2015 before capturing its first NCAA Championship in 2017. The Gamecocks have played in eight Sweet 16s in their 14 previous times in the event, reaching that round in five of their last six tournament appearances. South Carolina owns a 25-13 record all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including an 11-2 record in games played in Columbia.

The No. 7/8 Gamecocks won their fourth-straight SEC Tournament championship this season after notching three wins over ranked opponents in a stretch highlighted by a 62-51 victory over No. 2 Mississippi State in the title game. This year marks the fifth-straight season Carolina enters the NCAA Tournament with 25 or more wins.



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#15 Seed Grambling State to meet #2 Seed Baylor in NCAA tourney

TELEVISION: 16-March at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Grambling State University women's basketball will party like its 1999 as the Lady Tigers were selected a 15-seed in the Lexington Regional and will meet second-seed Baylor on Friday in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.

Grambling State and Baylor will meet at 6:30 p.m. at The Ferrell Center on Friday in the opening round of the Lexington Regional, hosted by Baylor.

This will be the fourth-ever meeting between the two schools and the first since 2015. The Lady Bears own a 3-0 record in the series, including a 96-42 victory in 2015.

NCAA Division I Women's Championship Bracket

The Lady Tigers (19-13) earned the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) automatic bid after defeating top-seeded Southern, 72-68, in the conference championship game on Saturday. Grambling State advanced to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship for the first time since 1999 and sixth overall trip the "Big Dance."

The Lady Tigers has faced in the tournament Vanderbilt (1994), Stanford (1996), Tennessee (1997), Texas Tech (1998) and Alabama (1999).

Grambling State averages 67.0 points, while its opponents are at 67.2. The Lady Tigers are shooting 39.9 percent (780-of-1,957), while the opponents are shooting 40 percent (765-of-1,914).

Shakyla Hill, an All-SWAC First-Team selection and All-Tournament Most Valuable Player honoree, has played and started in all 32 games this season. She leads the team in points (17.1), rebounds (7.5), assists (5.7) and steals (4.9). The Little Rock, Ark. native, who became the seventh basketball player and fourth ever in NCAA Division I Women's basketball history to record a quadruple double on Jan. 3, is second in the nation in steals and steals per game, fifth in triple-doubles, 23rd is assists, 25th in minutes played and 27th in assists per game.

Jazmin Boyd is second on the team in scoring at 12.3 points. She averages 2.5 boards, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 27.7 minutes per game. The Hattiesburg, Miss. native has scored in double figures 17 times, including a career-high 31 points against Jackson State (Feb. 17). Also, she has scored in double figures in 11 straight games.

Monisha Neal, an All-SWAC First-Team performer and All-SWAC Tournament team selection, is third on the team in scoring at 10.3 points per game. She also averages 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals in the 29 games played. The Lewisville, Texas native has reached double figures in scoring 17 times.

Baylor (31-1), winners of the Big 12 Championship, is riding a 28-game winning streak, with its last loss coming on Nov. 18 against UCLA.

Kalani Brown paces four Baylor players in double figures at 20.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Lauren Cox and Kristy Wallace are pouring in 14.7 and 12.9 points, respectively, while Dekeiya Cohen is averaging 12.1 points.

The Lady Bears are no stranger to a SWAC opponent in the first round as Baylor defeated Texas Southern, 119-30, last season.

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NCCU Eagles Will Meet Texas Southern Tigers in First Four

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – North Carolina Central University will make its second-straight appearance in the First Four and will face Texas Southern on Wednesday, March 13 at 6:40 p.m. ET on TruTV at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. 
 
NCCU (19-15) went to the First Four last season to face UC Davis, and were narrowly defeated, 67-63.  This year, the Eagles will face Texas Southern (15-19) for the first time in program history.

2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Official Bracket

This is the Eagles' third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history during the Division-I era, all within the past five years.  NCCU's first NCAA Tournament appearance was after the 2013-14 season when the Eagles were MEAC regular season and tournament champions.  NCCU also made an NIT appearance against Miami after the 2014-15 season where the Eagles also won the MEAC regular season and tournament championship.

Texas Southern are the champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and defeated top-seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the championship game, 84-69.

The winner of this game will move on to play No. 1 seed Xavier in the West Region in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday, March 16.

Matchup Preview 

Leading scorers
Texas Southern: Demontrae Jefferson (23.4 ppg), Donte Clark (18.6 ppg), Derrick Bruce (13.9 ppg)
N.C. Central: Raasean Davis (15.0 ppg), Pablo Rivas (11.8 ppg), Reggie Gardner Jr. (11.2 ppg)

Leading rebounder
Texas Southern: Trayvon Reed (8.8 rpg)
N.C. Central: Davis (8.0 rpg)

Leader in assists
Texas Southern: Jefferson (4.5 apg)
N.C. Central: Jordan Perkins (5.4 apg)

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Hampton to play Notre Dame in the NIT

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton University’s goal of making the NCAA tournament for a third time in four years was derailed Saturday by a loss in the MEAC championship game. But the National Invitation Tournament is giving the Pirates a chance to keep playing.

Having secured a berth with its regular-season championship, the Pirates were made a No. 8 seed and will play at Notre Dame Tuesday at 9 p.m. It will be HU’s first appearance in the NIT, which extends automatic bids to regular-season champions that lose in their conference tournaments.



2018 NIT BRACKET

Notre Dame (20-14) was one of the last four teams out of the NCAA tournament and is one of four No. 1 seeds in the NIT. The Fighting Irish upset Virginia Tech in the first round of the ACC tournament before losing to Duke in the quarterfinals.

“We figured it would be a Notre Dame-type of team when we saw the teams that didn’t get in (the NCAA),” HU coach Buck Joyner said. “I don’t know much about them other than that they’re a well-coached team with good ball players.

“Getting another opportunity to play probably means more than anything else. But going to Notre Dame ain’t a bad consolation prize because you get to play in one of the most storied atmospheres.”

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No. 5 Seed [19] Dillard Lady Bleu Devils Face No. 4 Seed [14] Montana Western In NAIA Tournament On March 14

Bracket | Video Announcement | Schedule

KANSAS CITY, Missouri  --  Fresh off winning the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season title and conference tournament championship, the Dillard women's basketball team earned a No. 5 seed in the Duer bracket when the pairings for the season's NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament were announced Wednesday.

The Lady Bleu Devils (23-5) will face No. 4 seed [14] Montana Western (24-8) in the first round Wednesday, March 14 at 2:45 p.m. CT at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings, Montana.

Dillard, which finished the regular season ranked No. 19th in the NAIA Division Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll, is making its first appearance in the tournament since 2004.

This year's field consists of 14 automatic berths, 17 at-large selections and championship host Rocky Mountain (Mont.). Automatic qualification is given to conference regular-season champions, regular-season runners-up, tournament champions or tournament runners-up depending on the league. At-large teams were determined using the final regular-season Coaches' Top 25 poll released today, which can be found HERE.

The NAIA Network – the association's official video streaming home – will broadcast the first 30 games leading up to the championship final on ESPN3. The video platform, powered by Stretch Internet, allows users access to live video, statistics, and social interaction on a number of devices, including mobile. Single-day passes can be   can be purchased for $9.95, while an all-tournament package is available at $34.95.

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No. 5 Seed Dillard Set To Face No. 4 Seed Westmont (Calif.) In NAIA Tournament On March 14

Bracket – PDF | Video Announcement | Schedule

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- On the heels of winning the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season title and conference tournament championship, the Dillard men's basketball team earned a No. 5 seed in the Liston bracket when the pairings for the season's NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament were announced Wednesday.

The Bleu Devils (20-9) will face No. 4 seed [13] Westmont (24-7) in the first round Wednesday, March 14 at 10 p.m. CT at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dillard, which finished the regular season ranked No. 18th in the NAIA Division Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll, is making its third-consecutive appearance in the tournament and eighth overall.

The winner of Wednesday night's game will advance to the second round to play the winner of top-seed LSU Shreveport (La.) (27-4) and No. 8 seed Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) (23-10).

This year's field consists of 14 automatic berths, one host berth and 17 at-large spots. Automatic qualification is given to conference regular-season champions, regular-season runners-up, tournament champions or tournament runners-up depending on the league. At-large teams were determined using the final regular-season Coaches' Top 25 Poll released today. To access the poll, click HERE.

The NAIA Network (www.NAIANetwork.com) – the association's official video streaming home – will broadcast the first 30 games leading up to the championship final on ESPN3. The video platform, powered by Stretch Internet, allows users access video, statistics, and social interaction on a number of devices, including mobile. Single-day passes can be purchased for $9.95, while an all-tournament package is available at $34.95. Click HERE for more information.

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XULA's Terry joins the list of NAIA national qualifiers

LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana — For the second time in as many meets, a Xavier University of Louisiana freshman has qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.
     
Saturday it was Alysia Terry, who was third in the triple jump at the McNeese Cowboy Relays with an NAIA B-qualifying mark of 11.57 meters (37 feet, 11 1/2 inches). It was the first time Terry triple-jumped as a Xavierite.
     
XULA's other NAIA qualifiers from a week ago, the women's 400 relay team and men's high-jumper Edward Angel, improved their season bests.
     
The 400 relay team of Martina Wright Latting, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs and Ry-Anne Riley placed fourth in 47.2, nearly three-tenths of a second faster than its season-opening A-qualifying mark. Angel, XULA's other freshman qualifier, produced an A-mark of 2.05 meters (6 feet, 8 3/4 inches), slightly better than his season-opening B-mark of 2.03.
     
Barely missing an NAIA B-mark was men's triple jumper Brandon Matthews, a freshman who placed third in 14.15 meters (46-5 1/4).
     
The meet was scored, and McNeese combined the men's and women's point totals. XULA scored 43 points to tie for ninth place with the University of New Orleans. It was the second-highest total among the five non-NCAA Division I teams at the meet. McNeese won with 274 points, and Northwestern State was second with 208.
     
XULA finished ahead of DIs Nicholls and Valparaiso in team scoring.
     
Next for the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will be the Louisiana Classics, a two-day meet starting Friday in Lafayette, La.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
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Nuggets will resume with Westmont; Ottawa canceled

 PHOENIX, Arizona — Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis was well on the way Saturday to a fifth consecutive dual-match victory . . . and then it started raining.
     
It rained enough for the Gold Nuggets and Westmont to postpone their match — XULA led 3-1 — and for the Gold Nuggets' Saturday evening match with Ottawa (Kan.) to be canceled.
     
XULA and Westmont will resume their competition at 10 a.m. MST Sunday — unlike most of the United States, Arizona does not observe daylight saving time — and then XULA will meet NAIA No. 8 San Diego Christian in its already scheduled dual at noon.
     
The Gold Nuggets, ranked 10th, got doubles victories from the teams of Yi Chen Pao-Mariia Borodii and Angela Charles-Alfred - Farah Baklouti, then Pao made it 3-1 with her 6-0, 6-0 singles victory against Taylor Cheung-Damonte.
     
Borodii, Charles-Alfred and Manon Bonada will return to the court Sunday needing one game victory apiece to clinch their matches. Borodii led Isabel Lee 6-2, 5-0 on the first court.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Liberty hosts North Carolina A&T in first round of CIT

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- After accepting an invitation to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) earlier this week, Liberty men's basketball will now host North Carolina A&T in the first round of the CIT on Monday, March 12, at the Vines Center.

The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. tipoff. Tickets cost just $10 for general admission and Liberty students will receive free admission. Tickets for the first round can be purchased here.

A member of the MEAC Conference, the Aggies reached the semifinals in their conference tournament for just the third time in school history. On Friday, March 9, the Aggies were eliminated suffering a 96-86 loss to Hampton. This is will be the second time the Flames have faced the Aggies, having previously met in the first round of the NCAA Tournament back in 2013 in Dayton, Ohio. In that game, North Carolina A&T defeated Liberty 73-72.

This will be the third time Liberty has participated in the CIT, having competed last year and also during the 2008-09 season, during McKay's first stint at Liberty. The Flames are 3-2 all-time in the CIT.

Liberty is postseason eligible after finishing with a 20-14 overall record and a 9-9 record in the Big South. The Flames last played on Sunday, March 4, in the Big South Championship suffering a buzzer-beating loss at Radford. The Flames have had a historical run over the past two years as they became the first team in school history to post back-to-back 20-win seasons and set a new record for most wins (41) during a two-year span.

For the first time in school history, Liberty will play in back-to-back postseason tournaments as this will be the second straight season the Flames will compete in the CIT. Last year Liberty won its first two games in the CIT, defeating Norfolk State in the John McLendon Classic and picking up its second win over Samford in the second round.

Now in its' tenth year, the CIT is selected by a 10-member selection committee, consisting of current Division I athletic directors, who select the 32-team field. The tournament invites will be officially announced on Sunday, March 11 and the first round will begin on Monday, March 12.

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Bowie State Bulldogs Women's Basketball Takes Down #5 Edinboro 79-75 in NCAA Atlantic Region Semifinals

RICHMOND, Virginia -- The #8 Bowie State women's basketball marches on in the NCAA Atlantic Regionals on Saturday evening, knocking off Edinboro in the semifinals by a score of 79-75. The win improves the Bulldogs to 22-9 overall and advance Bowie State into Monday's (3/12) final against #4 Indiana (Pa.) at 7 p.m.

Sade Chatman poured in a game-high 19 points to go along with seven rebounds to lead four Bowie State double figure scorers. Kyah Proctor and Kyaja Williams chipped in 15 and 13 points respectively while Kiara Colston added 12 points and tied for team-high rebound honors with seven.

Edinboro's Fighting Scots would grab the lead early in the game and hold a 24-14 advantage after one period.

BOX SCORE

Edinboro would build the advantage to 39-24 with 51 seconds remaining in the half on a pair of free throws by Ayana Vaughn. The Bulldogs would stun the Fighting Scots with ten straight points in the final 36 seconds. What was a 15-point lead turned into a 39-34 lead at the half for Edinboro.

Bowie State opened the third quarter with a pair of baskets to make it 14 straight points before Allison Thompson's layup ended the stretch and made it 41-38. Thompson would make a pair of free throws to later extend the lead to 46-41 with 4:52 left in the period, before Bowie State claimed the lead.

A string of seven straight points, capped by Lisa Jing's layup, gave Bowie State its first lead since the opening minutes of the contest at 48-46 with 3:27 left. Michelle Jahn came back down and hit a three to give the lead back to Edinboro at 49-48. Bowie State reclaimed the lead, with Jahn's layup knotting the score at 51-51 with 2:27 left. Kyaja Williams answered with a jumper with just over two minutes remaining and Bowie State never trailed after that.

Edinboro trailed by two after three quarters at 57-55. Bowie State would open the final stanza with a 11-5 run to build its largest lead of the night at 68-60 with 5:49 remaining. The Fighting Scots would not fold, however. Still trailing 70-62, they had their won seven-point run, starting with a 3-pointer by Jontay Walton. Micahela Barnes followed with a layup to make it 70-67, and Rosten's layup brought the deficit to one at 70-69 with 2:56 remaining.

A Williams 3-point play boosted the lead to 73-69 for Bowie State, but Ayana Vaughn's layup pulled the Scots to within two at 73-71 with 2:18 to play. Williams added a layup to bring it to 75-71, and with 36 seconds to go and Chatman made one of two free throws for a 76-71 lead. Rosten's jumper in the paint made it 76-73 with 30 seconds remaining, and the Fighting Scots got the ball back on a turnover.

Vaughn drove for a layup with 23 seconds to play, making it 76-75. Proctor made two free throws with 16 seconds left to make it 78-75. Jahn came down court and got a great look at a 3-pointer, but her shot went in-and-out. Chatman pulled down the rebound and was fouled. She made one of two to end the scoring.

After getting off to an extremely hot start to start the game, Edinboro ended the night shooting 47.1 percent from the floor (24-of-51). That included an 8-for-16 chart on 3-pointers, plus 19-of-24 at the line. Bowie State shot 42.0 percent from the floor (29-of-69), including 4-of-12 on 3-pointers, and was 17-of-25 at the line.

The Bulldogs held a 40-33 advantage on the glass and pulled down 16 offensive rebounds. That led to a 20-8 edge in second chance points. Edinboro committed 15 turnovers, compared to 10 for Bowie State. The Bulldogs had a 22-12 advantage in points off turnovers.

Edinboro had four players in double figures, with Jahn and Barnes leading the way with 17 points apiece. Barnes was 5-of-9 from the floor, including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers, and was a perfect 4-for-4 at the line. Jahn made 3-of-8 3-pointers and had five rebounds.

Rosten totaled 13 points and 15 rebounds to go along with four assists and a pair of blocks. Jontay Walton contributed 12 points.



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Former FAMU football star determined to earn degree

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- He was a dynamic player with the ability to change the game at a moment’s notice.

Former FAMU star LeRoy Vann was the fifth player to reach 1,000 yards in both kickoff returns and punt returns in NCAA FCS history. Vann also was a two time All-American and a second team All-Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL).

“In every football game there are five plays that determine whether or not you win or lose. All five of those plays are in special teams,” said Joe Taylor, the athletic director at Virginia State who was Vann’s coach at FAMU. “LeRoy Vann was our special teams guru.”

Taylor led FAMU to a share of the MEAC championship in 2011 before he stepped down midway through the 2012 season. He remembers Vann on the gridiron like it was yesterday.

“One-hundred-ninety guys wanted to come out for football and LeRoy was one of the guys and I wanted to get to know why they were there,” said Taylor.

Most people looked at Vann as too competitive and aggressive to play the game, but Taylor and his staff found a way to channel that competitive spirit and make it positive.



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Norfolk State Spartans Notch 1st 2 Wins in Doubleheader Sweep of Lehigh

Norfolk, Virginia -- Justin Hayes had four hits, Stephen Baughan drove in three runs and the Spartans got clutch pitching from a quartet of players to earn their first two wins of the season in a 7-3, 5-3 doubleheader sweep of Lehigh on Saturday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field.

The Spartans (2-11) got seven strong innings from righty Chase Anderson in the opener and five more from Jonathan Mahoney in the nightcap, and freshman relievers Seth Hockett and Joey Santos pitched a scoreless inning apiece in both games.

Game 1: NSU 7, Lehigh 3
In game one, the Spartans rode 11 hits and the pitching of Anderson, who did not allow a hit through his first six innings, to the win.

Anderson cruised through six no-hit innings before Lehigh scratched across three runs in the seventh. By that time, the Spartan offense had already plated five runs. Anderson struck out five and allowed three hits and three runs over seven innings to improve to 1-2 on the season.

NSU struck first with three runs in the third. Syeed Mahdi hit a two-out, two-run single to score Justin Burrell and Alejandro Pelaez with the game's first runs. Ismael Herrera then scored on a Lehigh error to cap the rally.

Justin Burrell's two-run single in the fifth pushed NSU's lead to 5-0.

Lehigh cut into the Spartans' lead on a two-run triple by Ryan Malloy, scoring James Bleming and Jeff Shanfeldt, who led off the seventh with the first two hits of the game against Anderson. Malloy later scored on a wild pitch to bring Lehigh within 5-3.

But the Spartans stretched their lead back to 7-3 in the eighth on a pair of two-out, RBI singles by Alsander Womack and Baughan.

Hockett and Santos closed out Lehigh by pitching scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.

Anderson allowed just three base runners in the first six innings, two which reached on NSU errors and another who walked.

Hayes went 3-for-5 in the opener, while Womack, Burrell and Mahdi each had two hits. Burrell and Mahdi also drove in two runs apiece.

Game 2: NSU 5, Lehigh 3
NSU plated four runs in the first and never looked back. Lehigh scored once in the first on an RBI single by James Bleming, but the Spartans rebounded quickly in the bottom of the first. The first four Spartans reached base, as Hayes walked and Alsander Womack singled. Baughan brought both home with a single down the right-field line and Aaron Robinson also singled. Tony Leite and Burrell drove in the other two runs in the inning with grounders to stake NSU to a 4-1 lead.

The Mountain Hawks got two back in the third on sacrifice flies by Bleming and Shanfeldt. But Mahoney worked out of the jam to keep NSU in the lead.

The Spartans plated an insurance run in the sixth as Leite led off with a double and scored on a suicide squeeze bunt by Johnny Mayer.

Hockett and Santos both pitched perfect innings in relief of Mahoney, striking out three of the six batters they combined to face. Santos fanned two to collect his first career save.

Mahoney (1-3) earned his first win as a Spartan, allowing six hits and three runs, just one earned, in five innings of work. He walked one and struck out three.

Baughan went 2-for-3 with two RBI in the nightcap and finished the day 3-for-7 with three RBIs. Hayes was 1-for-1 with two walks in the second game and finished the day 4-for-6. He reached base seven times, including twice by walk and once on an error.

Womack also collected three hits on the day.

The teams play another doubleheader beginning at noon on Sunday.

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