N.C. A&T topples Central 24-10 for first unbeaten season since 1999

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — N.C. A&T ended its regular season today with a perfect record, toppling Central 24-10.

The unbeaten Aggies (11-0, 8-0) celebrate their first unbeaten MEAC season since 1999. The Aggies are 11-0 for first time in their 93-year history.



Why the Aggies won: A&T protected the football, had a healthy quarterback and got a big lift from backup running back Jamari Smith. The Aggies had no turnovers, and never really came close to one after two deflected passes on their first possession. Junior Lamar Raynard played against the Eagles for the first time and was efficient, making plays with his arm and his feet and taking only one sack. And Smith, a graduate transfer, accounted for 113 total yards and gave A&T some elusiveness in the backfield to go with Marquell Cartwright’s power.

The big plays: A&T’s Elijah Bell, the league’s best wide receiver, made two. He outjumped a Central defensive back in the end zone to haul in a 13-yard touchdown for the game’s first points. Then in the fourth quarter, he made a one-handed catch for a 38-yard gain down the sideline that kept alive a clock-killing 10-play drive that ended with a field goal.

What it means for A&T: The Aggies are 11-0 for the first time in the program’s 93-year history. This is their third MEAC championship in the last four years, but their first outright title since 2003 and the first time they’re undefeated in the MEAC since 1999. They’ll head to the postseason for the third year in a row.

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FAMU's Marching 100 to unveil the latest 'Kinsey Collection'

ORLANDO, Florida -- Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, who graduated from Florida A&M University in 1966, have long been generous to their alma mater.

On Saturday, the university’s Marching 100 will show off the fruits of the couple’s $500,000 donation when it debuts new uniforms at the Florida Classic in Orlando. The FAMU Rattlers take on the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University.

The Marching 100 will pay a special tribute to the Kinseys during the performance.

“This is a way Shirley and I would like to use our blessings to help the band and the university,” Kinsey said Friday from Orlando. “The band is the symbol of excellence for everybody in the Southeast as it relates to marching bands.



"There has never been an organization that I belong to that has had the impact in shaping me in the person I am today as the Marching 100."

The 241-member band's freshman class also boasts GPA averages between 3.0 and 4.0, with many honors students majoring in STEM disciplines.

With the gift, the university was able to purchase 315 band uniforms, 12 drum major uniforms, 20 flag uniforms from Fruhauf Uniform Company in Wichita, Kansas.

The gift also provided for the purchase of a 45-foot trailer that is being used to transport the band’s instruments and equipment, Kinsey said. It, too, will be on display Saturday.

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Dr. John Eason introduced as Florida A&M's interim athletic director

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- A week before John Eason got the call to be Florida A&M’s interim athletic director, he was relaxing on his back porch in Bogart, Ga, listening to the rain and contemplating what was next after retirement.

Eason, who was dealing with the death of his sister at the time, said he asked God, “Is there anything else?”

FAMU interim President Larry Robinson provided an answer, calling the 72-year-old former FAMU football player and former Florida State assistant coach out of retirement and asking him to see the Rattlers’ athletic department through yet another tough time.

“I feel like I’m blessed,” Eason said. “I’m blessed because I’m here. I’m blessed because I asked if there’s anything else.”

Eason believes he’s up to the task of steering FAMU in the right direction. On Wednesday, he was officially introduced as the school’s interim athletic director. He will take over for outgoing Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. – who will be Kennesaw State’s new AD – on Dec. 1.

Eason said he doesn't know how long he'll be FAMU's interim AD -- he'll be the eighth head of the department in the last decade -- but he wants his time with the Rattlers to be remembered.

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HBCU Football Judgment Day Schedule, Week 12

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017



NCAA Division II National Playoffs
Delta State at Bowie State, 1 PM, WATCH LIVE
West Georgia at Virginia State, 1 PM, WATCH LIVE

NAIA National Football Championship Playoffs
Northwestern (Iowa) at Langston (Oklahoma), 3 PM   | Live Stats | Live Video*

MEAC
Delaware State at Florida State, 12 Noon, TV: ACC Network
North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T, 1 PM, TV: ESPN3
Howard at Hampton, 1 PM
Norfolk State at Morgan State, 1 PM
South Carolina State at Savannah State, 1 PM
Florida A&M at Bethune-Cookman, 2 PM, TV: ESPN Classic, ESPN News

OVC
Jacksonville State 36, Tennessee State 6 (Nov. 16)

SWAC
Prairie View A&M 42, Incarnate Word 28 (Nov. 16)
Alabama State at Mississippi Valley State, 2 PM
Kentucky State at Alabama A&M, 2 PM
Alcorn State at Jackson State, 3 PM
Texas Southern at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 3:30 PM

 All times local to host site

Nuggets' Pace named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Brianna Pace is one of 351 cited as a Daktronics-NAIA Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete for 2017. The NAIA announced the honors Friday.
     
Pace is a junior from Junction City, Kan., and a graduate of Junction City High School. The XULA computer science major qualified for the NAIA honor by having a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale and reaching junior academic status.
     
Pace is a two-time All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference runner in cross country. She finished third at the GCAC Championships in October and helped the Gold Nuggets finish first in GCAC team scoring for the 11th consecutive season.
     
Pace is the first in this sport from XULA to earn Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete since Catherine Fakler and Hannah Finnegan in 2014.
  
The Gold Nuggets will conclude their season Saturday in the NAIA National Championships at Fort Vancouver, Wash.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Busy day includes XULA basketball/volleyball doubleheader

NEW ORLEANS — Once again the Saturday before Thanksgiving will be one of the busiest of the year for the intercollegiate athletics teams of Xavier University of Louisiana.

Men's basketball, volleyball and cross country will compete — the first two on campus at the Convocation Center.

At 1 p.m. the Gold Rush will play Huston-Tillotson in the homecoming basketball game, followed at 4 p.m. by Gold Nuggets volleyball against Marian (Ind.) in an NAIA National Championship Opening Round match. Basketball ticket-buyers can watch the volleyball for free. Admission to the volleyball match only will be $5.

The XULA-Marian winner will be a first-time qualifier for the NAIA National Championship Final Site at Sioux City, Iowa, Nov. 28-Dec. 2. The Gold Nuggets (23-2) were a first-round loser each of the previous six seasons; the Knights (27-5) are in the national field for the first time.

Two time zones away in Vancouver, Wash., XULA women's cross country will be one of 36 teams competing for NAIA individual and team national titles. That 5,000-meter race will start at 11:30 a.m. PST (1:30 p.m. New Orleans time). Also competing will be Gold Rush's lone qualifier, Camren Sewell, in the 8K men's race at 10:30 a.m. PST.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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North Carolina A&T Aggies Celebrate Bowl Berth

NORFOLK, Virginia — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Monday night that the North Carolina A&T football team will represent the conference in the 2017 Celebration Bowl to be played noon in Atlanta on Dec. 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The conference explained the Aggies second bowl berth in three years in the following memo:

North Carolina A&T State’s win over Savannah State on Saturday clinched at least a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football championship for the third time in four seasons.

Due to North Carolina Central’s loss last Saturday to Bethune-Cookman, only North Carolina A&T State (7-0 MEAC) and Howard (6-1) have an opportunity to win a share of the MEAC title. The Aggies will host North Carolina Central live on ESPN3 this Saturday, while Howard will travel to Hampton.



At stake for the Aggies on Saturday is an outright MEAC championship, which would mark their first since 2003. An Aggies win would accomplish this feat regardless of Howard’s outcome against Hampton. As NCAT loss, coupled with a Howard win, would allow the Bison to share the MEAC championship with the Aggies. It would be the Bison’s first title since 1993.

The MEAC’s tiebreaker system goes as follows:

Both North Carolina A&T State and Howard earned six (6) points for wins over Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams, as the Aggies defeated Charlotte and Howard beat UNLV. The Aggies earned an additional four (4) points for their non-conference Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) win over Gardner-Webb, while Howard does not have a non-conference FCS win.

With the third annual Celebration Bowl scheduled for Dec. 16 in Atlanta, Ga. at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, televised live on ABC as 12 p.m., North Carolina A&T State will be the MEAC’s representative regardless of Saturday’s outcomes via tiebreaker over the Bison by a 10-6 points edge. The teams did not have a head-to-head match-up in 2017.

MEAC tiebreaker scenarios at a glance:

-If NCAT wins: MEAC outright champion with an 8-0 conference record and the MEAC’s representative in the Celebration Bowl
-If NCAT loses and Howard wins: Howard and NCAT are named MEAC co-champions and NCAT is the MEAC representative in the Celebration Bowl. Howard and other postseason-eligible MEAC teams can potentially be selected at-large to the FCS Championship.
-If NCAT and Howard both lose, NCAT is the outright MEAC champion with a 7-1 record and will be the MEAC representative in the Celebration Bowl. Howard’s conference record would be 6-2.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets win wire-to-wire on the road again

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball earned its second straight wire-to-wire road victory when it defeated William Carey 62-43 Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets (2-2) made 4-of-5 3-pointers — two by freshman Taylor Jones, one apiece by Ireyon Keith and Maya Trench — to build a 19-0 lead in the eighth minute. The Lady Crusaders (0-2) got as close as seven points in the 15th minute, but XULA pulled away with an 8-1 run and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 24:51.

Jones, scoring in double figures for the second consecutive game, finished with 10 points. Keith and Trench scored nine points apiece, and freshman Taylor Jacob had eight.

Tamia Stinson, with 10 points, was the only player from William Carey with more than five.
XULA tied two school records for scoring defense in a quarter: five points allowed in the first and four points allowed in the third.

The Gold Nuggets shot a season-best 41.3 percent from the floor, and their 19 free throws and 33 attempts were season highs. They produced 20 steals, three apiece by Jones, Trench and Gina Smith.

William Carey shot 29.4 percent from the floor and committed 29 turnovers, 18 in the first half. The Lady Crusaders have lost nine straight dating to last season.

XULA's next game will start at 7 p.m. EST Nov. 22 — the day before Thanksgiving — at Florida Memorial in Miami Gardens. The next Nuggets home game will start at 5 p.m. Nov. 29 against LSU-Alexandria at the Convocation Center.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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No. 7 Langston Draws No. 10 Northwestern (Iowa) in NAIA Football Playoffs

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) officially announced the teams and first round pairings for the 2017 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS). The 16-team event kicks off Saturday, November 18, at eight campus host sites.

The No. 7 ranked Langston Lions host No. 10 Northwestern (Iowa); the Lions received an automatic postseason berth after clinching the Central States Football League title and by finishing the regular season undefeated were granted an opening round home playoff game. The Lions make their seventh postseason appearance during the time in the NAIA and their first playoff trip since 2014. Langston holds a 2-6 postseason record in the NAIA.

The Red Raiders were granted the first At-Large bid after finishing 9-1 overall; Northwestern will be making their 19th overall postseason appearance and hold a 20-16 mark in the postseason.

This year's field includes 12 automatic qualifiers – one from each conference – and four at-large selections. Automatic berths were given to teams that won their conference regular-season title and were ranked within the top 20 of the final regular-season NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll announced Sunday. To access the Top 25 poll, click here. At-large bids were given to the next highest ranked teams that did not claim an automatic spot.

The 62nd annual NAIA Football National Championship is scheduled for Saturday, December 16 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The City of Daytona Beach hosts the event at Municipal Stadium for the fourth-straight season. For fan and visitor information, click here.

Tickets to Saturday's playoff game are now on sale click here.

2017 NAIA Football Championship Series – First Round Schedule
Saturday, November 18 | Campus Sites
Game 1 – Benedictine (Kan.) (9-2) at Saint Francis (Ind.) (10-0)
Game 2 – Concordia (Mich.) (9-1) at Reinhardt (Ga.) (9-0)
Game 3 – Sterling (Kan.) (9-2) at Morningside (Iowa) (11-0)
Game 4 – Southeastern (Fla.) (8-1) at Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (10-0)
Game 5 – Dickinson State (N.D.) (9-1) at Southern Oregon (10-0)
Game 6 – Georgetown (Ky.) (8-1) at Baker (Kan.) (10-1)
Game 7 – Northwestern (Iowa) (9-1) at Langston (Okla.) (10-0)
Game 8 – Grand View (Iowa) (9-2) at Saint Xavier (Ill.) (9-1)

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

4 Langston Lady Lions Selected to RRAC Volleyball All-Conference Team

WACO, Texas - The Red River Athletic Conference announced the 2017 Volleyball All-Conference selections with four athletes receiving honors.

Quiara Barbee was selected to the RRAC second team after tallying 151 kills, 119 digs 17 assisted blocks and three solo blocks

Courtlyn Harris, Ashley Michalski and Kori Williams were all selected to the RRAC Honorable Mention list.

Harris finished the season with 121 kills, 285 digs, 17 service aces and 14 total blocks, Michalski racked up 132 kills, 214 digs, 18 service aces, 28 assisted blocks and 13 solo blocks; Williams tallied 384 assists, 197 digs and 13 service aces.

The RRAC All-Conference awards wrap up the playing careers of Michalski and Williams; Michalski finished her Langston career with 401 kills, 49 service aces, 632 digs, 40 solo blocks and 112 assisted blocks. Michalski was also selected to the RRAC Champions of Character team.

Williams tallied 1,195 assists, 107 kills, 846 digs, four solo blocks and 18 assisted blocks.

For the complete RRAC Volleyball All-Conference list, click here.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Fayetteville State failed to monitor its athletics program

Download the Nov. 2017 Fayetteville State Public Infractions Decision

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Fayetteville State failed to monitor its women's basketball program and both the former women’s basketball head coach and her husband, the former director of intramurals, acted unethically, according to a decision by the NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions. The former head women’s basketball coach recruited two transfer student-athletes who were academically ineligible to compete, practice and receive financial aid.

Though the two student-athletes were ineligible, the former women's basketball head coach sought special admissions exceptions, allowed them to practice with the team despite warnings from the compliance director, and knowingly arranged impermissible tuition payments by a booster for both student-athletes. By requesting the booster make these payments, the former head coach engaged in unethical conduct. She also acted unethically when she provided false or misleading information to the institution when questioned about these payments.

The committee noted in it decision, “This case demonstrates the hazards of recruiting prospective student-athletes who do not meet eligibility requirements.”

Penalties prescribed by the committee include two years of probation for the university; a three-year show cause order for the former women’s basketball head coach; a two-year show cause order for the former director of intramural athletics; a vacation of records in which an ineligible student-athlete competed; and disassociation from the booster for two years.

The former women’s basketball head coach recruited and offered scholarships to two ineligible prospects who had previously attended two-year schools. Neither student met Fayetteville State’s admissions standards, but the former head coach convinced admissions officials to allow the students to enroll in classes through the university’s special visiting student program.

Shortly after the student-athletes enrolled, one incurred more than $4,000 in university charges. The head coach called a booster and requested assistance in paying the outstanding student fees. The former director of intramural athletics accompanied the booster to the financial aid office to complete the transaction. Approximately one month later, the head coach contacted the same booster to request assistance in paying fees for the second student-athlete. The booster was again accompanied by the former director of intramural athletics to pay the outstanding fees, resulting in more than $12,500 in impermissible benefits for the two student-athletes.

The two student-athletes also participated in practice after enrolling at the university, despite the former head coach’s knowledge that they were not eligible to participate in practice due to their status as special visiting students. The compliance director twice notified the former head coach that the student-athletes could not participate in practice, but did not follow up with the head coach to ensure that rules were followed moving forward.

Penalties include the following:

• Public reprimand and censure for the university.
• Two years of probation from Nov. 14, 2017, through Nov. 13, 2019.
• A $2,500 fine.
• Disassociation of the booster during the probationary period.
• A three-year show cause period for the former women’s basketball head coach, from Nov. 14, 2017, through Nov. 13, 2020. During that period, any NCAA member school employing her must show cause why she should not have restrictions on athletically related activity.
• A two-year show cause period for the former director of intramural athletics from Nov. 14, 2017, through Nov. 13, 2019. During that period, any NCAA member school employing him must show cause why he should not have restrictions on athletically related activity.
• A vacation of all records in which ineligible student-athletes competed.

Members of the Committee on Infractions are drawn from NCAA membership and members of the public. The members of the panel who reviewed this case are John David Lackey, attorney; Julie A. Rochester, committee chair, faculty athletics representative and associate professor, Northern Michigan; Carey Snyder, associate director of athletics at East Stroudsburg; Harry Stinson, athletics director at Lincoln (Pennsylvania); Christie L. Ward, senior woman administrator and associate athletics director for compliance at Georgia Southwestern.

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Hampton University Joins the Big South Conference As Full Member

HAMPTON, Virginia – Hampton University is joining the Big South Conference, effective July 1, 2018, after a 22-year relationship with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The announcement will be made at an 11 a.m. joint Hampton University/Big South press conference at Hampton University's Student Center Theater.

"The move to the Big South Conference is just another part of an exciting year at Hampton University," Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey said. "Institutions in the Big South are located in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, which means that our student athletes will spend less time traveling and more time in classes on campus. This keeps the proper focus on academics, which is our chief reason for being. The smaller geographic footprint will also reduce travel expenses. Another important consideration is the large number of alumni located in the Big South region. We have enjoyed our 22-year relationship with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and hope to continue competing against some of its teams."



Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander couldn't be more pleased for the conference and for Hampton University.

"This is a big day for the Big South! We are so pleased that Hampton University is joining the Big South family," Kallander said. "We have always been impressed by Hampton's academics and athletics accomplishments under President Harvey's visionary leadership. We appreciate his interest and support of the Big South and look forward to working with him and the rest of Hampton's leadership to support our student-athletes. The Big South is a better conference with Hampton – athletically, academically, and in providing outstanding opportunities for our student-athletes."

The Big South's president is excited to add Hampton University to the conference.

"On behalf of the entire membership of the Big South Conference -- student/athletes, coaches and presidents, we are pleased and very excited to welcome the community of Hampton University to the conference," said Mary Grant, Big South President and UNC Asheville Chancellor. "Hampton University's rich history and tradition both athletically and academically aligns perfectly with the ideals and core values of the Big South Conference."

The Pirates sponsor 17 sports at the Division I level, 16 of which are sponsored by the Big South: football, men's and women's basketball, women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field, softball, men's and women's golf, and women's volleyball. Only men's lacrosse will not compete in the Big South.

Hampton's athletics history dates back to the mid-1970s and includes memorable NCAA Tournament moments in 2001 when the No. 15-seeded Pirates upset No. 2-seeded Iowa State, as well as in 2014-15 making consecutive NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament appearances. The women's basketball team has won five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships in a row and six in the last eight years.

On the football field, the Pirates have made five FCS Championship postseason appearances, as well as making five trips to post-season play as a NCAA Division II member.

With the addition of Hampton, the Big South Conference will now have four members based in Virginia (Hampton, Liberty, Longwood, Radford), South Carolina (Charleston Southern, Presbyterian College, USC Upstate, Winthrop), and in North Carolina (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, High Point, UNC Asheville). The conference membership will begin exploring different scheduling models and championship formats for the upcoming 2018-19 season.



ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY


For 150 years Hampton University has been THE Standard of Excellence in higher education. Founded in 1868 by Brig. Gen. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Hampton University has a long successful history of offering a strong academic program of educating the "head, heart and hand," and emphasizing the development of character. This foundation has been built upon by Dr. William R. Harvey, who has served as Hampton's president for 40 years, during which time the university has experienced accelerated growth and achieved notable accomplishments.

WHAT'S THE BIG SOUTH?

Founded in 1983, the Big South Conference is an exemplary leader in college athletics, dedicated to developing student-athletes through the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, community and field of play. The league's growing presence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is made evident by its multitude of athletic accomplishments, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages and most importantly, its commitment to fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of its student-athletes.

Currently comprised of 10 member institutions (Campbell University, Charleston Southern University, Gardner-Webb University, High Point University, Liberty University, Longwood University, Presbyterian College, Radford University, UNC Asheville and Winthrop University, plus football members Kennesaw State University, Monmouth University and the University of North Alabama) sharing a common geographic region and similar academic values and purposes, the Big South's remarkable history of achievement is characterized by the league's 19 championship sports and the profound academic and life successes of its nearly 3,500 student-athletes. The Big South Conference: Where Winners Are Made.

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE ADDS HAMPTON UNIVERSITY AS FULL MEMBER

SPARTANBURG, South Carolina  --  (www.BigSouthSports.com)  – The Big South Conference has added Hampton University as a full member effective with the 2018-19 academic year, it was announced this morning at a press conference in the Student Center Theater on Hampton’s campus. Hampton’s membership begins July 1, 2018 and increases the Big South membership to 12 next fall with the addition of USC Upstate yesterday.“On behalf of the entire membership of the Big South Conference -- student/athletes, coaches and presidents, we are pleased and very excited to welcome the community of Hampton University to the conference,” said Mary Grant, Big South President and UNC Asheville Chancellor. “Hampton’s rich history and tradition both athletically and academically aligns perfectly with the ideals and core values of the Big South Conference.”

The Pirates sponsor 17 varsity sports at the Division I level, 16 of which are sponsored by the Big South: football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, softball, men’s and women’s golf, and women’s volleyball. Only men’s lacrosse will not compete in the Big South.

Hampton will be immediately eligible for conference championships, while its football program will officially start its Big South association no later than 2019.

A total of 162 student-athletes achieved a 3.0 grade-point average in 2016-17, and notable Hampton alumni include Rick Mahorn (NBA), Francena McCorory (Track and Field – 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist), Yvette Lewis (Track and Field – Olympics), Justin Durant (NFL) and Chris Baker (NFL).

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Texas 5A standout at 400 meters signs with Nuggets

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has signed sprinter Ariel Ford of Mansfield, Texas, and Lake Ridge High School to an athletic scholarship for women's track and field.

Ford finished second as a junior in the 400-meter dash at the University Interscholastic League Class 5A state meet in May. Her best time is 55.30 seconds at the 2017 District 10-5A meet, which she won. That time is faster than the XULA record.

Also at last season's state meet, Ford helped Lake Ridge finish second in the 400 relay and fourth in the 1,600 relay. Lake Ridge placed second in team scoring.

At the 2016 UIL state meet, Ford was third in 400 and helped the 1,600 relay team finish fourth. Also that year she was the District 14-5A champion in the 400.

Ford's best time in the 200 is 24.39. That 2016 time also is faster than the XULA record.

Ford has made her school's honor roll multiple times. She will graduate from Lake Ridge in the spring, then major in biochemistry at XULA.

Mansfield is a suburb south of Fort Worth.

XULA competes in the NAIA and has won five Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's outdoor team championships in the last seven seasons, including 2017.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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6-2 California player is Gold Nuggets' first signee

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has signed 6-foot-2 forward/center
Shae Johnson of Riverside, Calif., and Martin Luther King High School to an athletic scholarship for women's basketball.

Johnson is the Gold Nuggets' first signee for the 2018-19 season. She signed this past Wednesday.

Johnson helped King win its first 19 games and finish the 2016-17 season 28-2 after reaching the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1A semifinals. King coach Jesus Martinez said Johnson averaged five points, four rebounds and six minutes per game for that team.

"Shae is an amazing young lady," Martinez said. "She comes from a great family. She's a leader and extremely coachable. She will be an asset to your program."

Johnson is a team captain this season and the student body class historian. She has yet to declare her XULA major. Johnson's father, Dedrick, is a New Orleans native.

Riverside is about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

XULA competes in the NAIA and has won six Gulf Coast Athletic Conference tournaments in the last 10 seasons. The Gold Nuggets qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship 19 times in the last 23 seasons.

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No. 2 Virginia State & No. 4 Bowie State to Host Regional Football Contests

Bulldogs Football to Host Delta State Statesmen in NCAA Super Region 2 Playoffs

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  – The Bowie State University football team received good news on Sunday (11/12) evening after hearing the Bulldogs named announced for a berth into the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 playoffs. The Bulldogs (9-1) will host their first-ever home football playoff game and will face the Delta State Statesmen (8-3).

"We're really excited about the opportunity, even more excited to host and look forward to a very challenging and tough Delta State team", said an ecstatic Bowie State head coach Damon Wilson.

Bowie State's last appeared in NCAA regional play in 2015, falling on the road to Assumption by a score of 51-29.

The top seed West Alabama (10-0) will have a first-round bye. In other Super Region 2 matchups, #2 Virginia State (10-0) will host #7 West Georgia (8-3) and #4 Wingate (9-1) will host West Florida (7-3).

All games will be played on the host campus and will kickoff at 12 noon.

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

RELATED: Interactive bracket

The VSU Trojans are set to Host the West Georgia Wolves at 1pm on Saturday

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  – The Virginia State University football team received good news on Sunday (11/12) evening after hearing the Trojans named announced for an appearance into the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 playoffs. The Trojans (10-0) will host their second home football playoff game and will face the University of West Georgia Wolves (8-3). Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 11.

"We're really excited about the opportunity, the guys have worked hard this entire season and look forward to welcoming the University of West Georgia team", said Virginia State head coach Reggie Barlow.

Virginia State's last appeared in NCAA regional play in 2014, winning against LIU-Post 28-17 in the first round. The Trojans then fell on the road to Bloomsburg by a score of 14-35.

The first-round dates, sites and pairings are:

DATE	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	LOCATION
November 18	Findlay (9-2)	Shepherd (10-0)	Shepherdstown, West Virginia
November 18	California (Pa) (9-2)	Assumption (9-1)	Worcester, Massachusetts
November 18	West Chester (8-3)	Shippensburg (10-1)	Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
November 18	West Georgia (8-3)	Virginia State (9-0)	Petersburg, Virignia
November 18	West Florida (7-3)	Wingate (9-1)	Wingate, North Carolina
November 18	Delta State (8-3)	Bowie State (9-1)	Bowie, Maryland
November 18	Harding (8-3)	UIndy (11-0)	Indianapolis, Indiana
November 18	Northwest Missouri State (9-2)	Ashland (10-1)	Ashland, Ohio
November 18	Ouachita Baptist (9-2)	Ferris State (9-1)	Big Rapids, Michigan
November 18	Colorado State-Pueblo (9-2)	Minnesota State Mankato (11-0)	Mankato, Minnesota
November 18	Sioux Falls (9-2)	Midwestern State (9-0)	Wichita Falls, Texas
November 18	Texas A&M-Commerce (9-1)	Winona State (10-1)	Winona, Minnesota

The following institutions earned first-round byes in each super regional and will host a second-round game on November 25, 2017.

Super Regional One:

1. Indiana (Pennsylvania) (11-0)

Super Regional Two:

1. West Alabama (9-1)

Super Regional Three:

1. Fort Hays State (11-0)

Super Regional Four:

1. Central Washington (11-0)

All contests shall start at 1 p.m. local time. Other times may be established if approved by the committee.

Northwest Missouri State defeated North Alabama 29-3 in the 2016 national championship game to claim last year’s NCAA title.

The championship game will be played December 16, at 6 p.m. Eastern time at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.com.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU football, please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Virginia Union fires football coach Mark James

James will finish at the school with a 26-15 record, including a 6-4 mark this year.

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia Union University has fired football coach Mark James, ending his four-year tenure at the school.

A school spokesman said no interim coach had been named, and the school aims to have a new coach in place as quickly as possible.

Panthers athletics director Joe Taylor thanked James in an e-mailed statement.

“We want to thank Coach James for his efforts in leading the Panther football program,” he said. “After serious discussions about the future of Virginia Union football, the decision was made that it’s time to move the program forward under new leadership.”

James, a former Union player and assistant coach, finished his rookie season with a 7-3 record, Union’s first winning season since 2009. In his second season, James led the Panthers to an 8-3 record, including a playoff berth. Union lost in the first round to Slippery Rock, 40-21.

James will finish at the school with a 26-15 record, including a 6-4 mark this year.

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MEAC math adds up to Celebration Bowl for North Carolina A&T Aggies

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — There has been no league-sanctioned announcement. And there’ remains one week left in MEAC football’s regular season.

But now hear this: N.C. A&T is going back to the Celebration Bowl.

Regardless of the results of this weekend’s games.

“I can’t make an official announcement. That comes from the conference office,” A&T Coach Rod Broadway said Monday. “But by the rules and the way the thing is drawn up, yes, we’re in.”

The Aggies will represent the MEAC and play the champion of the SWAC in the bowl game at noon Dec. 16 in Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Falcons.

The MEAC’s own math says so.

The unbeaten Aggies (10-0, 7-0 MEAC) clinched at least a tie for the league title this past weekend with a victory over Savannah State. It’s the third title in four years for A&T, which can win that title outright by beating archrival N.C. Central (7-3, 5-2) on Saturday.



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Strong First Half Carries Norfolk State Women’s Basketball past Virginia Commonwealth in Season Opener, 66-52

RICHMOND, Virginia – Norfolk State women's basketball jumped out to a 17-point halftime lead then weathered a fourth-quarter comeback bid in its 66-52 season-opening road victory Sunday afternoon at VCU.

The season-opening win was the Spartan's first since a 60-51 result over Penn on Nov. 9, 2012.

The Spartans (1-0) feasted from beyond the three-point arc on Sunday, out-scoring the Rams (0-1) 33-9 on three-pointers. Norfolk State shot 11-26 (42.3 percent) from deep, while VCU made just three of its 12 treys. The 11 made threes are the fourth-most in program history.

Five different Spartans connected on long-range attempts, led by Alexys Long's career-high five makes from three. The junior wing ended the game with a career-best 17 points to pace NSU. Long also becomes the first Spartan to make five or more three-pointers since Rae Corbo (5) did so against Marshall on Dec. 16, 2014.

Norfolk State's interior defense was rugged against VCU, as the Spartans held the Rams to 12-39 shooting on two-pointers and blocked 14 shot attempts – the third most in program history. NSU has recorded 16 blocks on two occasions, last doing so on Feb. 5, 2007 against Bethune-Cookman.

Khadedra Croker loomed large in the paint in her Norfolk State debut. The Suffolk, Virginia native blocked seven shots on Sunday and grabbed five rebounds. Kendrea Dawkins also turned away four shots.

Norfolk State utilized three scoring runs to build its first-half lead. The Spartans scored the first eight points of the game, which prompted an early VCU timeout. Raven Russell scored four points in that opening run as part of a 13-point outing in her NSU debut.

Bria Gibson halted the Spartan run with a layup at the 6:34 mark of the first quarter, and the Rams countered with a 12-0 run of their own and led 12-8 with 1:32 left in the first.

However, VCU would not score again, as the Spartans accounted for the final eight points of the period.

Kayla Roberts pulled NSU to within a point with her first trey of the game at the 1:23 mark. Armani Franklin stripped Gibson on the Rams' next possession and laid the ball in to give the Spartans the lead again at 13-12. Roberts capped off the first quarter with another three with 27 seconds remaining.

The Rams out-shot the Spartans in the first quarter, but nine turnovers proved costly for VCU. For the game, Norfolk State scored 25 points off 27 turnovers by the Rams.

Norfolk State opened the second quarter with treys by Long and Zairya West. A made free throw by Shayla Tanner gave the Spartans a 23-13 lead – their first double-digit margin of the game.

From there, the Rams whittled the lead down to six points. Gibson's jumper made the score 23-17 with 4:50 left in the quarter, but Norfolk State promptly shut the door closed on VCU – scoring 12 of the half's final 13 points.

Newcomers accounted for all 12 of those points, as Russell and Franklin scored six points apiece. Russell made three free throws and connected on a three-pointer in that span. Franklin scored her points on three layups, two of which followed steals by the freshman guard.

With their perimeter shots not falling, VCU came out of the intermission intent on attacking the basket. The Rams shot just one three in the third quarter but went to the free-throw line 10 times in an attempt to close the gap.

The Rams pulled to within 12 points midway through the third period. Jailyn Maddox came out aggressively to start the second half and went to the line eight times in the first four-plus minutes of the quarter. Maddox made six of her eight free throws in that span and made the score 37-25.

Yet once again, VCU could not sustain its push, and the Spartans went on an 11-2 run over the next three minutes to build a 21-point cushion.

BOX SCORE

The Spartans made three shots from long range during their third-quarter run. Russell keyed the surge with a trey at the 5:37 mark. Long followed with a three-pointer of her own on the next possession to bump the lead up to 43-27. Long made two free throws, and Alexis Sparkman made her first three as a Spartan to close out the run.

VCU worked furiously at a fourth-quarter comeback but came up short. The Rams out-scored the Spartans 19-14 in the final period but never saw the deficit shrink to fewer than 12 points.

Long put NSU ahead by 22 with just 3:48 remaining in the game, and that would be the Spartan's final field goal of the game. The Rams scored the next 10 points on the strength of seven points by Delphynia Sparks.

De'Janaire Deas made both free throw attempts with 13 seconds remaining to close out the game.

Maddox scored a game-high 18 points for the Rams. She made just two field goals but went 13-of-18 at the charity stripe. VCU attempted twice as many free throws as Norfolk State (31-14) and made eight more of them (19-11).

Franklin was the game's leading helper with seven assists. Roberts paced the Spartans with seven rebounds.

Sunday's result gives NSU an 8-6 edge over VCU in the all-time series. The Spartans snapped a three-game losing streak against the Rams. Norfolk State last defeated VCU 73-65 on Dec. 13, 1998.

Norfolk State returns to action on Friday with a road game against 2017 WNIT-qualifier Navy. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

7th heaven! XULA rocks Dillard, rolls to another title

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana put the finishing touches on a perfect run through Gulf Coast Athletic Conference volleyball with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-13 victory Saturday against city rival Dillard in the championship final of the GCAC Tournament at SUNO's The Castle.

For the seventh consecutive season, the Gold Nuggets (23-2) won the league tournament and an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship. Nationals will begin next Saturday. The NAIA will announce Monday the 44-team field and pairings.

In 14 matches this year against GCAC opponents — 12 in the regular season, two in the tournament — XULA did not lose any sets. XULA is the first Louisiana or GCAC college to win every set against conference opponents.

The Gold Nuggets got double-doubles from their two primary hitters, both first-team All-GCAC players. Senior Juliana Tomasoni hit .346 and had 11 kills, 14 digs and two aces; freshman Kayla Black had 10 kills, 13 digs and two blocks.

Also contributing to the victory were Vivica Price-Spraggins with eight kills and a .538 hitting percentage, and Adili Rikondja and Lauryn Taylor with six kills apiece. Rikondja had four blocks, and Price-Spraggins and Hasani Salaam had two blocks apiece. Eva Le Guillou had 24 assists, and Tiffany Phillips had 17. Price-Spraggins, Taylor and Le Guillou are freshmen. Le Guillou is the GCAC Setter of the Year.

XULA's Anna Dalla Vecchia, the GCAC Freshman of the Year, had a match-high 18 digs, nine in the first set.

Shelby Stewart led Dillard (21-19) with eight kills and three blocks, but the GCAC Player and Attacker of the Year finished her career 0-6 against XULA. Stewart hit .150 against the Gold Nuggets, .257 against everyone else in her four seasons. Saturday she hit .103.

"We played a cleaner game than we did yesterday in the semifinals," first-year XULA coach Pat Kendrick said. "I thought we missed too many serves today, but other than that I thought we played with more energy today than yesterday."

Dillard led 4-1 in the first set, but XULA took the lead for good with seven consecutive points after a tie at 8. Rikondja and Taylor each had a kill and a block during the run. Two Price-Spraggins kills fueled a 6-0 run that gave XULA a 16-9 lead in the second set, and the Gold Nuggets dominated the final period after Tomasoni served back-to-back aces during a 7-1 opening run. Black ended the 70-minute match and secured her double-double with a kill after a Phillips set.

XULA outhit Dillard .266 to .038 and held advantages of 45-23 in kills, 4-0 in aces, 53-39 in digs and 7-4 in blocks. In three matches this season with the Lady Bleu Devils, XULA outhit them .258 to minus-.019 and had a 114-60 advantage in kills.

Kendrick won her ninth conference tournament championship as a head coach. She won eight Colonial Athletic Association tourney titles while at NCAA Division I George Mason, most recently in 2009. This was the 13th time a Kendrick-coached team reached a final.

The GCAC did not announce an all-tournament team or most valuable player. Tomasoni, the 2016 MVP, appeared to be a strong candidate this year after producing double-doubles in each of the final two rounds.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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LSUA eliminates Nuggets in semifinals of XULA tourney

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Charlene Goreau and Yi Chen Pao lost semifinal singles matches to LSU-Alexandria Saturday in the XULA Fall Invitational at XULA Tennis Center.

Goreau, seeded first, was denied an opportunity to win her second singles title of the semester when LSUA's Alba Perny beat her 8-4. Pao fell 8-6 to the Generals' Laia Charles. The Perny-Charles final was not played.

Goreau and Pao were the No. 1 doubles seed and had a bye into the semifinals, but Perny and Charles defeated them 8-6. Perny and Charles defeated Koral Martinez and Nadia Ochsner of another New Orleans school, Loyola, 8-3 in the final.

Goreau and Pao won the doubles consolation title as a result of walkover victories in each of the last two rounds. Walkover victories are not counted in individual statistics.

Also not played was the singles consolation final between fourth-seeded Martinez and LSUA's third-seeded Miljana Melojevic. In the semifinals, Martinez upset William Carey's second-seeded Natalia Baliaeva 8-4, and Melojevic defeated Loyola's Miranda Cano 8-4.

The women-only event was XULA's fall finale. The Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will play their first dual matches of 2018 in late January. The XULA men will seek a third consecutive appearance in the NAIA national finals; they finished second to Georgia Gwinnett in 2016 and 2017.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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