OVC Announces Divisional Play for Basketball

Brentwood, Tennessee  -  On Thursday the Ohio Valley Conference announced the plan for divisional play for men's and women's basketball beginning with the 2012-13 academic year.

The addition of Belmont University on July 1, 2012 will give the OVC 12 member institutions, the largest the Conference has been since it was formed in 1948 (the OVC is currently the nation's eighth-oldest Division I conference).

The sports of softball and volleyball will use schedules based on a divisional format but have yet to determine if those sports will formally recognize divisions. The sports of baseball, women's soccer and men's and women's tennis will not use divisional play because those sports currently have less than 12 participating teams.

The East Division will include Belmont, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech.

The West Division will include Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Murray State, Southeast Missouri State, SIUE and UT Martin.

Some of the factors in determining the divisions included geography and balance while also being mindful of matchups and rivalries (both current and future).

Finalized 2012-13 men's and women's Conference basketball schedules will be released in the coming weeks.

The final piece of divisional play will be to determine tournament seeding and bracketing. The OVC Championships sub-committee is studying those issues now and the Directors of Athletics will make a decision soon.

Divisions for OVC Basketball in 2012-13

East

Belmont

Eastern Kentucky 

Jacksonville State 

Morehead State 

Tennessee State

Tennessee Tech 

West
Austin Peay
Eastern Illinois
Murray State
Southeast Missouri (SEMO)
Southern Illinois - Edwardsville (SIUE)
UT Martin

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU Spartans' possible MEAC title in jeopardy after stinging loss

NORFOLK, Virginia - The Norfolk State Spartans failed to exorcize the demon that has become Delaware State on Wednesday night. Now they need help if they are to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's regular-season title. And the Spartans will probably have a nightmare or two about the six-point lead they blew in the game's last three minutes. They will lament the 10-1 run they allowed the Hornets to make to start overtime.

Delaware State ended up winning 73-63. But from the looks on the Spartans' faces, the Hornets won this game when Tahj Tate rebounded a missed 3-pointer by teammate Casey Walker and banked home the stickback with 1.4 seconds remaining to force the overtime with the game tied at 59.

"I think we were really deflated by that tip-in," Spartans coach Anthony Evans said. "It really got to us."

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VUU -- Pistons' Ben Wallace sets NBA record for games played by undrafted player

Auburn Hills, Michigan — If Pistons coach Lawrence Frank had a vote, he wouldn't hesitate voting Ben Wallace (Virginia Union University) into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Frank's endorsement Tuesday came about 90 minutes before Wallace set an NBA record for games played by an undrafted player (1,055).

"Oh, yeah," Frank said. "Who knows in terms of the voting? But (from my perspective), without a doubt (Wallace is in). "You look at what he's done — he's a champion, four-time defensive player of the year. I think without a doubt he has credentials to be Hall of Fame-worthy."

Ben Wallace Airballs Free Throw, Makes Three-pointer

Wallace set the record when he replaced Greg Monroe with 54.8 seconds remaining in the first quarter of Tuesday's game against the Spurs. The Pistons trailed 29-20 at the time, and eventually lost 99-95. The record had been held by former Spurs guard Avery Johnson (NJ Nets Head Coach), (Southern University graduate).

Wallace said he's not worried about the Hall of Fame, but would gladly accept the nod if he gets voted in. "It doesn't matter what (the player) thinks, it's all up to what everybody else thinks," Wallace said. "If (voters) say I'm a Fall of Famer, then I gotta agree with them."

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TSU Track & Field Inks Four during Signing Period

 Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University Track & Field Director Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice announced the signing of four student-athletes during the recent National Letter of Intent signing period that began on Feb. 1.

Clairwin Dameus, Leslye Williams, Jerome Henderson and Quamel Prince all signed their National Letter of Intents to suit up for the Tigers during the 2012-13 academic year.

"I am excited about our incoming class," noted Cheeseborough-Guice. "We went after some strong student-athletes that will make a difference right away."

Dameus, a native of Boynton Beach, Fla., is known as a multiple event specialist. The Santaluces Community High School (Palm Beach County) product won a first place medal at the 2011 ESPN Rise Championships in Orlando. Dameus recorded personal bests of 19-6 ½ in the long jump and 14.50 in the 100-meter hurdles. The incoming freshman competed in the AAU National Junior Olympic Multis Championships and finished as state runner-up in the long jump.

View Dameus' video here.

Williams, a native of Nashville, joins the Tigerbelles after setting four school records at Martin Luther King Magnet School. The sprinter was an AAU National Qualifier in 2007, 2010 and 2011. She also claimed a state title in the 200-meter dash with a run of 24.92 seconds. Williams holds several regional championships in the 100-meter, 200-meter and both relay events.

Clarksville product Jerome Henderson joins TSU next season after competing in the AAU Junior Olympics on four occasions. Henderson won the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.74 at the 2011 Great Eight at Vanderbilt University. The Clarksville High football star also earned top-10 finishes in the TSSAA 100-meter dash and the 4x100-meter relays.

View Henderson's video here
Antioch's Quamel Prince captured the state title in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:51.27. Prince also clocked times of 48.71 in the 400-meter dash and 4:03.53 in the 1,500-meter run.

Coach Cheeseborough-Guice feels that these four additions along with others in the future will help continue the Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles' goal of reaching an OVC title.

"I think this adds another piece to the puzzle," said Cheeseborough-Guice. "This will help us continue to move forward and contend for an OVC Championship."

TSU Track & Field competes in the 2012 OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Gentry Center on Feb. 24-25.

2012 TSU Track & Field Signees - Feb. 1 Signing Period
Clairwin Damues, Fr. - Sprinter - Boynton Beach, Fla. (Santaluces Community High School)
Quamel Prince, Fr. - Sprinter/Middle Distance - Nashville, Tenn. (Antioch High School)
Jerome Henderson, Fr. - Sprinter - Clarksville, Tenn. (Clarksville High School)
Leslye Williams, Fr. - Sprinter - Nashville, Tenn. (Martin Luther King Magnet School)

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Divens Signs NFL Contract with Tennessee Titans

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Former Tennessee State University football player Lamar Divens signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday.

Divens, who played for the Tigers in 2006 and 2007, signed an undrafted free agent contract with Baltimore in 2008. In the summer of 2011, he was released by the Ravens. The Fayetteville, Tenn., native signed a practice squad contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in December, but was a free agent this season. Divens has played in five NFL games during his four-year career.

At TSU, Divens played in 14 games and inked 46 tackles during his career. He also notched six tackles-for-loss during that span. For Lincoln County High School, Divens won 5A Mr. Football honors and was named first team All-State.

Divens joins four other Tigers already in the National Football League: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Philadelphia Eagles), Anthony Levine (Green Bay Packers), Cecil Newton (Baltimore Ravens) and Javarris Williams (Houston Texans).

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Rattlers Release 2012 Football Schedule

2012 Rattler Football Schedule (.pdf)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida A&M Department of Athletics announced its 2012 football schedule today with the Rattler gridders heading to Music City USA to face the Tennessee State Tigers in the "Big" John Merritt Classic, then traveling west to face the Oklahoma Sooners of the Big 12 Conference.

Head Coach Joe Taylor and the Rattlers aim to improve on its 7-4 record last season and compete for the MEAC crown. With a core of returnees and a host of promising newcomers, the Rattlers start off the season with a visit to Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 1, to face the "Big Blue" Tigers of Tennessee State. The match-up will be the first for the Rattlers and Tigers since the 2010 Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic.

The Rattlers and Tigers had previously mixed it up in the Atlanta Football Classic for 13 straight years before the "100 Black Men of Atlanta" brought in the Jaguars of Southern University as the Rattlers' opponents last season. TSU defeated FAMU 29-18 in their last meeting in 2010. Prior to that, the Rattlers had won eight consecutive Atlanta Football Classics over the Tigers. TSU is banking on a strong recruiting class from head coach Rod Reed to strengthen its team for the upcoming season.

On Sept. 8, the Rattlers visit the Sooners of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. The Rattlers will face one of the favorites in the Big 12 Conference on their home turf.

On Sept. 15, the Rattlers will return home to the friendly confines of Bragg Memorial Stadium to face the Pirates of Hampton University. The Rattlers would like to get revenge on the Pirates for a tough 23-17 loss in Hampton, Va. last season.

Sept. 22 finds the Rattlers in Dover, Del., to face the Hornets of Delaware State University. Head Coach Kermit Blount looks to improve on the Hornets' 3-8 record in his inaugural season. Last season, the Rattlers bested the Hornets 34-7 at Bragg Stadium.

The Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic, which takes place annually on the final weekend of September, will take place on Sept. 29 in the Georgia Dome. This will mark the second consecutive year the Rattlers will face the Jaguars of Southern University in the classic. Last season, FAMU freshman quarterback Damien Fleming led the Rattlers to three second half scores to defeat the Jaguars 38-33. Jaguars head coach Stump Mitchell will look to exert revenge on the Rattlers, especially since they were interested in Fleming as well.

On Oct. 6, the Rattlers will visit the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., for a MEAC matchup with the resurgent Howard Bison. Last season, the Bison pulled an improbable comeback to defeat the Rattlers on homecoming. The 29-28 upset catapulted the Bison into the spotlight, finishing with a record of 5-6. They capped their wins last season with a 10-7 win over Hampton in the battle of the HUs.

On Oct.13, the Rattlers will celebrate Homecoming against the Savannah State Tigers. Last season the Rattlers romped to a 47-7 victory over the Tigers, led by a 200-yard performance by running back Al-Terek McBurse. This will be the first visit to Tallahassee for the Tigers since they were fully admitted into the MEAC.

In back-to-back home football weekends, the Rattlers will welcome Buddy Pugh and the Bulldogs of South Carolina State University on Oct. 20. The Rattlers snapped their eight-year drought against the Bulldogs with a gritty 27-24 win in Orangeburg, S.C. Quarterback Damien Fleming was solid for the Rattlers, completing 34-of-40 passes for 297 yards. The game would be locked away for the Rattlers as Ronald Jackson got a crucial first down in Bulldog territory on a fake punt.

The Rattlers will be open on Oct.27.

The North Carolina A&T Aggies will get another shot at the Rattlers after feeling they allowed victory out of their grasp last season. In the 2011 game, the Rattlers eked out a 26-20 win in a hotly contested battle. The fiercely competitive game resulted in 299-yards in penalties.

The Prince Hall Shriner's Diabetes Football Classic will take place on Nov.10, against the Eagles of North Carolina Central University. It will be the Eagles' first visit to Tallahassee as full members of the MEAC. Last season the Rattlers handily defeated the Eagles 31-10 in Durham, N.C.

The pinnacle of the season will be on Nov. 17 as the Rattlers take on the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Classic in Orlando. The Wildcats took advantage of Rattler turnovers to prevail 26-16 on 2011. Joe Taylor and B-CU's Brian Jenkins are now 1-1 in head-to-head matchups. The Rattlers will look to tame the Wildcats on the final day of the regular season to have their shot at the MEAC title.

2012 Florida A&M Football Schedule

Sept. 1, at Tennessee State, Big John Merritt Classic, Nashville, TN
Sept. 8, at Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Sept. 15, Hampton,* Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Sept. 22, at Delaware State,* Dover, DE
Sept. 29, at Southern, Atlanta Football Classic, Atlanta, GA
Oct. 6, at Howard, * Washington, D.C.
Oct. 13, Savannah State* (Homecoming), Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Oct. 20, South Carolina State,* Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Nov. 3, at North Carolina A&T,* Greensboro, NC
Nov. 10, North Carolina Centra,l* Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Nov. 17, Bethune-Cookman, at Florida Classic, Orlando, FL

Season Tickets Prices
$60 General Admission (Limited Quantity
$75 - Reserved
$100 Chair Back Box Seating (Renewal Only)
$125 - Reserved Basketball Included
$150 - Chair Back Box Seating with Basketball Included (Renewal Only)

For ticket information, please call (850)599-3141

Rattler Booster packages are available now by calling their office at (850) 224-6093. For more information on the Rattler Boosters, please visit TheRattlerBoosters

Don't forget, if you can't make it to a home game, you can sign up to Rattler Vision, where you can watch the game streamed to your laptop or home computer. To sign up to Rattler Vision, go to FAMUAthletics

COURTESY: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

OU Sooners finalize 2012 schedule with UTEP, Florida A&M

NORMAN, Oklahoma - The OU football team will face UTEP, Florida A&M and Notre Dame in nonconference play during the 2012 season, the university announced Wednesday morning.

The announcement comes one day after the Big 12 released its 2012 conference schedule. The full release means the Sooners will play six home games, five road games and the OU-Texas game in Dallas on Oct. 13.

OU coach Bob Stoops said the athletic department has a philosophy of playing a challenging schedule to give the Sooners a chance to vie for a championship.  "I know that Joe Castiglione puts our program's best interests at the forefront when scheduling our opponents and it shows with the quality of teams on our schedule," Stoops said.

Florida A&M, Kansas State, Kansas, Notre Dame, Baylor and Oklahoma State will each make the trip to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in 2012.

The Sooners' home opener against Florida A&M on Sept. 8 marks the first meeting between the schools. The Rattlers are a Football Championship Division program that compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

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Rattlers of Florida A&M likely headed to OU's Owen Field on Sept. 8

CAMPUS CORNER, Oklahoma — Add this to your schedule intel from today: Florida A&M will likely fulfill the FCS role in the fall.

My friend Coley Harvey at the Orlando Sentinel saw something today indicating OU (University of Oklahoma) and FAMU will get together Sept. 8 at Owen Field. I see no reason at all to doubt it — especially considering I first heard the Rattlers as an option early this morning. (I inserted FAMU as a possibility in our web story when the Big 12 schedule was released.)

Let’s hope they bring the band. (Coley reminded me a hazing scandal currently has the band in timeout.)

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Big 12 champions OSU face Savannah State in Season Opener

STILLWATER, Oklahoma - Seven home games, including visits from Big 12 newcomers West Virginia and TCU, highlight the 2012 Oklahoma State University football schedule.

The Cowboys open the season Sept. 1 when the defending Big 12 champions face Savannah State in the initial meeting between the schools. The following week the Cowboys hit the road for the first time when they travel to Tucson to face Arizona. The Cowboys and Wildcats will be meeting for the third straight year. They will face each other in Arizona for the first time since 1942.

On Sept. 15 Louisiana visits OSU. The Ragin Cajuns, who will be in Stillwater for a second straight season, are coming off a win in the New Orleans Bowl.

Following an open week, Oklahoma State opens Big 12 play against Texas. The Longhorns will be in Stillwater for the first time since 2009. Another open week follows the Texas game before OSU travels to Kansas on Oct. 13.

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Oklahoma State football: Who is Savannah State?

A new low comes to Oklahoma State football on Sept. 1. Maybe a new low for Big 12 football. The worst program to ever grace a Big 12 schedule.

OSU hosts Savannah State on Sept. 1, and there is no pleasant way to put this. Savannah State will be the worst opponent the Cowboys have ever played, at least going back to World War I. I can’t speak for some of the teacher colleges of the Woodrow Wilson era. But Savannah State will be the worst in at least 90 years. There is no shame in Stillwater when it comes to scheduling.

Savannah State is a Division I-AA program in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Savannah State joined the MEAC for the 2010 season and was independent the eight years before that. Before 2002, Savannah State was NCAA Division II, the level at which Central Oklahoma and Southwestern State play.

Here are Savannah State’s season records going backwards from 2011: 1-10, 1-10, 2-8, 5-7, 1-9, 3-8, 0-11, 2-8, 0-12, 1-9, 2-7, 2-8. That’s 12 seasons in the 2000s, with 20 total victories.

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Tennessee State Tigers Survives OT Scare from JSU, 69-64

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - A three-pointer by Robert Covington sent the game into overtime and Tennessee State out-scored Jacksonville State by five to snatch a 69-64 win over the Gamecocks on Tuesday evening at the Gentry Center.

TSU (18-10, 11-4) overcame several deficits from JSU in the second half and managed a late run in the overtime period to extend its' win streak to eight games. The Tigers' 18th victory is the most since the 1993-94 season and the third most OVC regular season wins in program history.

The Tigers used a pair of triples to stay in the game. Covington hit a trey with 36 seconds left in regulation. Wil Peters added a triple at 1:30 in overtime to help TSU take the go-ahead win.

From the field, the Tigers shot 44 percent (20-of-46). TSU knocked down six triples and hit 79 percent at the free throw line. JSU was held to under 40 percent, making 24-of-61 shots from the field.

Covington led Tennessee State with 28 points and 12 rebounds in 41 minutes. The double-double was an OVC-best eighth of the season and the 18th of his career. The junior knocked down 10-of-18 attempts, while notching three blocks.

The 28 points moved Covington into 19th all-time in scoring at TSU, passing John Barnhill's (1955-59) mark of 1,253 points.



Peters added 10 points, dishing out four assists and pulling in three rebounds in 33 minutes. Kellen Thornton hit 3-of-5 attempts for 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.

In 22 minutes, Jordan Cyphers scored eight points, including six from the free throw line.

In the first half, the Gamecocks knocked down 52 percent (13-of-25) from the field. The Tigers were held to 45 percent (9-of-20), while making just one triple in three attempts. Covington led the Tigers with 10 points and four rebounds.

JSU opened up to a 15-11 advantage in the first eight-plus minutes of the game. The Gamecocks proceeded on a 7-to-1 run, stretching their lead to 21-12. TSU was held scoreless for 6:50 in the first half.

Tennessee State clawed back from a 10 point deficit to pull within 32-26 at the half.

JSU stretched their lead to 51-47. TSU went on an 11-to-7 run to tie the game. Covington knocked down a triple at 36 seconds to tie the game at 58-58.

In the overtime period, the Big Blue outscored the Gamecocks 11-to-6 in the extra period. TSU used a three-pointer from Peters and two more free throws to stretch their lead to 67-64 with just a minute remaining.

The Tigers travel to Miami (Ohio) for the Sears ESPN BracketBusters game on Sunday, Feb. 19. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU football: Hornets explore 2012 schedule options

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Alabama State officials hope to finalize plans for the 2012 football season opener by the end of this week, discounting published reports that have the Hornets of the Southwestern Athletic Conference playing in the annual matchup against a school from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Labor Day weekend.

While ASU athletic director Stacy Danley has discussed the possibility of playing in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sept. 2, he is leaving his options open regarding possible Division I opponents.

"I have entered into discussions with the (SWAC) office and commissioner Duer Sharp about Alabama State participating in the ... Challenge," Danley said on Friday. "However, as of today, I have not received nor signed a contract committing us to that game."

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Site, times changed for XU-Edward Waters doubleheader

NEW ORLEANS — Edward Waters College has moved the site of its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference basketball doubleheader against Xavier University of Louisiana.

Because of a weekend event at the college, EWC moved the games to the Florida State College (south campus) Sports Center. The women's game will tip off at 5 p.m. EST Saturday, followed by the men's game at 7. Xavier originally listed the starting times as 2 and 4 p.m.

FSC's south campus is at 11901 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville, Fla.

Both Xavier teams will attempt to reach 20 victories Saturday. The Gold Nuggets, ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, are 19-8 overall and share first place in the GCAC with Talladega at 9-2. The Gold Rush, ranked 25th, are 19-7, 8-3 and in second place in the conference.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Shaw cracks DII top-10 marking school high

RALEIGH, North Carolina — Fresh off of a 20 point win against Johnson C. Smith Monday night, the Shaw Bears have cracked the top-10 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II poll.

Shaw comes in at No. 9 in the latest poll marking the highest ranking in program history. They jumped three spots from their No. 12 ranking a week ago. Shaw's previous high ranking was in 2002-03 when they were No. 10 in the first poll of the season.

Shaw improved to 21-2, (13-0 CIAA) on the season with a pair of wins last week. They are currently on a 17-game winning streak and with Monday's win, the Bears clinched the Southern Division title.

Bellarmine is No. 1 in the NABC DII the poll this week and West Liberty, who knocked Shaw out of last year's NCAA Tournament, is at No. 2. CIAA member Bowie State is ranked No. 19.

The Bears next play Saturday at Fayetteville State in a 7:30 tip. Shaw returns to C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium Feb. 20, against Winston-Salem State for their home finale.

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Gold Nuggets drop to 21st, Rush still 25th in NAIA polls

NEW ORLEANS — For the third straight week the Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team dropped two places in the NAIA Division I coaches poll. The Gold Nuggets are 21st, their lowest rank of the season.

The XU men are 25th for the third consecutive week despite collecting 13 fewer points than in the previous poll.

The polls, the ninth of the season, were announced Monday afternoon before Xavier's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader against Tougaloo — the final basketball games at The Barn. Xavier then swept the doubleheader, with the Gold Nuggets winning 52-46 and the Gold Rush rallying from 16 down for a 67-61 victory. The latter result may give the Rush a bump in next week's voting, because Tougaloo was 18th — up one spot — in the poll.

The Gold Nuggets are in the top 25 for the 27th consecutive time. The Gold Rush appear in the top 25 for the 20th time in 21 polls.

This past week the Gold Nuggets won 67-55 at SUNO and lost 68-62 at Talladega. The Gold Rush won 73-62 at SUNO and lost 84-64 at Talladega.



The 2011-12 Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team

Head Coach:   Bo Browder (13th season) (Bio)
Associate Head Coach, Darrilyn Broussard (Bio)

2011-12 Team Roster

CURRENT RECORD: 19-8 OVERALL, 9-2 GCAC
 (Tied for 1st Place with Talladega College)

 Oklahoma City's women and Shorter's men are the top-ranked teams. Oklahoma City was a unanimous No. 1 for the third straight week, and Shorter replaced Robert Morris (Chicago) at the top.

Also receiving votes for the first time this season was GCAC newcomer Talladega, whose women collected five points and are 32nd.

Xavier is one of 11 schools with women's and men's teams in the top 25. The other schools are Azusa Pacific, Columbia (Mo.), Cumberlands, Georgetown (Ky.), Lee (Tenn.), Lindsey Wilson, MidAmerica Nazarene, Shorter, Southern Nazarene and Westmont. A week ago there were nine such schools.

Xavier will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for a GCAC doubleheader against Edward Waters on Saturday.

NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll

(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Feb. 12)

Rank Team Record Points Last

1 Oklahoma City (12) 23-1 312 1
2 Union (Tenn.) 24-2 302 3

3 Freed-Hardeman 21-4 292 2

4 Lee (Tenn.) 25-1 282 4

5 Cumberlands 23-1 272 5

6 Westmont 23-2 262 6

7 Lubbock Christian 19-4 248 7

8 Lewis-Clark State 23-3 244 8

9 Shawnee State 22-4 226 10

10 Langston 23-2 225 9

11 Olivet Nazarene 23-3 212 11

12 Vanguard 17-5 205 12

13 Azusa Pacific 18-6 194 13

14 Saint Xavier 19-6 183 14

15 Southern Nazarene 19-7 165 17

16 Belhaven 20-6 153 15

17 Georgetown (Ky.) 17-8 152 16

18 Westminster (Utah) 17-7 151 18

19 Loyola 21-2 130 20

20 Campbellsville 18-9 121 21

21 Xavier 18-8 115 19

22 Shorter 20-5 101 23

23 Lindsey Wilson 18-8 90 24

24 MidAmerica Nazarene 18-8 87 22

25 Columbia (Mo.) 18-8 68 RV

Others receiving votes: Lyon 46, William Woods 40, LSU-Shreveport 34, Rogers State 32, Avila 23, San Diego Christian 18, Talladega 5, Robert Morris (Chicago) 3, Central Methodist 1, St. Gregory's 1, Rocky Mountain 1, Martin Methodist 1.

The 2011-12 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball team

Head Coach Dannton Jackson (ninth season), (Bio)
Assistant Coach Alfred Williams (third season) (Bio)

2011-12 Team Roster

Current Record: 19-7, 8-3 GCAC, 2nd Place

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll

(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Feb. 12)

Rank Team Record Points Last

1 Shorter (10) 24-1 311 2

2 Oklahoma Baptist (1) 22-3 302 3

3 Robert Morris (Chicago) (1) 23-2 292 1

4 Southern Poly 20-4 281 4
5 Rogers State 20-4 268 6
6 Martin Methodist 20-5 259 7

7 Our Lady of the Lake 20-5 252 5

8 Westmont 18-5 235 9
9 Mountain State 20-6 231 10
10 Georgetown (Ky.) 19-6 220 8
11 Concordia (Calif.) 20-5 212 16
12 Texas Wesleyan 20-4 202 tie-13
13 John Brown 21-5 197 15
14 Lee (Tenn.) 18-5 167 17
15 Montana Western 20-7 155 24

16 Lindsey Wilson 16-8 152 12

17 Azusa Pacific 20-6 149 11

18 Tougaloo 21-5 144 19

19 LSU-Shreveport 18-6 141 18
20 Columbia (Mo.) 20-6 130 21
21 MidAmerica Nazarene 19-7 115 20
22 Montana State Northern 20-6 98 tie-13
23 Southern Nazarene 18-8 97 23
24 Cumberlands 15-9 63 RV
25 Xavier 18-7 57 tie-25

Others receiving votes: Saint Xavier 50, Evangel 35, Campbellsville 29, Point Loma Nazarene 22, Cumberland 19, Union (Tenn.) 18, Southwestern Assemblies of God 13, Westminster (Utah) 8, Biola 8, Cal State San Marcos 7, Baker 3, St. Thomas (Texas) 1, Oklahoma Christian 1, Pikeville 1, Great Falls 1, Science & Arts 1, Voorhees 1, Freed-Hardeman 1, Missouri Baptist 1, St. Catharine (Ky.) 1.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Bryant Ties School Career Scoring Mark In St. Aug Win

Keyona Bryant
6'-0" Center, Senior
Hometown: Springdale, MD
Flowers High School
Major: Communications

RALEIGH, North Carolina – Senior center Keyona Bryant (Springdale, Md.) tied the modern school career scoring mark in Saint Augustine’s College’s 58-55 CIAA women’s basketball win over Fayetteville State University Monday (Feb. 13) at Emery Gymnasium.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Lady Falcons, now 12-11 overall, 7-6 CIAA and 2-5 in the Southern Division. The Lady Broncos are 10-12, 4-9 CIAA and 3-4 in the Southern Division with the loss.

The two schools split the season series. The Lady Falcons lost the first meeting 64-62 Feb. 4 in Fayetteville, N.C.

Bryant scored 12 points to tie former standout Valicia Brown with 1,522 career points. She needs one point to become the school’s modern career scoring leader, which she is sure to get Saturday (Feb. 18) at Livingstone in Salisbury, N.C. The starting time for that contest is 5:30 p.m.

Sophomore forward Umeka Benson (Charlotte, N.C.) added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Falcons. DaQuondra Cuthbertson paced the Lady Broncos with 13 points.

The victory margin would have been much larger had the Lady Falcons made their free throws. They were 19-for-42 for 45.2 percent.

Still, St. Aug led by 13 with 8:50 in the second half. Despite shooting 27 percent in the second half, the Lady Broncos rallied by forcing 24 of the Lady Falcons’ 40 turnovers in the half. The Lady Falcons’ lead was whittled to 56-55, but junior guard Jolisa Williams (Charles City, Va.) hit two clutch free throws with 24 seconds left in the game for a 58-55 Lady Falcons’ lead. FSU committed a turnover with 15 seconds left to ice the contest for the Lady Falcons.

COURTESY: THECIAA.COM

CIAA changes men's basketball-tournament format

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - The CIAA men's basketball tournament will have a change in its format when it begins later this month.

The tournament, which will be held in Charlotte from Feb. 28 through March 3, will have six of the 12 teams receive byes into the quarterfinals. In past years, the tournament's top two seeds in each division received byes.

"The (CIAA board of directors) wanted to keep the week a little shorter, so that's why the men's tournament changed a little bit," said Shera White, the director of communications for the CIAA. "There are 24 teams, counting both men and women, and that's a lot of games, so that's why the board voted to change the format a little bit."

The women's tournament, which will also begin Feb. 28, will retain the old format, with the top two teams in each division receiving byes.

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Southern University women rally, stand alone in first

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Everything felt wrong. Late in the first half Monday night in the F.G. Clark Activity Center, in a showdown for first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the Southern women’s basketball team had more turnovers than points.

Mississippi Valley State pressed, trapped and scored with ease, and the Jaguars looked lost. But their coach didn’t blow a fuse. Before they wiped out a 15-point deficit and pulled away late for a crucial 63-59 victory, Sandy Pugh simply told her players to calm down.

“She never lost her patience. She told us we just needed to breathe,” junior center Laneisha Stephens said. “Just breathe, and take care of the ball. She told our guards that we just needed to handle it and get through it. And we did.”

Indeed. As a result, Southern — on a quest for its third consecutive regular-season SWAC title — controls its own fate in the conference standings as the backstretch approaches.

Photos: Southern men and women battle MVSU

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Shaw Bears, CIAA Southern Division Champs

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Tony Smith had a triple-double and three other Bears scored in double figures as Shaw downed Johnson C. Smith 94-74 in a game played at C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium Monday night.

With the win - Shaw's 17th straight - the Bears improve to 21-2 on the season, 13-0 in the conference and 7-0 in the CIAA's Southern Division. The win, coupled with Winston-Salem State's loss to Livingstone, means that the Bears have clinched the division title with three games to play.

The fans left the gym buzzing about a variety of things Monday night. From Karron Johnson's dunks early in the game (one television station had a four-dunk highlight clip posted on their website before the game was over), to the dominating inside game. Much more subtle had been Smith's achievement - 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

"Tony's very good," said Shaw head coach Cleo Hill, Jr. "He could play at the highest level."

Between Smith and fellow point guard Malik Alvin, the Bears fired on all cylinders for much of the game, but after building a 12-point lead early, Shaw allowed Johnson C. Smith to trim that lead to only three.

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Gold Rush close The Barn with 67-61 comeback victory

Anthony Simmons
6'-8" 245 Forward, Junior
Hometown: Rochester, New York
Allendale Columbia High School

NEW ORLEANS -- Jamaan Kenner's 3-pointer with 42.6 seconds remaining sparked a late burst which rallied Xavier University of Louisiana to a 67-61 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Tougaloo.

It was the final game at The Barn, a 1,300-seat gymnasium which opened in 1937, for the Gold Rush (19-7 overall, 8-3 GCAC). Xavier will play next season in a 4,500-seat facility which still is under construction.

Xavier, ranked 25th in NAIA Division I, snapped the 11-game win streak of the 18th-ranked Bulldogs (19-6, 10-2) and prevented them from clinching the GCAC regular-season championship. Tougaloo leads the conference by 1½ games with two games remaining. Xavier is in second place.

Kenner's 3-pointer, his third of the game, put Xavier ahead to stay at 60-58. Tougaloo then missed two shots and committed a turnover before Kevin Miller scored to give Xavier a 62-58 lead with 19 seconds remaining. After a Tougaloo personal foul and technical foul, Chris Iles and Wanto Joseph each made 2-of-2 free throws for a 66-58 Xavier lead with 10 seconds remaining.

Anthony Simmons scored 13 points for the Gold Rush, and Iles had 11, including three 3-pointers. Kenner and Denzell Erves scored nine points apiece, and Erves grabbed 10 rebounds,

Marquise Mems scored 21 points, Juan Gray 12 and Kadon Day 10 for Tougaloo, which had won eight of its past 10 meetings with Xavier. James Carter grabbed 10 rebounds.

Mems scored 13 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 37-24 halftime advantage, and they stretched the margin to 40-24 when Mems hit a 3-pointer with 18:28 remaining. But Simmons scored nine points during a 22-3 run which gave Xavier its first lead 14 minutes, and he capped the burst with two free throws for a 46-43 XU advantage at 9:44.

Xavier shot 52 percent from the floor and made 14-of-16 free throws in the second half. For the game the Rush outshot the Bulldogs 44.4 to 30.9 percent from the floor. At the line Xavier made 21-of-24, and Tougaloo made 9-of-14. Three Bulldogs -- including Mems, the GCAC's Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year this past season -- fouled out.

It was the final home game for Iles, Kenner, Cordell Hadnot and Jeremy Lee, who were honored in a pregame senior-night ceremony. Xavier will close the regular season with three conference road games, then travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for the GCAC Tournament on March March 1-3. The tournament will receive the GCAC's automatic bid to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship.

The XU men won their final eight games at The Barn and 33 of their final 36.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Covington Named adidas® OVC Co-Player of the Week

Courtesy: Sam Jordan / TSU Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State forward Robert Covington was named adidas® OVC Co-Player of the Week for Feb. 13 as announced by the league office on Monday.

Covington, a junior from Bellwood, Ill., averaged 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in TSU's victories over No. 7/9 Murray State and Tennessee Tech. From the field, Covington shot 52 percent (12-of-23) and hit 63 percent (5-of-8) outside the arch. He also notched three blocks, two assists and three steals.

Against Murray State, Covington scored 17 points and grabbed eight boards as TSU upset the nation's lone unbeaten. It also marked the first time TSU had defeated a nationally ranked opponent in the NCAA Division I era.

Covington followed up with 16 points and two rebounds in the win over Tennessee Tech. The victory over the Golden Eagles extended TSU's win streak to seven games, the longest since the 1994-95 season. Covington is averaging 17.7 points and 7.8 rebounds in 27 games.

The Player of the Week honor is the second of the season for Covington, who garnered the achievement on Nov. 21. Covington shared this week's award with Murray State guard Isaiah Canaan.

TSU (17-10, 10-4 OVC) hosts Jacksonville State (11-16, 6-7 OVC) in a 7 p.m. tip on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets end tenure at The Barn with 52-46 victory

Jazmoné Kelly
5'-9" Senior G/F
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Ursuline Academy
XAVIER UNIVERSITY 

NEW ORLEANS -- Jazmoné Kelly had 13 points and nine rebounds Monday to lead NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 52-46 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Tougaloo.

It was the final game at The Barn for the Gold Nuggets (19-8, 9-2), who will move into a new 4,500-seat facility next season. The Barn seats 1,300.

Jasmine Grant had 12 points, a career-high-tying seven assists, two blocks and two steals for Xavier.

Portia Craft scored 21 points for Tougaloo (13-12, 8-4), and Victoria Jones had 10 points and 13 rebounds for her 11th consecutive double-double. Jones leads NAIA Division I in rebounds per game.

Tougaloo led by four points during the 11th minute before Carmen Holcombe's basket at 4:45 gave Xavier the lead for good at 19-18. The Gold Nuggets led 28-24 at halftime and three times led by 10 points in the second half.

Xavier outshot the Lady Bulldogs 33.9 to 27.5 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 43-37.

Xavier remained in a first-place tie in the GCAC with Talladega, which won 78-77 at home against SUNO. Tougaloo remained in third place, a half-game ahead of Dillard, following its second straight conference loss.

It was the final home game for Grant, Kelly, Keldra Hall, Danielle Kennebrew and Brandi Young, who were honored in a halftime senior-night ceremony. Xavier will close the regular season with three conference road games, then travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for the GCAC Tournament on March 1-3. The tournament winner will receive the GCAC's automatic bid to the NAIA Division I National Championship. Xavier won the GCAC Tournament the past two seasons.

The Nuggets concluded their tenure at The Barn with 10 consecutive victories and 122 victories in their final 129 games there. XU is 246-20 at The Barn since the start of the 1992-93 season. In conference games at The Barn, XU has won 22 straight, 34 of its last 35 and 66 of its last 68. Coach Bo Browder’s XU teams are 170-16 at The Barn in 13 seasons.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS