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WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams did it again as the team claimed its second straight Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Indoor Women's Indoor Track & Field Championship, Monday afternoon. The Rams took the win by a slight margin as they totaled 120 points to claim the title, just 10 points ahead of conference runners-up Johnson C. Smith.
"We worked really hard this whole season, starting from August," WSSU sophomore Rachel Bonham said after claiming the championship. "I didn't think we would do this good, but we did. We all worked hard as a team." RESULTS
The Rams took the win behind some inspired performances by sophomore Domtilla Kiplagat, who was named the women's track MVP after compiling 22.25 total points at the meet. She took first place finishes in the women's 3000m run, the women's one-mile run, and she was a part of the Rams' first place distance medley relay team.
Fellow sophomore Rachel Bonham also had a terrific day when she tied with Saint Augustine's Shamia Lassiter as the field events co-MVP. She took home the honor after winning the women's high jump, placing second in the women's pentathlon.
With the victory, the Rams claim their second straight indoor championship and their third championship since 2011.
Following the conference championships, the Rams will turn their attentions to preparations for the upcoming NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships. The team will compete in the UCS Invitational prior to awaiting selections for the national championship meet.
For more information on Rams women's track & field, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.
COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Benedict College men's and women's indoor track and field teams competed in the Samford Open over the weekend at the Birmingham Crossplex and had some exceptional performances. Dessie Demlew captured Benedict's only win of the weekend, winning the 5000 meter run with a season-best time of 14:53. He also finished sixth in the men's 3000 meter run with a season-best time of 8:35.19.
Marc Sutton placed fourth in the weight throw with a distance of 16.26 meters (53 feet, 4 1/4 inches).
Ediberto Crisanto also ran a personal best time in the 5000 meter run with a 16:12 and the 3000 meter run with a time of 9:10.78.
Teammate Haregot Gebreyesus also ran a season's best time of 15:51 in the 5000 meter run and 9:11.78 in the 3000 meter run.
Naquan Adams finished ninth in the high jump by clearing 1.95 meters (6 feet, 4 3/4 inches).
The women's team also had good weekend with Karel Ziketh making it to the finals in the women's 60 meter hurdles race against a high-powered professional field. She finished eighth overall with a time of 8.63 in the prelims and 8.75 in the finals. She is currently ranked No. 10 in the NCAA Division II ranking.
Lea Tshikaya made her way onto the NCAA ranking as well in the 400 meter dash. She ran a season's best time of 57.08, setting a Benedict indoor school record. She finished 14th overall.
Jenella John also broke the school record in the 800 meter run with a 2:16.46.
Ashley Wingo broke her own school record in the weight throw with a mark of 13.16 meters (43 feet, 2 ¼ inches). She also finished 13th in the shot put with a mark of 11.67 meters (38 feet, 3 1/2 inches).
The women's team broke the school record in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:55.40. They finished seventh overall.
Courtesy: Saint Augustine's University Sports Information
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Saint Augustine's University won its 19th consecutive men's conference title at the CIAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships at the JDL Fast Track on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016.
The Falcons scored 173 points to continue their championship streak. Virginia Union University was second with 107 points and Virginia State University was third with 84.5 points.
Saint Augustine's University placed third in the women's division with 107.33 points. Winston-Salem State scored 120 points to win its second consecutive women's title and Johnson C. Smith was second with 110 points.
Immanuel Hutchinson (Sr./San Jacinto, CA) of the Falcons was selected men's track MVP after scoring 30 points in the meet. The Falcons' senior won the 5000-meter and one-mile runs and placed second in the 800-meter run. On Sunday, he was part of the winning men's distance medley squad which included Shaquille Dill (Fr./Pembroke, Bermuda), Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Sr./Raleigh, NC) and Khari Herbert, Jr.(Jr./Coral Springs, FL).
Shamia Lassiter (Sr./Chesapeake, VA) of the Lady Falcons was chosen women's field co-MVP after scoring 18 points. Lassiter won the pentathlon and placed second in the long jump. She also won the 60-meter hurdles.
The Falcons relied on their sprinters and jumpers to win their latest men's championship. They won all eight running events and the triple jump Monday to pull away from their competitors.
Behind 36-15 to Virginia Union entering the final day, the Falcons erupted for 158 points to win easily. Hutchinson led the way with two victories and Herbert, Jr. (400 meters), Shawn Rowe (60-Meter Hurdles), Daniel Jamieson (Sr./Windsor, CT/200 meters), Dill (800 meters), Ellis (60 Meters), and Jumonne Exeter (Soph./St. Vincent/Triple Jump) each won an event. The nation's top-ranked 4x400-meter relay squad which includes Herbert, Ellis, Rowe and Omar Johnson (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica) was also victorious for the Falcons.
Sparked by Lassiter, the Lady Falcons won six events. Ornella Livingston (Jr./St. Ann, Jamaica) was a double-winner after capturing the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes. Amenze Uhunmwangho (Sr./Ebo, Nigeria) was the triple jump winner and Shakinah Brooks (Jr./Raleigh, NC) claimed the long jump on Sunday.
HAMPTON, Virginia -- On a slushy Monday night, Hampton University's play was slightly less sloppy than the Convocation Center's parking lot. The Lady Pirates shot 33 percent from the field and had three times as many turnovers (23) as assists (seven).
But what mattered was a 60-47 win over Morgan State, with which HU came in tied for second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings. Thanks to North Carolina A&T's win over Bethune-Cookman, the Lady Pirates (11-13, 9-2) are now in sole possession of first place.
"We didn't play well," Hampton coach David Six said. "But you know what? You've got to be careful you don't make them feel like they lost when they won. That team was in second place, and we won. That's the bottom line."
In the first, third and fourth quarters, the Lady Pirates were outscored 39-32. But HU dominated the second by outscoring the Bears 28-8. Malia Tate-DeFreitas, who missed her first four shots, scored 18 of her 23 points in the second period.
Senior Emily Strombeck was named tournament MVP at the Stormin Ladyjack Classic hosted by Stephen F. Austin.
Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information
HOUSTON, Texas – The North Carolina A&T bowling team moved back into the National Tenpin Coaches Association Top-10 poll this month at No. 10 after dropping to No. 11 in last month’s poll. The Aggies then went out and proved they belonged there by winning the Stormin Ladyjack Classic hosted by Stephen F. Austin. The Aggies went an impressive 10-3 to improve to 49-28 on the season.
In doing so, the Aggies defeated the No. 2 team in the nation in Nebraska, the No. 4 team Sam Houston State, the No. 8 team SFA and the No. 9 team Farleigh Dickinson. The Aggies defeated FDU 4-3 in the best of seven championship round to win the tournament. Two-time MEAC Bowler of the Year and All-American senior Emily Strombeck won tournament MVP honors by posting a season-high 225.67 average.
In addition, Strombeck, one of the best bowlers in school if not Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference history, had a career game with a 287 in a traditional game win over Grambling. Strombeck had plenty of help as junior MacKenzie Robinson finished seventh with an average of 213.33 and sophomore Kori Smith placed 16th with an average of 202.33. Sophomore Kristin Shinn came close to making it four Aggies with an average of 200 or better when she closed out the tournament with a 196.5 average.
“The team was on a mission,” said N.C. A&T head coach James Williams. “To have three girls average over 200, with one being the tournament MVP, and to have a fourth at 196, is something special. Everyone contributed at some point throughout the weekend. On Saturday it was big game after big game, and it was good to see everyone step up and take turns.”
The Aggies went 6-0 on Saturday in traditional play to earn the No. 1 seed in Sunday’s tournament bracket play. The Aggies squeezed out five close wins over nationally-ranked opponents in the process. They took down No. 16 Monmouth 988-927 as Shinn finished with a score of 212 and Robinson had 210. The Aggies then defeated FDU 1,073-1,018 as Smith’s 249 was complemented by Strombeck’s 215 and Robinson’s 214.
In the Aggies 1,094-1,035 win over SHSU put together a 256 and Robinson, Smith and Shinn also had games over 200. Perhaps the most entertaining game of the day came against No. 14 LIU-Brooklyn as the Aggies won 1,025-1,020. The Aggies needed all the help they could get to eke out the win as Shinn bowled a 252 and Robinson aided with a 244.
The Aggies closed by beating SFA 966-919. Again the Aggies leading foursome led the way as Shinn’s 224 paced N.C. A&T.
On Sunday the Aggies opened with Nebraska and defeated the Cornhuskers 3-0 with two ties in the best out of seven contest. The Aggies then went on to beat FDU for the title after losing the first three games in the best out of seven.
“Sunday was about finishing,” said Williams. “Finishing what we started. We were able to do that against Nebraska. But our will was tested against FDU. After going down oh-3, the ladies found a way to battle back and win. That’s the heart of a champion.”
Williams credited the team’s Brunswick equipment for allowing the Aggies to do some things most other teams were not able to do. He also credited the team’s ability to communicate.
“The communication was fantastic as well as our ability to make adjustments quickly,” said Williams. “For the most part the team bowled with patience and aggression. Our spare shooting was
the best it’s been all year.”
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
THIBODAUX, Louisiana — Was it a Valentine's Day breakthrough for Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis?
Maybe, coach Alan Green said after his Gold Rush, a longtime NAIA power, won 6-1 Sunday at Nicholls State of NCAA Division I. "It's still early," Green said, "but I feel like we've got a pretty good team. We can do some really good things. But we still have a long way to go."
For the Gold Rush (3-2), ranked fourth, it was the first victory in nine dual matches against the Colonels (1-2). There had been three close calls in recent seasons, including 4-3 a year ago, but this time Xavier left no doubt. The Rush won the doubles point and four singles matches on the court.
It was the 30th victory in Green's 13 seasons against a Division I men's opponent but the third against a non-HBCU from that level.
Nicholls State made Xavier's path easier because the Colonels had five available players. That resulted in default victories for the Rush at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles, and Xavier needed just one on-court victory to claim the doubles point. The Rush got that when Karan Salwan and Kyle Montrel beat Max Sinn and Evan Karatzas 6-3.
Xavier maintained its momentum during singles. Salwan defeated Kieran Cronin 6-4, 6-3, then freshman Thomas Setodji, in his first day of collegiate competition, clinched the dual with a 6-2, 6-2 decision against Sam Meessen. Adam Albrecht extended Xavier's lead to 5-0 when he toppled Oscar Reeve 6-2, 6-3.
Karatzas beat Montrel 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-3) at the top singles flight, but the Gold Rush ended the dual with another victory — Tushar Mandlekar defeated Sinn 2-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-6).
"Nicholls played us tough," Green said. "They didn't play like they were down a guy. But our guys withstood their challenge and took care of business."
Setodji, winner of three state singles championships as a French junior, found his groove after he and Kevin Chaouat dropped their first four doubles games. They won four of the next five games before falling 6-4 to Reeve and Cronin, then Setodji cruised in singles, dropping fewer games than any of his teammates.
"I was tense in doubles," Setodji said. "The conditions were difficult, and those guys (Nicholls) played well. But things got better in singles. Everything in singles was great from start to finish."
Next for Xavier's men and women will be the Green and Gray Invitational at Lawrenceville, Ga. They'll play SCAD Savannah Friday, Georgia Gwinnett Saturday and Cumberland Sunday. All six of those opponents were in the NAIA's preseason top 25s. New rankings will be announced Tuesday. Georgia Gwinnett's men are a two-time defending national champion.
(L) Assistant Golf Coach Mike Rice and Head Golf Coach Marvin Green (R)
JACKSON, Mississippi -- The FAMU Men’s Golf team staged a strong showing in Sunday’s opening round of the Frito Lay AllState Intercollegiate Invitational hosted by Jackson State University.
FAMU shot an opening round 311 to trail the University of Missouri at St. Louis, which finished Sunday’s play with a one-over par 289.
Leading the way for FAMU on the Individual Leaderboard is the duo of Kevin Parker and Dennis Minefee, who finished the opening round tied for eighth at 77, followed by Brian Bowman (10th) with a 78, and Omari Whitmore (13th) with a 79.
Second round play begins Monday morning at the Dancing Rabbit Azaleas Course.
FRITO LAY ALLSTATE INTERCOLLEGIATE GOLF
Team Scores * Opening Round * Sunday, February 14, 2016
1 Missouri - St. Louis 289 +1
2 Florida A&M 311 +23
3 LeTourneau University 320 +32
4 Jackson State 324 +36
5 Louisiana College 334 +46
6 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 349 +61
7 Alcorn State 350 +62
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern baseball team is ineligible for the NCAA tournament under the first of multiple sanctions against the program.
Jaguars coach Roger Cador revealed the sanction even though the school is still awaiting written notification of the penalties from the NCAA.
It’s the third consecutive season Southern is ineligible for the NCAA tournament. The first two penalties were part of an athletic department-wide penalty, handed down because the university supplied the NCAA with unusable data on student-athletes’ Academic Progress Rates.
The latest postseason ineligibility is a result of the baseball team falling short of the NCAA minimum of a 930 APR score over a four-year period, Cador said.
“I don’t want to go into the season living a lie,” said Cador, who informed the team of the sanction after practice Saturday. “We’ll just wait for the other sanctions that certainly will be coming.”
The other sanctions are the result of the baseball program “over-rewarding scholarships,” interim athletic director Roman Banks said.
BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut– The University of the District of Columbia women's basketball team used a late run to push past East Coast Conference foe University of Bridgeport, 67-56 on Saturday afternoon at Hubbell Gym.
Just a three-point UDC lead approaching the four-minute mark in the 4th quarter, the Firebirds scored 14 of the game's final 17 points, which include a 5-of-6 showing at the free-throw line during the final 34 seconds. They would win by their largest margin of the day – 11 points.
The Firebirds (18-6, 13-3 ECC) were led by junior transfer guard Brandi Henton's team-high 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists off the bench. Senior guard Tajruba Baldwin-Kollore and senior forward Iman Scott added 10 and 13 points, respectively.
Bridgeport (7-15, 5-9 ECC), which led 27-26 at halftime and by as many as five points early in the 3rd quarter, was led by guard Aurelie Leblanc-Florent's game-high 18 points. Her backcourt mate, Nicole Johnson, pitched in with 10 points, as Leblanc-Florent and Johnson combined to make seven three-point field goals. Kadijah Dickson contributed game-highs of 10 rebounds and eight assists.
UDC made four more field goals (24-20) in the same number of attempts (63), but the Firebirds connected on just 1-of-10 from long range while the Purple Knights made 9-of-32. UDC countered by making 18-of-21 (86-percent) at the foul line to Bridgeport's 7-of-14 (50-percent). The Firebirds also had a 47-40 rebounding advantage and out-scored the Purple Knights 38-16 in the paint.
The Firebirds held Bridgeport to just 2-of-15 FG shooting (1-of-5 from long range) during the first quarter as they raced out to leads of 4-0 and 13-4 before settling for a 13-7 advantage at the end of the period.
Henton's layup nine seconds into the 2nd quarter pushed the UDC lead to 15-7, but Bridgeport bounced back with a 12-2 burst which began and ended with three-pointers by Leblanc-Florent. The 2nd of those three-pointers gave the Purple Knights their first lead of the day, 19-17. Later, Leblanc-Florent's third three-pointer of the quarter pushed Bridgeport in front 27-23 with under a minute left in the first half. The Firebirds closed on a 3-0 run that included a Dionna Tunstall layup at the buzzer, and they trailed by just one, 27-26 at intermission.
Bridgeport's Emily Ovner connected on two consecutive jump shots for the first four points of the 2nd half, but Baldwin-Kollore answered right back with five straight points on a three-pointer and a layup to force a 31-all tie at the 7:48 mark. The Purple Knights took back a two-point lead three times, only to have the Firebirds force a tie all three times. Tiara Goode helped UDC take its first lead of the 2nd half, 39-37, with a pair of free-throws with 2:19 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Those free-throws began a 6-0 Firebirds surge that put UDC up 43-37, and the Firebirds would lead 43-40 heading into the 4th quarter.
UDC out-scored Bridgeport 6-3 in the first two minutes of the 2nd half courtesy of two made jump shots by junior forward Amber Bryson, and the Firebirds led 49-43. Consecutive jump shots by Leblanc-Florent made it a two-point, 49-47, and later, Johnson's three-pointer at the 4:33 mark kept it a one-possession game, 53-50. Scott then led UDC on a 9-5 run with seven points, including a three-point play at the 2:16 mark. Her layup at 1:43 capped the run and put UDC up 62-55.
The Firebirds went on to ice the victory with 5-of-6 at the foul line, and they won by their largest margin of the day, 67-56.
Next up, UDC visits Mercy College on Thursday, February 18th at 5 p.m.
GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Greensboro, NC---- The Lady Bison scored another notch in their belts when they defeated the ladies at North Carolina A & T 110-87 recently, posting the best win record in program's history. The 2015-16 squad defeated 11 of the 21 teams they competed against during the season.
This was the final meet between the two Division 1 HBCU teams, as NC A&T will be discontinuing its swimming and diving program at the conclusion of the season.
Of the 13 events, the ladies from Howard placed first in five of them while dominating the distance events, placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 1,000 and the 500 free events.
In the 100 breastroke, Marina Markous (1:09:59) and Latroya Pina (1:11:17) took 1st and 2ndplace, respectively while KaSandra Kaplan and Benta Horton-Gee were the one-two punch in the 100 backstroke, capturing 1st and 2nd place.
It is important to note that two swimmers, Sydney Cooper and Mikella Henry, had personal best times, Cooper in the 200 free and Henry in the 500 free and the 100 breast.
Team captain Benta Horton-Gee secured her place in the HU history books by ranking Number 4 in the 100 IM.
While acknowledging that it was a good meet for the Bison result wise, Howard Coach Nicholas Askew noted that the times were not the fastest.
"I am however overall satisfied with how we fought through some tough swims," noted Askew. "We are beginning our taper and we are looking forward to resting more and allowing our bodies to recover from the grind of the season."
Next up for the Bison will be the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Conference Championships in Athens Georgia, February 17-20.
COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON SPORTS INFORMATION
SAU Daniel Jamieson (Middle In White) Wins 60-Meter Heat
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Saint Augustine's University men and women are both second after the first day of the CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the JDL Fast Track on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016.
The event concludes Monday, Feb. 15, with finals in the majority of the running and field events. The championship meet will now begin at 9 a.m. with the last event starting at 3:05 p.m. due to inclement weather. Admission is free. Fans can also follow the event via live stats on jdlfasttrack.com.
Results
The Falcons' men scored 15 points on Monday after three completed events. Virginia Union is the men's leader with 36 points, but the Falcons are in good shape to win a 19th consecutive championship. They placed 13 qualifiers in Monday's finals of their respective running events after Sunday's preliminary races. Four qualifiers – Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Sr./Raleigh, NC), Daniel Jamieson (Sr./Windsor, CT), Omar Johnson (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica) and Khari Herbert, Jr. (Jr./Coral Springs, FL) - are in the 200-meter finals.
The Falcons stayed within striking distance Sunday with a victory in the men's distance medley. The foursome of Shaquille Dill (Fr./Pembroke, Bermuda), Ellis, Herbert and Immanuel Hutchinson (Sr./San Jacinto, CA) was the only squad to run under 11 minutes.
The Lady Falcons scored 27 points after three completed events on the strength of Shakinah Brooks' (Jr./Raleigh, NC) victory in the women's long jump. Brooks, who won her second straight CIAA indoor long jump title, led a 1-2-3 finish in the event. Shamia Lassiter (Sr./Chesapeake, VA) and Amenze Uhunmwangho (Sr./Ebo, Nigeria) were second and third, respectively, for the Lady Falcons.
Defending champion Winston-Salem State University is the women's leader with 34 points. Johnson C. Smith University is third with 20 points. The Lady Falcons are sending eight qualifiers to Monday's finals in their respective running events.
COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVESITY SPORTS INFORMATION
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The last time the Southern and Mississippi Valley State women met, the Jaguars forced 41 turnovers and rolled to a 99-36 victory.
That was four weeks ago, and Southern isn’t expecting it to be as easy when the teams meet again at 5 p.m. Monday in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
“Everybody comes in here excited to play,” Jaguars coach Sandy Pugh said. “People love to come to Baton Rouge. People love to play at F.G. Clark. It’s a great place to play. They show up with that intensity and fire.”
Southern is 9-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and 12-9 overall. The Lady Delta Devils are 1-11 and 3-19.
The Jaguars are in third place in the SWAC, one game behind Alabama State and 1½ games behind Texas Southern.
RICHMOND, Kentucky – The Tennessee State men’s basketball team earned a thrilling 79-78 Ohio Valley Conference road victory at Eastern Kentucky at McBrayer Arena on Saturday afternoon for the Tigers first win at EKU since March 1, 2008. Redshirt senior Keron DeShields (Baltimore, Md.) scored 18 points and eclipsed 1,000 career points on the day.
TSU (18-7, 9-3 OVC), which trailed by 10 with just over 16 minutes left, stormed all the way back to take the lead for the last 6:30 of the game. Down by one with 1.9 seconds left, Jarelle Reischel’s jumper was off the mark for EKU (14-14, 5-8 OVC) as the Tigers picked up their third win in a row.
“I’m just proud of our guys to be able to come back from being down double digits on the road early in the second half,” second-year TSU Head Coach Dana Ford said. “They showed a lot of resilience and a lot of character. We snuck out a road win in February, which is great, and I couldn’t be happier.”
DeShields, who scored his 1,000th career point on a jumper from just inside the three-point arc with 11:52 left in the first half, also dished out a season-best seven assists. The Baltimore, Md. native scored 604 points in three seasons at Montana from 2011-14 before transferring to TSU.
Tahjere McCall (Philadelphia, Pa.) paced the offense with 22 points, while Xavier Richards (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) added 11. For the second game in a row, Demontez Loman (South Port, N.C.) led the rebounding effort with nine.
After trailing since the opening minutes of the game, a three from Marcus Roper (Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.) with 2:43 left before half gave the Tigers a 35-34 advantage. The Colonels closed the half on a 7-2 run to take a 41-37 halftime edge.
EKU was able to grow its lead to 10 in the first four minutes of the second half before the Tigers clawed back into the game. TSU leveled the scoring at 56-56 when McCall banked in a three as the shot clock expired with 9:35 remaining. On the next possession, McCall was fouled while shooting a three and made all three free throws for a 59-56 lead.
From there, the score remained close with TSU unable to pull away from the Colonels.
McCall, who shot 11-for-13 from the line, was fouled with 20.0 seconds left, making both for a 77-74 lead. EKU’s Paul Jackson answered with two free throws on the other end with 14.4 seconds left before DeShields knocked down two at the line with 13.6 seconds remaining for a 79-76 edge.
Reischel’s tip in with 6.0 seconds left cut the lead to 79-78, and the Colonels forced a jump ball with 1.9 seconds left to gain possession. Off the inbounds play, Reischel missed a contested jumper as the buzzer sounded.
Both teams committed 18 turnovers in the game. TSU finished 47.8 percent from the field, while EKU had a 35-31 rebounding advantage.
Ja’Mill Powell scored a game-high 25 points for the Colonels.
Up next, TSU travels to Morehead, Ky. to take on Morehead State on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. CT.
GAME NOTES: Tennessee State moves to 26-33 in the all-time series versus EKU… TSU’s last win at EKU came on March 1, 2008… TSU is 7-5 in true road games this season… TSU is 3-0 when playing a team for the second time this season… Keron DeShields (Baltimore, Md.) scored his 1,000th career point at the Division I level. DeShields scored 604 points while playing at Montana from 2011-14.
TSU Head Coach Dana Ford
“They’re very talented and they’re hard to guard man-to-man. They’re bigger than us at every position and a little bit faster and athletic, so we had to go to a little contain pressure as well as a zone just to keep the game under control.”
•On adjustments made to get the win
“It’s an incredible accomplishment for a kid who had a choice to go to a lot of different places and chose to come to Tennessee State. He’s been an unbelievable player and just unbelievable for us for the last two years. We’re happy that he could eclipse such a great mark of 1,000 career points, and we’re just happy to have him.”
•On Keron DeShields reaching 1,000 career points
TSU Guard Keron DeShields
“It was a great team win. We stuck though towards the end and to be honest, we needed that. We needed that close game experience. Most games down the stretch when you’re trying to get to the NCAA Tournament will come down to that, so we’re just glad that we got that experience today.”
•On the team’s win
“It’s a blessing. They told me I couldn’t go D-1 and look at it now. They told me I was too small and too slow, but now I scored 1,000 points, and it’s all thanks to God.
•On scoring his 1,000th career point.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University Athletics has begun the implementation of the Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP), upon the successful securing of a grant from the NCAA. The plan will improve the academic health of the athletics department and its student-athletes with additional resources, opportunities and funding.
The grant was applied for under the leadership of Joyce Ellenwood, FAMU Assistant Director of Athletics for Access & Athletic Academic Support. Ellenwood will be a key executor of the grant.
FAMU was one of nine NCAA Division I institutions awarded more than $4 million in grants to support academic programs that help student-athletes earn their degrees.
FAMU was the recipient of a multi-year Accelerating Academic Success Program Comprehensive Grant, valued at $675,000.
The comprehensive grant will be distributed over a three-year period, and used to fund academic initiatives that increase academic support services staff and tutors; enhance summer academic programs; and assist current exhausted eligibility student-athletes complete their degrees.
The comprehensive grant will be distributed over a three-year period, and used to fund academic initiatives that increase academic support services staff and tutors; enhance summer academic programs; and assist current exhausted eligibility student-athletes complete their degrees.
FAMU Director of Athletics, Milton Overton, feels this is a significant step in the right direction. “I want to thank the collective efforts of President Mangum and the campus Oversight Committee for committing the matching funds and personnel resources necessary to build an award-winning NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) Grant Proposal. The University presented a first-class AASP Proposal to the NCAA against a competitive field of applicants to yield a striking victory on behalf of our student-athletes and coaches. We are looking forward to putting the resources to work in an effort to 'Build Champions in the Classroom, on the Field and in Life'. The NCAA and the University have made a financial commitment to ensure our student-athletes have the resources that they need to be successful in the classroom, and I will follow their lead by making a $5,000 personal contribution to the Academic Enhancement Success Fund. I encourage everyone in Rattler Nation to join us in 'Building Champions on the hill through academic excellence and integrity,” he said.
This grant will also help FAMU in improving the academic success of its student-athletes, with the ultimate goal being to support the school’s efforts to meet the requirements of the Division I Academic Performance Program, which was developed to ensure schools provide an environment that supports education while enhancing the ability of student-athletes to earn a degree.
Schools can request a maximum of $300,000 per year for three years. The participating schools are required to match grant dollars each year of the program, with either direct funds and/or in-kind contributions. In the first year, the school must commit a 25-percent match, 50 percent in year two and 75 percent in year three.
The announced awards mark the third round of Accelerating Academic Success Program funding distributed by the NCAA.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Kenya Pereira pitched five innings of relief to lead FAMU past Lipscomb, 4-3.
GULF SHORES, Alabama – The FAMU Women’s Softball team continued their early season success here at the 2016 Sand Dollar Classic Saturday evening, holding off a late Lipscomb (Tenn.) University rally for a 4-3 victory.
Junior pitching ace Kenya Pereira (2-0) came on in relief of FAMU starter Veronica Burse in the third, pitching four scoreless innings until the bottom of the seventh, when she yielded a run to Lipscomb before closing out the game. Pereira finished with one run allowed in five innings, scattering four hits, with two strikeouts and a walk.
FAMU (3-0) finished the game with seven hits to six for Lipscomb (0-3), led by Amber Fullwood with three hits and two runs scored; Toni Anderson with two hits and two RBIs, and Kieffi Myrick, who socked a solo home run in the game Saturday.
The Rattlers took a 1-0 lead in the first before Lipscomb tied it in the bottom of the frame. LU scored a run in the bottom of the second off Burse to take a 2-1 lead, before FAMU scored single runs in the top of the third, fourth and fifth to retake the lead at 4-2.
WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU was scheduled to face SWAC member Jackson (Miss.) State at 7:30 Eastern Saturday evening, as will close the tournament Sunday morning at 9:00 against Houston Baptist.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
LANGSTON, Oklahoma – The No. 20 Langston Lady Lions keep humming along, this time knocking off Paul Quinn College 79-46 Saturday night at C.F. Gayles Gymnasium.
Aided by a career-night from Che'Ron Lewis (JR/Cushing, OK), the Lady Lions built a 35-21 halftime lead before leading by as many as 33 points in the second half to grab their 17th win on the season.
Lewis was simple a machine on offensive and defensive side.
The junior forward finished with a season-high 33 points, 13 boards, two blocks and three steals. Over her last three games she's averaged 28.3 points per game.
T'Keya Mason (SR/Long Beach, CA) scored 12 points and Darreion Clark (JR/Tulsa, OK) added 11 for Langston, who have won eight of their last ten games.
The Lady Lions shot 38 percent (27-of-70) from the field and held Paul Quinn to 34 percent (20-of-58); Langston also forced 23 turnovers and combined connect of 20-of-26 free throw attempts.
Langston (17-4) travels to take on Huston-Tillotson on Friday, Feb. 19. The Lady Lions are back home on Tuesday, Feb. 23 against the University of the Southwest.
LANGSTON, Oklahoma -- There simply was no stopping the high-flying No. 12 Langston Lions Saturday night as the Lions picked up their 19th win in a 100-55 rout of Paul Quinn at C.F. Gayles Gymnasium.
Tied at 7-7 early on, the Loins used an 11-point swing to grab an 18-7 lead and never looked back.
Langston shot 52 percent in the first half to take a 51-25 lead. Curtis Jones scored 19 and Terrell Jones had eight points and six boards before the break.
Jones finished with a team-high 29 points; Renard Green scored 16 points, Latarius Lloyd and Terrell Jones added 10 points apiece for the Lions, who have 10 of their last 12.
The Lions shot 50 percent (39-of-77) from the field while holding the Tigers to 29 percent (18-of-61); Langston also managed to knock down 11 three-pointers and combined to go 11-of-18 from the charity stripe.
Langston (19-5) travels to take on Huston-Tillotson on Friday, Feb. 19. The Lions return home on Tuesday, Feb. 23 against the University of the Southwest.
ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana — LSU-Alexandria defeated Xavier University of Louisiana 6-3 Saturday in women's tennis to end the Gold Nuggets' 21-dual win streak against unranked NAIA opponents.
Xavier (1-2), ranked 11th, had not lost to an unranked NAIA opponent since a 5-0 defeat against Milligan in the semifinals of an unaffiliated group tournament on April 30, 2011.
Jana van der Walt and Tess Guarino, at No. 2 doubles, gave the Gold Nuggets their only lead when they defeated Liz Arens and Ariadna Cabezas 8-4 in the first completed match. The Generals (3-3), a 2015 NAIA National Championship qualifier, won the other two doubles matches and 4-of-6 in singles.
Ariadna Cabezas clinched for LSUA with a 7-5, 6-4 victory against Vashni Balleste at the sixth singles flight. Winning singles matches for Xavier were Brandi Nelson, 6-3, 6-3 against Betsabet Vasquez at No. 3, and Sha'Nel Bruins, 6-1, 6-0 against Paula Gordilla at No. 4.
Nelson is 3-0 in singles during the spring semester. Bruins played about 25 miles from her hometown of Colfax, La. Guarino's victory was her first since enrolling at Xavier in January.
"LSUA played well and deserved to win," XU coach Alan Green said. "We have a lot of work to do and a long way to go."
Xavier's women and men will travel to Thibodaux, La., Sunday to play NCAA Division I's Nicholls State at 1 p.m. The starting time of those duals was pushed back two hours.
WEST LAFAYETTE & BLOOMINGTON, Indiana -- The Lincoln women's indoor track & field team, ranked No. 1 in the country, had another big weekend, as the Blue Tigers posted 27 top-10 results between two Division I meets.
Diana Cauldwell had a pair of second-place finishes in the field events, posting a top distance of 5.78m in the long jump and a top mark of 12.09m in the triple jump. In the former event, Tina Coombs finished fourth (5.50m), Adewumi Ademuwagun took sixth (5.38m) and Lexanna Morgan came in ninth (5.02m). In the triple jump, Jonelle Campbell placed third (11.69m) and Coombs finished sixth (11.08m).
Yanique Ellington, the reigning MIAA Women's Track Athlete of the Week, had a pair of great finishes, including taking third in the 60m dash at 7.58. Kimberly Bailey placed fifth in that event with a time of 7.73 while Ademuwagun finished sixth in 7.88. Ellington also claimed a fifth-place result in the 200m, timing in at 24.70, while Bailey finished eighth at 25.42.
The Blue Tigers dominated the 400m, claiming five of the event's top-10 finishes. Baker had the best result, taking fourth in 56.20, while Williams came in fifth (56.78) and Brown placed sixth (57.40). Rose ended the race in ninth (1:00.13) and Shaw took 10th (1:00.56). Meanwhile, in the 800m, Hall (2:12.34), Clarke (2:17.00) and Thompson (2:18.33) placed third, fifth and sixth, respectively.
Lincoln also sent four athletes to compete in the distance medley at the Hoosier Hills meet, hosted by Indiana University on Friday (Feb. 12). The foursome of Thompson, Brown, Clarke and Hall came in third place after clocking in at 12:08.88. Brown also ran in the 400m, finishing eighth in 58.32.
Up next for the Blue Tigers is the Missouri Collegiate Challenge, hosted by the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. on Feb. 19.
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri -- Anthony Virdure and Jaylon Smith combined to score 49 points and Richie Lewis added 17 as the Lincoln men's basketball team rallied from a halftime deficit to beat Emporia State, 76-70, on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 13). The win, coupled with a road victory over the Hornets back on Jan. 2, gives Lincoln a season sweep over Emporia State, its first MIAA sweep since 2011-12.
Virdure was 7-for-14 from the floor and 2-for-3 from three-point range and Smith hit five treys, including three early in the second half to help the Blue Tigers rally from a five-point halftime deficit to tie the game at 49. The most important play of the game, however, was likely made by Lewis, who helped LU take a four-point advantage on an old-fashioned three-point play with 40 seconds remaining.
Lincoln (13-11, 9-9 MIAA) and Emporia State (11-13, 8-10 MIAA) played a back-and-forth game up until that final 40 seconds, with the contest featuring eight ties and six lead changes. The final tie came with 2:24 remaining, as a trey by ESU's Jay Temaat squared the game at 68-all. A little over a minute later, Virdure went 1-for-2 at the free throw line to give LU a one-point lead, and O'Shai Clark pulled down a rebound on the ensuing possession to get the ball back to the Blue Tigers. Lewis then took over, waiting until the play clock dipped under 10 seconds before driving through the lane and hitting a huge layup. Emporia State was called for a foul on the play, and Lewis made the charity shot to put Lincoln ahead, 72-68.
The Blue Tigers forced a stop on the Hornets' next possession and were sent to the line, where LU missed both shots. Lincoln ended up getting a big offensive rebound, however, and Virdure made a free throw to give the Blue Tigers a five-point cushion. LU hit three more shots at the line down the stretch while allowing just a late layup by the Hornets in the waning seconds of the game.
Virdure ended his night with 25 points, four rebounds while Smith finished with 24 points and six boards. Both players also had a steal and an assist. Lewis, meanwhile, also grabbed six rebounds and dished a team-high three assists while recording four steals.
Rod Ollison added five points, five boards and a steal while Clark scored three points and Tacourrus Mattox added two. Clark also recorded a block and an assist and tied for the team-high with six rebounds. Aaron Spudich provided a pair of assists while DeAnthony Wilson and Alexander Nailes also saw time on the court for LU.
The Blue Tigers return to the road for their next two games, starting on Thursday (Feb. 18) when Lincoln plays at Nebraska-Kearney at 7:30 p.m. CST.
INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- West Virginia State University (WVSU) Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Sean Loyd has stepped down as Athletic Director effective January 16, 2016, in order to solely focus his efforts on WVSU's baseball program. WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. made the announcement following a request from Loyd to resign his administrative leadership of the athletic programs in order to pursue his passion for coaching baseball on a full-time basis.
A native West Virginian and alum of West Virginia State, Loyd became an Assistant Baseball Coach in 1994 before being named Head Coach in Waiting in 2013 and Head Baseball Coach in 2014. Additionally, Loyd has served in a dual role as WVSU's Athletic Director since 2008.
"Without question, Sean is a highly dedicated and very loyal member of the State family. He has faithfully served his alma mater with immense pride, while selflessly dedicating his efforts to providing a solid foundation on which our student-athletes excel in and out of the classroom," President Hemphill said. "Since becoming President in 2012, I have witnessed first-hand Sean's dedication to students, faculty, staff, and the local community. His leadership was instrumental in the construction of the D. Stephen and Diane H. Walker Convocation Center and the Gregory V. Monroe Athletic Complex, as well as the University's transition from the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) to the Mountain East Conference (MEC). He is highly regarded as a leader on campus, within the community he serves, and across the state."
During Loyd's 22-year coaching career at West Virginia State, he has experienced much success at the individual player and team levels. He coached 46 hitters who have been selected to the All-Conference team, including eight who were honored as conference Hitter of the Year and 11 who were named All-Americans. He also coached eight hitters who have signed Major League Baseball contracts. Loyd has been a part of 12 NCAA tournament bids, including two Division II World Series appearances in 1999 and 2005, and 10 conference championships, including a second consecutive MEC championship victory in Loyd's first year as Head Coach. Loyd also spearheaded the creation of "The Bullpen," the fundraising and alumni arm of WVSU's baseball program.
In order to ensure a smooth transition, President Hemphill has appointed Nate Burton as WVSU's Interim Athletic Director. Burton currently serves as WVSU's Director of Development focusing his efforts on the University's fundraising activities, including, but not limited to, the University's athletic programs and related events. "With a strong professional background and extensive experience with intercollegiate athletics, I am confident Nate will provide strong leadership for the University's athletic programs and student-athletes," said President Hemphill.
Prior to joining WVSU in October 2014, Burton served as the Assistant Director for Athletic Development – The Seahawk Club at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Burton was responsible for planning, developing, and implementing fundraising initiatives for athletic scholarships. He assisted with the creation and implementation of the Dub Club initiative, which allowed supporters to form their own "Dub Club" based on common interests, and Club's competed throughout the year to raise scholarship funds for UNCW Athletics. This initiative raised over $325,000, helping the Seahawk Club increase its fundraising more than 40 percent over the previous year. Burton also worked with volunteer leadership and coordinated the Seahawk Club benefits program.
Burton also served as the Assistant Director of External Relations – Athletics at High Point University. During his tenure at High Point University, he assisted with sponsorships for regional businesses and supported the Panther Club's annual fundraising efforts. Burton oversaw all marketing, including materials and game day operations, for baseball, women's basketball, volleyball, women's soccer, and women's lacrosse.
He also worked at Clemson University, where he served as the IPTAY Scholarship Fund Intern in the Athletic Department. He assisted in soliciting members and managing of the IPTAY Collegiate Club, the IPTAY Rewards Program, and the IPTAY Discount Program. Burton hosted donor events, including the 2012 BCS Discover Orange Bowl. Other responsibilities included creating and implementing the marketing plan for the 2011 men's and women's soccer season. During that season, Clemson's soccer team set a new regular-season attendance record for a men's soccer game of 7,423. Home attendance for men's soccer games was ranked 10th nationally (20th in 2010).
Burton began his career as a graduate assistant for the Big Green Scholarship Foundation at Marshall University, where he earned a master's degree in Sports Management in December 2011. At Marshall, Burton assisted with daily operations and provided support to the Director with the Football Enhancement Fund and Tip-Off Club. Burton also planned special events and worked directly with donors on logistics, including ticketing and game day arrangements.
A 2009 graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, Burton was a four-year starter on the men's basketball team. In 2008-09, Burton helped lead the team to a 20-10 overall record for the program's second 20-win season. That year ended with Washington and Jefferson College winning the ECAC Division III championship. Burton has two children, Arabella and Sean, and resides in South Charleston.
COURTESY WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
SALISBURG, North Carolina -- The Johnson C. Smith University had five players score in double figures and outscoring Livingstone 15-7 in overtime to take a key 85-78 CIAA Southern Division road win at Trent Gym in Salisbury, N.C. on Saturday afternoon.
JCSU freshman A'Diyah Ussery (Shelby, N.C.) finished with a game-high 22 points while junior Krista White (Dayton, Ohio) contributed 13. Sophomore guard Asha Jordan (Monroe, N.C.) had 12 while Larryqua Hall (Atlanta, Ga.) and Quinesha Lynch (Rocky Mount, N.C.) each had 10. The win improves JCSU to 15-10 overall, 8-6 in CIAA play and 4-4 in Southern Division play but more importantly, pulls the Golden Bulls into a four-way tie for second place in the division.
In the first quarter, the Blue Bears jumped ahead 11-4 out of the gate, but JCSU quickly rebounded to tie the score at 11-11, the second tie of the game. After JCSU took a slim one point lead at the end of the quarter (15-14), Livingstone would regain the lead and hold it until the second of two White free throws at the 3:43 mark tied the contest for the fifth time. Neither team could stretch out a significant lead with Livingstone going into the halftime break with a 30-27 advantage.
In the third quarter, JCSU made a move, bolting to a 51-43 lead following two free throws from Hall with 2:40 left. Livingstone would cut the lead to five points on two occasions, the latter being a 54-49 cushion at the end of the third quarter.
JCSU would then take its largest lead of the afternoon and nine points (66-57) when Jordan splashed down a three pointer with 4:37 to play. Livingstone would then go on a 13-5 spurt that forced the 10th tie of the game, thanks to a Brittany Taylor three pointer that brought the score to 70-70 with 33 seconds left. JCSU would have a chance to take the lead back with four seconds remaining, but White missed two free throw attempts, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra stanza, JCSU quickly jumped to a five point lead at 79-74 with 2:29 left after an
Ashley Porter (Winston-Salem, N.C.) layup. Livingstone would get a three pointer from Ariana De'Jesus that trimmed the JCSU lead to two points at 79-77, but they could get no closer and JCSU hit 6-of-10 free throws down the stretch to provide the 85-78 final.
The Golden Bulls will return home for the first of two consecutive home games to end the regular season, hosting Winston-Salem State on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Brayboy Gym. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game, as JCSU will host the annual Pink Games to benefit Susan G. Komen Charlotte.
