A&T's Robinson Announces Latest Recruiting Class

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The women’s basketball program at North Carolina A&T has earned the reputation of being one of the best teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and one of the best mid-majors in America. In the MEAC, the Aggies have finished lower than second just twice in the last nine years and below third just once in the same time period.

Five of those players who have helped the Aggies further that tradition under fourth-year head coach Tarrell Robison will leave after this season, therefore Robinson and his staff wasted no time in bringing in new players to take the program to even higher levels. The Aggies singed five players during the early signing period. It is a diverse class that includes a forward, shooting guard, center, combo guard and point guard.

Le’on Hill (6-foot-2, F, Columbia, S.C., Keenan HS), Kiara Harrison (5-10, G, Greensboro, N.C., Dudley HS), Alexus “Shugg” Lessears (6-5, C, Cleveland, Ohio, Shaw HS), Cinia McCray (5-9, G, Maywood, Ill., Proviso East HS) and Shantell Bostick (5-7, G, Cleveland, Ohio, New Tech East HS) makes up N.C. A&T’s recruiting class. “I would like to congratulate my staff and current players for the excellent job they did this year with securing one of the most talented and academically-gifted classes we’ve had in my tenure as head coach at this university,” said Robinson.

Hill averaged 8.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks as a junior under head coach Reggie McLain. She was second in the state of South Carolina in blocked shots, and her AAU team is IDreams. Robinson foresees Hill as a do-it-all defender while the staff develops her into a small forward. Hill can play both forward positions and enjoys playing defense.

PHOTO GALLERY

HIGH SCHOOL COACHES COMMENTS ON AGGIE RECRUITS

“What more can a coach ask for in an athlete?” asked Robinson. “She’s also an excellent student. Le’on will give us added length and athleticism on the interior and the perimeter next year. I envision her being on the top of all our single front presses and zones. She will also be someone ideally we see becoming a defensive stopper for us.”

Harrison is putting up some impressive numbers at nearby Dudley High School, where she averaged 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per game under head coach Frank McNeil last season. Harrison is member of the Greensboro Galaxy AAU team. Robinson said she can play all three perimeter positions with a smooth handle and court vision to go with it.

“It’s always great to keep local talent home,” said Robinson. “In Kiara’s situation, we not only kept the local talent home, we also lured one of the best players in the state of North Carolina to Aggieland. As she continues to get stronger in terms of her strength, her ceiling is very high. She too is a scholar athlete.”

Lessears looks to follow behind some of the outstanding bigs the Aggies have had in the program lately. She averaged 13.0 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals under head coach Dana Jeter in Ohio. TNBA is Lessears’ AAU team. Lessears has a chance to be the replacement for two-time All-MEAC center Aprill McRae. Robison wanted Lessears from Day 1.

“That makes signing Shugg so special,” said Robinson. “We knew we had to recruit someone of equal ability to impact the game as Aprill has done during her career.”

She chose the Aggies over numerous BCS level institutions. She is known for being a dominating inside presence on both ends. Like the other Aggie signees, she loves to play defense, but she has an unbelievable ability to rebound and block shots.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

2015 SWAC Football Championship -- Dec. 5

Bayou Classic: Dawson Odums, Broderick Fobbs play up the Southern-Grambling rivalry

NEW ORLEANS -- The Bayou Classic rivalry is alive and well.

It’s not that the rivalry between Southern and Grambling ever faded, but both football programs did experience hard times in the recent past.

That was before Dawson Odums’ promotion to Jaguars head coach two games into the 2012 season and Broderick Fobbs’ hiring as Tigers coach in the wake of a disastrous 2013 season triggered a resurgence in both programs.

Bayou Classic
Who: Southern vs. Grambling
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
TV: NBC Sports Network
Radio: KQXL-FM, 106.5

And for good measure, both coaches threw a little good-natured trash talking into the mix during a news conference Tuesday to promote Saturday’s 42nd edition of the Bayou Classic in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

In his remarks from the podium in the Bienville Room, Fobbs called what the Tigers have accomplished on and off the field this season “stellar.”

CONTINUE READING

Southern tops Dillard

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Tuesday night wasn’t another milestone win against a major conference opponent, but it was a win, and that’s all that matters for Southern.

After coming out on top against Mississippi State and Tulane last week, the Jaguars cruised to a 79-65 victory over NAIA member Dillard at home, extending their win streak to three games.

“We worked thorough it tonight,” Southern coach Roman Banks said. “I was concerned about getting out there and have them thinking they were just going to wash this team, and this team is actually a pretty good basketball team.”

Dillard came out in a zone defense all night, which forced Southern into shooting more from the outside.

The Jaguars shot more from behind the 3-point line in the first half of Tuesday night’s outing (20) than it had in any full game this season.

Southern finished the half shooting 25 percent from 3-point territory, led by guards Trelun Banks and Adrian Rodgers with a pair of field goals beyond the arc each.

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4-0: AAMU Bulldogs hold off Jacksonville State

JACKSONVILLE, Alabama -- The Bulldogs held off a furious comeback attempt by Jacksonville State to take a 73-69 win over the Gamecocks on Tuesday.

It was the fourth straight win for the Bulldogs to open the season.

Ladarius Tabb has 26 points and Nick West and Rakiya Battle each scored 13. Adrian Edwards scored 8 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

The Bulldogs had a 41-35 lead at the half and went on a 11-2 run for a 52-37 lead with just under 15 minutes left in the game.

But over the next 8 1/2 minutes, the Gamecocks grabbed the momentum as they outscored A&M 23-8 to tie the score at 60-all.

The Bulldogs battled back to hold leads of two and three points until the two teams were tied at 67-67 with just 56 seconds to play.

Battle then took over, hitting a layup, getting fouled and converting the and-one for a 70-67 lead. The junior guard made three of four free throws in the final 12 seconds to secure the win.

The Bulldogs return to action Saturday when they visit Murray State. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ram Ramblings: Championships the norm this fall at WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- It’s kind of funny how athletes at WSSU are afraid to say something to me that might come back to haunt them.

For instance, it’s hard to get a football player to brag about the accomplishments of coming out of nowhere to win the CIAA title. But when it comes to Twitter those shy athletes become bolder and bolder in their proclamations.

Take Will Johnson, the All-CIAA punter/kicker who made the game-winning field goal in the title game against Bowie State on the last play of the game. I’ve known Johnson for three years now and he’s polite during interviews and isn’t about to say anything that might end up as bulletin board material.

Soon after the CIAA volleyball team won its first conference title in that sport on Sunday Johnson couldn’t help himself. On Twitter he proclaimed that WSSU runs the CIAA.

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Big wins, two close conference losses tell the story of 2015 S.C. State Bulldogs football season

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- It was quite the odd and interesting season for the South Carolina State football team.

They started the season in a sprint, playing three games in 12 days, before having a bye week and then running through three games in 15 days.

Outscoring their final two opponents by a combined tally of 69-39 in back-to-back road games didn’t make up for the Bulldogs dropping a 9-6 home game to North Carolina A&T the first week of November. A win against the Aggies would have given them a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship.

That opportunity left, but those final two wins did make it a winning season with a 7-4 overall record and a 6-2 record in MEAC play.

“It’s sad, but it’s true,” SCSU head football coach Buddy Pough said in his season-ending press conference on Monday. “We’re done and the 2015 season is behind us.

“We’ve been somewhat successful, but I wish we’d done more.”

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McCall focused on ASU Braves, not JSU coaching job

JACKSON, Mississippi -- There's a chance Saturday's game against Alcorn State could be Jackson State interim coach Derrick McCall's last contest as the Tigers' head man.

There's also the chance it might not be.

McCall, who has aspirations of being a head coach permanently, realizes this but also knows it is out of his hands as JSU (3-7, 3-5 SWAC) prepares for the "Soul Bowl" against in-state rival and SWAC East champion Alcorn State (7-3, 6-2) at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“I think it’s any coach’s dream to become a head football coach. What an opportunity it would be for me to be sitting in this (seat) permanently, but I don’t control that of course," McCall said at his weekly press conference on Monday. “Only thing I can do is go out here and try to get these kids prepared to play and get them to play above themselves … that’s been my only focus up to this point. I haven’t really been thinking about anything beyond this last ball game.”

The Tigers enter this week fresh off two consecutive losses. The latest was a blowout defeat, 56-14, at the hands of Prairie View A&M, which dropped McCall's record to 2-3 since he's taken over.

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Week 12: Grambling State Takes Over Top Spot in HSRN FCS Football Poll

HARTLEY, Delaware – Grambling State University moved into the top spot following North Carolina A&T's loss to North Carolina Central last weekend. The Tigers, who were idle last weekend, moved up from the #2 spot they had claimed for several weeks.

First place votes were distributed between GSU, N.C. A&T and Bethune-Cookman, but Grambling State accumulated enough total points to take over the #1 position

Division I/FCS

A&T's loss caused some shuffling of positions with Alabama State returning to the top 10 thanks to their homecoming victory over SIAC Champion Miles College. Tennessee State dropped out of the top 10.

Division II/NAIA

Voting for this week's poll has been suspended until the end of the playoffs.

About HSRN:
HSRN (Heritage Sports Radio Network) is the national leader in live radio broadcasts of mid-major athletics. HSRN combines innovative programming and production with a vast broadcast network. The SiriusXM platform avails partners of HSRN exposure on the world's largest radio broadcaster as measured by revenue and exposure to 28.3 million subscribers. In addition to SiriusXM, HSRN is available on terrestrial radio affiliates, smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at HSRN.com.

Second half burst carries Coppin past Chestnut Hill

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Terry Harris led five players in double figures with his fourth consecutive double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) to lead Coppin State to a 92-75 conquest of visiting Chestnut Hill College in a non-conference men's basketball game at the Physical Education Complex Monday night.

Through four games, Harris is averaging 18.0 points and 10.5 rebounds. He is tied for the national lead in double-doubles with Georgia Tech's Charles Mitchell and FIU's Adrian Diaz. They all have four double-doubles this season. Harris also entered Monday's game ranked 44th nationally in rebounding.

Junior Christian Kessee also scored 17 points for the Eagles, who raised their overall record to 2-2 by defeating their second consecutive opponent from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). Keith Shivers and James Sylvester added 13 points. Josh Treadwell reached double digits for the third straight game with 10 points.

Coppin State also discovered its touch from deep as it made a season-best nine 3-pointers.

While the offense was solid scoring 46 points in each half, Coppin State did its best work on the defensive end especially in the second half during a game-altering 25-4 blitz over an eight-minute stretch of the second half that gave the Eagles the separation they needed to subdue the feisty Griffins (1-3 overall).

"Coach was pretty upset with us at halftime because we had allowed 40 points," Harris said. "He challenged us and told us to pick up the intensity. We still have some room to grow as a team, but I think we can have a good season if we stay focused and continue to play smart."

Clinging to a 50-47 edge with 16 minutes remaining, Jerimyjah Batts started the burst with a follow-up basket and Trevon Seymore capped it with a deep 3-pointer that swelled Coppin State's bulge to 75-51.

During this brilliant stretch of hoops, Coppin State applied a tourniquet and locked Chestnut Hill up in a straitjacket. In 14 consecutive Chestnut Hill possessions, Coppin State forced eight turnovers and four missed shots during that eight-minute stretch of defensive dominance. At times it appeared as if Coppin State had seven players on the floor as Chestnut Hill was flummoxed trying to bring the ball up against the Eagles' incessant pressure.

"I think we are getting better defensively," Treadwell said. "Tonight everything started with our defense and we stepped up our pressure especially in the full-court. We were in the right spots which helped fuel our offense. It was good to defend like that for a sustained stretch of the second half because it shows our potential."

Chestnut Hill, which scored the first seven points of the contest, threw down four dunks and was led in scoring by Luke Dickson's 15 points. However, he scored four points over the final 33 minutes of the game. Shivers did a terrific job on the Griffins' leading scorer during the second half.

Coppin State finishes its three-game homestand with a contest against local rival Towson Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Morgan State Bears Withstand Late Push, Down Goldey-Beacom, 66-62

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Sophomore forward Phillip Carr recorded his first career double double with 14 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, hitting key free throws in the final 14 seconds, to help the Bears preserve a 66-62 home opener win against Division II Goldey-Beacom Monday night.

Andre Horne Jr. had 15 points and Tyler Streeter added 12 to improve the Bears record to 2-3. Freshman guard Martez Cameron posted a game-high six assists.

Goldey-Beacom (0-5) had three players that scored in double digits – Shakeem Wilson (13), Daniel Cooper and Elijah Tillman (10).

The Lightning shot 41 percent (25-61) from the field and hit 9-of-23 (.319 pct.) 3-pointers.

Morgan State led 63-50 following a pair of free throws by Carr with just over a minute remaining in the contest. However, the Lightning were not ready to throw in the towel. GBC mounted a 10-0 run punctuated by a 3-pointer and a steal by Jarrell Lane that led to a 3-pointer by Shakeem Wilson to trim the Bears lead to 63-60 with 14.8 seconds to go.

Carr was sent to the line in the final seconds where he connected on 3 of 4 free throws to seal the Bears to its second straight win.

The Bears finished the game shooting 20-of-28 from the free throw line and scored 19 points on second chance opportunities, and 20 pointsBO off of 17 GBC turnovers.

MSU led 33-28 in the first half.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Daniel Scores 30 in Howard Win Over Texas Southern

LAS VEGAS, Nevada  --  James "J-Byrd" Daniel poured in a game-high 30 points, but it was the contributions of some unusual suspects that proved to be the difference as Howard University defeated Texas Southern University 87-81 in the Men Who Speak Up tournament at the MGM Grand. With the victory, the Bison advance to the championship round of the Middleweight Division against the University of Central Arkansas on Wednesday at 6 pm.

"This was a gritty, physical game that showed me that this team can deal with and win in adverse situations," said Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry.

Daniel, the nation's leading scorer coming into the game at 28.7 per game, did his usual, tallying 18 of his points in the first half to give his team a 47-42 advantage at the half. His backcourt mate, James "JT" Miller, who was averaging 20 points per game, got into early foul trouble and was never a factor as he fouled out with 5 points.

So the Bison (2-2) needed someone to step up and boy did they get it from the junior trio of Damon Collins, Tyler Stone and Marcel Boyd.

Collins picked up the slack, tallying nine of his career-high 17 points in the first 20 minutes while Boyd chipped in with 8 of his 10 points as Howard led by as many as 13 before the Tigers (0-4) would make a run to narrow the gap at the intermission.

"Daniel really got us going early and gave us some confidence," said Nickelberry. "Collins and Boyd took it from there, Boyd inside and Collins from the outside

The Bison were able to maintain control early in the second half despite Daniel going scoreless for more than 10 minutes. That is when Stone and Solomon "Solo" Mangham began to make their presence felt. Stone scored all 10 of his points in the second half with 8 of 9 coming from the free throw line. He also grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots in one of his more productive all-around performances.

Mangham, who finished with 8 points off the bench, knocked down a big three when Texas Southern got close and had actually taken the lead.

The Bison would close out the win as Daniel converted on 5 of 6 free throws and Boyd scored on a tip-in off an inbounds play with a second left on the shot clock.

"This was one of those games where we were in control early and found a way to win with major foul trouble, especially with Miller," noted Nickelberry. "We had a lot of guys step up in the second half and not allow us to lose this game. Tyler made some huge plays down the stretch on offense and defense including some big free throws."

It was also a team effort on the boards as Boyd led the way with 8 while Collins and Stone each had 6 and Kofi Andoh with 5 off the bench.

The Tigers were led by Malcolm Riley with 26, David Blanks with 17 and Jose Rodriguez and Orlando Coleman with 13 each.

GAME NOTES: There were a total of 57 fouls called and 76 free throws attempted…Daniel has now scored 30 or more points for the third time in four games…the talented junior, who came into the game, second in the country in steals, added three more to his stat line to go along with 3 assists in 37 minutes of play.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON SPORTS INFORMATION

North Alabama Hosts Tuskegee in Second Round of Playoffs

 UNA Head Football Coach Bobby Wallace and Tuskegee Head Coach Willie Slater
 prior to 2013 playoff meeting

FLORENCE, Alabama -- The University of North Alabama will host Tuskegee University Saturday (November 28) in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs at Braly Municipal Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11:30 AM Central Time.

Both teams bring 9-2 records into the contest, with UNA coming off a 50-7 home win over Newberry in the opening round of the playoffs and Tuskegee having downed Catawba 26-16 on the road.

It will be the second meeting in the playoffs between UNA and Tuskegee in the last three seasons. The Lions downed the Golden Tigers 30-27 in Florence in the opening round of the 2013 playoffs in Tuskegee's first-ever NCAA Playoff game. The win last weekend over Catawba was the first playoff win for the Tuskegee program in three tries.

North Alabama and Tuskegee have faced two common opponents this season in Miles College and UNC Pembroke. UNA defeated Miles 34-17 in its season opener in Birmingham and downed UNC Pembroke 62-28 on October 17. Tuskegee lost to both schools, falling 29-17 at UNC Pembroke and 26-23 at home against Miles.

The game features the two winningest collegiate football programs in the state of Alabama, by percentage, since 1990. UNA has a 222-86-1 record over the last 26 seasons for a 72.0 winning percentage. Tuskegee is 203-84-1 for a 70.6 percentage. Alabama is third at 69.7 and Auburn is fourth at 67.1.

North Alabama and Tuskegee are coached by two of the most successful coaches in Division II football history. UNA's Bobby Wallace has a 115-48-1 record in his 14 years at the school, leading the Lions to nine NCAA Playoff appearances and three NCAA Division II National Championships. He already holds membership in the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Division II Football Hall of Fame.

Tuskegee is coached by former UNA offensive coordinator Willie Slater who helped lead the Lions to their three NCAA Division II National Championships in the 1990s under Bobby Wallace. Slater was also an assistant on Wallace's staff at Temple. Slater was offensive coordinator at UNA from 1992-99. Slater has a stellar 90-23 record in his 10 seasons as Tuskegee's head coach. Tuskegee has won nine games in eight of Slater's 10 years at the school.



UNA is led offensively by senior quarterback Luke Wingo of Tuscaloosa who will be starting his 37th game for the Lions on Saturday. He has a 26-10 record as a starter and has led UNA to three straight GSC titles and three straight NCAA Playoff appearances. He has thrown for 2,958 yards and 25 touchdowns this season and now has 8,129 career passing yards with 60 TD passes. Wingo was named GSC Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 and is a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II National Player of the Year.

UNA averages 38.5 points and 485.4 yards per game this season on offense and boast one of the nation's top defenses against the pass, allowing just 155 yards through the air per game.

Tuskegee is led by a defense that has allowed just 15.8 points per game this season.The Golden Tigers have allowed just 23 touchdowns in 11 games this season. Quarterback Kevin Lacey has thrown for 1,683 yards and 13 touchdowns and a balanced rushing attack is led by Dennis Norfleet who has 616 yards and two scores.

UNA is 3-0 all-time against Tuskegee. The Lions downed the Golden Tigers 26-7 at Tuskegee in 1979, then defeated the Golden Tigers 25-13 the following year in Florence. The two schools met in the first round of the 2013 Division II Playoffs in Florence with UNA winning 30-27.

North Alabama has a 41-5-1 record all-time against teams from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. UNA's last loss to an SIAC team was 17-10 to Albany State in Albany in the 1996 season-opener. The Lions have a current seven-game winning streak against SIAC institutions.

Ticket Sales
UNA season ticket holders will have until Wednesday at noon to claim their same seats for the playoff game. All other tickets go on sale on Monday at 8 a.m. at the UNA Ticket Office. There will be no on-line sales until Wednesday at 1 p.m.. Tickets are $15 for bench-back reserved seats and prime bench area. Other seats are $10 each and student tickets are $5.

The UNA Ticket Office will be open Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 8-12 on Wednesday. The office will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving but will re-open Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.



COURTESY UNA PRESS RELEASE

PVAMU Marching Storm vs. Jackson State Sonic Boom - 2015

ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

VIDEOGRAPHER: ZymbalistiK

Eva Patterson-Heath Announces Retirement as FSU Head Women's Basketball Coach

Eva Patterson-Heath recorded
 an overall record of 91-76
 in six season at FSU, along
with  three CIAA Tournament
 Finals appearances
 and one CIAA Championship

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Eva Patterson-Heath, a native of Red Springs, NC, has decided to retire just before starting her seventh season as the women’s basketball head coach. She directed the Lady Broncos to three 20-win records in her previous six seasons and to three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament finals. Fayetteville State won the CIAA tournament title in Patterson-Heath's first season (2009-2010) and advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament.

“It is time, I announce my decision to retire from coaching basketball at Fayetteville State University,” said Patterson-Heath. “I want to thank Chancellor James A. Anderson and previous Athletic Director Dr. Edward McLean for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level. I also would like to thank the young women throughout my career who committed themselves to aspire for greatness. I want to wish the University, Mr. Anthony Bennett, Director of FSU Athletics and the women's basketball program much success going forward.”

Before coming to FSU, Patterson-Heath produced a 503-128 record in 24 years as head girls' basketball coach at Red Springs High School. She leaves Fayetteville State with an overall coaching record of 91-76 and winning percentage of .545. Patterson-Heath ranks second all-time in coaching victories and third in winning percentage.

Fayetteville State University Department of Athletics has announced Walter Mebane as the interim head women’s basketball coach, effective November 20, 2015. Mebane has served as the associate head coach for five seasons at FSU.

Mebane served as the interim head coach of the Winston-Salem State University women’s basketball program to conclude the 2009-10 season. He also spent five seasons as head coach at Division I Hampton University.

“I would first like to thank Dr. Anderson and Mr. Bennett for entrusting me with this program during this time of change,” said Mebane. “Our program is prepared to roll up our sleeves and go to work. Our goal is make the University, our supporters, and the city of Fayetteville proud with our effort on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.”

“The department of athletics has complete confidence and will fully support Coach Mebane as he transitions into the leadership role for our women’s basketball program,” said Director of Athletics Anthony Bennett. “Our focus and number one priority is providing the best overall experience for our student-athletes. Coach Mebane fits with that vision and will allow us to continue striving for competitive excellence.”

Mebane led Hampton to a 70-77 record from 2004-09, including a 51-35 mark in conference play. He guided Hampton to the 2009 MEAC Basketball Championship title game. Mebane arrived at Hampton in 1996 as the Director of Basketball Operations for the men's program before joining the staff of the women's team during the second half of the 1996-97 season.

Mebane will serve as the interim head coach for the reminder of the 2015-16 season. A nationwide search will be conducted at the conclusion of the season for a head women’s basketball coach.

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

42nd Annual Bayou Classic set to kick off November 28

NEW ORLEANS  -- Mark Alexander is what some might call a die-hard fan of the Southern University Jaguars.

Even though the New Orleans native matriculated at the University of Houston as an undergrad and earned a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee, his roots in the Jaguar Nation run deep.

Three of Alexander’s brothers and his older sister all earned degrees from Southern University and spent their Saturday nights on Scot’s Bluff rooting for the Jags and grooving to the “Human Jukebox.” For the past 10 years, Mark has made the drive to Baton Rouge religiously to attend SU home football games. And whenever he gets a chance to do so, he makes the trek to places like Jackson, Miss. and Prairie View, Texas to watch the Jags take on SWAC foes like Jackson State University and Prairie View A&M University.

But none of that compares to the energy and excitement of watching the Jags battle SWAC West foe Grambling every Saturday after Thanksgiving in the Crescent City during the Bayou Classic.

Alexander hasn’t missed a Bayou Classic in 25 years — not even the one played in 2005 in Houston after Katrina flooded 80 percent of New Orleans — and has the ticket stubs to prove it.



CONTINUE READING

Preview: Savannah State at Baylor

vs.

No. 20/21 Baylor (2-1) vs. Savannah State (3-1) Nov. 23, 2015 | 7:00 p.m. CT Waco, Texas | Ferrell Center (10,284) TV: FOX Sports Net Radio: ESPN Central Texas

Watch |  Gametracker |  Listen Online |  Tickets |  Baylor Notes |  SSU Notes

WACO, Texas -- Baylor coach Scott Drew, trying to direct his team to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, will continue to try and find the right pieces for another March Madness run on Monday night when the Bears host Savannah State. 

It's the second of six straight home games for the Bears who come in off a 77-60 victory over Jackson State on Friday, a schedule Drew crafted to make sure his squad had plenty of early practice time.

Drew's biggest task is trying to identify who can fill the roles vacated by two of his best players from last year's 24-10 squad, point guard Kenny Chery and forward Royce O'Neale. 

"We're trying to figure out the new roles for guys and give them the opportunity to get comfortable," Drew told the Waco Tribune. "Especially with the freshmen and guys who didn't play as many minutes last year, confidence is always big. Now without having to travel you can spend more days practicing. Travel wears you out and you have to cut down on some of your stuff."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Net

ABOUT SAVANNAH STATE (3-1): The Tigers, picked to finish 12th out of 13 teams in the preseason MEAC poll, come in off a 77-59 road loss at Oregon on Friday. Senior guard Christopher Martin (14.8) and junior swingman Troyce Manassa (12.8) lead the team in scoring while 6-foot-7 senior forward Brian Pearson, a third team all-MEAC preseason pick, leads the team in rebounding (9.0). The Tigers, who scored more than 70 points just four times last season en route to a 9-22 record, have already accomplished that feat twice this season and are averaging 70.3 points per game.

STORYLINES 

• Baylor’s game against Savannah State will be televised nationally on FOX Sports Net. 

• Monday will mark the 3rd series meeting. Baylor is 2-0 vs. SSU with wins by 36 (2005) and 30 (2014) points. 

• Baylor has won 26 consecutive non-conference home games dating back to Dec. 12, 2012. 

• Baylor has won 17 straight home games against unranked opponents — last loss to WVU on Jan. 28, 2014. 

• Baylor is tied for the Big 12 lead in scoring defense, allowing 63.0 points per game. 

• Baylor is No. 20 in the AP Top 25 Poll and has now been ranked No. 22 or better in 14 consecutive AP polls. 

• Baylor has been ranked in the AP Preseason Poll in 5 of the last 6 seasons — last year was the lone exception. 

• Baylor is 46-6 in November/December games when ranked in the AP poll. BU is 59-12 in home games when ranked. 

• Baylor was the only major conference team to hold every opponent under 75 points last season, and the Bears have gone 48 consecutive games without allowing 75 points. 

• Baylor has a .700 winning percentage over the last four-plus seasons (105-45). 

• Rico Gathers has 874 career rebounds and needs 4 more to pass Jerry Mallett for 2nd on Baylor’s all-time list. 

• Taurean Prince has scored in double figures in 20 of the last 21 games, averaging 15.2 ppg in that stretch. 

• Al Freeman has posted back-to-back 20-point games — his career high prior to those games was 13 points. 

• Sophomores Johnathan Motley and Terry Maston and freshman King McClure combine to average 23.6 points per game off the bench. They’ve accounted for 84 percent of Baylor’s bench scoring (71 of 85 points). 

• Baylor is 84-11 when leading at the half over the last four seasons, including 2-0 this season. 

• BU has won 38% of its games (21-34) when tied or trailing at half since 2011-12, including 0-1 this season. 

COURTESY BAYLOR BEARS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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Jackson State Volleyball defeats ASU to clinch SWAC Title

JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL WINS ITS THIRD CONFERENCE
 TITLE IN FIVE YEARS BY DEFEATING DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
 ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Jackson State won the 2015 SWAC Volleyball Tournament Championship with a 3-1 (25-14, 17-25, 25-23, 25-13) win over defending champion Alabama State at the Clifford Seymour Gymnasium Sunday.

It is the third title in five years for the Tigers (15-21), and the first since 2012.

In a battle of the top two seeds in the SWAC Eastern Division, it was the top-seeded Tigers that roared out of the gate with a 13-3 start to the match. Alabama State (21-15) never mounted a consistent offensive response – the Hornets committed nine errors as opposed to seven kills in the period – as the Tigers cruised to an opening-set triumph.

The roles switched in set two, as the Hornets opened things up on a 9-3 scoring run.  Despite spurts of offense from Jackson State, 11 errors in the set derailed any attempt at a sustained comeback, and the quick start was enough to fuel Alabama State through the frame.

A back-and-forth third started to lean in favor of the Tigers when they earned the advantage with six straight points to snap a 9-9 tie. Jackson State looked poised to wrap up the period, but Alabama State reeled off four straight points to cut JSU’s lead to 19-17. The Tigers halted the rally with one of their own but held off a late ASU charge to claim the set.

In the fourth set, the Tigers broke a 6-6 game open with a 13-4 run that ultimately powered the Tigers to the title.

The Tigers were led by Taija Thomas, who notched 14 kills and three digs. Tournament MVP Mikayla Rolle added 13 kills, three blocks and two service aces. Alexsis Ford picked up 13 putaways as well, and Jenna Siddiqui accounted for 11 kills, 31 assists and six digs.

Alabama State's Myla Marshall picked up 14 kills and six blocks. Kori Kutsch put up 24 helpers and five digs. Rachel Smith had eight kills.

Jackson State clinches an automatic berth in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament, and will find out its opening-round opponent during the tournament selection show, which will be Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.

    Championship Box Score
    Lady Tigers Stats

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N.C. A&T wins tiebreaker, will represent MEAC in inaugural Celebration Bowl

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — N.C. A&T will play in the inaugural Celebration Bowl next month in Atlanta.

A&T (9-2, 7-1 MEAC) lost its regular-season finale Saturday afternoon, snapping an eight-game winning streak. But the Aggies, who will share the league title for the second consecutive season, won tiebreakers with Bethune-Cookman and N.C. Central to claim the MEAC’s berth in the bowl game.

The Celebration Bowl matches the champions of the MEAC and SWAC in a game at noon Dec. 19 at the Georgia Dome. The bowl game will be shown live nationally on ABC.

“That’s why we do this: to have an opportunity to play,” A&T coach Rod Broadway said in the moments after Saturday’s 21-16 loss to Central. “To have an opportunity to go to the bowl game, even if it’s not under the circumstances we would have chosen, but, hey, it is what it is. … We’re going.”

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Tuskegee Golden Tigers win first playoff game in school history, advances to play UNA

SALISBURY, N.C. -- The third time is the charm.

For two consecutive years, the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers have been on the step of making history by winning their first round playoff game, only to fall short by a couple of plays in both games.

After months of preparation through the spring and summer, the Golden Tigers made their dream a reality as they defeated third-seeded Catawba College 26-16 on the road Saturday afternoon.

The win marked the first-ever playoff victory for Tuskegee and propelled the Golden Tigers into the Round of 16 to face a familiar foe in the University of North Alabama next weekend.

"We are excited," Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater said. "We have been telling them all year this is a great opportunity because we are considered to be one of the top 28 teams in the country. They listened to us, and we are excited to make it past the first round.'

The game time will be announced next week for the game in Florence.

The celebrating started early on the Tuskegee (9-2) sideline when they took the opening drive down the field in just 3:40 on their opening drive. The Golden Tigers took seven plays to go 72 yards, and the drive culminated in a 39-yard touchdown pass to Peyton Ramzy from quarterback Kevin Lacey.

"We were very fortunate to have some big plays," Slater said. "We felt like if they did some things then we had a chance."

The touchdown was one of two for Lacey, who finished the day 10-for-18 passing for 219 yards.

The Golden Tigers struck again just nine minutes later when Jerome Lewis punched it in from two yards out with 3:59 to play in the quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 25-yard pass from Lacey to Hawkins to set up the touchdown run.

"We had a great plan," Lacey said. "When you stick to the game plan it works, you just have to execute. Coach (Slater) is a great coach and makes the right call, and sometimes I get away from that and he lets me know. I know now that you have to execute the plays that are called, and things will happen the right way."

Catawba was able to get on the board in the third quarter, trimming the lead to a touchdown, but the Golden Tigers came right back down the field using four plays and a 12-yard touchdown pass from Lacey to Leo Gilbert to extend the lead to 20-7.

After Catawba scored again to cut the lead to one possession, Jewell Ratliff made the biggest play of the game.

Ratliff stepped in front of a pass from Catawba quarterback Mike Sheehan, and did what every defender for the Golden Tigers do when they intercept a pass – look for the end zone.

"They were running a play we saw the whole game," Ratliff said. "I was getting out of position some, and locked my eyes and stayed in position and made the pick."

The senior linebacker went down the left sideline, before cutting to make an offensive lineman miss, and found the end zone for the third time this season with 7:27 left and the celebration hit a new level.

"I took the run back to my ninth grade," said a cheerful Ratliff.

Even a Catawba touchdown with six minutes left could not curb the celebration as the team and fans watch the clock in anticipation of hitting zero and marking history for the Tuskegee University football team.

As the clock went under a minute, Slater and defensive coordinator Joseph Carter felt the jubilation of the players as they had water dumped on them and got the celebration really started.

"It felt good because it is our first playoff win," Carter said. "Our kids have gone through a lot this season, and with that heartbreaking loss two weeks ago, it felt good to watch them have some success."

Senior Dennis Norfleet finished with 102 yards on 18 carries, leading the rushing attack that gained 171 yards on the day. Hawkins finished with three catches for 67 yards, while Norfleet had a pair of catches (32 yards) and Devozea Gaines had a pair of catches (24 yards).

Defensively, Osband Thompson finished with 13 tackles to lead the Golden Tigers. Ratliff finished with 10, while the team finished with eight tackles for loss and forced two turnovers.

Tuskegee now turns it attention to North Alabama next weekend.

"This was a big win for us," Slater said. "It is our f

irst playoff win, and now we have to focus on the next win. The next one is the most important one, we just have to get back to work. I have seen some strange things happen in the playoffs."

For more information on Tuskegee University athletics, follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics and like us on Facebook.

BOX SCORE

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Bethune-Cookman, MEAC snubbed by FCS playoff committee

NCAA FCS PLAYOFF BRACKET: Interactive | Printable

ORLANDO, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman and its fellow MEAC co-champions were all shut out of the 2015 Football Championship Subdivision playoffs when the 24-team field was announced Sunday.

Following B-CU's 35-14 victory over rival Florida A&M in the Florida Classic on Saturday, the Wildcats figured they had a pretty good shot of making the field for the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

After Saturday's game, first-year B-CU head coach Terry Sims said, "We're one of the top 24 teams. It's that simple. We score points on offense and we stop teams on defense. We have mistakes that happen in a game, but we have a determined team that won't quit."

The victory earned them a share of the MEAC championship with co-champs North Carolina A&T (9-2) and North Carolina Central (8-3), and the Wildcats ended the regular season with a 9-2 record.

In stark contrast to the MEAC's shutout from the postseason were the multiple entries from the Missouri Valley (five teams: North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois), Colonial (four teams: James Madison, Richmond, William & Mary and New Hampshire) and Big Sky (three teams: Southern Utah, Portland State, Montana) conferences.

Western Illinois, with five losses, was the final team selected to the field and it was a big head-scratcher given the records of some other teams left out.

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Rainy weather can't disappoint as largest crowd since 2011 shows up for Florida Classic

ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN
VIDEOGRAPHER: ShowtimeWeb

ORLANDO, Florida -- More than 1.7 million fans have taken part in the Florida Classic during its 90-year history.

The neutral-site game, which features a matchup between two Historically Black Colleges and Universities, has been a part of the college football landscape since 1925. The game has been played at Daytona International Speedway and Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, but it moved to the Citrus Bowl in 1997.

FAMU/B-CU PHOTO GALLERY

This year's game featured an announced crowd of 45,728 fans despite a dreary day in Central Florida. It was the largest announced crowd since 2011 (60,218) and a good 4,000 fans more than last year's tally of 41,126. That game was the first one played in the Citrus Bowl while it was going through $207 million worth of renovations.

Rain showers moved into the area just after kickoff and quickly transformed into a downpour in the middle of the second quarter, sending spectators searching for cover on the concourse at the Citrus Bowl. Many of those fans returned to their seats by halftime to catch the impressive band performances.


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN
VIDEOGRAPHER: ShowtimeWeb

Bethune-Cookman quarterback Quentin Williams earned Most Valuable Player honors for the winning team following his performance Saturday night. Running back Devin Bowers earned MVP honors in a losing effort for Florida A&M. 

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President Rome attempting to turn around Lincoln athletics

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri -- Kevin Rome sat in his office Wednesday afternoon sporting a suit, a bow tie and a grin from ear to ear. The walls that surrounded the president of Lincoln University were nearly bare. Boxes were being moved out of the Young Hall offices.

The boxes were headed for next-door Memorial Hall, temporary home of the office of the president while Young Hall gets a facelift.

Despite the change occurring around him, Rome was relaxed and excited to discuss the future of Lincoln athletics.

Few would envy his task of reviving a depleted athletic department. But Rome has been the president of Lincoln since January 2013, and he has embraced the challenge.

His end goal is clear: success within the athletic department across the board.

“I want to win,” Rome said. “But I want to win the right way. More than anything, we want to see our student-athletes win.”

How quick can that happen? Only time will tell. But the university is implementing certain things to make progress.

Take the Blue Tiger Athletics Club, for example. The restructured club — formerly known as the Blue Tigers Quarterbacks Club — was designed to create a means for alumni, community leaders and corporate sponsors to contribute to all Lincoln sports programs.

“You have to invest in a program,” Rome said. “Any program out there that’s winning is because people are investing in the program. It’s financial, it’s emotional, it’s fan base, it’s all those things that creates a winning program.”

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Chicago State Claim 81-70 Win Over Trinity International on Homecoming

CHICAGO, Illinois --  Kieran Woods (Chicago, Ill./Crane) scored 19 points and added six boards and six steals to help lead Chicago State to an 81-69 win over NAIA Trinity International University on Saturday in their homecoming game at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center.

Trayvon Palmer (Milwaukee, Wis./Brown Deer) finished with 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end, and Fred Sims Jr. had 13 points for Chicago State (3-1).

The Cougars shot just 38.2 percent from the field but they got to the free throw line 21 times, pulled down 23 offensive rebounds, and forced 24 Trinity International turnovers.

The game was tied at 32 at the break, but Chicago State opened the second half on a 17-5 run, capped by a Jawad Adekoya (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) 3-point play which opened up a 49-37 lead.

Grant Corsi's 3 for the Trojans trimmed the lead back to 6 points (51-45) with 14:34 left, but they got no closer.

Corsi had 26 points for Trinity International.

CSU heads to downstate Springfield on Monday night to take on Illinois in the second game of the 2015 Emerald Coast Classic. The game will be streamed live on ESPN 3 from the Prairie Capital Convention Center with a start time of 7 p.m.

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Slippery Rock Ends VUU Season in NCAA Playoffs

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pennsylvania --  Shawheem Dowdy completed 29 of 52 passes for 375 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers, who were making their first playoff appearance in 24 years. He also rushed for two scores, but Slippery Rock University defeated Virginia Union 40-21 on Saturday, November 21, in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs in Slippery Rock, Pa.

  Game Replay

Dowdy's 29 completions broke the school record of 28, which Dowdy set earlier this season against Bowie State University.  His 52 attempts tied him for second for most pass attempts in a single game.  Carl Wright attempted 54 passes in VUU's last playoff game, on November 23, 1991, against Indiana (Pa.).  Wright also had 52 attempts against Elizabeth City State University on October 12, 1991.

Devin Anderson finished with 10 catches for 174 yards and a touchdown. Union was held to 60 yards rushing.  Anderson's 10 catches tied him for fourth all-time for most passes in a single game by a VUU player.

Dowdy passed to Anderson from five yards out for VUU's first score, then took two one-yard plunges himself for the other two Panther scores.

VUU finishes with an 8-3 record.

Slippery Rock will host No. 3 Assumption, 51-29 winners over Bowie State on Saturday, November 28.

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