VUU Lady Panthers Are CIAA Champs!

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Tournament's Most Valuable Player Alexis Johnson recorded 21 points (5-of-14) and 18 rebounds to lead the No. 1 Northern Division seed Virginia Union University Lady Panthers pass the No.3 seed Bowie State University Bulldogs,73-57 to capture their fourth Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship, Saturday afternoon in the Spectrum Center.

With the victory, Union also captured win 500 in program history; while receiving and automatic bid to the Division II 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament.

Jasmine Carter recorded the opening four points on lay-ups, followed by a three off the finger-tips of Rachael Pecota within the first 1:45 to give the Lady Panthers a quick 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs added recorded three of their first points at the 4:43 mark off a lay-up and an-one from Kyah Proctor, making it a 7-3 contest.

Although VUU closed out the quarter leading by 14, (20-6) Bowie continued to fight, outscoring Virginia Union (1-0) second chance points and out-rebounding the Panthers (10-9). Union finished the quarter shooting 77.8 percent (7-of-9) from the field, 66.7 percent (2-of-3) from downtown, and 80 percent from the foul line; while holding the Bulldogs to only 11.8 percent (2-of-17) from the floor and 66.7 percent (2-of-3) from the charity stripe.

The Lady Panthers sustained their intensity throughout the second quarter, taking a 32-16 lead into the locker room, but the Bulldogs kept the poise, outscoring VUU (4-2) in points off turnovers and (2-0) in fast break points. Both teams added six paint points, but Union edged BSU in bench points (7-0) and second chance points (4-2).

Kyah Proctor and Kiara Colston added a boost for Bowie, recording 10 of the Bulldogs 16 points in the second quarter. BSU closed out the half, shooting 18.2 percent (6-of-33) from the floor and 80 percent (4-of-5) from the foul line; while holding the Lady Panthers to only 30.8 percent (4-of-13) shooting from the field, 20 percent (1-of-5) from behind the arc, and 100 percent (3-of-3) from the charity stripe for the quarter and 50 percent (11-of-22) from the floor, 37.5 percent (3-of-8) from downtown, and 87.5 percent (7-of-8) from the line.

Virginia Union led by as much as 18 during the half; while outscoring the Bowie (16-10) points in the paint, (11-9) points off turnovers, (4-3) second chance points, and (15-3) bench points. The Bulldogs led (2-0) in fast break points.

Bowie tried scraping their way back in it during the third quarter, shooting 40 percent (8-of-20) from the floor, 50 percent (2-of-4) from downtown, and 100 percent (3-of-3) from the foul line. The Bulldogs outscored the Panthers 21-17 for the quarter and (7-4) points off turnovers. Both teams tallied 10 points each in the paint and four fast break points, respectfully.

Union finished the quarter shooting 50 percent (6-of-12) from the field and 62.5 percent (5-of-8) from the charity stripe. The fourth quarter saw no difference as the Panthers took a 24 points lead (71-47) at the 2:18 mark off free-throws from Rejoice Spivey. Bowie State struggled to fight back, but did show some spark, outscoring VUU (12-6) in points in the paint and (9-2) points off turnovers.

For the game, Virginia Union shot 45.7 percent (21-of-46) from the floor, 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from downtown, and 84.4 percent (27-of-32) from the charty stripe; while the Bulldogs shot 29 percent (20-of-69) from the field, 15.4 percent (2-of-13) from behind the arc, and 71.4 percent from the line.

VUU's Rachael Pecota led all scorers with 28 points on (9-of-17) shooting. She also added 10 boards in the win. Kyah Proctor led Bowie State with 22 points; while Kiara Colston chipped in 13 points, respectfully.

The teams collected 32 points each in the paint and 2 points each fast break points, but Union edged the Bulldogs (17-12) in second chance points and (29-14) in bench points. BSU led the Panthers (25-17) in points off turnovers for the game.

BOX SCORE

CIAA WOMEN'S ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:
Alexis Johnson – VUU
Kiara Colston – BSU
Chrisanna Green – VSU
Michelle Fitzgerald – LU
Kyaja Williams – BSU
Shareka McNeill – VUU
Shecquan Bailey – LU
Rachael Pecota – VUU
Alex Smith – VSU
Sada Chatman - BSU

ALEXIS JOHNSON, VUU - TOURNAMENT MVP


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Virginia Union Panthers Stun JCSU To Take CIAA Crown

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Virginia Union University men's basketball team claimed their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) title since 2006 with an 82-52 victory over Johnson C. Smith University Saturday night at the Spectrum Center. The championship marks the 20th overall championship in program history.

With the victory, Virginia Union is now the fifth team since 1975 to have both the men's and women's teams to claim the title in the same year; while receiving an automatic bid to the Division II 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. The last team to do it was Shaw University in 2011.

Todd Hughes scored a game-high 22 points and six rebounds to lead the offensive attack for VUU. Andre Walker added a double-double, 19 points and 11 rebounds while William Jenkins also chipped in a double-double, 16 points and 11 rebounds. Kory Cooley would round out the double digit scoring for the Panthers with 13 points in the win.

The first half saw four ties and five lead changes with Johnson C. Smith outscoring the Panthers 14-10 in the paint, (5-4) points off turnovers, and (8-3) in bench points. Virginia Union claimed the edge (10-6) in second chance points; while both teams recorded two fast break points, respectively.

Authur Bennett recorded the opening points of the game on a lay-up at the 18:37 mark, gifting the Golden Bulls a quick 2-0 lead. Free-throws off the finger-tips of Jenkins knotted the game at 2-all. CIAA Player of the Year Robert Davis added a jumper at the 17:20 mark to take a 4-2 lead.

A back-and-forth half, the Panthers grabbed the momentum with 3:21 remaining (27-26) off a three-pointer from Hughes and took a 36-28 lead into the locker room, after shooting 41.4 percent (12-of-29) from the floor, 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from behind the arc, and 88.9 percent (8-of-9) from the line.

JSCU closed out the half, shooting 36.7 percent (11-of-30) from the field, 30 percent (3-of-10) from downtown, and 50 percent (3-of-6) from the charity stripe. Union led by as much as eight during the half; while out-rebounding the Golden Bulls (24-14).

The second half would be all VUU as the Panthers opened up the stanza with a 19-7 run to lead 55-36 over Johnson C. Smith with 11:16 left in regulation. The Golden Bulls trimmed at the deficit with a 3-point play from Roddric Ross but VUU then ballooned to tenacious lead after producing a 23-9 scoring margin that would eventually lead to the Panthers outscoring Johnson C. Smith, 46-24 and the Panthers cruising to the victory.

Davis was the only Golden Bull who reached double digits in scoring, he finished with 12 points, three rebounds and three steals.

For the contest, Virginia Union shot 50 percent from the floor (28-56), connecting 7-of-18 (38.9 percent) from long distance and 19-of-28 (67.9 percent) from the charity stripe whereas the Golden Bulls were responsible for 19-of-60 (31.7 percent) from field goal range, 25 percent (5-20) from the free-throw line and 53.9 percent (9-17) from the charity stripe.

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Gold Rush to get rematch with Dillard in GCAC final

NEW ORLEANS — Jalen David scored 16 of his season-high-tying 21 points in the second half Saturday to lift NAIA No. 25 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 79-69 men's basketball victory against Talladega in the semifinals of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament at XULA's Convocation Center.
     
The Gold Rush (24-7) will play 20th-ranked Dillard (19-9) for the championship at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at XULA. Tickets are $5, and students from GCAC schools will be admitted free with their college ID.
     
David, a senior guard/forward who was named first-team All-GCAC Thursday, also grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds.
     
Virgil Davison scored 17 points for the Gold Rush, Rayshawn Mart had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Jeff Dixon had 11 points and seven assists.
     
GCAC Player of the Year Devonte Dixon led the Tornadoes (20-11) with 19 points. Chauncey Blakely had 14 points and eight rebounds, Arcuas McGhee had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Rayford Albright scored 12.
     
XULA trailed 36-35 at halftime after leading by five. David's basket with 15:52 remaining tied the score at 40, then the Gold Rush took the lead for good on its next possession when Elex Carter made his only field goal of the game.
     
Two Donovan Armstrong free throws with 33 seconds remaining gave XULA its largest lead, 77-63.
     
XULA outshot Talladega 42 to 32.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Tornadoes 42-37. 

XULA made 33-of-47 free throws to Talladega's 24-of-36. David attempted 19 free throws — the most by a Gold Rush player in nine years — and made 11. Davison was 7-of-8, Mart was 5-of-5, and Armstrong was 5-of-6.
     
Dillard, a 99-86 winner against Philander Smith in first semifinal, will try to become the first men's team to win the GCAC Tournament three consecutive times since former member LSU-Shreveport won it five straight years from 2006-10. Dillard was 2-0 against the Gold Rush during the regular season, including a 79-65 victory at XULA Feb. 17, and has beaten its longtime city rival six straight times.
     
XULA seeks its first GCAC Tournament championship since 1996.
     
Also Sunday, Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn will award two $500 scholarships if 500 XULA students attend the Gold Rush game. One scholarship will be for a student wearing gold; the other will be for the best sign.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Nuggets' season ends after rare GCAC semifinal defeat

NEW ORLEANS — The Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team picked the wrong time to finally cool off.

The Gold Nuggets shot 31.3 percent from the floor and lost 73-65 at home to Edward Waters in the semifinals of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

It was the first loss in eight games for XULA (15-12), whose season ended Saturday. The Gold Nuggets had shot at least 40 percent from the floor in its previous four games, a season high.
It also was the first loss in XULA's last eight GCAC semifinals. The Gold Nuggets had not lost in that round since 2009. They defeated Edward Waters in the 2015 ad 2016 semifinals.

The Gold Nuggets made six of their first 12 shots from the floor in building a 13-2 lead, then shot 27 percent the remainder of the game. But XULA stayed close, trailing 30-28 at halftime and 46-45 after three quarters. Then the Lady Tigers outscored the Gold Nuggets 10-2 to start the fourth quarter; that run included 3-pointers by Lashe Kirkland and Brittany Rowell.

BOX SCORE

Mia Leite led Edward Waters (25-5) with 15 points. Laquanza Glover had 14 points and 15 rebounds, Rowell had 13 points and nine rebounds, and Brittany Thompson had 12 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
D
asia Pitre scored 15 points for XULA, and Maya Trench barely missed her second triple-double of the season — the 5-foot-2 sophomore point had 14 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and four steals. It was the final XULA game for senior center Angelle Simon, a two-year Nugget who started and had two points, two rebounds and two blocks in nearly 10 minutes.

Edward Waters shot 35.5 percent from the floor, outrebounded the Gold Nuggets 49-43 and made 21-of-30 free throws to XULA's 14-of-23. The Lady Tigers advanced to a GCAC final for the first time and will play regular-season champion Dillard at 1 p.m. Sunday at XULA.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Rush, Nuggets defeat ranked Carey teams on the road

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana produced more road victories against ranked NAIA tennis teams when the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets both won 5-4 Friday against William Carey.
     
For the XULA women (5-7), it's their fourth road victory in the last 19 days against a ranked opponent — their second against a top-10 team. William Carey (4-1) is No. 6, and the Gold Nuggets are No. 10.
     
The XULA men (6-6), ranked second, reached .500 for the first time this season by beating the 12th-ranked Crusaders (4-2). It was the Gold Rush's fifth consecutive dual-match victory and second in a row on the road against a ranked team.
     
Catalin Fifea, a senior and an NAIA All-American last season, clinched for the Gold Rush on the first singles court with his 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory against Vladyslav Ladygin. Freshman Angela Charles-Alfred clinched for the Gold Nuggets at No. 3 with her 6-3, 6-0 victory against Maria Andreeva.
     
The Nuggets dominated at the top two singles positions, with Mariia Borodii defeating Alena Saettler 6-1, 6-0 and Charlene Goreau beating Nataliia Baliaeva 6-0, 6-1.
     
The Gold Rush trailed 2-1 after doubles, then got singles victories from Shaikh Abdullah, Chris Anders and Pierre Andrieu to take a 4-3 lead.
     
The XULA men have 16 consecutive dual-match victories against ranked NAIA teams not named Georgia Gwinnett. That streak began in 2016.
     
The Gold Nuggets will travel to Phoenix, Ariz., to play five times in four days, beginning with a 4 p.m. MST Thursday dual against NAIA No. 13 Arizona Christian, a first-time opponent. The Gold Rush will have more than two weeks off before playing 25th-ranked SCAD Atlanta March 18 at XULA Tennis Center.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Nuggets, Rush open with 2 national qualifying marks

HAMMOND, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana produced two national qualifying marks Friday at the season-opening Tulane Early Bird Twilight track and field meet.
     
The women's 400-meter relay team of Raven Davis, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs and Ry-Anne Riley won the event in 47.48 seconds — an A-qualifying mark for the NAIA National Championships in May at Gulf Shores, Ala.
     
Edward Angel won the high jump in 2.03 meters/6-feet, 8 inches to reach an NAIA B-qualifying mark. Angel, a freshman, won on his third attempt at that height.
     
Freshman Calah Williams won the women's shot put in 9.81 meters/32-2 1/4. Taylor Price won the women's 3,000 in 12:06.57.



XULA scored 60 points to finish second out of six women's teams and ahead of NCAA Division I members Southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans. The Gold Rush finished fourth out of seven teams with 41 points. Tulane won the women's team scoring with 103 points, and SLU led the men with 84 points.
     
The meet was moved from Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans to the Southeastern Track Complex because of a scheduling complex.
     
Next for the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will be the McNeese Cowboy Relays March 10 at Lake Charles, La.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Claflin University Captures the 2018 SIAC Men’s Basketball Title

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama —The Claflin University men's basketball team defeated Clark Atlanta University, 69-61, to capture the 2018 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Title. With the win, the Panthers finish the season 25-6, the most wins since the 2008-09 season when the team went 25-4. The win also gives the Panthers the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Regionals scheduled for March 10-13. This is the first SIAC men's basketball tournament title for Claflin University.

It will be the second time the Panthers has participated in the NCAA Division II Tournament and the first in nine years. Claflin received an At-Large bid in 2009. Pairings for the NCAA Division II Men's Regionals scheduled for March 4 at 10:30 p.m. (EST) on NCAA.com

Head Coach Ricky Jackson was named the tournament Most Outstanding Coach. Jaleel Charles was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player and Triston Thompson was named to the named to the All-Tournament Team.

Claflin advanced to the championship game by defeating Morehouse in the semi-finals, 77-69.

Jaleel Charles scored 18 points with 10 rebounds to pace Claflin in the win. Benjamin "Tre" Williams scored 13 points and Triston Thompson dropped in 11 for Claflin.

Akil Douglas led Clark Atlanta with 14 points. Jalen Mitchell and Damien Davis scored 12 for Clark Atlanta who finished with 24-5 record.

Douglas connected on a three-point play for Clark Atlanta to open the scoring for the second half. Claflin remained poised scoring the next four points increasing its lead to 14, 39-25, with 18:55 showing on the clock.

Clark Atlanta picked up its offensive intensity over the next four-plus minutes scoring the next 9-of-11 points to pull within nine points, 43-35, with 13:10 remaining.

Clark Atlanta pulled within four, 58-54, with 4:28 left in the game and that would be the closest they would get.

Tyler Thompson hit a short jumper with 4:06 remaining to push Claflin back up by six.

Claflin was dominate at the free-throw line down the stretch, connecting on 8-of-8 within the last two minutes en route to capturing the title.

BOX SCORE

"I thought today we really played hard from start to finish," said head coach Ricky Jackson. "I actually really didn't have much to say, they knew what needed to be done, they set the goal to win this Championship and they met the goal -- they did what needed to be done."

Claflin jump out to a quick 6-1 run by the 18:10 mark. The Panthers pushed its lead to nine, 13-4, by the first media timeout at 15:43.

The Panthers remained aggressive out of the timeout, maintaining at least an eight point lead over the next 10 minutes while owning an 11 point lead twice.

Claflin enjoyed its largest lead of 13 (29-16) with 4:24 left in the first half.

Claflin defense remained solid for the remainder of the half en route to taking a 35-22 lead into intermission.

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Clark Atlanta Lady Panthers Win SIAC Tournament Title, Defeating Central State 71-70

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A year after finishing last in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's East Division, the 2018 East Division regular season champion Clark Atlanta Lady Panthers defeated Central State 71-70 in the 2018 SIAC Basketball Tournament championship game and are now headed to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament.

Marissa Mandeldove, the tournament's Most Valuable Player, drove the lane and hit a basket with 2.3 seconds left to lift Clark Atlanta to the program's first SIAC tournament championship since 2013. She finished with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The Lady Panthers, who trailed by as many as 15 in the first half, were behind by nine points after Brooke Spaulding's basket gave Central State a 51-42 lead with 3:17 left in the game. Mandeldove then scored six of the next nine points, including a 3-pointer that tied the game at 51-51 with 1:48 left in the third quarter.

The lead see-sawed until Central State took a four-point lead at 63-59 with 5:35 remaining. Mandeldove had a layup and then, as the CAU defense clamped down, she added another basket to tie the game at 63-63 with 3:31 left.

Central State held firm, eventually going up by one, 68-67 after Spaulding's jumper with 1:04 remaining. Mandeldove then misfired on a jumper, but Courtney Hall rebounded and put it back in to give CAU a 69-68 lead with 30 seconds left. Jaeda Davis countered with a basket for CSU that put them back ahead 70-69 with 14 seconds left.

Then Mandeldove brought the ball up, surveyed the defense and sliced through the lane, converting her layup with 2.3 seconds left to give CAU the win.

Naomi Holloway, who also made the All-Tournament team, finished with 14 points, six rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal. Courtney Hall had 12 points and eight rebounds, while Kiyanna Johnson and Lauren Turner, who both had big 3-point baskets late, finished with nine points and eight points.

"Central State and our team are pretty similar," said CAU Head Coach Yolanda Moore. "They have really good guards, just like we do. I told them from day one, this was about who wants it more. This tournament is about who's willing to sacrifice, who's willing to do what they need to do win. And today im just so proud of them because they showed that they wanted it more."

With the SIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament secured, the Lady Panthers find out Sunday at 10 p.m. where they will go for the opening round which begins on March 10.

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Florida A&M Rattlers split twin bill with Brown

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Rattlers came into game two of their four game series with Brown University looking to bounce back from a tough Friday night loss.

Brown jumped on the board early, scoring one run in the first inning. Lead-off hitter Sam Grigo started the inning with a walk. After stealing second base, he would later score on a single up the middle by Garrett Delano.

The Bears tacked on another run in the second inning. Rich Ciufo led off the inning with a double to left field, and was driven in by a Louis Gaitley single through the left side, making it a 2-0 game going into the bottom of the second.

Joe Lomuscio led off the Bears half of the fifth inning with a single. He then advanced to second base on a ground ball and scored on a single by Cameron Deere, giving Brown a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the fifth.

The Rattlers finally got on the board with one run in the fifth inning. Kaycee Reese drew a two out walk and advanced to third base on a line drive single by Bret Maxwell. Jordan Curtis then singled up the middle to drive in Reese and make it a 3-1 game.

Brown quickly answered with 2 runs in the top of the sixth. Rich Ciufo doubled down the left field line, and later scored on a single through the right side by Calvin Farris. Louis Gaitley then reached base on an error, and would later score on a single to left field by Joe Lomuscio, making it a 5-1 lead for the Bears.

Brown added another run in the seventh, thanks to a sacrifice fly by Louis Gaitley, scoring Garrett Delano, who walked earlier in the inning. Brown was not done there, adding 3 insurance runs in the ninth inning. Another sacrifice fly by Louis Gaitley drove in Garrett Delano again. Calvin Farris then singled through the right side, driving in Mark Sluys, who reached on a walk. Rich Ciufo, who singled, later scored on a wild pitch to make it a 9-1 lead for the Bears going into the bottom of the ninth.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 1 Play by Play

Game 2 Box Score

The Bears held on to win by a final score of 9-1, with Collin Garner getting the win after throwing 6 innings, giving up only one earned run. Garner was relieved by Brennan Vazquez who tossed 2 scoreless innings. Calvin Farris came in to pitch the ninth, also allowing no runs.

FAMU starter Thomas Nicoll suffered his third loss of the season, giving up three earned runs through 5 innings, despite striking out seven. Jeremiah McCollum recorded one out in the sixth before giving way to Deven Shulstad, who finished the sixth. Chris Clark recorded one out in the seventh before William Walter came in to throw the final 2.2 innings of the game for the Rattlers.

Game 2: Tallahassee, Fl. (March 3, 2018) – Dropping the first two games of the series, the Rattlers looked to split the double header with a win in game three of the series.

After 3.5 scoreless innings of play, the Rattlers drew first blood, scoring four runs in the fourth inning. Dallas Oliver kickstarted the inning with a one out double to right center field and then scored on a single by Brian Davis. Davis later scored on a wild pitch along with Willis McDaniel, who scored on a throwing error by the catcher after the wild pitch. Bret Maxwell then singled to right field to drive in Kaycee Reese, who reached base on a bunt single, making it a 4-0 game in favor of FAMU.

The Rattlers grabbed an insurance run in the fifth inning, thanks in part to a lead off single to left by Jordan Curtis. After stealing second base and advancing to third on a throwing error by the catcher, Curtis was driven in by a John Capra single to increase the Rattlers’ lead to 5-0.

FAMU held on for the 5-0 win. Josh Barr earned the win for the Rattlers after throwing 4.1 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out five. Ryan Anderson entered the game in the 5th inning and threw 1.2 scoreless innings before giving way to Dylan Carlson, who closed out the game with a scoreless sevent.

Brown starting pitcher Dante Bosnic suffered his first loss of the season, giving up four earned runs in 3.2 innings. JJ Sliepka threw 1.1 inning of relief and Pat Petturuti threw a scoreless sixth for the Bears.

Florida A&M will look to split the series on Sunday, March 4th, at 11:30 AM at Moore-Kittles Field.

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S.C. State Defensive Coordinator Tommy Restivo Hired as Tenth Assistant for USF Bulls Football

COACH TOMMY RESTIVO

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- USF head coach Charlie Strong today named Tommy Restivo (Ress-TEE-voe) to the position of safeties coach for the Bulls, filling the 10th assistant coaching position allowed under new NCAA rules.

Restivo will reunite with Strong after previously working for him for six seasons at stops at the University of Florida and University of Louisville. Restivo served as a defensive quality control assistant and then secondary coach at Louisville during Strong's head coaching tenure for the Cardinals. Prior to that , he was a defensive quality control assistant at Florida, serving on the team that won the 2008 BCS National Championship.

"I am very excited to have Tommy back as a member of my coaching staff and working with the Bulls," Strong said. "Tommy has great passion and energy for coaching and brings some tremendous experience having served as a defensive coordinator at two different programs. He will be a great fit with our staff and our players at USF."

Restivo comes to USF after serving his second stint as defensive coordinator/secondary coach at South Carolina State in 2017. The Bulldogs ranked eighth in total defense (279.9 ypg), eighth in rushing defense (92.8 ypg), seventh in pass efficiency defense (104.27) and 19th in scoring defense (18.8 ppg) in FCS football in 2017.

Prior to his return to South Carolina State, Restivo served as defensive coordinator at McNeese State during the 2016 season.

Restivo had his first run as defensive coordinator/secondary coach at South Carolina State during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In 2015, his unit ranked No. 3 in FCS in passing defense, fourth in scoring defense, sixth in total defense and 25th in rushing defense. Restivo headed up a squad that led the FCS in sacks (4.18 spg), tackles for a loss (11.0 tpg), pass efficiency defense (89.98) and third-down defense (23.2%).

In 2014, the Bulldogs ranked among the top teams nationally in FCS football in several categories, including second in sacks (3.67 spg), seventh in tackles for loss (8.9 tpg), 16th in interceptions (16), and 27th in pass efficiency defense (114.85). The SCSU defense was led by 2016 third-round NFL Draft pick (Pittsburgh) Javon Hargrave, who in his senior season in 2015 ranked third in FCS with 13.5 sacks and fifth with 22 tackles for loss. The defensive tackle was a two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned several postseason All-America honors.

Prior to joining SC State, Restivo spent four seasons (2010-2013) at the University of Louisville under Strong. In his first two years with the program, Restivo was a quality control coach on the defensive staff, working with the linebackers and defensive line. In 2012, he was promoted to secondary coach, where he guided three All-BIG EAST players in cornerback Adrian Bushell and safeties Calvin Pryor and Hakeem Smith. Pryor was a 2014 first-round draft pick of the New York Jets, while Smith signed as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans in May 2014.

Prior to Louisville, Restivo worked as a defensive quality control assistant in 2008 and 2009 at Florida under Strong and head coach Urban Meyer. He was a part of the program that won the 2008 BCS National Championship.

Restivo has coached in five bowl games in addition to the 2009 BCS National Championship Game. He was on the sidelines for the 2010 and 2013 Sugar Bowl, 2010 Beef 'O Brady's Bowl, the 2011 Belk Bowl and the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Restivo served as a defensive graduate assistant at Marshall in 2007-08. He lettered at linebacker at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky., and earned his degree in kinesiology from Georgetown College in 2006.

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NCCU Eagles Walk Off to Series Win over Iona

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University was able to withstand a late rally from Iona and come away with a walk off win on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning to take a series win over the Gaels, 6-5 at the Durham Athletic Park.

NCCU (8-3) is now off to its best start in the modern era, and will go for its third-straight weekend series win on Sunday, March 4 against Iona.

Devin Sweet (Greensboro, N.C.) got the call to start the game today, and he turned in a gem with 11 strikeouts over 7.2 innings as he became just the second Eagle to toss over 10 strikeouts in a single game in a career during the modern era. Glenn Frye was the first to accomplish the feat, and he's also the holder of the single-game strikeout record with 13 against Coppin State on April 17, 2011.

The Gaels again scored first on a solo home run, this time in the second inning from Sam Punzi (Eastampton, N.J.), but the Eagles tied the game in the bottom of the frame on a leadoff homer from Mitchell McCrary (Mills Creek, N.C. as he got his fourth round-tripper of the season.

While the Eagles scored in multiples in game one of the series, today it was one run at a time. NCCU took a lead in the third on a throwing error, and then added some insurance in the fifth inning on a solo fly from Carter Williams (Brown Summit, N.C.). Williams came just one double-shy of a cycle as he went 3-for-5 with a triple as well.

NCCU built a 4-1 lead in the seventh inning after an RBI single from Zach Michalski (Belews Creek, N.C.) but from there Iona would come storming back.

The Gaels collected two runs on a long fly in the eighth inning from Seth Hoagland (Waterford, Conn.) to trim the margin to 4-3, but again the Eagles found some breathing room in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single from Andrew Valichka (Pedricktown, N.J.).

The drama came to a boiling point in the ninth as Iona loaded the bases setting up a two-RBI double from Lou Matarazzo (Rockville Centre, N.Y.). The Gaels sent a third runner to the plate on the hit, but Williams, Valichka and Chris Wright (Hickory, N.C.) teamed up to tag the runner out at the plate.

That allowed NCCU a chance to win in regulation, and the Eagles did so as Corey Joyce (Lexington, N.C.) started the frame with a walk, and then stole second base before being moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from McCrary. Joyce bided his time and took off for home on a wild pitch to give the Eagles a dramatic 6-5 win.

Of note for the Eagles, Joyce doubled in the seventh inning to bring his current hitting streak to six games.

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S.C. State Releases 2018 Football Schedule

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina – South Carolina State will play an 11-game schedule during the 2018 football campaign, the University announced Friday (March. 2). The Bulldog slate includes six road games and five home contests at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

Nine Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schools are on the schedule; however, contests against both Florida A&M and Norfolk State are designated non-conference games and will not count toward the league championship. Also, among the Bulldogs' non-conference opponents are two Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams.

SC State opens the campaign Sept. 1 at Statesboro, GA against Georgia Southern, one of two FBS teams Coach Buddy Pough's squad will meet. That contest will be followed by a Sept. 8 matchup at Orlando, FL against University of Central Florida, the only undefeated Bowl Championship team in 2017, who finished in the top 6 in most season ending polls.

The Bulldogs begin MEAC play with back-to-back home games -- North Carolina Central Sept. 15 (Hall of Fame Game/Former Student-Athlete Appreciation Day) and Norfolk State Sept. 22 (Greek Day) at 6 p.m.

Pough's team then hits the road to take on defending MEAC Champion and Celebration Bowl winner N.C. A&T State in Greensboro Sept. 29, before traveling to Baltimore, MD for a showdown with Morgan State Oct. 6.

SC State hosts Bethune-Cookman (Youth/ROTC/Military Appreciation Day) Oct.13, followed by Delaware State in its Homecoming game Oct. 20. A trip to the nation's capital for a battle with the Bison of Howard Oct. 27 will be followed by a bye week Nov. 3.

The Bulldogs will return to the Sunshine State Nov. 10 for a contest with the Rattlers of Florida A&M at Tallahassee, before closing out the regular season at home versus Savannah State (Senior Day/High School Band Day) Nov. 17.

Pough is entering his 17th season at the helm of the Bulldog Football program and needs just nine more wins to become the all-time winningest football coach in school history.

For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.

Download the 2018 SC State Football Schedule
Date Conf Opponent Location Time/Result 
4/14/2018 SPRING GAME ORANGEBURG, SC 1 p.m.

9/1/2018 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA TBA
9/8/2018 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL TBA
9/15/2018 * North Carolina Central University# ORANGEBURG, SC 6 p.m.
9/22/2018 Norfolk State University@ ORANGEBURG, SC 6 p.m.
9/29/2018 * North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro, NC TBA
10/6/2018 * Morgan State University Baltimore, MD TBA
10/13/2018 * Bethune-CookmanB University& ORANGEBURG, SC 2 p.m.
10/20/2018 * Delaware State University$ ORANGEBURG, SC 1:30 p.m.
10/27/2018 * Howard University Washington, DC TBA
11/03/2018    Bye Week
11/10/2018 Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL TBA
11/17/2018 * Savannah State University% ORANGEBURG, SC 1:30 p.m.

Home Games are in bold
#-HALL OF FAME/FORMER STUDENT-ATHLETE APPRECIATION DAY
@-GREEK DAY
&-YOUTH/ROTC/MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
$-HOMECOMING
%-SENIOR DAY/HIGH SCHOOL BAND DAY
All games and times are subject to change.
*MEAC games count towards conference standings

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Grambling wins to claim outright SWAC championship

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- |It has been 30 years since the last time the Grambling State University men’s basketball team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular season crown.

The Tigers won’t have to share the title with anyone either as Grambling State won the championship outright with a 66-64 victory over Alabama State on Saturday night at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

Grambling State (17-14 overall, 13-5 SWAC) captured its first SWAC regular season crown since the 1988-89 season, and also picked up its first winning record since the 2005-06 campaign.



The Tigers and Hornets were locked at 38 at the half, but The Grambling State outscored Alabama State, 28-26, in the second half to pick up the victory.

Ivy Smith, Jr. paced the Tigers offense with 17 points, six rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block. Shirmane Thomas chipped in 14 points, six assists, one block and one steal, while DeVante Jackson registered 13 points and six rebounds.

Reginald Gee led Alabama State (8-21, 8-9) with 16 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Terrance Leflore added 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Rodney Simeon tallied 11 points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist.

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Southern women's basketball wins outright SWAC championship

'BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Coach Sandy Pugh walked to midcourt at the F.G. Clark Activity Center with a finger pointed to the sky.  Southern's women's basketball players mobbed one another nearby in celebration.

Southern, which began this season as an underestimated team with unproven talent and few lofty expectations, clinched the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season title with a 96-58 win against Prairie View on Saturday.

"I'm just happy to see it happen for them," Pugh said.

Pugh's finger aimed high signified the end of a remarkable season — something perhaps she expected in October when not many others did.  The league’s coaches and sports information directors, who are as well-versed in the happenings of SWAC basketball as anyone, chose Southern — which will hold their celebratory net-cutting ceremony Sunday — to finish fourth in their preseason poll.

“In 19 years, I think when it’s all set and done, this team has potential to go down as one of my best teams ever," Pugh said on Nov. 10.

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B-CU Wildcats Win Gary Freeman Golf Invitational

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida --  Daniel Brennan fired a final round 73 on Friday afternoon to help Bethune-Cookman win the Gary Freeman Spring Invitational hosted by Bethune-Cookman at LPGA International. The two-day, 54-hole event took place on the Hills Course.
 
Bethune-Cookman (308-292-293=893) entered the final round on Friday trailing Fort Wayne by four strokes.
 
Daniel Brennan (76-69-73=218, +2), a senior from Shannon, Ireland, carded a 1-over par 73 in his final round, defeating ort Wayne's Zach Schroeder (71-73-75=219, +3) by a single stroke in order to capture the individual medalist award.
 
Meanwhile, Connor O'Brien (80-72-72=224, +8), a senior from Harpenden, England, fired mirror scores of even par 72 in his second and third round, respectfully, to finish tied for fifth on the final tournament leaderboard.
 
Playing in his first BCU Gary Freeman Spring Invitational was freshman Jake Lane (76-76-76=228, +12) who fired 4-over par 76 scores across all three of his rounds on the course. That allowed the Calgary, Alberta freshman to finish ninth in the field.
 
Wildcats sophomore Christian Hovstadius (80-75-77=232, +16) finished tied for 15th as he carded a final round 5-over 77 on Friday.
 
Fellow Sweden countryman of Hovstadius, Marcus Sundlof (76-85-72=233, +17) of Stockholm, Sweden was tied for 18th on the final leaderboard as he used an even par 72 for his best performance of the tournament.
 
Playing as an individual for the Wildcats was Simon Maury (78-78-75=231, +15) as he finished 14th overall in the tournament. Dante Davis (81-80-78=239, +23) lowered his score every round as he also participated in this year's tournament as an individual.
 
Kevin Sims (81-79-85=245, +29) finished 33rd as an individual for Bethune-Cookman. And it was Darragh Crawford (83-85-82=250, +34) that finished tied for 38th in the field.
 
Fort Wayne (292-304-301=897) was the tournament runner up on the team leaderboard.
 
Eric Brinker of Fort Wayne finished third on the final leaderboard, while Sacred Heart's Matt Shubley was fourth. Rounding out the top five participants were Luis Acevedo (North Carolina A&T), Connor O'Brien (Bethune-Cookman), Saptak Talwar (Sacred Heart) and Alejandro Toro (Florida A&M).
 
Bethune-Cookman is back in action March 18-19, as the Wildcats travel to the Mission Inn Spring Spectacular hosted by George Mason in Orlando, Florida.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Golf on Twitter (@BCUGolf) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

BCU Gary Freeman Spring Invitational Dates: Mar 1-2, 2018 LPGA International • Daytona Beach, Fla. Par 72, 6984 yards.

• GARY FREEMAN SPRING INVITATIONAL FINAL RESULTS (PDF)
• FOLLOW @BCUGOLF

Fin. Team Scores Total Par 

1 . Bethune-Cookman 308 292 293 893 +29

2 . Fort Wayne 292 304 301 897 +33 

3 . Sacred Heart 309 299 303 911 +47

4 . Florida A&M 313 310 313 936 +72 

5 . Savannah State 321 314 310 945 +81 

6 . North Carolina A&T 314 328 327 969 +105

7 . Alabama A&M 328 319 326 973 +109 

8 . Chicago State 334 337 340 1011 +147 

Bethune-Cookman wins the 2018 BCU Gary Freeman Spring Invitational

Daniel Brennan wins the individual medalist award.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bethune-Cookman Takes Series Opener from FGCU

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Tyler Norris allowed only one run in six innings of work, and Joe Fernando hit a go-ahead two-run homerun in the fifth inning to give Bethune-Cookman a 3-1 victory in its series opener against Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Norris started rocky but held the Eagles (6-2) to just a single run as Marc Coffers scored on a Kohl Gilmore single in the top of the first inning.

After leaving the bases loaded in the first, Norris (2-1) stranded two more in the second when he struck out Gilmore looking. He cruised from there by setting down 13 consecutive Eagles and faced the minimum in each frame. The righty left after six innings with five hits, one run, two walks, and seven strikeouts to earn his second consecutive win.

BCU (4-7) grabbed the lead off Eagles starter Mario Leon (1-1) with a two-out rally in the fifth.

Nine-hole hitter Zach Spivey, a transfer from Florida Gulf Coast, reached on a single up the middle and then stole second. Fernando then worked the count full before delivering the game-winning blow on a two-run homer over the left field wall. The second baseman finished the game with three hits and the two runs driven in.

The Wildcats tacked on another run off Leon with a Nate Sterijevski sacrifice fly to center that scored Jameel Edney an inning later.

Leon took the loss with six hits and two earned runs in two innings. He walked one batter and totaled eight strikeouts.

Both bullpens were barely taxed and pitched well. Justin Gill gave up a single hit over two frames for the Eagles, while Ivan Coutinho picked up his second save with a season-best five strikeouts over three shutout innings. He gave up only one hit and walked one batter in relief.

The series resumes tomorrow at 1 p.m. from "The Jack".

Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter (@BCUDiamondCats) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

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NCCU Eagles Break Modern Era Record in Win over Iona

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University broke a modern era single-game record with 21 runs batted in during a series-opening 21-8 win over Iona on Friday, March 2 at the Durham Athletic Park.

Iona (2-5) scored first on a solo home run carried out to right field by the remarkably strong winds in the top of the first inning, but NCCU (7-3) jumped ahead in the bottom of the frame as it sent nine men to the plate to drive in four runs on four hits.

The Eagles really started separating themselves from the Gaels in the second inning when Corey Joyce (Lexington, N.C.) lifted a two-run shot for his fourth homer of the season to put the home team ahead, 6-1.

In the ensuing four innings, the Eagles sent 35 men to the plate and scored 15 runs on 13 hits. Andrew Valichka (Pedricktown, N.J.) and Carter Williams (Brown Summit, N.C.) took turns clearing the bases as Valichka picked up a three-RBI double in the third inning, and Williams drove in three on a triple in the fourth frame.

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Valichka added another double in the fifth for two more RBI on the way to totaling a game-high five RBI in a frame that was started by a leadoff solo blast from Mitchell McCrary (Mills Creek, N.C.).

Timmy Fischvogt (Kernersville, N.C.) had phenomenal day as he went 5-for-5 with three RBI, driving in teammate Dominic Cuevas (Gurnee, Ill.) with each of his first three hits. Williams drove in four RBI for the Eagles, and Jacob Raby (Granite Falls, N.C.) brought home two from the leadoff spot on two hits and three walks, along with three runs scored.

The Eagles continue the weekend series with Iona on Saturday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the Durham Athletic Park. Admission is free.

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MEAC Men's Bracket Set for 2018 MEAC Basketball Tournament

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has released its men's pairings for the 2018 MEAC Basketball Tournament, March 5-10, at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va. The Pirates of Hampton University (12-4 MEAC) enter as the No. 1 seed for the second time in three years as they won a three-team tiebreaker over Co-champions Bethune-Cookman and Savannah State.

The Pirates have earned a first-round bye and will open tournament play on Wednesday, March 7 at 6 p.m. versus the winner of the No. 8 Howard/No. 9 Florida A&M contest which takes place on Tuesday, March 6 at 4 p.m. Hampton finished with a share of the regular season championship as they claimed the top seed and MEAC's NIT berth by virtue of holding the best head-to-head record and winning percentage against Bethune-Cookman and Savannah State.

2018 MEAC Basketball Tournament Men's Bracket

For the first time since 2013, all MEAC men’s basketball teams will be in attendance as No. 4 North Carolina A&T State takes on No. 13 Delaware State at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 5 to open men’s play. Norfolk State (No. 5) and Maryland Eastern Shore (No. 12) concludes the first day of competition as they'll square off at 9 p.m. on Monday night.

Bethune-Cookman enters with its highest seed since 2011 as the No. 2 seeded Wildcats will open on Wednesday, March 7 at 8 p.m. against the winner of the No. 7 Morgan State/No. 10 South Carolina State contest scheduled for Tuesday, March 6 at 9 p.m. Bethune-Cookman clinched the No. 2 seed after posting the second-best winning percentage against Co-champions Hampton and Savannah State.

Savannah State makes its return to postseason play after a one-year hiatus with a No. 3 seed. The seed marks the highest for the Tigers since entering the 2013 MEAC Tournament also as a No. 3 seed. Savannah State’s first contest won’t be until Thursday, March 8 as they’ll face either the No. 6 seeded and defending champion North Carolina Central or Coppin State (No. 11). NCCU and Coppin State will battle on Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m.
The 2017-18 regular-season champions, first team honorees and award winners including Player, Rookie, Defensive Player and Coach of the Year, will be recognized in pre-game presentations prior to the honorees’ first games in tournament play.

The 2018 MEAC Basketball Tournament tips off Monday, March 5, and will conclude on Saturday, March 10 with the men’s and women’s championship games. The women’s game will begin one hour after the end of the men’s game live on ESPN3. The contest will air the following day, Sunday, March 11, at 10 a.m. on ESPNU.

The men’s finale will begin at 1 p.m. and will broadcast live on ESPN2. The preliminary games will also be streamed live on ESPN3. Live statistics of all games will be available on the conference’s official website and the tournament’s official website, www.MEAChoops.com.

For tournament information, log on to www.MEAChoops.com. For the latest on MEAC sports, visit www.MEACsports.com.

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