CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- There’s a team out in Durham that has won its last 28 conference games (31 if you count the conference tournament) and is led by one of the most engaging coaches in college basketball. That team is not Duke. It’s North Carolina Central.
Don’t get me wrong; the Blue Devils are really good, and the ACC is a bit of a step up from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, but that doesn’t make what LeVelle Moton is building any less of an accomplishment. Now in his sixth season at the helm, Moton has the Eagles (21-6, 13-0 MEAC) poised as a regular contender in the conference. This year will be the team's third straight 20-win season.
When you consider that the Eagles were an independent navigating the journey from Division II to D-I and won just seven games in Moton’s first year, it makes the achievement even greater. Moton, a former Eagles player himself, was inducted into the North Carolina Central Hall of Fame in 2004 and had a standout career at Enloe High School in Raleigh. The team made its first NCAA tournament appearance, a 93-75 loss to Iowa State, last season and has its sights set on getting back there again in 2015.
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Friday, February 27, 2015
Oregon State vs. Grambling State: Beavers baseball series preview
Oregon State vs. Grambling StateWhere: Goss Stadium, Corvallis
When: 5:35 p.m. Friday; 1:05 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. Saturday
On air: No TV, but the series will be live streamed on osubeavers.com; Radio on KEX-AM 1190 (Portland) and KEJO-AM 1240 (Corvallis); Live stats can be found on the baseball schedule page on osubeavers.com
Records: Oregon State (5-3); Grambling State (2-5)
Probable starters: OSU junior right-hander Andrew Moore (1-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. TBA on Friday; OSU freshman right-hander Drew Rasmussen (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. TBA in first Saturday game; OSU junior right-hander Travis Eckert (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. TBA in second Saturday game
OSU's script: After a 2-2 showing at the Surprise Tournament, the Beavers stuck in Surprise, Arizona last week and went 3-1 in the Big 12/Pac-12 Challenge. Their offense thrived for the most part, while the pitching was up and down.
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WSSU Escapes Upset Bid By Shaw, 64-61
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- (Feb. 26, 2015) – Sixth-seeded Shaw University battled back from a 10 point second half deficit to tie the game late, but Winston-Salem State held on to take a 64-61 win in the quarterfinals of the 2015 CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena.The Rams were able to stake a 15-12 lead, their largest of the first half when WyKevin Bazemore connected on a layup at the 9:31 mark. Shaw, playing in its third game in three days, closed the gap to 15-14 after Joe Reid connected on a pair of free throws with 8:37 left in the first half.
WSSU then raised the lead to four points (18-14) when Donta Harper knocked in a free throw to complete a three-point play after being fouled by Shaw's DeAaron Ward with 7:57 left.
The Rams would go on a 9-1 run over the next minute to stretch the lead to 27-15 at the 6:15 mark after a Donta Harper basket.
With WSSU leading 29-20 at the under four-minute media timeout, Shaw got a dunk from Larry Richardson. Richardson was fouled on the play and converted the free throw, bringing the Bears to within six points at 29-23.
Shaw was able to force four WSSU misses, but could not capitalize, as the Bears committed two turnovers and missed two shots of their own. WSSU was then whistled for an offensive foul to make it five straight scoreless possessions for the Rams. Shaw's AliBaba Odd was able to drive to the basket but was fouled with three seconds left before halftime. Odd knocked down a free throw to cut the WSSU lead to 29-24 at halftime.
The WSSU halftime lead quickly evaporated as Shaw came out of the locker room as the aggressor. The Bears were able to put together a 9-4 run to cut the deficit to two points at 33-31 with 17:08 remaining. During the run, Shaw got a dunk from Larry Richardson. Joe Reid and Koron Reed also added baskets for the Bears.
Winston-Salem State responded, stretching the lead back to seven points at 37-31 after Donta Harper hit one of two free throws.
After the teams traded misses, WSSU freshman Terrell Leach found his way to the line, hitting both shots to boost the lead to 39-31 with 14:25 to play.
WSSU would take the 10 point lead at 41-31 with 13:25 left, but Shaw would cut it to 43-38 after a Reid jumper with 10;55 to play. Shaw continued to drive the ball inside, with Jamar Cooper sliced into the WSSU defense and got a layup to fall and was fouled in the process. His subsequent free throw closed the gap to 45-41 with 9:19 remaining.
After WSSU built the lead back to eight points at 54-46, Shaw again trimmed it to six points, this time thanks to a pair of John Savoy free throws with 5:08 remaining. On the next Ram possession, WSSU returned the favor, with WyKevin Bazemore connecting on two free throws.
Shaw's AliBaba Odd responded by knocking down a three pointer to make it 56-51, but a delay of game technical gave WSSU another pair of free throws. The Rams connected on one attempt to make it 57-51. Shaw then got a Larry Richardson jumper to fall. Richardson was fouled on the play and knocked down the resulting free throw to draw to within 57-54 with 3:45 left.
WSSU's Donta Harper scored on a layup to make it 59-54, but Shaw again worked it inside, drawing a foul. AliBaba Odd knocked down the first foul shot and his second attempt was off the mark. Shaw controlled the rebound but could not get a jumper to fall. WSSU then pushed it ahead, only to commit their 11th turnover of the game. Shaw then got a Joe Reid basket to cut the Ram lead to 59-57 with 2:04 to play.
On their next possession, WSSU's WyKevin Bazemore was whistled for an offensive foul, his fifth of the game, turning the ball back over to the Bears. After a Shaw timeout with 1:26 left, the Bears tied the game when Jamar Cooper scored after a missed three pointer, tying the game at 59-59 with 1:13 left.
WSSU's Marquez Jones was able to get to the line and gave WSSU the 61-59 lead with 42.8 seconds remaining after two free throws.
On Shaw's next possession, a three pointer was off the mark, but the Rams' Javan Wells controlled the rebound and WSSU called a timeout with 20.5 seconds remaining. With Shaw forced to foul to extend the game, WSSU's Wells hit a pair of free throws to make it 63-59 with 17 seconds left.
Shaw quickly pushed it ball up the floor and got a finger-roll layup from Odd with 12.2 left to trim the WSSU lead to 63-61. Shaw then sent Wells back to the line with 11.1 left. He connected one shot, leaving Shaw a chance to ty in the waning moments.
Larry Richardson's three-pointer with two seconds remaining was no good, and WSSU escaped with a 64-61 win.
The Rams got 22 points from Donta Harper and 12 points from Marquez Jones. WSSU also shot 40.7% (19-47) on the game. WSSU also scored 25 points on 26 Shaw turnovers. The Bears got 15 points from Joe Reid and 11 from AliBaba Odd. Playing in their third game in three days, Shaw managed to out-rebound WSSU 37-31.
With the loss, Shaw completes the season at 12-16 while Winston-Salem State improves to 17-9.
Winston-Salem State will take on Fayetteville State on Friday, Feb. 27 at 9:00 p.m. in the second semifinal game of the 2015 CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
WSSU Head Coach James Wilhelmi
When Shaw Starting chipping away
"We told them to stay the course. We were fouling a little too much and we told them to keep playing."
On being the last team to play in the Tournament
"We're fortunate to be playing in "prime time" We're lucky that we had a lot of fans able to see us, so we embrace it."
On Semifinal matchup vs FSU
"It's going to be "shock and awe" versus "total chaos" coming tomorrow night. Fayetteville State vs. Winston Salem State, that's classic CIAA basketball and I know a lot of people are looking forward to it.
Shaw Head Coach Cleo Hill, Jr.
It was a very exciting game for the fans. It was a very good game. Our guys fought extremely hard. I'm definitely proud of my guys.
"I emphasized in timeouts to stop and score. We got a couple of possessions where we could get a stop and we executed to close the gap."
On Last Shot by Larry Richardson
"Larry (Richardson) is a great shooter. He had two great looks late in the game and I'd let him shoot it anytime."
Joe Reid On the CIAA Tournament
"It was a great experience playing in this tournament. I've never won a game before, so winning two in this tournament was a good feeling. Even though we didn't get it done tonight, it was a great experience. This experience will help me grow as a man."
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Livingstone’s lock-down defense stops Lincoln in CIAA men’s basketball tournament
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Livingstone is pretty good when it commits to defense.
The Blue Bears limited Lincoln (Pa.) to 34.8 percent shooting and outscored the Lions 44-30 in the paint to earn an 83-69 win in the quarterfinals of the CIAA tournament Thursday at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Livingstone, which won last year’s title, gave the defensive effort coach James Stinson has sought all season but didn’t always get.
“I’d have to say about a ‘C’,” he said. “We did a lot of reaching and we made a lot of mistakes that were not conducive to what we want to do. We left some wide-open shots, but we were fortunate they didn’t make a lot of them.”
Livingstone, the South Division’s second seed, made more than enough to seize a 42-28 lead at intermission, hitting 17-of-33 field goal attempts (51.5 percent) and holding Lincoln, the North’s No. 3, to 9-of-28 (32.1 percent).
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The Blue Bears limited Lincoln (Pa.) to 34.8 percent shooting and outscored the Lions 44-30 in the paint to earn an 83-69 win in the quarterfinals of the CIAA tournament Thursday at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Livingstone, which won last year’s title, gave the defensive effort coach James Stinson has sought all season but didn’t always get.
“I’d have to say about a ‘C’,” he said. “We did a lot of reaching and we made a lot of mistakes that were not conducive to what we want to do. We left some wide-open shots, but we were fortunate they didn’t make a lot of them.”
Livingstone, the South Division’s second seed, made more than enough to seize a 42-28 lead at intermission, hitting 17-of-33 field goal attempts (51.5 percent) and holding Lincoln, the North’s No. 3, to 9-of-28 (32.1 percent).
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The Lincoln Lady Lions Have Historic Win Over Livingstone
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| COURTESY CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS |
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – The Lincoln University advanced to its first CIAA Women's Championship Game because the Lady Lions never buckled in the semifinals.
Guard Amani Clark scored a layup and made a key steal in the final 24 seconds to lift the Lady Lions over Livingstone College in a thrilling 57-55 semifinal basketball victory in the CIAA Tournament on Friday, February 27, 2015. The Lady Lions can win their first CIAA title on Saturday against Virginia State University at 4 p.m. The contest will be televised live on the ASPiRE Network.
"It means the world to us right now," Lady Lions center Mieana Gaines said. "Three or four years ago nobody believed in Lincoln. I am just living in the moment."
The Lady Lions, the Northern Division co-champions, defeated a team many thought would be in the finals. Even though the Lady Blue Bears were stripped of 20 wins because of an ineligible player, they were still a formidable unit. At one time, the Lady Blue Bears were ranked as high as fifth nationally in Division II.
But the Lady Lions, the top Northern Division seed, got key contributions from several players to gain the victory. Clark finished with 11 points while guard Courtney Smith and swing player Teira Pendleton each added nine points. All-CIAA center Zephrah Pam had seven points and 10 rebounds before fouling out, and forward De'jah Taylor contributed six points and six rebounds off the bench.
The Lady Lions frontline including Pam, Taylor and Gaines (four rebounds) battled the Lady Blue Bears even on the boards as both teams recorded 51 rebounds. The Lady Lions' guards including Clark, Smith and Alaysia Washington nailed key shots and came up two steals apiece.
Because of their team effort, the Lady Lions never bent when the Lady Blue Bears, the No. 3 Southern Division seed, climbed back in the game from a 10-point halftime deficit.
"It was a dogfight from start to finish," Lady Lions' Head Coach Jessica Kern said. "Coach [Anita] Howard and her team did a phenomenal job. Our young ladies have been playing with a purpose. We never say die. Our [inside] players made several key shots and key stops."
Down 53-48 with 3:38 remaining, the Lady Blue Bears made one final push. Precious Roberts scored four points during a 7-2 run including a midcourt steal and layup to tie the game at 55-55 with 1:09 remaining.
The Lady Blue Bears had a chance to take the lead but missed two free throws with 33 seconds remaining. That set the stage for Clark, who drove to the basket for a layup after catching the inbounds pass at midcourt. Her basket put the Lady Lions back ahead 57-55 with 24 seconds left.
"We wanted to take the bigs away from the basket," Kern said. "Amani made a great read."
Clark clinched the victory when she stripped Amber Curtis as Curtis attempted a three-pointer with three seconds left.
"She came up with a really big stop," Kern said. "That is a momentum builder for her going into the [championship] game."
Livingstone Head Coach Anita Howard never panicked when her team trailed 32-22 at halftime. But the Lady Blue Bears, who shot 30.8 percent from the floor, could never snatch momentum away from the Lady Lions. The 55 points were the third-fewest scored by the Lady Blue Bears this season.
"Lincoln got the best of us," Howard said. "We just missed out on some opportunities at the end of the game and fell short. I thought we would be able to pull out the game. Lincoln was playing pretty consistent."
Curtis scored 15 points for the Lady Blue Bears (8-20 overall). Roberts scored 10 points off the bench and Wende Foster had 10 rebounds and four blocks.
The Lady Lions (22-7 overall) were tenacious in building their first-half lead. The contest was even in the early going but the Lady Lions took charge behind back-to-back three-pointers by Washington. She banked in a three and drained a trey from the corner for a 21-14 Lady Falcons lead. The lead stretched to nine points on a fadeaway jumper by Courtney Lucas.
The Lady Lions had chances to extend the lead, but made only 8 of 17 free throw attempts in the first half. The missed free throws allowed the Lady Blue Bears to trim the deficit. Sophie Lepzem scored two layups and Labrea Walker scored a layup off a steal as the Lady Blue Bears got within 24-20.
It appeared the Lady Blue Bears would gain control, but the Lady Lions finished the first half in a flurry. They went on an 8-2 run to lead 32-22 at halftime.
Pendleton led the Lady Lions with seven points while Clark and Washington each added six points in the first half. Walker scored five points for the Lady Lions, who shot 27 percent.
Kern sensed the Lady Lions would have an exceptional season. Her intuition was correct.
"This is the first offseason that every kid did their individual work," Kern said. "When the girls showed up in the summer, I knew something special was going to happen, I just didn't know what it [was going to be]."
Now she knows.
QUOTES
The Lincoln Head Coach Jessica Kern
"It was a dogfight from start to finish. Coach Howard and her team did a phenomenal job. Our young ladies have been playing with a purpose. We have to do everything that nobody else does."
"Every time you think you are down and can look up, you have a long ways to go. We never say die. If you have the ability to do that on both ends of the floor (she didn't finish sentence). Some really big players came up with big shots and big stops. They do the dirty stuff that nobody puts out on a stat line."
Mieana Gaines (On reaching the finals):
"It means the world to us right now. Three or four years ago nobody believed in Lincoln. I am just living in the moment.
Kern (On Facing Shaw):
"It will be about living in that moment and going into the next. We are going to give our all. They got to make the bunnies under the basket and make free throws."
Kern (On the game-winning layup):
"We wanted to take the bigs away from the basket. Amani made a great read."
Kern (On Clark's game-clinching steal):
She came up with a really big stop. That is a momentum builder for her going into the [championship] game."
Kern (On Lincoln's potential heading into the season):
"This is the first offseason that every kid did their individual work. When the girls showed up in the summer, I knew something special was going to happen, I just didn't know what it [was going to be]."
De'jah Taylor (On Lincoln's potential heading into the season): "We already had in our mind that we were going to the championship in the preseason."
Livingstone Head Coach Anita Howard: (On the loss)
"It is tournament time. Lincoln got the best of us. We just missed out on some opportunities at the end of the game and fell short."
"We got off to a late start on the floor and didn't get into our usual routine. We were also missing two key players and another player was injured. We didn't get a chance to really get a good practice. We figured it out in second half."
I thought we would be able to pull out the game. Lincoln was playing pretty consistent."
"This team has been through many adversities and they stuck it though. I am indebted to them for what they did for me at Livingstone [this season]."
(About Losing Cosby due to ineligibility):
You can't complete a puzzle without all the pieces. We had an unfinished puzzle but we figured it out and moved on. We've been plagued with adversity, but adversity builds character. We bonded throughout adversity.
(On the game-winning layup by Clark of Lincoln):
"We were trying to get a five second call on the inbounds play. We missed an assignment on the outside."
(About first half when Livingstone fell behind by 10):
"It was effort. Lincoln showed that they wanted it more. In the first half, Lincoln got its hands on all the loose balls, and they were taking the ball out of our hands. I told them if you don't want to be in the locker room crying after the game, then show why we are where we are today."
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Southern falls 8-2 to Prairie View in SWAC baseball opener
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Prairie View took advantage of Southern’s pitching and defensive miscues to beat the Jaguars 8-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams Friday afternoon at Lee-Hines Field.Southern put 12 Panthers runners on base via walks and hit batsmen and committed five errors. Starter Santos Saldivar (0-2) lasted just a third of an inning after three times walking batters with the bases loaded.
Jose De La Torre had a sacrifice fly, and Nkosi Djehuti-Mes hit an RBI double for the Jaguars.
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West Virginia State University, NBA Basketball Legend Earl LLoyd Passes Away
INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member and West Virginia State University (WVSU) basketball legend Earl Lloyd, the first African-American to play in a NBA game, passed away Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015.
"The State family mourns the loss of a fellow Yellow Jacket and trailblazer who was a true champion both on and off of the basketball court. When Earl stepped out on the court on that fateful date in 1950, this remarkable man rightfully earned his place in the historic civil rights movement and, more important, he opened the door to equality in America," WVSU President Brian Hemphill said. "I am so thankful the State family was able to welcome Earl back to campus last year, honor him and celebrate his legacy and unveil the Earl Francis Lloyd Lobby and statute in the new state-of-the-art convocation center. On behalf of the State family, my wife, Marisela, and I extend our deepest condolences to Charlita and their sons and extended family."
Lloyd was a trailblazer in the world of professional basketball. In 1950, with the Washington Capitols, he was the first African-American to play in an NBA game. Later, with the Syracuse Nationals, he became the first African-American player to win an NBA championship. Following his playing days, with the Detroit Pistons, he was the first African-American to be named an assistant coach and the first to be named a bench coach.
"Today society lost a true treasure with the passing of Earl Lloyd. Not enough, but many people know of his pioneering accomplishments in the game of basketball by breaking the color barrier as a player, a champion and a coach in the NBA. Those who had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Lloyd know why society, not just basketball, lost a treasure," said Bryan Poore, WVSU Men's Head Basketball Coach. "He was the most humble, caring, positive person I have ever come across. His uplifting spirit made everyone who came in contact with him feel special. I will forever cherish the many great times and insightful conversations I was able to have with this historical legend. He truly loved his alma mater."
After his college playing days, Lloyd was taken in the NBA draft in the ninth round by the Washington Capitols. On Oct. 31, 1950, Lloyd became the first African-American to play in an NBA game when he took the court against the Rochester Royals. Although the Royals defeated the Capitols 78-70, Lloyd scored 6 points in what would go down as an historic night.
Lloyd spent only seven games with the Capitols before leaving for a two-year stint in the U.S. Army. In 1952 he returned to the NBA to play for the Syracuse Nationals.
Nicknamed "The Big Cat," Lloyd achieved the best performance of his career in the 1954-55 season when he scored 731 points and helped the Nationals to the Eastern Division Championship. This shored up Lloyd as the first African-American to win an NBA title. His average that year was 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
In 1958 Lloyd was traded to the Detroit Pistons where he remained until his retirement as a player from professional basketball in 1960 at the age of 32. He ended his career with averages of 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.
After retirement, Lloyd remained with the Pistons as a scout, and is credited with discovering basketball talents Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Dave Bing, Ray Scott and Wally Jones.
In 1968 Lloyd broke another color barrier when he was named the first African-American assistant coach in the league, with the Detroit Pistons. Three years later he became the second African-American to be named a head coach of a NBA team. During his short tenure, he coached future Hall of Famers Dave Bing and Bob Lanier.
Following his time in professional basketball Earl joined Chrysler and became the first African-American executive in the Dodge division. Later, he was an administrator in the field of job placement for the Detroit Board of Education for more than 10 years. Before finally retiring completely, Lloyd was an executive in the community relations department of Dave Bing, Inc., a steel and automobile-parts company owned by the former Piston whom Lloyd had coached.
Lloyd was inducted into the national Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. He has also been honored with induction into the West Virginia State University Hall of Fame, the state of Virginia Athletic Hall of Fame, the state of West Virginia Athletic Hall of Fame, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, the Black College Alumni Hall of Fame and the Parker-Gray High School Hall of Fame.
Lloyd lived in Detroit for 40 years and at the time of his death lived in Crossville, Tennessee, with his wife, Charlita.
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook and Twitter @WVStateU.
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Thursday, February 26, 2015
Abbes is GCAC Player of the Week for 3rd time this year
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| NOUR ABBES |
Abbes, a sophomore from Tunis, Tunisia, and a graduate of Lycée Sportif d'El Menzah, won the award for the second consecutive week and the third time this season. Her nine career awards are a GCAC record in this sport.
Abbes defeated Soledad Calderon Arroyo of the University of New Orleans 7-5, 6-4 for Xavier's only point Saturday.
The NAIA's top-ranked singles player, Abbes will enter the weekend with an XU career singles record of 37-1. She is 20-1 this season and 7-0 this semester.
Xavier's women and men will play a pair of dual matches SSaturday at XU Tennis Center — 10 a.m. against Rhodes of NCAA Division III and 2 p.m. against GCAC member Tougaloo. The Gold Nuggets are 5-5 and ranked third in the NAIA, and the Gold Rush are 4-1 and ranked eighth.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICSXAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Aggressive Shaw Bears eliminate J.C. Smith from CIAA tournament
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Shaw’s Bears were in no mood to lose a third straight game to J.C. Smith.The Bears were more aggressive, especially on the boards, in beating the Golden Bulls 76-54 in the second round of the CIAA tournament Wednesday at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Shaw (13-15, sixth seed in the South Division) made only 42 percent of its shots but more than compensated by outrebounding J.C. Smith (14-14) 47-16, which resulted in a 20-6 disparity in second-chance points.
“I thought it was a typo,” Bears coach Cleo Hill Jr. said. “I think it’s a testament to (seniors Joe Reid and Koron Reed). They didn’t want to go home on Day 2.”
Reid and Reed imposed their will on J.C. Smith, scoring 16 and 15 points each while Reed grabbed 16 rebounds to match the Golden Bulls squad by himself.
“Whenever you can come into the city of Charlotte and play as well as we did against a Steve Joyner-coached team, you’ve done a lot,” Hill said. “He’s one of the best coaches in our league for all of this century and some of the last.”
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Seniors Lead TSU Lady Tigers Past Morehead State, 75-74
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Tennessee State seniors combined to score 42 points and led the Lady Tigers past Morehead State, 75-74, on Wednesday night.
Chelsea Hudson (20 points), Rachel Allen (10), Briana Morrow (6) and LaTeasha Hill (6) were honored before their final home contest.
Hudson’s 20 led TSU (14-12, 11-4 OVC) while I'mani Davis netted 16 and Jayda Johnson poured in 10 to round out the double-digit scorers for Tennessee State.
While the Lady Tigers benefitted from a handful of scorers, the defense caused 18 turnovers and blocked five shots.
MSU was paced by Shay Steele who scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed a team-best 12 rebounds.
Hudson started quickly and had eight of her team’s first 12 points of the game. The rest of the Lady Tigers were a combined 2-of-10 from the field during the opening eight minutes and trailed, 18-12.
Allen and Hill quickly closed the gap by scoring seven straight points and the Lady Tigers found themselves up, 21-18 with 9:43 to go in the half.
The sides traded the lead until a three-pointer by Jemilah Leonard at the 3:54 mark gave TSU its biggest cushion up to that point at 32-28.
A jumper from Davis gave the Lady Tigers a six-point lead later in the half, but Morehead made a bucket with 31 seconds left in the first half and TSU went into the locker room up, 36-32.
TSU outshot the Eagles 42 to 35 percent and held a 23 to 19 advantage on the boards during the opening period.
Davis kicked off the second stanza by canning a pair of three-pointers to put her team up by eight, but MSU went on a 9-3 run from there to make the score 45-43 with four minutes gone in the half.
The Eagles continued their charge and took a one-point lead with a triple at the 12:47 mark. The hoop started a stretch that saw eight lead changes in just over three minutes.
The Lady Tigers were still down by one with 4:57 to play when Allen hit a shot from beyond the arc to go up, 72-70.
A powerful back-down move by Hudson ended with an easy layup to put TSU ahead by five, but a Morehead freebie and three-pointer made it 75-74 with 21.9 seconds remaining.
A missed Lady Tiger free throw gave MSU one final chance to pull out a win with one second left. MSU inbounded the ball underneath the goal, but the pass was too hot to handle and the final horn sounded without a shot attempt.
In a game that was virtually even across the board, TSU outshot MSU 43 to 42 percent to escape with a 75-74 win.
Tennessee State will close out the regular season at Belmont on Feb. 28. Tip-off for the cross-town rivalry is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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Chelsea Hudson (20 points), Rachel Allen (10), Briana Morrow (6) and LaTeasha Hill (6) were honored before their final home contest.
Hudson’s 20 led TSU (14-12, 11-4 OVC) while I'mani Davis netted 16 and Jayda Johnson poured in 10 to round out the double-digit scorers for Tennessee State.
While the Lady Tigers benefitted from a handful of scorers, the defense caused 18 turnovers and blocked five shots.
MSU was paced by Shay Steele who scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed a team-best 12 rebounds.
Hudson started quickly and had eight of her team’s first 12 points of the game. The rest of the Lady Tigers were a combined 2-of-10 from the field during the opening eight minutes and trailed, 18-12.
Allen and Hill quickly closed the gap by scoring seven straight points and the Lady Tigers found themselves up, 21-18 with 9:43 to go in the half.
The sides traded the lead until a three-pointer by Jemilah Leonard at the 3:54 mark gave TSU its biggest cushion up to that point at 32-28.
A jumper from Davis gave the Lady Tigers a six-point lead later in the half, but Morehead made a bucket with 31 seconds left in the first half and TSU went into the locker room up, 36-32.
TSU outshot the Eagles 42 to 35 percent and held a 23 to 19 advantage on the boards during the opening period.
Davis kicked off the second stanza by canning a pair of three-pointers to put her team up by eight, but MSU went on a 9-3 run from there to make the score 45-43 with four minutes gone in the half.
The Eagles continued their charge and took a one-point lead with a triple at the 12:47 mark. The hoop started a stretch that saw eight lead changes in just over three minutes.
The Lady Tigers were still down by one with 4:57 to play when Allen hit a shot from beyond the arc to go up, 72-70.
A powerful back-down move by Hudson ended with an easy layup to put TSU ahead by five, but a Morehead freebie and three-pointer made it 75-74 with 21.9 seconds remaining.
A missed Lady Tiger free throw gave MSU one final chance to pull out a win with one second left. MSU inbounded the ball underneath the goal, but the pass was too hot to handle and the final horn sounded without a shot attempt.
In a game that was virtually even across the board, TSU outshot MSU 43 to 42 percent to escape with a 75-74 win.
Tennessee State will close out the regular season at Belmont on Feb. 28. Tip-off for the cross-town rivalry is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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More than a game: Xavier Coach Dannton Jackson works to build winners at life
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| Dannton Jackson has an impressive resume, but his greatest achievement is the impact he's had on his players off the court. |
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (GCAConf.com) – There have been quite a number of accomplishments and achievements for Xavier University head coach Dannton Jackson in his 12-year tenure on Drexel Drive. Last season, Jackson became the Gold Rush's all-time winningest coach, surpassing current SUNO head coach and mentor Dale Valdery. This past week he tied LSU legend Dale Brown with his tenth 20-win season; good for second all-time among Louisiana basketball coaches. He has 12 consecutive winning seasons, a Xavier record, and has averaged more than 22 wins per season. He is a three-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and Jackson and former SUNO coach Earl Hill are the only coaches to lead their teams to three consecutive GCAC titles.
But for Dannton Jackson, his legacy won't be defined by what goes on between the lines, but rather by the lives he impacts beyond them.
Before his death last year, Coach Jackson had the opportunity to spend some time with the legendary Don Meyer. Meyer, who won more than 900 games in his storied career gave Jackson a piece of advice that he has tried to keep as a cornerstone of his philosophy.
"Coach Meyer told me that 'you have to love teaching more than you love winning'", said Jackson. "I believe that our program is bigger than wins and losses. There is a 'Xavier Way' that speaks to the mission of the university and to the integrity of this basketball program. We're here because of that mission and because of a legacy that we want to continue. I believe we're developing servant leaders and more than anything I look at the people who come through our program and what they do in their lives after they leave."
Dannton Jackson has Xavier in his DNA, almost literally. His parents met on the campus, his father a standout athlete and his uncle wore the black and gold as well. His staff is filled with former players, another extension of his Xavier f
amily.
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SIAC Releases Basketball Tournament Brackets
ATLANTA, Georgia -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference released it's bracket and pairings for the 2015 SIAC Men and Women's Basketball Tournament.
The tournament is set to take place from March 2-7 inside Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Ala.
For the men's top seeds, eastern division champions Paine College, and western division winners, Stillman College, earned the top spots and with with #2E Morehouse College earned a first round bye. The number two seed with the best record earns the first round bye.
For the women's bracket, eastern division winners Benedict College and western division champions, Kentucky State University, enter as the number one seeds with number two seeded LeMoyne-Owen College and Albany State University collecting a first-round bye.
The opening session of the event begins with the women's bracket at 1 p.m.CT on Monday day when No. 4W Lane College faces No. 5E Claflin and No. 4E Fort Valley State takes on No. 5W Miles College at 5:30 p.m. CT.
The men's portion of the bracket follows the women's games respectively. No. 4E Benedict College will meet #5W Kentucky State at 3:15 p.m. CT before #4W LeMoyne-Owen faces #5E Clark Atlanta University.
Tuesday's schedule consist of five games and is set to begin at 12 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday quarterfinal rounds, and Friday's semifinals, will begin at 1 p.m. CT. Both championship games will be held on Saturday, March 7, with the women's final at 4 p.m. CT followed by the men's championship slated for 7 p.m.
For ticket information, log on to www.thesiac.com, or follow the SIAC on Twiiter, Instagram, and Facebook @thesiac.
The complete tournament brackets are attached with the tournament schedule listed below.
2015 SIAC Women's Basketball Championship Schedule
Monday, March 2 - Opening Round
1:00 PM Game 1 - #4W Lane vs. #5E Claflin
5:30 PM Game 3 - #4E Fort Valley State vs. #5W Miles
Tuesday, March 3 - Opening Round
2:15 PM Game 6 - #3E Paine vs. #6W Tuskegee
6:45 PM Game 8 - #3W Stillman vs. #6E Clark Atlanta
Wednesday, March 4 - Quarterfinals
1:00 PM Game 10 - #1E Benedict vs. Winner of Game 1
5:30 PM Game 12 - #1W Kentucky State vs. Winner of Game 3
Thursday, March 5 - Quaterfinals
1:00 PM Game 14 - #2W LeMoyne Owen vs. Winner of Game 6
5:30 PM Game 16 - #2E Albany State vs. Winner of Game 8
Friday, March 6 - Semifinals
1:00 PM Game 18 - Winner of Game 10 vs. Winner of Game 14
5:30 PM Game 20 - Winner of Game 12 vs. Winner of Game 16
Saturday, March 7 - Championship
4:00 PM Game 22 - Winner of Game 18 vs. Winner of Game 20
2015 SIAC Men's Basketball Championship Schedule
Monday, March 2 - Opening Round
3:15 PM Game 2 - #4E Benedict vs. #5W Kentucky State
7:45 PM Game 4 - #4W LeMoyne Owen vs. #5E Clark Atlanta
Tuesday, March 3 - Opening Round
12:00 PM Game 5 - #3E Claflin vs. #6W Miles
4:30 PM Game 7 - #3W Tuskegee vs. #6E Albany State
9:00 PM Game 9 - #2W Lane vs. #7E Fort Valley State
Wednesday, March 4 - Quarterfinals
3:15 PM Game 11 - #1E Paine vs. Winner of Game 4
7:45 PM Game 13 - #1W Stillman vs. Winner of Game 2
Thursday, March 5 - Quaterfinals
3:15 PM Game 15 - Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 9
7:45 PM Game 17 - #2E Morehouse vs. Winner of Game 7
Friday, March 6 - Semifinals
3:15 PM Game 19 - Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 15
7:45 PM Game 21 - Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 17
Saturday, March 7 - Championship
7:00 PM Game 23 - Winner of Game 19 vs. Winner of Game 21
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SIAC champion Paine looking to close regular season with a win
AUGUSTA, Georgia -- Paine coach Jimmy Link is quick to let his players know everything in regards to postseason play.The Lions are the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season champions, but Link knows the team still has to keep winning if it wants to make the NCAA Division II Tournament.
“I tell them everything. They know the region deal. I let them know every game is crucial,” Link said. “We have to win our respect by winning. We can’t lose. I’m pleased with the way my guys have responded.”
Paine closes the regular season tonight when it plays host to Morehouse at 7 at the HEAL Complex. The Maroon Tigers are one of two SIAC teams to defeat the Lions in February, rallying from a 10-point deficit in the final 3:27 for a one-point victory.
Paine (21-5 overall, 16-2 SIAC) needs a win over Morehouse for several reasons. The Lions are trying to go 10-0 at home this season against league foes.
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Livingstone Lady Blue Bears Outlast JCSU Golden Bulls
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Livingstone College Lady Blue Bears hung on for a 50-43 win against Johnson C. Smith University on Wednesday evening to advance to the CIAA semifinal game. The Lady Blue Bears will take on The Lincoln University on Friday in Time Warner Cable Arena. Tip-off is slated for1:00pm on Friday.
Livingstone advances with an 8-19 overall record while the Golden Bulls end their season with a 20-8 mark on the year.
Livingstone advances with an 8-19 overall record while the Golden Bulls end their season with a 20-8 mark on the year.
PHOTO GALLERY
Cierra York drained 10 points in the win for Livingstone while grabbing eight rebounds (eight defensive). Wende Foster hauled in 10 rebounds (three offensive, seven defensive) for the Lady Blue Bears. Ashley Porter paced the Golden Bulls with 12 points and 10 rebounds (three offensive, seven defensive) in the setback.
Cierra York drained 10 points in the win for Livingstone while grabbing eight rebounds (eight defensive). Wende Foster hauled in 10 rebounds (three offensive, seven defensive) for the Lady Blue Bears. Ashley Porter paced the Golden Bulls with 12 points and 10 rebounds (three offensive, seven defensive) in the setback.
Livingstone head coach Anita Howard commented, "We knew tonight was going to be one of those 'grudge' matches coming in. I knew Coach Joyner would have his team prepared. Johnson C. Smith is a team that is a good match up for us. It was an ugly win, but we will take it…I challenged the team to want it more than them."
Johnson C. Smith head coach Stephen Joyner Jr. noted, "I'm extremely proud of this program and where we are right now. We are in the third year of building a program that is going to be highly competitive in Division II. I thought our team gave a great effort tonight."
Amber Curtis drained a three-pointer for Livingstone at the 17:04 mark in the contest. Back-to-back buckets by Jones pushed Johnson C. Smith ahead 4-3 by the first media timeout of the game. Aliya Grinage answered with a layup for Livingstone before Larryqua Hall's jumper restored the narrow advantage to Johnson C. Smith.
Trailing 6-5, Alexis Fowler completed a three-point play for Livingstone and restored the lead to the Lady Blue Bears. Amena Brent's layup knotted the score 8-8 at the 12:56 mark. Ashley Porter's basket for the Golden Bulls with 12:14 on the clock led to a 6-0 run for Johnson C. Smith, leaving the Lady Blue Bears trailing 14-8.
Livingstone battled back to cut the deficit to two points (14-12) after two sets of made free throws by Precious Robertsand York. Hall netted two free throws at the 6:41 mark to extend the Golden Bulls' lead to 16-12 but York answered back on the Lady Blue Bears' next possession to keep Livingstone within striking distance.
Livingstone's Aliyah Grinage capitalized on two free throw opportunities to tie the score with 4:37 left in the first half. Johnson C. Smith responded with back-to-back three-pointers, one by Asha Jordan and one by Anika Jones to pull away 22-16 with 3:34 on the clock.
Lakendra Wilkerson's free throw for Johnson C. Smith with 2:23 remaining before halftime gave the Golden Bulls a 24-17 lead. The seven point advantage was the largest of the half for either team. Five free throws by three different Lady Blue Bears cut Livingstone's deficit to two points by the end of the first half.
Johnson C. Smith shot 27% from the floor in the first half while holding Livingstone to a shooting percentage of 16%. The Lady Blue Bears scored 13 of their 22 points in the first half off of free throws.
The second half was much like the first with each team vying for control of the momentum. Both teams exchanged baskets at the start of the second half. The Golden Bulls clung to a 27-24 lead at the 16:30 mark in the first half and used two free throws by Porter resulting in a 29-24 advantage by the first media time out of the half.
A jumper by York followed by Labrea Walker's three-pointer iced the contest 29-29 with 13:31 on the clock. Livingstone overcame a tied score four times from that point forward before securing a four point lead (41-37) at the 4:56 mark thanks to Precious Roberts' layup. Kaylah Gholson's basket followed by Anika Jones' free throw left the Golden Bulls trailing by a mere point with 3:22 on the clock. Curtis' jumper pushed the Lady Blue Bears ahead 43-40 on Livingstone's next possession.
Wende Foster tacked on a layup and York's free throw for Livingstone with 1:07 left to play gave the Lady Blue Bears a 46-40 advantage. Down but not out, Johnson C. Smith answered back with a three-pointer by Shanequa Phifer to shift the momentum back to the Golden Bulls with 45 seconds on the clock. A Johnson C. Smith foul resulted in two free throw opportunities for York. She capitalized on both attempts to extend Livingstone's advantage to 48-43. Walker added two made free throws to put the game out of reach, 50-43, resulting in the win for the Lady Blue Bears.
Cierra York received the MVP award of the game for the Lady Blue Bears, presented by Food Lion.
Cierra York received the MVP award of the game for the Lady Blue Bears, presented by Food Lion.
COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
The last captain: Xavier meant the world to Otis Washington, and then suddenly it was gone
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| “Xavier,” afforded me basically everything I accomplished in life.” OTIS WASHINGTON COURTESY XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA SPORTS INFORMATION |
NEW ORLEANS -- For decades, Otis Washington’s ascent through Louisiana sports history ran parallel with resentment for his college sports home.
Washington distanced himself from the school that brought him to New Orleans from his hometown of Selma, Alabama; broadened his life experiences with road trips throughout the Southeast; gave him a reason to care about academics; and, during a period in U.S. history when many blacks — especially in the South — were disenfranchised, helped him land at St. Augustine High School, the start of his coaching saga.
All because of Xavier’s sudden decision in 1960 to disband all sports.
At the time, Washington, a junior, was a two-sport All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference athlete, playing guard and linebacker on the football team and catcher on the baseball squad.
The last captain on what became the final football team of 40. Men mostly forgotten.
“I was really kind of angry,” said Washington, a 2015 inductee into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame who lives in Baton Rouge.
t marked a quiet soreness, one that lagged for decades.
Even as Washington led St. Augustine to state titles in 1975, 1978 and 1979 and a runner-up finish in 1971, served as offensive line coach for one season under LSU’s Bill Arnsparger (1980), then moved crosstown in Baton Rouge as Southern’s head coach (1981-86).
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Chowan Hawks Survive and Advance, Top Falcons 65-60
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Chowan University men's baketball team topped the Saint Augustine's University Falcons 65-60 on Wednesday evening in Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hawks advance to the quarterfinals with the victory and take on Bowie State University on Thursday at 3:00pm.Saint Augustine's University ends their season with a 12-16 overall record while the Hawks advance with a 15-12 record.
Carlos Arroyo led all players in the contest with 18 points in the victory. Kyree Bethel added 15 points for the Hawks while Mark Anthony Buright chipped in 14 points. Trevis Buckhanon hauled in 12 rebounds (five offensive, seven defensive) for the Chowan Blue and White. Bethel now owns Chowan's single season three-point record with 85 three-pointers on the year.
Head coach Brett Vincent stated, "I'm very proud of our team. This is a big win for our team and for the university. We've lost some very close games this season and I think that helped prepare us for the tournament."
Anthony Gaskins led the effort for Saint Augustine's with 17 points while Raheem Jolliffe and Quincy January scored 15 points and 13 points, respectively. John Koger grabbed 12 rebounds in the setback (one offensive, 11 defensive).
Head coach MarQus Johnson commented, "I thought our team fought hard tonight. Unfortunately we got the short end of the stick on this one."
The contest featured seven lead changes and four tied scores. The Hawks' bench players accounted for 22 of the team's points. Chowan hot 38.5% from the floor while Saint Augustine's shot 33.3% from the floor over the course of the contest.
Jolliffee opened the contest with a jumper for Saint Augustine's but Buckhanon answered with a basket of his own on the Hawks' next possession. January's dunk gave the Falcons a 4-2 edge but Buright's three-pointer returned the advantage to Chowan. Gibson's jumper for Saint Augustine's led to a 6-0 run for the Falcons and left the Hawks trailing 10-5 by the 16:16 mark.
Chowan trailed until the 11:26 mark in the first half when Bethel drained two free throws to tie the score 13-13. Buright's jumper and made free throw pushed the Hawks ahead 16-13. The Falcons pulled within one point before Buright's three-pointer along with Smith's layup extended Chowan's lead to 21-15 with 8:10 on the clock before halftime.
Trailing 23-20 with 6:48 left in the first half, January's dunk followed by Joliffe's three-pointer returned the lead to Saint Augustine's with 5:24 left in the first half. Koger's jumper followed by Joliffe's free throws left the Hawks trailing 29-23.
Chowan and Saint Augustine's traded baskets for the remainder of the first half. Despite Tiron Brown's three-pointer at the buzzer, the Falcons held on to a 35-32 lead heading into halftime.
Buright started out the second half with a layup for the Hawks. Gibson answered with a basket for Saint Augustine's. With the score tied 39-39 and 15:23 left in the game, two free throws by Gibson and a jumper by Gaskins gave Saint Augustine's a 43-39 lead two minutes later. Three consecutive three-pointers, two by Carlos Arroyo and one by Bethel handed the Hawks a 48-43 advantage with 11:42 left in the game. Arroyo's bucket on Chowan's next possession gave the
Hawks a 50-43 lead and capped an 11-0 run.
Bethel's three-pointer with 7:57 on the clock gave the Hawks a nine point lead (55-46) and their largest advantage of the contest. Saint Augustine's used a 7-1 run capped by Gaskins' three-pointer brought the Falcons back within striking distance and cut the deficit to three points (56-53). Two made free throws by Chowan and a jumper by Buckhanon gave the Hawks a 60-53 cushion.
Down but not out the Falcons battled back using three made free throws by Joliffe along with his three-pointer to make the score 60-59 with 2:36 left in the game.
Both teams exchanged free throws for the remainder of the contest before the Hawks confirmed the 65-60 win with two made free throws by Bethel.
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Bethune-Cookman University Fuller's Feat: 60-40 Turns 50
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| CARL FULLER COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN AHTLETICS |
Basketball legend John Chaney held the previous scoring record –57 points against Knoxville in 1952. Fuller did have the previous rebounding record – 38 against Florida Memorial earlier in the season.
Alas, very little physical information exists – only three paragraphs in a Daytona Beach News-Journal recap, no scorebook, no stat sheets. And after 50 years, the memories are starting to fade.
“The thing I can remember is that everything I did went right,” said Fuller. “I was a super hero that night.”
Some memories do remain strong, though.
HOW FULLER GOT TO BETHUNE-COOKMAN: Wildcat legend Jack “Cy McClairen” was in the first couple of years of his coaching era in 1963 when he travelled to St. Augustine to recruit Fuller. It went easier than expected.
His dad told him `You’ll do a great thing if you go to Bethune. You’re going to Bethune.’” McClairen said. “I’m glad he [Fuller’s dad] said that.”
Fuller averaged just 8.7 points, but had 16.3 rebounds as a freshman in 1963-64. Jerome Hamler was the primary scoring threat, averaging 22.9 points a game. Doing the dirty work on the boards, Fuller’s scoring averaged vaulted to 19 a game his sophomore season.
THAT ONE NIGHT: Fuller started hitting early, had little resistance underneath, and his teammates recognized it.
“They kept passing me the ball,” Fuller said. “I couldn’t miss.”
Two things that Fuller and McClairen agreed on: The coach wanted to see him dunk the ball and the reason McClairen took him out with eight minutes remaining.
“He didn’t want me getting a big head,” Fuller said.
“I wanted him to dunk …. He was trying to put the ball off the glass and he didn’t need to do that,” McClairen said. “And I didn’t want him going crazy and thinking he was going to score 80 points in the championship game.”
SO WHAT DID HAPPEN THE NEXT NIGHT? (AND AFTER THAT): Fuller “only” scored 15 points as the Wildcats dropped a 62-61 loss to Clark in the championship game. Fuller still garnered tournament MVP honors, the first Wildcat to do so since McClairen led the 1953 team to a championship.
“Their coach [Clark legend L.S. Epps] was a heck of a coach and he could come up with a plan to stop Carl,” McClairen said. “He did.”
By virtue of their 20-7 record and taking the SIAC’s regular season championship, the Wildcats earned their first berth in the NCAA Division II championship. But in the first round, Bethune-Cookman went up against top-ranked Evansville, which featured future Chicago Bull standout and Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, and Evansville posted a convincing 116-77 decision in the opening round. Norfolk State, then a member of the CIAA, downed the Wildcats 91-74 in a consolation game.
ENTER MR. ALLEN: Fuller would be teamed with Johnnie Allen the following year, and all the duo did was set scoring and rebounding records that still stand today. The penultimate was the 1967-68 team that went 24-7, won the SIAC championship with a 104-101 victory over Florida A&M and earned the program’s second berth in the NCAA tournament. Allen averaged 32.1 points a game that year, while Fuller pulled down 12.9 rebounds per night.
FULL-ER PERSPECTIVE: Fuller finished his career with 1,685 rebounds. The Division I record is Michael Williams II with 754. The Division I single-season record for rebounds is Don Hill’s 1986 total of 317—171 shy of Fuller’s overall program record of 488 set in 1965. Of Bethune-Cookman’s 101 recorded games with 15 rebounds or more, 20 of those were by Fuller.
Fuller’s also the Wildcats’ sixth-leading all-time scorer with 1,573 points. After the 60-40, he would score more than 30 in a game just once – a 31 point night against Albany State the following year.
Allen racked up 3,056 points during his Bethune-Cookman career, but never got past the 51-point mark for a single game high. The Division I record is held by Richard Toussaint, and he needed double-overtime to get 49 points against Morgan State in a 2003 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament game.
THE FAMU PERSPECTIVE: “I felt Carl Fuller was the best big man in the SIAC,” said Al Lawson, who was a forward for Florida A&M who would go on to be a state senator and has the Rattlers’ arena named after him. “I still have marks on my eye from when he hit me with an elbow. The only player who even came close to him was [former University of Florida star] Neal Walk. Even when I coached basketball, none of the players I had was greater than Fuller. They didn’t have his tenacity to rebound.”
THE PROS: Fuller was actually drafted twice. In 1967, the St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks took him in the seventh round but he elected to stay for his senior year. The Detroit Pistons took him in the fifth round the following year, but he would spend the 1970-71 season with the Miami Floridians of the ABA, where he averaged 5.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 71 games. His pro career ended the following year.
TODAY: Fuller was inducted in the Bethune-Cookman Athletic Department Hall of Fame in 2012. He currently resides, in Houston, Texas after being displaced from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
OTHER ANNIVERSARIES: In addition to Fuller's 60-40, Bethune-Cookman is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of John Chaney's senior season and the 35th anniversary of the 1980 team's surprising SIAC championship.
Chaney, who would go on to a legendary coaching career, led the Wildcats to two trips to the NAIA District 29 tournament -- essentially the Black College national championship in three season, the 1955 team lost to eventual champion Texas Southern in the opening round.
The 1980 team struggled to a 10-14 regular season record, but caught fire at the tournament, beating Morehouse 84-67, Tuskegee in 2OT 74-72 and Benedict 76-72 in the title game for a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament. The Wildcats went up against Florida Southern on their home court, lost that one 81-72, then dropped a75-63 to West Georgia in consolation action. The leading scorer was Anthony Chester, who averaged 24.7 ppg while Norris Clemons averaged 14.1 and Coach Cy McClairen’s son , Dwayne, was leading rebounder at 10.0. This was the Wildcats' final season as a Division II; they went to Division I the following year.
NOTE: Bethune-Cookman athletics and the Daytona Beach News-Journal have partnered on a centerpiece to tell to the story of Carl Fuller and other great Wildcat basketball achievements.
Click here to read Ken Willis' feature on Fuller.
Click here to read Brent Woronoff's feature on John Chaney.
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Larry Richardson's Big Night Propels Shaw To 77-70 Win Over Virginia Union
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Feb. 24, 2015) – Shaw University's Larry Richardson scored a season high 29 points, including knocking down 9 of 11 free throws, as the Bears knocked off the Panthers of Virginia Union in the first round of the CIAA Men's Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on Tuesday evening.The Shaw Bears would get on the board first, when with 17:44 on the clock, AliBaba Odd would go the free throw line and sink two free throws to give the Bear an early 2-0 lead.
Virginia Union would get on the board with 17:05 on the clock as Avery Jirmnson would go to the line and make one of two to cut the Bears lead to 2-1.
The game would go back and forth over the next three minutes, and by the first media timeout, Shaw would hold a slight 5-3 advantage.
Virginia Union would remain close and would tie the game twice over the next three minutes.
Shaw U. would stay in the lead for the majority of the half, but the game would feature first half ties.
The Shaw Bears lead would reach seven points twice, last, at the half, where Shaw was able to take a 28-21 lead into the locker room at the half.
Shaw started the second half hot, as Larry Richardson hit a three pointer to begin the half, followed by a dunk from Karon Reed, and a jumper from AliBaba Odd, and the Bears were up by their largest lead of the night at 12 points, 35-23.
The Panthers were not going to go away easily, and by the first media timeout of the second half, had trimmed the lead back down to seven points, at 37-30.
Virginia Union's D'Andre' Bullard would help keep the Panthers close, with a pair of jumpers, and a layup by Karo Adjekughele at 11:44 brought Virginia union to within six points at 46-40.
A key point in the game came at the 11:09 mark, when Virginia union had trimmed the lead to 48-44, but they would miss a three pointer, and Shaw's Larry Richardson would answer with a pair of jump shots, followed by two jumpers from Jamar Cooper, and the Bear lead would surge back to double digits at 55-45 with just over seven minutes left to play.
Avery Jirmnson would get the Panthers back into the game once again, with five straight points, but the night would belong to Larry Richardson, as he would put the Shaw Bears on his back with his hot shooting, and timely free throws coming down the stretch.
The Panthers would have one last run in them to try and extend their season, but the Shaw Bears would get fouled and convert seven of eight free throws in the final 50 second to hold on for 77-70 win.
Defensively, the Shaw Bears limited Virginia Union to just 1 of 16 from behind the three point line
(6%).
The Shaw Bears were led by Larry Richardson, who dropped a season-high 29 points to lead all scorers. Joe Reid added 10 points, and Karon Reed chipped in nine points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and a steal. Jamar Cooper also added nine points and a game high three steals. AliBaba odd scored eight points. John Savoy added a team high seven rebounds.
Virginia Union was led in scoring by Ray Anderson, who finished with 22 points and four rebounds, while Avery Jirmnson added 15 points and five rebounds. Karo Adjekughele chipped in 11 points and team high seven rebounds. Colton Lewis added a game high four blocked shots.
Richardson also received the Food Lion's Most Valuable Player award for his performance in the win over Virginia Union.
Quotes:
Shaw University Coach Cleo Hill
On starting quick and limiting Virginia Union to just 21 first half points - One of the things we like to do is try to limit teams to six points every four minutes, and to hold them to just 21 points at the half, meant we were putting forth the defensive effort that I expect we can play.
On the quick turn around and playing for the second straight night – These guys are young and resilient. We will get them back to the hotel, get up late, watch some game film and luckily we have the late game tomorrow, so I think we will be just fine.
On Playing JCSU – JCSU handled us pretty the first time we played them. We answered back a little better when they came to Raleigh, but one thing we know is Coach Joyner will have his team prepared to play.
On Facing Steve Joyner, Sr – We are talking about one of the very best coaches in the CIAA, maybe in the history of this conference.
BOX SCORE
Written By: Kevin Manns
COURTESY SHAW UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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