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The 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Championship field is set. The four-day event will take place at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., on March 4-7.
The Tennessee State women’s basketball team finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak and earned the No. 3 seed. The Lady Tigers will face the Eagles of Morehead State in the first round on Thursday, March 5 at 2 p.m.
UT Martin captured its second straight regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the tournament while SIUE took the No. 2 seed. Belmont earned the fourth seed followed by Jacksonville State, Morehead State, Austin Peay and Eastern Illinois.
The entire tournament can be seen on the OVC Digital Network as well as ESPN3.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Texas Southern moved into sole possession of first place after a big 58-49 win over Alabama State on Saturday.
Defense was a key part in TSU's victory as ASU only shot 21 percent in the second half compared to 43 for TSU, but a big difference in the game was in three-point field goal efficiency.
The Hornets entered the game as the top three-point shooting team in the conference, averaging over six per game and shooting a league-leading 38 percent.
In tonight's action, ASU only made one of their 14 attempts, while the Tigers connected on six of their 19 attempts, outscoring ASU 18-3 in three point baskets.
TSU had three players reach double-digits led by Gibbs 16 points. Riley added 14 and Deverell Biggs added 10. TSU out rebounded the Hornets 37-30 during the contest.
With the loss, the Hornets fall one game behind the Tigers with three games left to play.
"I thought we had a good game plan," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said. "We wanted to attack them from the inside out and we were getting some really, really good play from Lewis around the basket. He was kind of having his way early in the first half and those things were working for us."
"We allowed those guys to penetrate too much and we gave up open shots. Those are the things that hurt us. I thought in the second half we rushed some shots early in our offense instead of doing what we were doing, playing inside out and keeping pressure on them. Overall I thought it was a good competitive game."
ASU forced the Tigers into 17 turnovers, which led to 19 points, but was out rebounded 37-30 by the Tigers.
"Defensively we held them to 50-something points we just could not make shots there in the second half," Jackson said. "We had a lot of open looks and could not get any of them to fall and it was a tough loss."
ASU was able to sneak into the locker room at halftime with a 33-31 lead. The difference in the first half was TSU's ability to knock down three of their 10 three point field goals while the Hornets missed all four of their attempts.
Lewis did have a big first half setting his career-high in the game's opening 20 minutes of action with 17 points on seven of nine field goals. He also hit three of his four free throw attempts. Waters had six points, but only played 13 minutes as he picked up two first-half fouls.
The Hornets will have a quick turnaround as they will host Prairie View A&M in their final home game of the season Monday at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and watched live on HornetVision at bamastatesports.com.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Livingstone displayed its balance in winning a second consecutive CIAA Men's Basketball Title on Saturday, February 28, 2015.
Guard Daryl Traynham scored 23 points and forward Eric Mayo added 22 points, respectively, for the Blue Bears, who upended Winston-Salem State 106-91 in the CIAA Tournament finals at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Blue Bears are the first team since Johnson C. Smith in the 2008 and 2009 seasons to repeat as CIAA champions.
"This is probably the best feeling I've ever had," said Mayo, an All-CIAA player who was on both Livingstone championship teams. "We did it. It means the world right now."
Traynham and Mayo paced five double-figure scorers for the Blue Bears. All-CIAA Guard Eric Dubose scored 18 points and guard Ty Newman, the tournament MVP, scored 13 points. All-CIAA Center Hakeem Jackson chipped in 10 points for the CIAA champions, who shot 57.9 percent from the floor.
Four-time All-CIAA forward WyKevin Bazemore led the Rams (18-10 overall) with 24 points and All-CIAA Rookie Team guard Terrell Leach pumped in 23 points. All-CIAA Forward Donta Harper scored 20 points for the Rams, who shot 51.7 percent.
Both teams split the regular-season series and shared the Southern Division title, but there was no doubt who was the better team Saturday. The Blue Bears (19-9 overall) hurt the Rams inside in the first half of the high-scoring affair. In the second half, the Blue Bears buried the Rams with their three-point shooting.
Bazemore try his best to keep the Rams in the game. He attacked the basket with abandon in the second half, which led to him making 16 of 20 free throw attempts overall. However, the Blue Bears had too much firepower in the end.
The Blue Bears flexed their muscle in the paint as they outrebounded the Rams 37-24. They also canned 6 of 12 three-point attempts for 50 percent and hit 34 of 42 free throw attempts for 81 percent.
The Blue Bears outscored the Rams in the paint (44-34), in bench points (44-27) and off turnovers (30-16) which led to a decisive win.
"This is a great day for Livingstone basketball," Blue Bears' Head Coach James Stinson said. "The guys came out with a purpose. I loved their focus throughout the game. Overall, they persevered and did the job at hand. When I walked into the locker room, they were fully tuned in to what the goals were."
The Rams put a brief scare into the Blue Bears after Leach's three-pointer cut their deficit to 96-88 with 1:14 left. But the Blue Bears finished with a 10-3 run to claim their second straight crown.
Guard Dwight Williams of the Blue Bears got the championship game off to a rousing start. He blocked a shot in transition, then dribbled coast-to-coast for an emphatic one-handed dunk over a Rams' player which left the Time Warner Cable Arena crowd, especially the Livingstone fans, buzzing.
"I feel I am pretty athletic and I was able to take advantage of it [on the play]," said Williams, who scored eight points. "[My teammates] fed off of it and we won the game."
His dunk jumpstarted the Blue Bears, who went on a 20-9 run for a 24-13 lead on Mayo's jumper. The Rams sliced their deficit to single digits, but the Blue Bears stretched the margin to double digits for the rest of the half.
The Blue Bears established their lead with 58.1 percent shooting and strong play in the paint in the first half. They outscored the Rams in the paint 28-8 and won the rebounding battle 24-11.
The Rams didn't find much success inside, but they stayed within striking distance with their perimeter shooting. They connected on 5 of 11 three-point attempts for 45.5 percent including 3 of 3 shooting behind the arc from Leach.
It was Leach who gave the Rams a spark right before halftime. He launched a three-pointer behind the midcourt line which swished through the nets before the horn sounded. The three-pointer trimmed the Blue Bears' lead to 46-36 heading into the break.
Leach led all scorers with 14 points in the first half for the Rams. Dubose and Williams both scored eight points for the Blue Bears.
Despite the long-range three from Leach, the Rams could not carry the momentum into second half against a Blue Bears' squad which had plenty of depth.
We can go deep into our bench, and it has helped us get over the hump by systematically wearing teams down," Stinson said.
Despite the Rams' hot shooting, Head Coach James Wilhelmi says the Livingstone defense gave his team fits early on.
"It was a 2-3 zone and it did disrupt our flow early," Wilhelmi said. "We had a couple of quick turnovers and we were down eight. From there, it was tough to battle back. We never got into a true flow."
Though winning back-to-back titles is a great feat, the Blue Bears have more goals in sight.
"We can celebrate tonight but tomorrow, we have to get prepared to play in the national tournament," Stinson said. "Our ultimate goal is to get to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight. We want to continue playing the way we have been playing of late. We have to do the CIAA some justice in getting the job done. The team is starting to see what they can achieve if they play together."
The All-CIAA Tournament team consists of Newman, Dubose and Mayo of Livingstone; Harper and Bazemore of Winston-Salem State; Joe Reid of Shaw, Anthony Gaskins of Saint Augustine's, Joshua Dawson and Anthony Beck of Fayetteville State and Justin Beck of Bowie State.
Livingstone Head Coach James Stinson
This is a great day for Livingstone basketball. The guys came out with a purpose. I loved their focus throughout the game. Overall, they persevered and did the job at hand. When I walked into the locker room, they were fully tuned in to what the goals were.
They know to be able to attain their goal of reaching the national playoffs, they had to win the CIAA.
We wanted to control the paint, and the goal is to outrebound the opponent, to try to be plus 10. We kind of had to slow it down and try to pound it inside.
They hear me talk about the Thomas's, Hill's and Welch's. They get tired of me talking about it. They wanted to etch their own history.
We can go deep into our bench, and it has helped us get over the hump by systematically wearing teams down.
We can celebrate tonight but tomorrow, we have to get prepared to play in the national tournament. Our ultimate goal is to get to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight. We want to continue playing the way we have been playing of late. We have to do the CIAA some justice in getting the job done. The team is starting to see what they can achieve if they play together.
From beginning to end, it is one of the better performances we've had this season.
QUOTES
LC Player Dwight Williams (about his dunk early in the first half)
I feel I am pretty athletic and I was able to take advantage of it [on the play]. [My teammates] fed off of it and we won the game.
LC Player Cristian Henry
There was never a time I thought we would ever lose this tournament.
LC Player Eric Mayo
This is probably the best feeling I've ever had. We did it. It means the world right now.
I knew [WyKevin Bazemore] was a great rebounder. I was able to keep him off the boards.
Rams' Head Coach James Wilhelmi (about the team's slow start)
"It was a 2-3 zone and it did disrupt our flow early. We had a couple of quick turnovers and we were down eight. From there, it was tough to battle back. We never got into a true flow. 2015 CIAA Men’s All-Tournament Team Name Pos. Class School
Joe Reid Forward Senior Shaw
Anthony Gaskins Guard Sophomore St. Augustine’s
Joshua Dawson Guard Sophomore Fayetteville St.
Ty Newman Guard Junior Livingstone
Justin Beck Guard Junior Bowie St.
Anthony Shelton Forward Senior Fayetteville St.
Eric Dubose Guard Junior Livingstone
Donta Harper Forward Senior Winston-Salem St.
Eric Mayo Forward Senior Livingstone
WyKevin Bazemore Forward Senior Winston-Salem St.
2015 Men’s Most Valuable Player
Ty Newman Guard Junior Livingstone
2015 CIAA Men’s Team Sportsmanship Award
Johnson C. Smith University
With a 73-49 victory over The Lincoln University, the Virginia State University Trojans clinched the 2015 CIAA Women's Basketball Championship. The title win was the first for Virginia State since 2002. The Trojans earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament with the victory and advance with a 20-9 overall record. The Lady Lions end their season with a 21-8 record.
Jessica Lyons led all players in the game with 16 points while DeAnna Waters chipped in 15 points. Cana Marriott totaled 14 points including four three-pointers while Dashae Jones added 11 points in the victory for the Trojans. The CIAA Tournament Most Valuable Player, Tiffanie Adair grabbed eight rebounds in the win while Lyons added seven rebounds. Virginia State shot 45.8% from the floor in the win.
Virginia State University head coach James Hill Jr. commented, "Our main focused was to continue to do what we do. If we could continue to play defense and box out, we knew we'd be successful...This year our team is more balanced, anyone can score on any night…as long as we get the win that's what matters."
Amani Clark paced the Lady Lions with 11 points in the setback. Lennee Kimbell and Teira Pendleton chipped in six points in the loss while Lisa Saunders, Courtney Smith and Dejah Taylor notched five points each. Courtney Lucas led all players in the game with 10 rebounds. Lincoln shot 27% from the floor over the course of the competition.
The Lincoln University head coach Jessica Kern stated, "…Well, honestly, whatever could have went wrong tonight did…I did enjoy seeing that the fight never stopped from these ladies. I'm proud of them and I know we wanted it to end differently but they never gave up."
Adair opened the contest with a layup on the Trojans' first possession of the contest. Taylor's free throw put Lincoln on the board but jumpers by Waters and Adair gave Virginia State a 6-1 advantage two minutes into the game. Taylor's jumper on the Lady Lions' next possession put Lincoln back within striking distance.
Virginia State used a 9-2 run to pull away 13-5 by the 13:45 mark in the first half. The Lady Lions pulled within four points (15-11) with 10:29 on the clock after Courtney Lucas' bucket. Marriott connected on back-to-back three pointers for Virginia State to give the Trojans a 21-11 lead with 9:29 remaining in the first half.
Wynterra Pittman's tip-in with 8:10 on the clock handed the Trojans a 23-11 lead. Courtney Smith answered with a three-pointer for Lincoln on the Lady Lions' next possession but Virginia State used an11-0 run highlighted by back-to-back three pointers by Jessica Lyons to leave the Lady Lions trailing 34-14.
Pittman's layup for Virginia State gave the Trojans a 37-16 lead with 4:05 on the clock. The 21 point advantage was the largest of the half for the Trojans. The Lady Lions were unable to make a run in the remaining time in the first half and headed into the locker room trailing 39-21.
The Lady Lions shot 27.3% from the floor while the Trojans shot 54.2% in the first half.
Virginia State opened the second half with a jumper by Waters and three-pointer by Dashae Jones to take a commanding 44-21 lead. Two jumpers by Waters and a three-pointer by Jones left Lady Lions trailing 51-21 with 16:04 on the clock.
Back-to-back baskets by Kimbell for Lincoln made the score 51-25 and ended a six minute scoring drought for the Lions. Amani Clark's three-pointer at the 10:53 mark brought Lincoln with 23 points but the Trojans were relentless in their attack.
Trailing 58-35 with 6:23 left in the game, two made free throws and a layup by Pendleton allowed the Lady Lions to pull within 19 points (58-39). Lincoln was unable to overcome the deficit as Virginia State continued to dominate the momentum and the scoreboard in the remainder of the contest to earn the 73-49 victory.
The members of the CIAA All-Tournament Team include:
Name Pos. Class School
Amber Curtis Guard Jr. Livingstone
Cierra York Guard Sr. Livingstone
Lady Walker Forward/Center R-Soph. Virginia Union
Kesheria McNeil Guard Jr. Winston-Salem State
Verdine Walker Center Sr. Shaw
Zephrah Pam Forward Sr. Lincoln
Tiffanie Adair Forward Sr. Virginia State
Amani Clark Guard Jr. Lincoln
Dashae Jones Guard Sr. Virginia State
Jadda Jeffries Guard Sr. Elizabeth City State
2015 Women’s Most Valuable Player
Tiffanie Adair Forward Sr. Virginia State
2015 CIAA Women's Team Sportsmanship Award
Bowie State University
ETTRICK, Virginia -- The VSU Athletic Department released their 2015 Trojan Football schedule on Monday, February 16.
The Trojans have a strong 2015 schedule with first year Head Coach Byron Thweatt. "We have a very challenging schedule this year. Opening up with three quality non- conference programs should prove beneficial for us in terms of our ability to establish a new identity in 2015," said Coach Thweatt. "The CIAA is a very tough conference and hopefully we can benefit from having 4 conference games at home."
VSU kicks off their 2015 campaign at home against California University (PA) on Saturday, September 5. This is their second consecutive season opener against a PSAC opponent. The Trojans will then travel to Grenville, TN for their first ever matchup against Tusculum College on Saturday, September 12. On week three, VSU three will come back home to Rogers Stadium to face Kentucky State University on Saturday, September 19.
Following the Kentucky State game, VSU will get into conference play facing Fayetteville State University on Saturday, September 26 at Rogers Stadium.
VSU will welcome Trojan Alumni for Homecoming 2015 on October 17. The team will take on Bowie State University at 2 p.m.
The final regular season home game will be on Saturday, November 7 against VSU's longtime I-95 rivals, Virginia Union University.
For more information on the 2015 Trojan Football season, visitwww.govsutrojans.com. 2015 VSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE
OPPONENT
LOCATION
TIME
September 5, 2015
California PA University
Ettrick, VA
1:00 p.m.
September 12, 2015
Tusculum College
Greeneville, TN
TBA
September 19, 2015
Kentucky State University (Military Appreciation Day)
Ettrick, VA
2:00 p.m.
September 26, 2015
Fayetteville State University (Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day)
Ettrick, VA
2:00 p.m.
October 3, 2015
St. Augustine's College (Take A Kid to the Game Day)
Ettrick, VA
2:00 p.m.
October 10, 2015
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
TBA
October 17, 2015
Bowie State University (Homecoming)
Ettrick, VA
2:00 p.m.
October 24, 2015
Lincoln University
Lincoln, PA
TBA
October 31, 2015
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, NC
TBA
November 7, 2015
Virginia Union University (Senior Day)
Ettrick, VA
2:00 p.m.
November 14, 2015
CIAA Football Championships
TBD
TBA
November 21, 2015
NCAA Play-Offs
TBD
TBA
HOME GAMES IN BOLD COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
DURHAM, North Carolina -- Led by stars Jordan Parks and Nimrod Hilliard, N.C. Central slammed Bethune-Cookman 72-49 on Senior Day at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium, clinching the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season title and the No. 1 overall seed at the upcoming MEAC Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia. The regular-season title is the second straight for the Eagles, who went on to win the MEAC Tournament a year ago and gain the league’s only berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Eagles have won 32 conference games in a row, the longest streak in Division I, and extended their home winning streak to 34 games in the process.
The Eagles improved to 22-6 overall and remained unbeaten at 14-0 in MEAC play. Norfolk State (18-11, 11-3 MEAC), which had a bye Saturday, had been the only remaining threat to NCCU’s bid for the No. 1 seed but had to win its final two regular-season games and hope NCCU lost its final three MEAC games in order to remain in contention.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State men's basketball team would like to forget its previous meeting with today's opponent.
Last month, Texas Southern shot 55 percent from the field and defeated Alabama State 80-65, handing the Hornets their first conference loss.
The Hornets (16-7, 12-2 SWAC) have won five of seven since that loss and now will look to break the tie atop the SWAC with the Tigers at the Acadome today. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Hornets return home after a pair of nail-biting finishes on the road last weekend.
Against Alcorn State last Saturday, the Hornets hit seven free throws in the final minute to avoid giving up a 19-point, second-half lead in a 71-67 win.
NEW YORK, New York -- Anthony Mason, a muscular, bellicose forward whose bruising play helped theKnicksreach the National Basketball Association finals in 1994, has died in Manhattan, the Knicks said Saturday. He was 48. Mason’s death was reported on the Knicks website. He had been treated for heart disease, but the cause of death was not reported.
Mason, who played for six teams in 13 N.B.A. seasons, was an unlikely success story. His college team, Tennessee State, was never a power, and he spent three years on the fringes of the professional game, playing mostly abroad and in American leagues of lesser quality before he became a regular player with the Knicks in 1991 under their new coach, Pat Riley.
Athletic and chiseled at 6 feet 7 inches (he was sometimes listed as 6-8) and 250 pounds or more, he had bowling-ball shoulders, surprising quickness, especially around the basket, and a deft touch with a pass or a dribble in the open court. He also had a fearsome court persona; he gave hard fouls, glared at opponents, badgered referees and never shied away from a scuffle, in or away from the arena. SLIDE SHOW CONTINUE READING
ANTHONY MASON Mason averaged 28 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in his senior year, and was drafted in the third round by the Portland Trail Blazers.
COURTESY TSU SPORTS INFORMATION
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State men’s basketball legend Anthony Mason passed away due to heart complications, Saturday, at the age of 48.
Mason played for Tennessee State University from 1985-88 and left as the school’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 2,076 points. The Miami, Florida native also tallied 894 career rebounds, ranking him sixth in the school’s record book.
The forward was so dominant down-low during the 1987-88 season that he was fouled and put on the line a TSU record 247 times, making 191.
After becoming the school’s first All-Ohio Valley Conference Player in 1988, Mason was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft. He went on to play with the New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat, averaging 10.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in his 13-year NBA career.
Mason blossomed in New York, leading his team to the Finals in 1994 and winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 1995. He was named to the 1996-’97 All-NBA Third Team and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He led the league in minutes played in 1995-’96 (3,457), also setting a Knicks record with the number.
Mason’s oldest son, Anthony Jr., played for St. John’s University while his other son, Antoine, plays at Auburn after transferring from Niagara.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
FAMU football coach Ken Riley at a practice session - Tallahassee, Florida in 1986. Riley was a former professional American Football defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals. In 1986 he took over as the head coach of his alma mater, Florida A&M. Riley coached Florida A&M from 1986-1993, compiling a 48-39-2 record, with two Mid-Eastern Athletic conference titles and 2 MEAC coach of the year awards. Riley then served as Florida A&M's athletic director from 1994-2003.
COURTESY: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, Mark T. Foley, Photographer
Riley lives on as a legend in Bengals history after a 14-year career (1969-83) where he set the team record for interceptions with 65. The Rattler, as he would be known, ranks fifth on the all-time NFL list for picks and the most by a player with a single team. His nine interceptions in the 1976 season are only topped in Bengals history by the 10 picks by Deltha O'Neal in 2004.
He'll enter the Hall this weekend for his accomplishments at Florida A&M University.
The 2015 Class includes Roger Brown (University of Maryland Eastern Shore), Richard Dent (Tennessee State University), L.C. Greenwood (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd (Grambling State University), Ken Riley (Florida A&M University), Donnie Shell (South Carolina State University) and Coach W.C. Gorden (Jackson State University).
This marks the latest Hall of Fame induction for Riley, who also is a member of Florida Sports Hall of Fame, the Florida A&M Hall of Fame, the Polk County Hall of Fame, the cities of Bartow and Tallahassee Halls of Fame and the public-school Hall of Fame.
Despite his myriad accomplishments in both the collegiate and then professional ranks with Cincinnati, he's still not a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Earlier this month, Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin made a pitch for his inclusion on the veteran's committee list.
COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- A Senate panel approved a proposal to fire the trustees of financially troubled South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, one day after the board put the school's embattled president on paid leave. The subcommittee will consider Tuesday the proposal by Senate President Pro Tem Hugh Leatherman of Florence. Co-sponsors include the Senate's Democratic leader and two graduates of South Carolina's only public historically black college. After more than two hours in a closed-door meeting on Monday, South Carolina State University's Board of Trustees voted to place President Thomas Elzey on administrative leave. Interim Provost W. Franklin Evans has been named the acting president of the university. Elzey did not comment on the board's decision after the meeting. Elzey currently has three years left on his contract that pays out about $305,000 per year.
NYESHA ARNOLD COURTESY CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina —The Claflin University softball team defeated Paine College, 11-0, in its 2015 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) opener. With the win the Lady Panthers improve to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in the SIAC. After scoring three runs in the first, Claflin had a breakout third inning. The Lady Panthers put up seven runs off eight hits and one Lady Lion error to take the 10 run lead. Claflin put one additional run in the bottom of the fourth for its 11th run of the game.
Nyesha Arnold picked up her seventh win of the season, pitching five innings and allowing only three hits with nine strikeouts.
Courtney Taylor was the losing pitcher for Paine, who dropped to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the SIAC.
The teams will close out the three game series with a double-header tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 27. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Adden Street Field in Orangeburg.
CORVALLIS, Oregon – Kyle Nobach’s two-run double in the eighth inning snapped a 7-7 tie and sent the Oregon State baseball team to a 10-7 win over Grambling State Friday night at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field. Nobach laced a 1-2 pitch from reliever Creighton Hoover into right field to score two after the Beavers had loaded the bases. Earlier, Billy King, pinch hitting for Joe Gillette, was hit by a pitch, also with the bases loaded, to tie the game at seven apiece. Jeff Hendrix added a bloop single that scored another run and Mitch Hickey got out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth to send the Beavers (6-3 overall) to the victory. Hickey improved to 3-0 on the year while Hoover dropped to 0-2. Andrew Moore took a perfect game into the seventh inning in his third start of the season. He did, however, not figure in the decision. Moore’s perfect outing ended with two down in the seventh when the Tigers reached base three times on a single, double and error. Grambling State (2-6) scored two runs on the double but that was all the Tigers managed against Moore, who came out to a standing ovation in the eighth after a season-best 10 strikeouts. The Beavers went up 5-0 through five innings thanks to Moore’s outing and a solo home run by Gabe Clark. Clark hit a solo home run in the fifth, a 1-1 pitch he deposited into the parking lot in left field. It was his second run driven in of the game as he reached on a bases-loaded hit by pitch in the third. Oregon State opened the game’s scoring on a triple by Gillette in the second. The Beavers opened the game up with a three-run fourth that saw Clark’s hit by pitch and a two-run single by Logan Ice. Grambling State, however, tied the game in the eighth when Larry Barraza hit a grand slam. The Tigers took the lead on a bases-loaded walk. Ice, Hendrix and Trever Morrison both had two hits to pace the Beavers; for Morrison, it extended his hit streak to five games. Hendrix also extended his hit streak to seven games. Oregon State and Grambling State conclude their series Saturday with a doubleheader that begins at 1:05 p.m. PT. Fans in the Corvallis/Albany region should note that the game will air on KLOO 1340-AM as Oregon State women’s basketball will be on KEJO 1240-AM. Fans should take their seats early Saturday as the Beavers’ will honor the 2014 Pac-12 Conference Championship team before the game. For more information on the Oregon State baseball team, follow the club’s official Twitter account at Twitter.com/Beaver_Baseball, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateBaseball or on Instagram at Instagram.com/BeaverBaseball. BOX SCORE SATURDAY GAME DAY
Oregon State (6-3) vs. Grambling State (2-6) Rasmussen/Eckert vs. TBA/TBA February 28, 2015 • Corvallis, Ore. • Goss Stadium • 1:05 p.m. PT
The Game
Oregon State and Grambling State wrap up their three-game series by playing two on Saturday. First pitch of the doubleheader at Goss Stadium is slated for 1:05 p.m. PT.
Radio
The game will air live on the Beaver Sports Network, osubeavers.com and the TuneIn application. All games air on the Beaver Sports Network with pre-game 30 minutes before first pitch. Affiliates include KICE 940-AM (Bend, Ore.), KEJO 1240-AM (Corvallis), KKNX 840-AM (Eugene), KLZS 1450-AM (Eugene), KCFM 1250-AM (Florence), KCFM 104.1-FM (Florence), KAKT 104.7-FM (Grants Pass - Weekends), KLAD 960-AM (Klamath Falls), KCFM 103.1-FM (Mapleton), KTMT-AM 580 and 96.1 (Medford - Weekends), Fox Sports Radio 620-AM (Portland), KSKR 1490-AM (Roseburg) and KBZY 1490-AM (Salem - Weekends, Weekday Day Games).
Television
The game will not be televised.
Live Video
A free live stream of the series can be found by visiting osubeavers.com. The link is available on the baseball schedule page.
Online
Live stats for the game can be accessed by clicking on the live stats link located on the baseball schedule page on osubeavers.com.
Social Media Stay informed with all of Oregon State’s official accounts. See below for everything related to Oregon State Baseball. • Twitter - @Beaver_Baseball • Facebook - @OregonStateBaseball • Instagram - @BeaverBaseball • Pinterest - @BeaverAthletics • YouTube - @OSUBeaversAthletics • Snapchat - @BeaversPac12 • Tumblr - @BeaverAthletics Last Game Kyle Nobach doubled home two in the eighth to break a tie and help send the Beavers to a 10-7 win over Grambling State in the opener Friday night. Jeff Hendrix, Logan Ice and Trever Morrison all had two hits in the win. Andrew Moore did not get the decision after allowing just three hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out 10.
Editor’s note: This story on CIAA legend Earl Lloyd, who died Thursday at age 86, was originally published on March 2, 2007.
FAIRFIELD, Tennessee – Earl Lloyd can’t come up with the number of CIAA basketball tournaments he has attended. There are too many for him to keep track of.
Lloyd is perhaps best known as the first African American to play in an NBA game. But this week he is content to be one of the thousands of CIAA fans in town for the tournament at Bobcats Arena.
But he is also one of the scores of former players who faithfully make the annual trip to the event, to reconnect with old teammates, foes and coaches in hotel lobbies and restaurants. They walk together to the games in a glistening uptown arena that’s nothing like what they played in almost 60 years ago.
Lloyd, 78, now lives comfortably with his wife Charlie in a sun-drenched home in a resort called Fairfield Glade, a retirement community that sits atop Tennessee’s Cumberland Gap.
CHARLOTTE — Winston-Salem State wasn’t going to be denied a chance to play for the CIAA title.
The Rams, behind the inspired play of Javan Wells, Marquez Jones, Donta Harper and WyKevin Bazemore, beat Fayetteville State 88-70 on Friday night in the CIAA Tournament semifinals. The win sets up a rematch of last year’s CIAA championship game with Livingstone. The Blue Bears advanced with an 83-65 win over Bowie State and will have a chance to defend their title.
The Rams had two scoring spurts in the first half Friday, led by as many as 20, and then turned up their defensive pressure in the second half to ease past the Broncos for the third time this season. The Rams had beaten the Broncos twice in the regular season.
Wells led the Rams (18-9) with 19 points; Jones was right behind him with 17 points. Harper added 13 points and Bazemore was all over the court with 13 points and 16 rebounds to go along with four assists.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The defending CIAA champion Livingstone knocked off CIAA Northern Division Champion Bowie State 83-66 in the semifinals of the 2015 CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on Friday evening.
Livingstone jumped on Bowie State early, opening up a 10-5 lead capped by an Eric Mayo layup at the 16:28 mark. That basket forced BSU to call a timeout to slow the Blue Bear momentum.
The Blue Bears continued to build the lead, going up 17-7 after Ty Newman knocked down a free throw with 12:58 left. After a Bowie State miss, Livingstone's Daryl Traynham hit a long jumper to make it 19-7.
Bowie State cut the Livingstone lead to 21-11 after Julian Livingston scored on a tip-in while being fouled. Livingston's free throw was good to make it 21-12 at the 11:14 mark.
The Livingstone lead ballooned to 29-14 when Traynham converted a fast break layup while getting fouled. Traynham's free throw dropped, staking the Blue Bears to their largest lead. Bowie State responded with a three point play of their own when Justin Beck got a twisting layup to go. Beck's free throw trimmed the Blue Bear lead to 29-17 with 9:21 left. Beck added another free throw to further cut into the lead, making it 29-18.
Livingstone's Eric Dubose added a three pointer, pushing the lead back to 14 points at 32-18. Bowie State's Andre Jackson followed up with a tip-in, but Livingstone's Cristian Henry got a layup to go making it 34-20. Bowie State's Cameron Knox, the CIAA Player of the Year, then knocked down a three pointer, cutting the lead to 34-23 at the 7:07 mark.
After a Ty Newman long three pointer and a Juwan Cole layup, Livingstone found itself on top 40-23 with 5:15 to go. The Blue Bears extended their lead to 42-23 after Dubose made two free throws.
Bowie State would go on a 15-8 run to close the half, but Livingstone's Dwight Adams just beat the halftime buzzer with a tip in to spark the Blue Bears to the 50-38 halftime lead.
Livingstone shot 47.4% in the first half compared to BSU's 37.9%. Livingstone forced 14 BSU turnovers, translating into 13 points. The Blue Bears also pounded the ball inside, scoring 33 points in the paint, compared to BSU's 14 inside points.
In the second half, the Bulldogs slowly chipped away at the Livingstone lead, cutting it to 54-48 with 15:15 remaining on a pair of Justin Beck free throws. Livingstone would respond by jumping back up by nine points (57-48) after a Hakeem Jackson dunk at the 14:33 mark. The Blue Bear lead would swell to 13 points after a Darresse Johnson tip in that made it 61-48 with 11:18 left.
Bowie State would then embark on a 9-0 run over a span of nearly three minutes sparked by a Cameron Knox three pointer from the corner. Knox was fouled on the play, but the resulting free throw was no good. Following a Livingstone miss, BSU would miss a three pointer, giving Livingstone the ball. The Blue Bears' Robert Flint would make a three pointer of his own, making it 64-58 at the 7:08 mark.
Livingstone was able to get to the free throw line after a BSU turnover, their 18th of the game. Livingstone's Daryl Traynham would hit the first shot. After missing the second shot, Traynham boarded his own miss and laid it in, extending the Livingstone lead to 67-58 with 6:56 to play.
Bowie State was able to connect on a pair of free throws to draw within 67-60 with 5:38 on the clock. Ty Newman then connected on a tip in for Livingstone, providing the 69-60 lead. BSU then committed their 19th turnover of the evening, giving the Blue Bears the opportunity to extend their lead.
On the ensuing possession, Hakeem Jackson found his way to the foul line. Jackson drilled two free throws, putting Livingstone up 71-60.
The Blue Bears got another basket from Jackson on a hook shot as the shot clock expired to make it 73-60. Bowie State quickly sped down the floor and Julian Livingston nailed a three pointer from the top of the circle to make it 73-63 with 2:53 remaining.
Bowie State could get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way and Livingstone would go on to hit 10 free throws over the last 2:30 of the game to seal the 83-65 win.
The Blue Bears would place four players in double figures, led by Ty Newman's 18 points. Other players scoring in double figures for the Blue Bears include Daryl Traynham (15), Eric Mayo (12) and Eric Dubose (10). Bowie State's Justin Beck finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds while teammates Cameron Knox and Ahmaad Wilson finished with 17 and 10 points, respectively.
Livingstone's defense forced BSU to shot only 32.2 % for the game (19-59). The Blue Bears also forced 21 BSU turnovers and turned those miscues into 22 points.
The loss drops Bowie State to 22-8 overall. Livingstone improves to 17-9 overall and advances to their third-straight CIAA Championship Game on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. where they will take on the Winston-Salem State/Fayetteville State winner.
Livingstone Head Coach James Stinson:
I think the guys came out with a vision and played hard from the beginning. I think we were able to score inside a little bit more than we're used to. We also did well with not turning over the ball as much.
We knew Bowie would make a run with Cameron Knox (CIAA Player of the Year)
On 19 point lead
Our guys never wavered. I thought they would panic, but we were able to extend the lead. We were able to use our depth and we stayed consistent and were able to hit free throws toward the end.
On 3rd Straight Championship Game Appearance
For the community of Salisbury and Livingstone College, our alumni and fans, we wanted to build our program into a winner and that was our goal. The expectations from our community and fans are to win another one.
I feel like these experiences will translate our players into great men in the future.
Livingstone's Ty Newman
We shared the ball and I feel that we are peaking at the right time (during this tournament).
Bowie State Head Coach Darrell Brooks (with Cameron Knox, Justin Beck)
Livingstone did a great job tonight and beat us in every facet of the game. I was very proud of our guys because they played hard to get back into it. I don't expect this to be our last game and we look forward to moving on to the NCAA tournament
Early on, they got the ball inside, and I think our carelessness with the basketball led to some easy looks inside for them.
On 19 point comeback in the 2nd half.
We talked at halftime and how we needed to do a better job of protecting the basketball and to keep them off the glass. We also didn't want to allow a lot of second shots. Tonight, their size and physicality wore us out.
I didn't think we ran out of energy. We missed some free throws and made some turnovers. Early in the game we were not attacking the zone and were settling for three's. We got more into an attack mode in the second half.
We will go back home and rest for a few days then we will start our preparation for the NCAA Tournament.
On NCAA Bid & Preparations
We have to get back to taking care of the basketball. We're going to get back to working on what we can control, and that is taking care of the ball.
Our first goal this year was to win as many non-conference games as we can, then the (Northern) division, then the (CIAA) tournament.
We are going to lick our wounds, go back and be the best Bowie State team that we can be.
We feel like and we really believe that we have earned an NCAA bid. We're going to get over tonight, and start preparing for whomever. It doesn't matter who we play, we are just going to go get better and see what happens (as to their potential opponent will be).
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Playing for the CIAA women's title means a chance at school history for Lincoln (Pa.).
The Lions, who returned to the league in 2010, turned back Livingstone 57-55 on Friday in the semifinals at Time Warner Cable Arena to earn a berth opposite Virginia State, which knocked off Shaw 69-47. Lincoln and Virginia State shared the North Division championship and split the regular season series.
"It means the world to us right now," said Lions center Mieana Gaines. "Three or four years ago, nobody even believed in Lincoln. Right now, we're just living in the moment."
Lincoln (21-7, North No. 1 seed) needed a couple of clutch plays by guard Amani Clark in the final seconds to put Livingstone away. Clark hit a layup with 20.7 seconds left and a steal on the Blue Bears' final possession to preserve the win.
Livingstone (26-2), which was the South's third seed after self-reporting an ineligible player, trailed by as many as 10 points early, but scratched its way to a 55-55 draw on Precious Roberts' basket with under a minute to play.
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The Morgan State Bears announced today that they have named Mike Fanoga as their defensive coordinator.
Fanoga assumes the role of defensive coordinator entering his 28th season of coaching the collegiate level, having spent the previous season at Virginia Union as the defensive coordinator. The Panther completed the season ranked No. 1 in rush defense (93.6), No. 2 in scoring defense (18.8) and No. 2 in total yards allowed (290.9).
Fanoga will take over a Bears defensive unit that ranked 6th overall in total yards allowed per game (356.7) in 2014, including No. 7 in scoring defense (26.5) and a No. 10 ranking in rushing yards allowed per game (203.2).
"We are very excited to have Mike Fanoga as our defensive coordinator," said Lee Hull, entering his second season as MSU's head coach. "He brings vast experience from different levels – FBS, FCS and Division II.
"We look for him to improve our defense," said Hull. "We need to get back to the top of the MEAC and I think he is the right guy to lead us in this direction."
Prior to Virginia Union, Fanoga worked as defensive line coach and linebacker coach at Division II member Benedict College (2012-13), followed by a stop at Lane College in 2011.
Fanoga spent three seasons on Dave Christensen's staff at Wyoming where he coached the Cowboys outside linebackers from 2009-2011. He coached linebacker Weston Johnson, who went on to sign a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. Johnson recorded 106 tackles his senior season, and led the team in tackles for losses (13.0) and interceptions (three).
At New Mexico State, Fanoga was the associate head coach and defensive line coach for four seasons from 2005-08. He helped coach an Aggie defense that ranked No. 1 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and No. 3 in the nation in pass defense in 2008, allowing only 159.4 yards per game. New Mexico State also ranked No. 5 in the WAC in total defense, giving up 379.6 yards per game. The NMSU defense gave up an average of only 20.7 first downs per game -- third best in the conference.
He coached under head coach Hal Mumme at New Mexico State. Fanoga has a long coaching relationship with Mumme, also coaching with him at the University of Kentucky, Valdosta State (Ga.) and Iowa Wesleyan.
While at Kentucky, Fanoga was part of a coaching staff that helped guide the Wildcats to back-to-back bowl appearances in 1998 and `99. Kentucky played in the Outback Bowl following the 1998 season and the Music City Bowl at the conclusion of the 1999 campaign.
Between Fanoga's coaching stops at Kentucky (1997-1999) and New Mexico State (2005-08), he coached the defensive line for five seasons at Western Kentucky (2000-04). Over that five-year span, the Hilltoppers earned their way into the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs each of those five seasons, and captured the 2002 National Championship with a 12-3 record. WKU defeated McNeese State, 34-14, in the I-AA National Championship game. In 2002, the Hilltopper defenders ranked No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense (allowing only 16.4 points per game to opponents), were No. 23 in total defense (279.2 yards per game) and were No. 27 in rushing defense (118.9 yards per game).
At Valdosta State from 1994-96, Fanoga served as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. His stay with the Blazers was highlighted by a 1996 season that saw Valdosta State reach the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs after posting a 10-2 record and capturing the Gulf South Conference Championship. In 1994, the Blazers posted an 11-2 mark and were ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation, led by a defensive unit that ranked No. 2 in the country in scoring defense.
He coached the defensive line and special teams at Iowa Wesleyan from 1990-93. His 1991 Iowa Wesleyan squad earned a berth in the NAIA Division I Playoffs, and finished the season ranked No. 7 in the country in the final NAIA rankings.
Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at Livingston University in Livingston, Ala., from 1989-90.
In addition to almost 30 years of college coaching experience, on two different occasions Fanoga participated in the National Football League (NFL) Fellowship program. He served fellowships with the Miami Dolphins in 1998 and Philadelphia Eagles in 2002. The program provides college coaches the opportunity to work with NFL organizations during the offseason to gain insight into the operations of NFL teams and NFL coaching staffs.
Fanoga, a native of American Samoa, is a former linebacker who initially played at Snow Community College in Ephraim, Utah from 1983 to 1984 before transferring to UTEP, where he earned varsity letters in 1985 and 1986 and earned a bachelor's degree in social work. He began his college-coaching career at UTEP from 1987-88.
Fanoga and his wife, Soana, have one daughter, Sydney.
Bear Note:
MSU's additional coaching move includes the promotion of offensive line coach Dwayne Foster to assistant head coach.
COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
