Hampton U. women prepare to host pair of MEAC basketball contests

Photo: Hampton University Head Women Basketball Coach Walter Mebane (North Carolina '81) and Assistant Coach Tiffany Gwynn (Liberty '98) during first half of FAMU game.

Hampton University's women's basketball team's bench will become more important as the Lady Pirates try to stay undefeated in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

HU (10-6, 4-0 MEAC) takes a five-game win streak into Saturday's home game with Coppin State (8-10, 3-2) and hosts Morgan State (10-6, 4-1) Monday. Hampton coach Walter Mebane is playing between 10 and 12 players a game, saying pressing for most of the game dictates that he use his reserves more.

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Photo on right: Assistant Coach Lashondra Dixon (Hampton '03) and Assistant Coach Keith McCray (Belford,'05) are the second half of the women basketball brain trust at Hampton University.

Norfolk State football racks up player commitments

Sherando’s Christine commits to Spartans

Norfolk State received verbal commitments from two linemen on Tuesday.

Joey Christine, a 300-pound guard from Group AA Division 4 runner-up Sherando High School in Stephens City, and Blake Matthews, a 295-pound tackle from Osbourn High in Manassas, said they will sign with the Spartans on National Signing Day in early February. Christine was all-state as an offensive guard and was selected first-team all-region on both the offensive and defensive lines. Matthews was a three-year starter at Osbourn and was a key player on the team that won the Group AAA Division 6state championship in 2006.

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It is much too early to give the top MEAC recruiting class trophy to the Spartans, but based on the verbal commitments from these players, it does appears that they will be near the top of the MEAC heap. Let's just watch and see how many players stay true to their word and sign the national letter of intent on February 6.

Here are the names of the eight players that have committed and are expect to sign with Norfolk State University:

1. Michael Alphonse LB 6-0 233 Miami, FL (Rivals 1 star)- Transfer from Akron
2. Dennis Brown QB 6-3 196 Miami, FL (Rivals 2 stars)- Transfer from UConn
3. Devon Lesesne OL 6-2 313 5.2 - Washington, D.C.
4. Marquis Cuffee DB 5-10 170 4.55 Virginia Beach, VA
5. Eric Hitch FB/LB 6-2 235 4.75 Virginia Beach, VA
6. Marcus Cooperwood 5-foot-10 175 4.6 Hampton, VA
7. Joey Christine, 6-2/300 OL/DL, Stephen City, VA
8. Blake Matthews, 6-4/295 OT, Manassas, VA

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FAMU Ernest Williams to play in American Heritage Bowl

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Who is this player--Florida A&M University #25 Ernest Williams?

For starters, Williams is a 5-11/205 red shirt senior defensive back from Tallahassee (FL) Lincoln High School, who has been selected for the American Heritage Bowl All-Star game. This game is for potential NFL draftees and preferred invitees to showcase their talents for NFL scouts.

The American Heritage Bowl is the first football game ever to assemble the HBCU's top senior players in an all-star event. Rick Comegy of Jackson State University will serve as head coach of the Southwest Marines team pitted against the Northeast Navy all-stars coached by Delaware State's Al Lavan. Former Los Angeles Rams great Leroy Irvin will act as honorary coach.

Williams played strong safety for the Rattlers last season and finished with 58 tackles (30 solos, 28 assists), three and one-half tackles for a loss of seven yards, one forced fumble, two fumble returns, and one interception return for 19 yards.

During the Rattlers 2006 season, he recorded a season high 11 tackles against Morgan State and had 10 tackles against Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T and Bethune-Cookman. Williams finished his career at FAMU with 171 career tackles, 11.0 tackles for a loss of 39 yards, seven pass breakups, one forced fumbles and three fumble returns.

Williams is the lone Florida A&M University invitee that will play in this year's American Heritage Bowl. The game is to be played at Cal State Fullerton Titan Field on January 26 at 6:15 p.m. Pacific Time in Fullerton, Califorinia. The game itself will not air live, but will be taped to air on the ESPNU networks on February 8, 1 p.m. PST.

Playing in the game is a tremendous honor for Ernest Williams and FAMU. Williams get to play one more time and prove what he can do out there on the field against other equally talented players. He is our only hope this year to prove that FAMU has athletes that are worthy of playing in the NFL or any other league beyond college.

Williams selection reaffirms the fact that if you have football talent, the NFL will find you at Florida A&M University or at any HBCU. The game and its practices give professional scouts another chance to take a look at prospective talent. Players were selected by a committee that looked at the player's stats and made the selections.

Williams is assigned to the Southwest Roster with players from the SWAC and SIAC schools located in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. He will be playing under Coach Comegy and the Jackson State University football staff.

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Lavan Shaping Delaware State Into a Winner

Photo: Delaware State University head football coach Al Lavan (center).

Polk County, Florida native thriving as college football coach.

You don't have to have a family lineage such as Hilton or even be from a big city to be successful in life.Delaware State head football coach Al Lavan is a perfect example. Al Lavan has helped Delaware State improve in each of his four years as its head coach. The Hornets posted a 10-2 record in 2007.

Born in Bartow and raised in Pierce just south of Mulberry, Lavan was a success in the NFL, making it as a player and an assistant coach. Lavan has a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 1990 San Francisco 49ers' staff.

Now, having just completed his fourth season as head coach of the Hornets of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M are also members of the MEAC), Lavan is still enjoying success.

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WSSU miss gives Hampton University the win

Photo: Senior guard Rashad West scored 17 points and hit two free throws with 13 seconds left to help Hampton hold off Winston-Salem State. The 6-1 play maker is from Raleigh, N.C./Maine Central Institute.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Despite recording the first 30-point game in the Rams' Division I era, WSSU senior forward Darrell Wonge's three-point try fell just short of the mark on Monday afternoon as Hampton escaped the Joel Coliseum with a 64-62 victory in men's collegiate basketball action between two bitter rivals.

Despite the coach speak from both head coaches leading up to Saturday's meeting, the action on the court spoke volumes about just how important a victory on Monday meant to both programs as the game would feature two intentional fouls and a pair of technical fouls in a highly emotional contest.

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NCA&T Lady Aggies defeat MEAC champs DSU

Photo: Aggies 6-0 forward Brittanie Taylor-James #22, plays clamp down defense on DSU.

DOVER, Del. – While an hour from her hometown of Philadelphia Monday night in Dover, Del., sophomore forward Lamona Smalley helped the Aggies secure a big win for the folks back in Greensboro, N.C.

She scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team to a 64-57 win over defending MEAC Champion Delaware State at Memorial Hall. Smalley’s double-double was the fifth of her career.

It followed her 15-point, 14-rebound performance against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Saturday. The Aggies (11-5, 5-0) handed the Hornets (7-10, 2-1) their first MEAC loss.

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Prairie View survive Grambling State for win

A 14-0 second half run by Prairie View A&M broke open a deadlocked contest as the Lady Panthers handed Grambling State a 66-50 loss in SWAC action on Monday evening in the Assembly Center.

Grambling State put together one its best halves of the year on both ends of the court as they nailed 12 baskets en route to shooting 48 percent from the field. Defensively, GSU was a thorn in PV’s side as they forced the defending SWAC Champions into committing 10 turnovers along with holding them to only nine baskets as both teams were tied at 29 entering halftime.

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Prairie View Lady Panthers are (10-7, 5-0 SWAC) and Grambling State (1-15, 0-6 SWAC) on the season.

Coppin State Lady Eagles set records against FAMU Lady Rattlers

Photo: 5-8 senior shooting guard Rashida Suber had a birthday blowout with a career 33 points over the Lady Rattlers. She is from Reading H.S., Reading, PA.

BALTIMORE -- Seniors Rashida Suber and Shalamar Oakley combined to score 58 points and Coppin State set a school record for shooting percentage as the Eagles defeated Florida A&M 90-62 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game on Monday in the Coppin Center.

Suber celebrated her birthday by pouring in a career-high 33 points, which eclipsed her previous best of 32 set last season against Florida A&M. Suber finished the game 12-of-18 from the floor and 5-of-8 from three-point territory and came up two points shy of tying the Coppin Center record of 35 points held by Kiesha Brooks.

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The Lady Rattlers simply left their defense in Tallahassee for this East Coast trip. That 9-0 Lady Rattlers start has turned into a 9-7, 1-4 MEAC drop in the standings. What is wrong with our Rattlers?

HU Lady Pirates defeat Winston Salem State Lady Rams

Photo: #42 Quanneisha Perry, 5-10 freshman forward, Decatur, Georgia -Towers HS and #24 Mikki Clayton, 5-6 freshman guard, Tallahassee, FL - North Florida Christian School received valuable playing time in rout of Lady Rams.

Winston-Salem, NC – The Lady Pirates of Hampton University scored 35 points off the bench on their way to a 58-38 victory over the Lady Rams of Winston-Salem State University.

Ashlee Finley scored 14 points while Stephanie James and Quanneisha Perry both scored 10 points as the Lady Pirates improved to 10-6 on the season, while the Lady Rams fell to 1-13.

Hampton led 40-20 at halftime while shooting 53 percent from the field, hitting 18 of 30 shots. The Lady Rams were held to just 23 percent shooting in the first half, connecting on just six of 26 shots. The Lady Pirates scored 22 of their first half shots off WSSU turnovers.

Five from Grambling head to California for all-star game

GRAMBLING — Five departing Grambling State senior football players have been invited to participate in Saturday's American Heritage Bowl. Receiver Tim Abney, the Neville High product, joins receiver Reginald Jackson, offensive tackle Randall Bennett, center Tavarus Cockrell and defender Jason Banks.

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Check out updates on Grambling State University football commitments (see right side of column).

Byrd propel UAPB over Alcorn State

PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- William Byrd and Marcelle Goins each had 17 points to lead Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a 74-68 win over Alcorn State on Monday. Byrd added 13 rebounds and six blocks for the Golden Lions (7-9, 3-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference).

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Morgan State holds off BCU Wildcats

Photo: Senior Dewayne Pettus, 6-2/175 guard from Pittsburgh, Pa. (Perry Traditional Academy).

Baltimore, Md. - Despite a valiant effort in the second half, Bethune-Cookman University was unable to come back from a large halftime deficit as they fell to home standing Morgan State University, 59-50 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball affair at Hill Field House in Baltimore, Md. on Monday night.

Being stuck on six (6) points for until 3:47 left in the opening half will doom any team--whether it be grade school through the professional ranks. That's exactly what doomed the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman (7-11, 2-3 MEAC) on Monday night as they were just unable to find the inside of the basket in the opening stanza.

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UMES Hawks blown away by Norfolk State

Photo: Michael Deloach scored 19 points and six rebounds over the Hawks. The 6-0/175 guard is a Junior from Rocky Mount, N.C./Bonner Academy.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) continued to struggle from the field converting only 27.1 percent, while Norfolk State University (NSU) connected on 54.5 percent of their shots to take an 84-65 win on Monday night in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.

Ed Tyson (Baltimore, Md./Walbrook H.S.) led all scorers with 34 points on six-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. He finished three points shy of tying a career-high and just two short of matching a season-high, but did tie one career record with three steals.

The Spartans Tony Murphy, Michael Deloach and Corey Lyons combined for 57 points to lead visiting Norfolk State to its 13th straight win over Maryland Eastern Shore. Norfolk State (7-9) had three players in double figures with Michael Deloach scoring 19 and Corey Lyons adding 18. Tony Murphy scored 20 points in 20 minutes and sat for most of the second half.

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Florida A&M Downs Coppin State 63-48

Photo: Junior guard Lamar Twitty, 6-4/200 from Ft. Lauderdale, FL Boyd Anderson HS led Rattlers in scoring with 16 points over Coppin State University.

BALTIMORE -- Lamar Twitty scored 16 points leading Florida A&M to a 63-48 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over Coppin State on Monday in the Coppin Center.
Florida A&M (6-11, 2-3 MEAC) shot 51.1 percent from the floor, while Coppin State was limited to 28.3 percent shooting.

Coppin State (4-15, 0-5 MEAC) lost in the Coppin Center to Florida A&M for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Akini Akini and Jon Mason each added 11 points for Florida A&M.

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SC State edges Howard University 60-58

Photo: 6-7/220 junior forward/center Jason Johnson, Bronx, NY, Richard R. Green HS/Sullivan Community College led the Bulldogs with 13 points, 7 boards and 2 blocks.

ORANGEBURG-Junior forward Jason Johnson tossed in 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds before leaving the game with what was later diagnosed as a broken nose with just under six minutes left to help South Carolina State(6-12, 2-2 MEAC)to a 60-58 win over Howard(4-14, 1-3 MEAC)Monday at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

Playing before a national television audience on ESPNU and a season-high 1,404 fans in attendance, the Bulldogs (6-12, 2-2) rallied from a six-point halftime deficit which grew to as many as nine in the second half. SCSU won despite missing 17 free throws and shooting 39.6 percent from the field.

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North Carolina A&T hits free throws after technical foul to beat DSU

Photo: Junior forward Ed Jones 6-7/215 (Butler CC)came off the bench to lead the Aggies with 24 points and 6 rebounds for the victory. The Leesburg, VA native hit 10-12 shorts from the field.

DOVER — North Carolina A&T had not won a men’s basketball game at Memorial Hall in eight seasons. Tonight, the Aggies needed some help from the opposition to end the streak. Steve Rush made two technical free throws with 1.2 seconds left, the result of an excessive celebration by the Hornets following a game-tying 3-pointer, to hand North Carolina A&T a 63-61 win. It was the Aggies’ first win on DSU’s home court since the 1999-2000 season.

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DSU sophomore Kyle Ingram ran on the court and was called for the technical foul for being a sixth man on the floor with 0:03 seconds remaining in the game. Ingram, the game ain't over until the Fat Lady Sings. The MEAC officials Quez Crawford, Duke Edsall and Dwayne Gladden were right to make the technical foul call, regardless of the impact on the game.

Game ball should go to NCA&T Ed Jones who came off the bench to pop in 24 points, 6 rebounds to lead the Aggies in both categories in 27 minutes on the court. DSU should be asking--who was that guy?

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MEAC/SWAC Kaleidoscope of Victory

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?" - Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Kirk Franklin - Lean On Me


Yolanda Adams - Victory (from The Gospel)

NCA&T Aggies scrap their way to victory over UMES Hawks

Photo: Aggies senior forward Jason Wills scored 10 points and had 10 rebounds against the UMES Hawks. The 6-6/208 starter is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, St. John's Prep.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – When December ended, the North Carolina A&T men’s basketball team possessed the toughest strength of schedule in the nation.

Head coach Jerry Eaves said his team is still playing like they’re playing the toughest schedule in the nation. Steven Rush scored 20 points and hit five 3-pointers, and Jason Wills added 10 points and 10 rebounds to lead N.C. A&T to a hard-fought 61-49 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore. Austin Ewing added 11 points and five rebounds. The win improved the Aggies to 7-9 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

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Thomas Coleman has been nearly perfect in conference play from the field. The 6-foot-9 freshman out of Louisville, Ky., is 12-for-17 from the floor, shooting 70.6 percent from the floor, while averaging 8.8 points and 7.0 rebounds.

Forward Jason Wills recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds Saturday afternoon. It marked the 11th time in his career he has recorded a double-double. He has had double-figure rebounds 14 times in his career.

The Aggies go on the road to face Delaware State on Monday. Delaware State head coach Greg Jackson has had the Aggies number whether it’s as the coach of N.C. Central or Delaware State. Jackson is 12-3 lifetime against North Carolina A&T.

Alabama State rolls past rival Alabama A & M 73-55

Riding two straight wins, Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson hoped for the same kind of performance as his Hornets closed a three-game home stand by hosting archrival Alabama A & M. After watching his team build a 41-18 first half lead by holding A & M to only 3 field goals and then coasting to a 73-55 win, Jackson got exactly what he wanted.

"Our guys really gave great effort," Jackson said. "The SWAC is a tough conference, and when you have home games you have to win them. We had three in a row at home and winning them all is a big plus for us."

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SC State Women Lose 71-59 to MEAC Leader Hampton

Senior guard Rachel Butler had a double/double scoring 20 points and snatching 10 rebounds in an important conference win over the Bulldogs. The 5-8 play maker is from Lincoln H.S., Dallas, Texas.

ORANGEBURG, SC -- Rachel Butler had 20 points and was one of three Hampton players with 10 rebounds in leading the visitors to a 71-59 win over host South Carolina State Saturday in a nationally televised ESPNU telecast at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

Artavia Burns added 11 points and Chinyere Ukoh and Quanneisha Perry tied Butler for team rebounding honors with 10 boards each as the Lady Pirates enjoyed a huge 44-30 edge in rebounds. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Lady Pirates who climbed to 9-6 and 4-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

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Southern University blows past UAPB Golden Lions

Jags moves into first place tie with Alabama State at 4-1 in SWAC conference play.

Southern's Jazz Williams hit 6 of 9 three pointers on the night as his career high 20points led SU to a 70-60 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena on the UAPB campus. The win puts Southern in a tie for the SWAC lead with Alabama State, who is also 4-1 in SWAC play.

Few fouls were called on the Jaguars, so UAPB only had 5 chances at the foul line and sank 3 of those shots. Southern went to the line 23 times and made 16. Chris Davis was 4-for-5 from the foul line and finished with 10 points.

Southern (6-10,4-1 SWAC) led 42-30 at the half.

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Teamwork key for WSSU Rams win over Bison

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Another solid team effort, another win. That is the modus operandi for the Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team as of late and Saturday evening at the Joel Coliseum, it was no different as seven WSSU players had at least seven points as the Rams ran past the Howard Bison 64-56 in a MEAC men's basketball contest.

“This is a team that’s really coming around,” Collins said of the Rams, who improved to 7-8. “We have learned something from every game.

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A&T's Smalley help Aggies win at UMES

Photo: 6-0 Junior forward Brittanie Taylor-James scored 10 points, 8 rebounds in 28 minutes of action against the Lady Hawks. The Evanston, Illinois native transferred to the NCA&T Aggies from UC-Santa Barbara.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The Aggies women’s basketball team not only missed Lamona Smalley’s body, but they missed her mind as well. After missing 14 games last season with a severe knee injury, Smalley has played excellent basketball for the Aggies lately. Her strong play continued Saturday afternoon as she scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead North Carolina A&T to a 72-59 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore at W.P. Hytche Arena.

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Amber Bland scored 24 points on Saturday. It marked the 20th time she has scored 20 or more points. The Aggies are 16-4 when she scores 20 or more.

Lamona Smalley recorded the fourth double-double of her career Saturday when she scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. It was the eighth time in her career she recorded double figure rebounds. Smalley had a double-double in her first game as an Aggie.

The Aggies are 4-0 in the conference. They have won their four conference games by an average 18.0 points per game.

Conference teams are shooting just 32.3 percent from the field and 15.5 percent from 3-point range against the Aggies. The Aggies lead the conference in field goal percentage defense.

Vikings' Frazier interview with Atlanta Falcons

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier interviewed for the Falcons' coaching job Friday night and Saturday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. It was Frazier's first interview with the team and with newly hired general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

A 19-year coaching veteran, Frazier has gone from the Eagles' defensive backs coach in 1999 to twice being a defensive coordinator, first in Cincinnati (2003-04) and most recently, as Mike Tomlin's replacement in Minnesota (2007-Present). Frazier's stoic but communicative coaching style has drawn comparisons to Tomlin, who was hired as Pittsburgh's head coach in 2007.

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Photo: Former Alcorn State University player Leslie Frazier is being considered for NFL head coaching positions.

The 48 year old Leslie Frazier, played college football at Alcorn State University and played as a starting cornerback/defensive back on the Chicago Bears' 1985 Super Bowl XX championship team win over the New England Patriots.

During the 1985 championship season, Frazier led the Chicago Bears with 6 interceptions. The Columbus, Mississippi native NFL career lasted four years (Chicago Bears 1981-85). His career was cut short due to a knee injury he suffered during Super Bowl XX.

He also helped Indianapolis win Super Bowl XLI, as the Colts defensive backs under Tony Dungy.

Frazier recently interviewed for the Miami Dolphin head coaching vacancy. The Dolphins hired Dallas offensive assistant Tony Sparano.

Frazier started his coaching career in 1988 as the first head coach at Trinity College in Illinois, now known as Trinity International University. He held the position for 9 seasons and built the NAIA program from the ground up and won a pair of Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference titles before he moved on to the University of Illinois in 1997-98 as the Illini defensive backs coach.

Head Coach Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles hired Frazier as their defensive backs coach 1999.

Coach Frazier's NFL History Coaching:

1988-96....... Trinity College......Head Coach
1997-98....... University of Illinois..DBs
1999-2002..... Philadelphia Eagles....DBs
2003-04....... Cincinnati Bengals...Defensive Coordinator
2005-06....... Indianapolis Colts...Special Asst. to Head Coach/DBs
2006-Present.. Minnesota Vikings....Defensive Coordinator

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Tennessee State battles to 79-72 Win Over EIU Panthers

Photo: #11 Bruce Price scores 20 points in nationally televised contest with EIU. The 6-3/205 junior guard is from South H.S., Minneapolis, MN.

Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information

Robinson, Price Pace Tigers With 20 Points Each

Tennessee State University (8-10, 5-4) used a 14-2 second half run to erase a two-point halftime deficit and defeat Eastern Illinois University (2-16, 1-9) by a 79-72 score in a nationally televised OVC contest.

Gerald Robinson, Jr. and Bruce Price scored 20 points each and were joined by LaDarious Weaver (15) and Darius Cox (10) in double-figure scoring.

The Panthers of Eastern Illinois got double figure scoring from Jon’Tee Willhite (19), Bobby Catchings (18) and Ousame Cisse (12). Willhite finished with a game-high 9rebounds.

In the first half, Eastern Illinois scored the first points on a 3-pointer by Bobby Catchings (19:27) and held the upper had until the 13:12 mark, when the Tigers tied the score 12-12 after a steal and layup by Robinson. TSU held a lead briefly but EIU tied the game at 18-18 (10:48) and led until the 5:01 mark when the Tigers regained the lead 27-24 after a LaDarious Weaver three-point basket. The Panthers fought back for a 35-32 lead with 1:12 remaining in the half before Gerald Robinson’s layup (0:57) put TSU behind by one, 35-34, before the intermission.

TSU opened the second half with a 14-2 run, for a 50-37 lead at 13:27. The Tigers opened their lead to 58-44 midway through the period (9:58) and held a double-digit lead for most of the second half. EIU closed the lead to eight points, 68-60 (2:51) and 77-69 (0:28), but in the last minute they were forced to fouling in an attempt to get in the game, but Bruce Price sank 3-of-4 foul shots in the thirty seconds to seal the win for TSU.

Eastern Illinois won the battle of the boards 38-21. The Panthers shot 49% (24-49) from the floor and 68% (19-28) from the foul line, while the Tigers shot 52% (29-56) from the field and 75% (9-12) from the foul line. TSU hit 12-of-24 (50%) from beyond the 3-point arc.

TSU will complete a three-game home stand when they host Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, January 24th at Gentry Center. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.