O'Quinn, NSU Spartans roll in double OT win over Coppin State Eagles

BALTIMORE, MD - Kyle O'Quinn, who just hours earlier was named MEAC Player of the Week, sank two free throws with 4.5 seconds left in double overtime Monday night as Norfolk State topped Coppin State 110-108 at the Coppin State Physical Education Complex.

O'Quinn, a 6-foot-10 junior center, scored a career-high 37 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked six shots as the Spartans won their fifth straight. O'Quinn was coming off games of 26 and 24 points in wins over South Carolina State and Morgan State. But Norfolk State (7-13, 5-3 MEAC ) had many heroes in this one.

Poor shooting foils NSU women

BALTIMORE - The Norfolk State women were doomed by 29 turnovers and poor shooting Monday night in a 64-55 MEAC loss at Coppin State. Tyisha Bridges led NSU (8-10, 1-7) with 14 points while Sarah Daily chipped in 13.

Coppin State (7-12, 4-4) attempted 20 more free throws than the Spartans and was paced by Larissa Carter, who finished with 18 points.

Eagles Prevail Over Norfolk State 64-55

BALTIMORE -- Larrisa Carter had 18 points and nine rebounds and Coppin State defeated Norfolk State 64-55 on Monday in the Physical Edciation Complex despite the suspension of three players.

Coppin State (7-12, 4-4 MEAC) played the game without Jeanine Manley, Crystal Whittington and Leola Spotwood who were all suspended for one game following their involvement in an on-court altercation following the Eagles 75-74 loss to North Carolina A&T on Saturday.

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Texas Southern cruises past Alabama State

HOUSTON -- Travele Jones scored 18 points to lead Texas Southern past Alabama State 73-59 Monday night. Kevin Galloway added 15 points and Lawrence Johnson-Danner had 14 to help the Tigers (10-10, 8-1) remain tied for first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Tramaine Butler led the Hornets (6-16, 3-6) with 17 points.

Texas Southern took control of this one early by quickly building double-digit lead and shot 51 percent in winning for the eighth time in nine games. The Tigers led 12-0 2:49 into the game, went into halftime up 41-32 and led by 18 after intermission.

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Jackson's jumper gives WSSU a win

Andrew Jackson saved the day, and helped re-fuel a rivalry with Johnson C. Smith as he hit a buzzer-beating 35-foot jumper in a 78-77 victory for Winston-Salem State. In front of a packed house of 3,200 at the Gaines Center on Monday night the Rams kept a hold of their first-place grip in the CIAA’s Southern Division. But it was far from easy.

“I know I beat the clock,” said Jackson, a senior guard who took Marcus Wells pass from midcourt and then hit the long jumper. The Rams coughed up the lead with sloppy play near the end and the Bulls had a 77-75 lead with three seconds left. With 1:18 left the Rams were up by five but the Bulls never gave up and came charging back.

JCSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL BLOCKS OUT WINSTON-SALEM STATE FOR A 64-60 VICTORY

Winston Salem, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team remains unbeaten on the road after a 64-60 win over Winston-Salem State University on Monday evening inside the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of WSSU. JCSU improves to 17-1 overall, 10-1 in the CIAA, and 3-0 in the division; while the Lady Rams move to 12-7 overall, 7-3 in the conference, and 2-1 in the Southern.

Coming into this game, there were a few interesting storylines. First, this was the first contest between JCSU and Winston-Salem State since January 2007; after WSSU ventured out of the CIAA to Division I-AA competition. WSSU head women's coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. has several ties to Johnson C. Smith University.

Joyner, Jr. is an alum of JCSU and former student-athlete, he served two seasons as the assistant women's basketball coach (under current JCSU head women's coach Vanessa Taylor), and he is the son of JCSU Director of Athletics and head men's basketball coach Stephen Joyner, Sr. Despite all those facts, JCSU and WSSU were battling for the top spot in the CIAA Southern Division.

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Livingstone Blue Bear Women Down St. Augustine's 84-80 In Rollercoaster Affair

Lady Blue Bear Coach Angelyne Brown

SALISBURY, NC – The Livingstone women’s basketball team battled hard Monday evening to overcome a pesky St. Augustine’s team and grab an 84-80 victory.

Livingstone (12-4, 7-2, 2-1) was led by Brittany Wright who recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out of the game. Cassaundra Rhodes also added 16 points while Jasmine Murray scored 10.

Livingstone got off to another slow start as the Falcons (11-8, 5-4, 0-3) jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead, but the Blue Bears battled back on a 7-0 run to grab a 9-8 lead with 15:20 left in the opening half. Over the next three minutes the lead changed hands four times. Livingstone found itself down two with 12:16 to go, but went on a 7-0 run to go up 18-13 with 10:28 left.

Blue Bear Coach James Stinson

Livingstone Overcomes 14-Point Deficit to Upend St. Augustine's 75-74 In Overtime

SALISBURY, NC – The Livingstone men’s basketball team erased a 14-point, second-half deficit Monday evening and defeated the St. Augustine’s Falcons 75-74 in overtime.

The Blue Bears trailed the Falcons by 14 points with 7:35 to go in game and less than four minutes later the Blue Bears had clawed their way within four with 3:59 to play. St. Augustine’s briefly regained a seven-point edge before Livingstone went on a 5-0 run to get within two with 2:44 left in regulation.

The Falcons went back up by four with 2:12 to go, before Darius Cox hit a jumper with 1:42 left and was fouled. Cox converted the free throw to bring Livingstone within one. St. Augustine’s continued to hit clutch shots down the stretch and went back up by three with 1:25 remaining. Livingstone had multiple opportunities on its next possession to score, but couldn’t. The Blue Bears fouled St. Augustine’s Darrell Glass to proceeded to miss both free throws.

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2011 Honda Battle of the Band Performances

Eight HBCU Bands, Bow Wow Perform at 9th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands

Atlanta, Ga. - The ninth annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase delivered on its promise to bring the ultimate party with a purpose to the people, offering a little something for everyone – from “Hip-Hop’s very own “Bow Wow” in live performance, to spirited marching band renditions of the latest chart-topping soul, R&B and Hip-Hop hits. Atlanta’s WVEE Radio evening drive-time host, Ryan Cameron, introduced the bands, while “Bow Wow” treated fans to a special performance of “Ain’t Thinkin’ ‘Bout You,” from his new album, Underrated.

2011 Invitational Showcase, themed “Hollywood Lights,” featured a mass band performance medley of music in film, as nearly 60,000 HBCU friends, fans, students and alumni from all parts of the country made their annual pilgrimage to support their favorite bands.


Videographer: MarchingsportHD

This year’s Showcase bands included: Albany State University, Bethune Cookman University, Clark Atlanta University, Jackson State University, South Carolina State University, Tennessee State University, Virginia State University and Winston-Salem State University.


Videographer: Ram2010Pride

The Honda Battle of the Bands not only showcases the pageantry and showmanship of HBCU bands, but also and more importantly, acts as the nation’s only HBCU music scholarship program of its kind. The eight bands selected to participate in the Invitational Showcase were awarded $20,000 each for their music scholarship programs, plus an additional $1,000 grant for their participation in the Celebration Tour, the Honda Battle of the Bands’ pre-qualifying event. In all, a total of $205,000 in scholarship money was given to HBCU music programs this year.













Credits:
1. Bethune-Cookman University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
2. Jackson State University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
2b.Jackson State University, Videographer; Jarquavius101
3. South Carolina State University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
4. Tennessee State University, Videographer: doublea198505
5. Albany State University (Ga.), Videographer: JGASU08
6. Winston Salem State University, Videographer; doublea198505
7. Clark-Atlanta University, Videographer; doublea198505
8. Virginia State University, Videographer; doublea 198505
9. Mass Band Closing, Videographer; SoSouthernTV
10.Intro...Honda Battle Of The Bands 2011 featuring DJ Baby Yu, Ryan Cameron & Bow Wow; Videographer: djbabyyu

RELATED LINK: The 9th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands

Parkland's Bowman commits to play at WSSU

Miles Bowman, a 6-6 senior forward at Parkland High School, has committed to play at Winston-Salem State. Bowman said on Sunday night that he was offered a scholarship over the weekend and is looking forward staying close to home to play in college.

“I just liked how their assistant coaches and Coach (Bobby) Collins showed a lot of interest and kept coming to my games,” said Bowman, who averages around 24 points and 13 rebounds a game for the Mustangs. “They’ve got a winning program over there and a lot of seniors who will be leaving so I think it’s a good place for me.”

Bowman said he was also being recruited by several other programs including Johnson C. Smith, Virginia Union, Belmont Abby and Davidson.

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Brinson, Gibson will stay together at FAMU

Their visits to Florida A&M on consecutive weekends were just a formality. Offensive linemen Sherrod "Jumbo" Brinson and LaDonte Gibson had made their decisions to play at FAMU after helping Madison County High School reach the 2A state semifinals.

Gibson said Sunday he committed during the weekend, and his teammate Brinson committed a week earlier. Both linemen have made such a reputation of keeping their quarterback upright that they were called the Cowboys' "Big Bang Twins." Brinson (6-foot, 285 pounds) played right guard at Madison County and Gibson (6-4, 279) held down right tackle.

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Note: LaDonte Gibson has scholarships offers from FAMU, Southern Mississippi, Bethune-Cookman and Western Kentucky. Jumbo Brinson received scholarship offers from FAMU, Tennessee State and Webber International.

Hornets' nest: New Alabama State football complex creates buzz during recruiting period

Every recruiting class is important, but as Alabama State rebuilds its program from NCAA sanctions and losing records, head football coach Reggie Barlow has felt the need to put the program's best foot forward when it entertains recruits.

"In the past, I thought our presentation to our recruits was outstanding," Barlow said. "They'd stay in a nice hotel, we'd feed them a nice meal, our campus is always nice, but you could feel the energy being sucked out of them when we had to pull up to the trailer."

"The trailer," as he calls it, has been home to the football program for the past several years. But those days are nearing an end as the university puts the finishing touches on its sparkling new $7 million football complex. The building was originally slated for completion in January, but delays pushed the opening back a month. In the meantime, recruits tour...

PHOTO GALLERIES

• ASU's Football Complex

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Armwood's Kevin J. Williams will help protect Florida's Mr. Football, Quentin Williams at BCU

Kevin Jamal Williams just missed on a 4A State Championship at Armwood, but he will be joining a team with a realistic chance at a FCS Championship in 2011. Williams informed bigcountypreps.com (BCP) he has verbally committed to a scholarship offer from Bethune-Cookman University.

Williams, at 6'2" and 305 pounds, will slide inside and play either center or guard for the Wildcats. At Armwood his main priority playing left tackle was to keep QB Josh Grady's blindside protected and to open up holes quickly for backs Kyle Wilcox and Matt Jones. After transferring from Jefferson before his junior year, Williams played defense before starting at tackle for the Hawks this season. He regularly imposed his will on defenders with numerous pancake blocks and rarely was Grady ever harassed from his left side.

Bethune-Cookman has made inroads recruiting here in Hillsborough County since Brian Jenkins has taken over as head coach in Daytona...

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WSSU's big priority: Retention of athletes

Out with the cockroaches. In with state-of-the-art study space. Winston-Salem State’s work to strengthen its athletics program through the addition of an academic center is complete. The center is in the bowels of the Gaines Center, with part of it using a room known as “The Dungeon.”

Athletics Director Bill Hayes had a vision to build a place where athletes could go to study or for tutoring. “Who would have thought that ‘The Dungeon’ that was infested with cockroaches could be turned into an academic center?” Hayes said.

Chancellor Donald Reaves has talked at length about retention of all students at WSSU, including student-athletes. The new center features a computer lab with 10 computers and enough space for as many as 45 athletes to study at one time.


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Williams carries Coppin men to 88-70 win over North Carolina A&T

Coppin State University athletic director Derrick Ramsey

Coppin State lists Antonio Williams as a 6-foot-6 forward, although by his own admission, he probably is a shade under that. Whatever his true height, Williams played like a giant Saturday night, grabbing a career-high 18 rebounds in Coppin's 88-70 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rout of North Carolina A&T in the Physical Education Complex.

His athleticism and quickness were too much for Aggies big man Thomas Coleman (6-9), who scored 21 points but answered Williams' strength inside with just eight rebounds.

"I've got a niche for getting the ball," Williams said, explaining his advantage on the boards. "And I'm going to work harder than the other guys."

Brawl breaks out after Coppin State women's basketball game

Coppin State's wrenching, 75-74 loss to North Carolina A&T turned into a half-court melee that lasted several minutes before order was restored at Coppin's Physical Education Complex Saturday.

Moments after players from both teams had performed the post-game handshake, Coppin's 6-foot-3 Jeanine Manley wound up in the middle of several A&T players when the first punches were thrown. Fights spread across the court before peace was achieved.

There were several drops of blood leading from the court to the Coppin locker room, where first head coach Derek Brown and then Coppin athletics director Derrick Ramsey spoke to the players.

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MSU Bears Upset At Home By Norfolk State, 76-74

NSU Men's Coach Anthony Evans

BALTIMORE, Md. – Kyle O'Quinn scored 24 points to help lead the Norfolk State Spartans to a 76-74 upset victory over the Morgan State Bears Saturday afternoon in an ESPNU nationally televised game. Rob Hampton tallied 19 points for Norfolk State (6-13, 4-3), which got 15 points from Pendarvis Williams and 11 points from Aleek Pauline.

DeWayne Jackson poured in a team-high 19 points in the loss for Morgan State (9-9, 5-2), who suffered its first conference home loss since falling to South Carolina State 71-68 on February 15, 2010; Coincidentally, that game was also during an ESPNU televised matchup at Hill Field House.

4 Score in Double Figures as Spartans Win 4th in a Row, Top Morgan State

BALTIMORE, Md. – Kyle O’Quinn scored a game-high 24 points to lead four Spartans in double figures, and Norfolk State extended its winning streak to four games with a 76-74 win over two-time defending MEAC champion Morgan State on Saturday at Hill Field House.

Rob Hampton added 19 points, Pendarvis Williams had 15 and Aleek Pauline 11 for NSU (6-13, 4-3 MEAC), which broke a four-game losing streak against the Bears (9-9, 5-2) and improved to 3-0 in ESPNU-televised games this year.

Morgan State Holds Off Spartans, 64-60

BALTIMORE, Md.- Brittany Noel scored a game-high 16 points, while Kyla Rollins added 13 points to help Morgan State to a 64-60 victory over visiting Norfolk State on Saturday afternoon in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game at Hill Field House. The win was the Lady Bears' seventh straight over Norfolk State.

Noel, who shot 4-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, also recorded a game-high four steals in the victory. Rollins, who was playing in just her second game as a Lady Bear, notched a game-high nine rebounds in her home debut, falling shy of a double-double for the second consecutive game.

Free Throws Lead Morgan State Past NSU, 64-60

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Norfolk State women’s basketball team got oh-so-close, but numerous free throws by Morgan State allowed the Bears to take a 64-60 win over the Spartans Saturday afternoon at Talmadge Hill Field House.

NSU tied the score with as few as five minutes left in the game, but the Spartans were unable to convert on several chances late in the half as the Bears held on. The Spartans fell to 8-9 overall and 1-6 in the MEAC, while the Bears improved to 11-8, 5-2.

Sophomore Batavia Owens and junior Sarah Daily led the balanced NSU scoring with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Daily and sophomore Marian Brooks tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.

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Free throw shooting dooms A&M in loss to Texas Southern

TSU Lady Tigers Coach Yolanda Wells-Broughton

HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern hit four free throws down the stretch Saturday afternoon and went on to hold off Alabama A&M 65-61 in an important Southwestern Athletic Conference game.

The Bulldogs trailed 34-30 at intermission, but tied it a couple of times in the second half, the last time at 54 apiece on a 3-pointer by Desmond Jackson with 4:01 remaining. The Tigers scored seven unanswered points to go up 61-54, but A&M battled back and pulled within 61-59 on a layup by DeMarquelle Tabb with 46 seconds left, but couldn't get any closer.

Tigers get Back on Winning Track

Tonight’s victory was not the most attractive but it was a win nonetheless. Texas Southern beat Alabama A&M 65-61 in a very close match-up with lots of turnovers and missed free-throws by the Tigers.

“It was an ugly game for us tonight. I don’t mean to sound down but a victory is a victory I guess,” said head coach Tony Harvey.

This game was played close for the entire 40 minutes. The Tiger’s biggest lead in the first half was 19-14 at the 10:19 mark. TSU finished the period up 34-30.

Alabama A&M Lady Bulldogs 52, Texas Southern Lady Tigers 50

Whiquitta Tobar's jumper with no time left lifted the Bulldogs to a thrilling win over the Tigers. A&M, which snapped a two-game losing streak, improved to 10-8 overall and 6-2 in league play with the victory. TSU fell to 3-16 and 1-7.

Tobar, who was 7-of-22 from the field, scored A&M's last six points, including the game-winning basket, to help the Bulldogs beat the Tigers. She finished with a game-high 17 points, including 13 in the second half.

TSU drops close one to Alabama A&M

Texas Southern held victory in its grip. But a last-second shot allowed Alabama A&M to sneak out of H&PE Arena with a win. TSU women's basketball team fell, 52-50, in a game that came down to the final second.

Texas Southern senior forward Gabrielle Rosiji sank a free throw with 1:14 left to tie the game at 50-50. After Alabama A&M (10-8, 6-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) missed two scoring opportunities, TSU (3-16, 1-7) had a chance to take the lead. But the Tigers couldn't convert on the offensive end, and the Bulldogs had one last crack at it.

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Hampton University beats Delaware State 70-66 in OT

HAMPTON, VA - It was Darrion Pellum's party, but Wesley Dunning had a fine time, too.

Pellum, Hampton University's junior guard and leading scorer, had a game-high 28 points while Dunning, a reserve sophomore swingman, scored all six of his points in overtime as the Pirates held off Delaware State 70-66 on Saturday to move into second place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Dunning, who had a total of 36 points and averaged 8.7 minutes in the Pirates' first 20 games, was called upon when starting forward Charles Funches, who had eight points and 10 rebounds, rolled his right ankle with seven minutes left in regulation. Dunning opened overtime by ...

Pirates win, move to 2nd in MEAC



HAMPTON, VA – The Hampton University men’s basketball team needed an extra five minutes to beat Delaware State on Saturday evening, taking a 70-66 overtime victory at the HU Convocation Center.

The Pirates (16-5, 6-2 MEAC) outscored the Hornets 13-9 in the overtime period. Sophomore forward Wesley Dunning scored the team’s first six overtime points, and junior guard Christopher Tolson hit all four of his free throws down the stretch.

Getting defensive

It was a game only a coach could truly love. Hampton's women's basketball team, allowing Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents just 48 points per game this season, gave up a season-low 29 to Delaware State on Saturday in a 52-29 win. The Hornets made just six of 39 field-goal attempts, which translates into a shooting percentage of 15.4.

In the first half, the numbers were 3-of-24 (12.5 percent). Seventeen of Delaware State's points came from the free-throw line. An ugly game?  "It depends on how you look at it," Hampton coach David Six said. "They made six field goals. Were they playing that badly, or we were playing good defense?"

PICTURES: Delaware State vs Hampton -- Men and women's games (Photos by Diane Mathews)

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Tigers (JSU) slow down Devils (MVSU)

Jackson State Head Coach Tevester Anderson

With its largest crowd of the season (6,809) on hand and about 20 football recruits watching from courtside seats, Jackson State turned this Southwestern Athletic Conference showdown into nothing but a snoozer. Said JSU's Tyrone Hanson: "We were really souped up for this game."

Hanson and the Tigers beat Mississippi Valley State 83-73 Saturday night, remaining atop the conference standings and sending the league's most surprisingly successful squad home with its first loss since Jan. 10.

In this battle between the SWAC's top two teams, Jackson State (11-9, 7-1 SWAC) quieted a high-scoring Valley team that...

Mississippi Valley State 67, Jackson State 54

JACKSON, Miss. – The Jackson State women’s basketball team fell 67-54 to in-state rival Mississippi Valley State in Southwestern Athletic Conference action Saturday at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

With the loss JSU falls to a 4-13 overall record and a 3-5 SWAC mark. MVSU improves to 7-12, 5-3. Rachel Jones led JSU with a 15 point, six rebound effort. Tiffany Kellum came off the bench to add 10 points.

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NCCU Eagles notch win No. 10 at expense of FAMU

DURHAM -- N.C. Central has figured out how to win close games, but the Eagles have had to build huge leads in two of their three most recent victories to do it. On Saturday, NCCU built a 15-point halftime lead before holding on for a 61-59 win over Florida A&M at McDougald-McLendon Gym that wasn't secured until the Rattlers missed a shot at the buzzer.

The victory gives the Eagles their first 10-win season since moving up to the Division I level. C.J. Wilkerson finished with 18 points, including a pair of free throws that gave the Eagles a five-point lead with under a minute to play.


Videographer: NCCUEagles; Hear Postgame comments from junior forward Nick Chasten (Raleigh, N.C.) and Head Coach LeVelle Moton following NCCU's 61-59 victory over conference foe Florida A&M. NCCU has won three-in-a-row and will take on league leading Bethune-Cookman on Monday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. from McDougald-McLendon Gym.

LAST-SECOND SHOT LIFTS FLORIDA A&M PAST NCCU LADY EAGLES, 63-62

DURHAM, N.C. - After fighting back from a nine-point second-half deficit, the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University led by one point at the 49 second mark until Florida A&M scoring leader Antonia Bennett hit a last-second layup to seal a Lady Rattlers 63-62 victory on Saturday, Jan. 29 in McDougald-McLendon Gym.

NCCU began the second half with a score of 26-32, Bennett, who finished with 31 points, quickly paced FAMU to a nine-point deficit. Senior Jori Nwachukwu, who netted 16 points in the last 20 minutes of play, quickly led NCCU on an 8-1 run for the first tie of the half.

From the 14:30 mark until to the 8:17 point, FAMU would regain the lead, pulling away by as many as six points. With sophomore J’Mia Pollock on the line sinking one of her two free throws, the contest became a point-for-point battle.


Videographer: NCCUEagles; Hear Comments from NCCU Head Coach Joli Robinson as the Lady Eagles fell 63-62 to Florida A&M in heartbreaking fashion.

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Bethune-Cookman 61, South Carolina State 60

Another day, another close loss for the South Carolina State men's basketball team. All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference guard C.J. Reed hit two free throws with 22.6 seconds left and Khalif Toombs missed a jumper with four seconds left to give Bethune-Cookman a 61-60 victory over the Bulldogs.

Reed finished with 17 points and Stanley Elliott added 11 to lead the Wildcats (12-9, 7-1), who own a two-game lead in the conference standings. It was the fifth loss this season by four or less points for the Bulldogs (5-15, 1-6), who have lost six straight games and dropped to 5-4 at home this season.

With Howard's win over Maryland-Eastern Shore, both teams and S.C. State are tied for last place in the win column.

Bethune-Cookman 64, South Carolina State 55

Home cooking was not enough to stem the South Carolina State women's basketball team's slump Saturday at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

Despite a season-high 20 points from Whitney Wiley and 14 points and five assists from Tiara Knotts, another lax second-half effort on defense resulted in the Lady Bulldogs' fifth consecutive loss.

Trailing 27-22 at halftime, the Lady Bulldogs were outscored 37-33 in the second half. In the last three games, S.C. State (6-11, 2-5) has allowed an average of 45.3 points in the second half.

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Grambling State Releases 2011 Football Schedule

Grambling State Signs Two-Year Football Agreement to Play ULM

MONROE, LA ---In a press conference held January 28, 2011 in Monroe, Louisiana officials announced the two year agreement in which Grambling State and ULM would once again meet on the gridiron.

"Both games will be played at ULM’s Malone Stadium in 2011 and 2013. Our fans are excited to keep the rivalry going. We anticipate record numbers that will eclipse the 30,000 plus crowd that attended in 2007,” stated J Lin Dawson, Director of Athletics at Grambling State University.

“Playing sister institutions within the University of Louisiana System make sense. As athletic administrators, we must look for creative ways in which we can grow our revenue and contain cost. This is a good deal for both universities. As the visiting team, Grambling will make just over $300,000 for each game with very few expenses."

2011 GSU Tigers Football Schedule

9/03 Port City Classic, Shreveport, La. (TBD)
9/10 at University of Lousiana-Monroe, Monroe, La.
9/17 at Alabama State University, Montgomery, Al.
9/24 Alabama A&M University (HOME)
10/1 at Prairie View A&M University (State Fair Classic - Dallas, Tx)
10/8 Open
10/15 at Alcorn State University, Lorman, Ms.
10/22 Mississippi Valley State University (HOME)
10/29 at University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff (Memorial Stadium, Little Rock)
11/05 at Jackson State University, Jackson, Ms.
11/12 Texas Southern (HOME)
11/19 Open
11/26 Southern (Bayou Classic - New Orleans, La.)

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RELATED LINKS: GSUTigers.com

SU catcher Ourso doesn’t plan to waste opportunity

Halfway through his college baseball career, Southern University catcher Clint Ourso realized he hadn’t gotten anywhere. A season at LSU-Eunice in 2009 finished with respectable numbers, but his sophomore campaign at New Orleans left a lot to be desired.

So when the UNO administration shifted the ground underneath its athletic department, announcing all programs would begin transitioning to NCAA Division III, Ourso saw an opportunity. “With two years left, I felt like I had to make a change,” said Ourso, whose junior season officially began Friday when he and his SU teammates began practice for the 2011 season.

Fourth Urban Invitational to begin Feb. 25

The Urban Invitational is back for the 2011 season, and for the first time, three Historically Black Colleges and Universities will be showcased.

In its fourth year, the Invitational -- set up by Major League Baseball's first Urban Youth Academy, in Compton, Calif. -- will run from Feb. 25-27, with HBCUs Southern University (in Louisiana) and Bethune-Cookman (Daytona Beach, Fla.) returning, and Grambling State University (Louisiana) joining the fold. Also playing in the collegiate round-robin tournament is the University of California Irvine, a first-time participant.

The Invitational, presented by the U.S. Army, gives HBCUs a chance to play on a national stage, something that rarely happens. This year they'll get that exposure once again, as MLB Network will air both games on Day 2, which is a Saturday.

SU Video: Urban Invitational: Sat. Gm 1

2011 MLB URBAN INVITATIONAL
Date Time (PT) Matchup Venue
2/25 6:30 p.m. Southern v. UC Irvine UC Irvine
2/25 6 p.m. B-CU v. Grambling UYA
2/26 1 p.m. UC Irvine v. B-CU* UYA
2/26 5 p.m. Grambling v. Southern* UYA
2/27 1 p.m. Grambling v. UC Irvine UC Irvine
2/27 1 p.m. Southern v. B-CU UYA
* broadcast on MLB Network @ Pacific Time

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Paine sacks its golf coach

Coach Hoover Johnson

Paine College continues its shake-up within its sports department. Golf coach Hoover Johnson, who helped rebuild the program after the team was kept from going to the national championship tournament, was let go by the school this week.

Brandon Brown, Paine's vice president for institutional advancement, said Friday that the school does not comment on personnel matters. "I know a lot of folks question the practice the institution takes with its personnel matters," he said. "We're looking to protect the interests of the institution as well as the former employee."

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READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Spry steps down as Paine coach
Changes abound on Paine College camp
Fired Paine employee reports theft of watches

Woods, Mississippi Valley Devils beat SWAC drum after singing gym blues

Coach Sean Woods makes sure you get it correct. The Mississippi Valley State basketball team didn't have the luxury of practicing in a high school gym. "Middle school," he said. "A middle school gym."

Heading into tonight's Southwestern Athletic Conference showdown with Jackson State, the Delta Devils have come quite a ways. Their basketball arena floor is no longer a bubbling, waterlogged mess. They no longer practice in that middle school gym. They don't play "home" games at county civic centers any more. And, they aren't thought of as a middle-of-the-pack team.

Picked to finish seventh in the 10-team conference before the season, Valley (7-13) is 6-1 in the league, tied atop the standings with Jackson State (10-9) and Texas Southern (8-10).

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Credits:
1. Videographer: AChicfmnc - MVSU Cor-J Cox goes airborne...
2. Videographer: AndyL168 - MVSU Satin Dolls in Action...
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WSSU's Maynor turns down offer from North Carolina A&T

Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State has turned down an offer to be the next football coach at N.C. A&T.

Maynor, who led the Rams to an 8-2 record this past season, had his first interview with A&T officials last week but wasn't offered the job. That all changed on Friday when Rod Broadway, the coach at Grambling State, turned down an offer from A&T.  Maynor was asked back to campus at A&T on Friday afternoon and was offered the job.

"They offered it to me and, after considering it, I had to say no," said Maynor, 42, who is a 1995 graduate of N.C. A&T, where he was an All-MEAC quarterback. "The timing just wasn't right and in the best interest of myself and my family, I couldn't take the job."

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ULM and Grambling State Sign Two-Year Football Agreement

MONROE, La. - The game which produced the largest on-campus collegiate football crowd in north Louisiana history will feature a second and third installment over the next three years. ULM will host Grambling State on Sept. 10, 2011, and Sept. 7, 2013, in Malone Stadium, ULM Director of Athletics Bobby Staub announced Friday afternoon in a press conference at the Monroe Convention Center.

"We're excited about our two-game series with Grambling State University," Staub said. "Our 2007 contest was an overwhelming success and provided an electric atmosphere for fans of both schools as well our student-athletes."

The first meeting between the two schools drew 30,101 fans to ULM's Malone Stadium on Nov. 20, 2007. The game established a new precedent for Football Bowl Subdivision schools in Louisiana as ULM became the first such institution to play Grambling in football - the Warhawks defeated the Tigers 28-14.


Videographer: RayHigginsTV

"For our football team and our fan base, this is a wonderful opportunity to renew a series that is significant due to the proximity of the two schools," ULM head coach Todd Berry said. "A lot of our players know guys on their team which always makes the game more interesting. The first time ULM and Grambling played the game had a great atmosphere and we are excited to bring that kind of environment back to Malone Stadium."

Three of ULM's four non-conference games for the upcoming season are now in place. The Warhawks open the season at Florida State on Sept. 3 and travel to Iowa on Sept. 24.

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Courtesy: ulmwarhawks.com           Release: 01/28/2011

Hunt on the rise for FAMU track

FAMU Coach Wayne Angel

Florida A&M men's track coach Wayne Angel made a bold statement Thursday afternoon about long jumper Leon Hunt. "I think the sky is the limit for him" Angel said. Specifically, Angel was referring to Hunt becoming the Rattlers' first track and field All-American since 2005, winning a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and possibly qualifying for next year's Olympics.

That's lofty, but Hunt gave the first-year FAMU coach reason last weekend to be that optimistic. Hunt jumped 25.5 feet last weekend at the Blue Raider Invitational in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The jump landed Hunt in the NCAA's national top 15 rankings at No. 11. It was his career best and now Hunt is aiming to clear another foot, which will put him within range of achieving 26 feet and joining the national elites.

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Redman goes from CIAA title game to Super Bowl XLV

Running back Isaac Redman of the Pittsburgh Steelers has traveled from the CIAA to the Super Bowl, a journey not many players make. Redman is the career rushing leader at Bowie State and had championship-game experience in college, playing in a 2005 CIAA title-game loss to N.C. Central. His next title game will be Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, against the Green Bay Packers.


Videographer: foxsports

"I would say it's a little bit of a larger stage," joked Coach Damon Wilson of Bowie State, who was an assistant when Redman played there. "But that kid deserves it because he worked his tail off to get where he is, and all of us here at Bowie State couldn't be prouder."

Redman, who ran for 3,300 yards in college, signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and spent last season on the practice squad. This season he played in every game as Rashard Mendenhall's backup, rushing for 247 yards on 52 carries (4.8 ypc) and catching nine passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns.


Videographer: bsulb33

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