NCCU'S Second-Half Rally Falls Short Against Bethune Cookman

DURHAM, N.C. - Down by two points with 19 seconds left in the contest, North Carolina Central University got the ball in the hands of senior guard C.J. Wilkerson, the Eagles’ clutch performer who has averaged 32 points in his last three outings. Driving towards the basket in front of the NCCU bench, the physical defensive pressure by Bethune-Cookman University forced Wilkerson to lose his handle on the ball and the visiting Wildcats collected the turnover to secure a 67-64 victory inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Monday night.

Wilkerson finished with 21 points, 18 of which he tallied after intermission. NCCU junior sharpshooter Landon Clement connected on five of his 10 three-point attempts to finish with a team-best 23 points, but no other Eagle reached double figures in the scoring column. Junior Nick Chasten was the closest with eight points and six rebounds.


Videographer: NCCUEagles

LADY WILDCAT STEALS LEAD TO 64-53 VICTORY OVER NCCU BASKETBALL

DURHAM, N.C. – In recent matchups, the three-point arc has not been the most favorable shooting point for North Carolina Central University. But in Monday night’s contest against Bethune-Cookman University in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium, senior Shanise Blanks thrived from the long range.

Despite Blanks’ leading the Lady Eagles with season-high17 points, 15 from behind three-point arc, and a ninth double-double performance from Jori Nwachukwu, the Lady Wildcats were able to secure an 11-point win over NCCU, 64-53.

The Lady Eagles began the contest with a six-point lead, Blanks came off the bench sinking her first long range basket at the 15:24 mark. Within a matter of minutes, B-CU took its first lead of the game.


Videographer: NCCUEagles

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Michael Jones Named Lincoln University (Mo.) Head Football Coach

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Michael Jones, known by many for making “The Tackle” in Super Bowl XXXIV, will make his return back to the state of Missouri after accepting the position of Head Football Coach at Lincoln University today, as announced by President Carolyn R. Mahoney.



“It feels incredible to get this opportunity,” Jones said of being named the new head coach. “I feel blessed getting the chance to be a head coach at this point in my career, as so many never get the opportunity to be a head coach at the collegiate level.”

“I am excited to have him as our new head coach,” LU Athletic Director Betty Kemna said. “His ties within the state of Missouri will hopefully help us recruit more local talent to Jefferson City.”

Jones spent the past season as linebacker coach at Southern University in Louisiana, where the Jaguars went 2-9. Southern’s defense recorded several solid numbers in 2010, including 26 sacks, eight interceptions and 92 tackles for loss.

Before his time at Southern, Jones spent six years at Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, where he spent two years as head coach leading the team to a state title in 2008, when the team went 12-2. Overall as a head coach, he went 18-7. Jones will now look to transition his time as a head coach there to being the head coach at Lincoln.

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Edward Waters hires Brad Bernard

EWC Head Football Coach Brad Bernard

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Word gets around quick in the coaching profession.

Even before former Bethune-Cookman offensive coordinator Brad Bernard was hired as head football coach at Edward Waters on Monday, his phone started ringing.

"Some people I hadn't talked to in 12 years were calling to congratulate me and sometimes asking for a job," Bernard said. Bernard will be officially introduced today at the NAIA school in Jacksonville. And then he will begin making his own calls to put together a coaching staff. One of the first calls he will make, Bernard said, will be to old boss, former B-CU head coach Alvin Wyatt.

"Everyone in America would like to talk to that man," Bernard said of the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach. "He's a great head coach. Hopefully he can give me some guidance."

Brad Bernard to be named new football coach at Edward Waters

Edward Waters College will announce the hiring of Brad Bernard as its new head football coach at a news conference today. Bernard has been offensive coordinator for Bethune-Cookman and Howard University. He also coached at two local high schools, Raines and Mandarin.

He played at and graduated from Georgia Southern where he helped lead the Eagles to the conference championship three years.  He led Bethune-Cookman to two Division 1-AA playoff appearances and to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in 2002.

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Jackson lifts Morgan Bears to win over N.C. A&T, 68-66

BALTIMORE, Md. -- DeWayne Jackson scored 18 points, including the game-winning free throws with 15.5 seconds left, as Morgan State edged North Carolina A&T 68-66 Monday night.

“We are very, very fortunate, there's no doubt about it,” said Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman about the game's finish. “Sometimes you got to have that type of game, but I'll take the win, because every win in Division I is not easy.”

The Bears (10-9, 6-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) also got a season-high 15 points from Larry Bastfield and 10 apiece from Ameer Ali and Aric Brooks.

Thomas Coleman had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Aggies (9-13, 4-4), but also committed...


Videographer: pvimaging; Morgan State University Choir - "The Battle of Jericho"

MSU Beats Aggies On Late-Second Shot

BALTIMORE - One last second shot deserves another. Two days after beating Coppin State on a last-second shot, the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team was defeated in the late seconds on Monday as Morgan State came away with a 51-49 win at Hill Field House.

Brittany Dodson's jumper with 1.2 seconds remaining broke the sixth time of the game to give the Bears the win. Three minutes earlier, Tracy King connected on a 3-pointer to give N.C. A&T a 47-45 lead.

Kyla Rollins tied the game on two free throws. The two teams swapped turnovers. The Aggies had a chance to take the lead, but Jaleesa Sams' jumper bounced off the rim and into the hands of Theresa Davis, who was fouled by Nikia Gorham.

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Hampton Pirates second half surge beats UMES Hawks

HAMPTON– The Hampton University men’s basketball team used a strong second half to surge past Maryland Eastern Shore for its second straight win, taking a 78-66 victory at the HU Convocation Center on Monday night in front of a national ESPNU audience.


Videographer: 13NEWS/WVEC.com

Junior guard Kwame Morgan led the Pirates with 30 points on a career-best 8-for-14 shooting from 3-point range. Junior guard Christopher Tolson added 11 points, while senior guard Brandon Tunnell added 10 points and a career-high 12 assists.

Junior forward Danny Agbelese pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds and blocked three shots.

LADY PIRATES DEFENSE SUFFOCATES UMES

HAMPTON, Va. – For the second straight game, the Hampton University women’s basketball team used a suffocating defense en route to victory, beating Maryland Eastern Shore 47-29 Monday evening at the HU Convocation Center in front of a national ESPNU audience.

The Lady Pirates (15-6, 8-1 MEAC) matched their season low for points allowed – they held Delaware State to 29 points on Saturday – in picking up their third straight win. UMES made just nine field goals and 10 free throws.

Senior forward Quanneisha Perry (Decatur, Ga.) led Hampton with 12 points and 13 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season. Junior guard Jericka Jenkins (Lancaster, Texas) added 11 points and eight assists.

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Winston Salem Rams' reborn baseball program to open season today

After a 37-year absence, baseball is back at Winston-Salem State.

The Rams, with their program resurrected, are scheduled to open their season at 3 p.m. today at Wingate. And although there was rain in the forecast Monday night, there's only a 10-percent chance of precipitation at Wingate this afternoon. "We are monitoring the weather, but we hope we can play (today)," Coach Kevin Ritsche said.

Outfielder Dominique Fitzgerald, also a wide receiver on the football team, will start in center field and said he's looking forward to seeing how the Rams will fare. "It's exciting for the school to be playing baseball again," said Fitzgerald, a junior from Danville, Va. "It's going to be interesting to see how we can compete as a first-year program."

Rams 2011 Baseball Schedule

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FAMU women roll past South Carolina State

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The last time that the Florida A&M women's basketball team lost a game, coach LeDawn Gibson pointed to too much one-on-one play as the reason. She has been warning her team about how detrimental individualism could be as the Rattlers head into the second-half stretch in conference play.

On Monday night, the Rattlers showed more than one sign that they are taking heed. While rolling past South Carolina State 79-65, the Rattlers were unselfish to the tune of 21 assists. Then, when the Bulldogs tried to make a second-half run, more than one player answered with a clutch shot that SCSU didn't get any closer than six points.

FAMU Lady Rattlers Win 2nd Straight Road Game

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Florida A&M Women’s Basketball team picked up back-to-back road wins as they defeated South Carolina State, 79-65 here Monday evening at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

FAMU (10-10, 5-3) was paced by Tameka McKelton as she scored a game high 22 points to lead all scorers. Jasmine Grice added 13 points, followed by Antonia Bennett with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Myeshia Simms rounded out the cast of Lady Rattlers in double-figures with 10 points.

Florida A&M 79, South Carolina State 65

Poor shooting and another shaky defensive performance resulted in the Lady Bulldogs' sixth consecutive loss. S.C. State (6-11, 2-6) trailed 40-28 at halftime after shooting 11-33 from the field and committing 12 turnovers. The Lady Bulldogs fell behind as many as 17 points, but managed to cut the deficit to six on two occasions.

However, numerous missed layups at close range and 20 turnovers kept S.C. State from further closing the game. Senior Whitney Wiley led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points, but was 5-19 from the field and committed a team-high five turnovers.

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JSU signs Concordia for football opener

Jackson State has agreed to play Concordia College at home in the 2011 football season opener, athletic director Bob Braddy confirmed Saturday. The deal is not finalized and details of the contract were not available. The full 2011 football schedule is expected to be released this week.

Concordia, a historically black college in Selma, Ala., fielded its first football team in 2005 and plays in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the lowest level for four-year schools. The Hornets were beaten 35-0 by Grambling last season.

JSU's basketball team played Concordia in an exhibition game this season. JSU beat the Hornets 97-54.

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Credits:
1. JSU Sonic Boom Band: Written, produced and edited by JSU Mass Communications seniors Tiffany Edmondson and voiced by Candace Sims, Videographer: UTUBEJSU22
2. JSU Sonic Boom Band performance at 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational; Videographer: Jarquavius101

Reggie Barlow turns down NFL opportunity to remain at Alabama State

Coach Barlow is secure with new 4-year deal with Hornets

For the second time in four years, Alabama State football coach Reggie Barlow has turned down an offer to join the staff of an NFL team.

Barlow, a member of the 2002 Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, turned down an offer from the Denver Broncos and coach Mike Shanahan in 2007.

He repeated his action over the weekend, turning down an offer made by new San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. Barlow, 38, declined a chance to be an assistant to receivers coach John Morton. Morton was Barlow's position coach during his stint with the Oakland Raiders.

A former standout receiver at Alabama State, Barlow took over as head coach in 2007 and has compiled...

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South Alabama drops two games from football schedule, adds Mississippi Valley State

The 2011 South Alabama football schedule has undergone some changes, including the addition of a game against Mississippi Valley State and the dropping of two previously scheduled opponents. The schedule, to be released by the school today, will feature 10 games, six of those played at home at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

The revisions find the Jaguars, 10-0 last season and 17-0 in the school's two-year history, facing the Delta Devils, the program's first SWAC opponent, on Thurs., Nov. 3, at home. Two previously scheduled games -- an Oct. 1 game against UC-Davis and an Oct. 29 game against Edward Waters -- have been dropped from the schedule that originally featured 11 games.

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Savannah State and North Carolina A&T Football to play at Appalachian State

Boone, N.C.  - Six home games, including three in September, and a season-opening contest versus one of college football’s most powerful programs highlights Appalachian State University’s 2011 football schedule, which was announced by ASU director of athletics Charlie Cobb on Monday.

Appalachian opens the 2011 campaign at Virginia Tech. The season-opening matchup pits two of only three NCAA Division I programs that have won at least 10 games each of the last six years (Ohio State is the third). Despite being separated by less than 150 miles, the Mountaineers and Hokies are squaring off for only the fourth time ever and the first time since 1982.

Virginia Tech won each of the three previous meetings between the programs, all of which took place at VT’s Lane Stadium in a four-year span from 1979-82 (the teams did not meet in 1980). The Mountaineers are 7-27-1 all-time against current members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Following the opener at Virginia Tech, ASU settles in for a very rare string of three-consecutive home games, beginning with the home opener on Sept. 10 versus North Carolina A&T, followed by a Sept. 17 date against another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe in Savannah State and the Sept. 24 Southern Conference opener versus Chattanooga.

The three-consecutive games at Kidd Brewer Stadium, where ASU has led FCS in regular-season attendance for each of the past four years, mark only the third time in Appalachian’s 82-year football history that the Mountaineers will play regular-season home games on three-straight Saturdays (the Apps also played at home on three-consecutive weekends in Sept. 1957 and Sept. 1981).

2011 APPALACHIAN STATE FOOTBALL REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Site All-Time Series Last Meeting
Sept. 3 at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Va.VT leads, 3-0 VT 34, ASU 0 (Oct. 23, 1982)
Sept. 10 North Carolina A&T Boone, N.C. ASU leads, 4-1 ASU 38, A&T 31 (Sept. 16, 1995)
Sept. 17 Savannah State Boone, N.C. First Meeting

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WSSU Coach Maynor Receives New 5-Year Contract and 43.75% Pay Raise

WSSU Chancellor Dr. Donald Reaves

GREENSBORO, N.C. - He's fourth on N.C. A&T's career passing list, but former All-MEAC quarterback Connell Maynor won't be the Aggies' next football coach.

Maynor, the head coach at Winston-Salem State, said during the weekend he turned down A&T's offer to take over for interim coach and longtime assistant George Ragsdale.

After Maynor turned down the Aggies, Winston-Salem States's Board of Trustees Executive Committee on Monday unanimously approved a new five-year contract that raised his salary from $90,000 to $160,000 a year, Chancellor Donald Reaves told the Journal. Former A&T coach Alonzo Lee's contract was worth $145,000 annually.

"It just wasn't worth the gamble," Maynor told the Journal...

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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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