Thursday, February 17, 2011
Track and Field Set to Participate in MEAC Indoor Championships
NORFOLK, VA – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host its Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships, Thursday-Saturday, February 17-19, at the Prince George Sports Complex in Landover, Md.The competition on February 17 at 1 p.m. with the women's weight throw followed by the men's weight throw at 2:30 p.m.
The championships will continue on Friday with the men's heptathlon and women's shot put competition at 9 a.m. Other field events on Friday's slate include the men's and women's long jump, the men's pole vault final, and the women's high jump. The afternoon continues with the men's and women's 800m run, 60m hurdles, 60m dash, 200m dash, and 400m dash. The men's and women's distance medley relay will round out the day's events.
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Southern, Florida A&M to play in Bank of America Atlanta Classic
The Southern University football team has long played in the Bayou Classic, matching up with rival Grambling every year. Now, the Jaguars will head east to play in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic.100 Black Men of Atlanta announced Wednesday that Southern and Florida A&M will square off Sept. 24 in the annual game.
First played in 1989, the Atlanta Football Classic matches Historically Black Colleges & Universities in the Georgia Dome. Southern and Florida A&M have both played in the game, but it’s the first time they will face each other in it. The halftime show features a battle of the bands.
Organizers of the Atlanta Classic ensured the revival of one of the oldest rivalries in college football Wednesday afternoon when they officially announced Southern University as Florida A&M's opponent in the September game.
The games between the two programs go back to the years when Ace Mumford coached at Southern and Jake Gaither at FAMU. When the Jaguars and Rattlers meet on Sept. 24 it will be their first since 2008.
Both teams signed a four-year deal in 2007, but had been able to keep the agreement because of conflicting commitment to their conferences. The 100 Black Men of Atlanta have signed both teams to a two-year deal to play in the annual Classic
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Running past the Rattlers
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Junior Rotnei Clarke and sophomore Marshawn Powell led the University of Arkansas men's basketball team with 14 points each to a convincing, 94-55, victory over the Florida A&M Rattlers at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday night.
The Razorbacks improve to 16-9 on the year while Florida A&M falls to 11-15. The Hogs end their non-conference schedule 10-0 at Bud Walton Arena this season.
"I am certainly happy to close out our non-conference schedule that way," Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said. "Florida A&M had won four straight games and was playing their best basketball of the season. I thought that our defense played well in the first half and that the team was unselfish across the board. It was nice to be able to play everybody."
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The Razorbacks improve to 16-9 on the year while Florida A&M falls to 11-15. The Hogs end their non-conference schedule 10-0 at Bud Walton Arena this season.
"I am certainly happy to close out our non-conference schedule that way," Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said. "Florida A&M had won four straight games and was playing their best basketball of the season. I thought that our defense played well in the first half and that the team was unselfish across the board. It was nice to be able to play everybody."
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Former TSU baseball coach Candy Robinson dies at 70
Robinson was 70 years old.
"Coach Robinson has been an integral part of the athletics department for more than two decades, and his contributions will always be remembered," said Texas Southern Athletics Director Charles McClelland. "Candy’s loss to the TSU athletics family will be one that cannot be replaced."
Cancer claims life of ex-TSU baseball coach
Former Texas Southern baseball coach Candy Robinson died Tuesday morning after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Robinson, the longest-serving coach in program history, retired from coaching in 2008 after leading the Tigers for 19 years, later becoming the director of baseball operations. He was 332-571-2 during his tenure at TSU, coaching the program to its only Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament titles and NCAA appearances in 2004 and 2008.
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SIAC Announces 2011 Basketball Tournament Schedule of Events
Atlanta, GA — The 78th annual SIAC Basketball Tournament will return to Atlanta, Georgia, Monday, February 28th through Saturday, March 5th in the Atlanta University Center.The first two rounds of men’s and women’s action will take place March 2nd and 3rd at Clark Atlanta University’s L.S. Epps Gymnasium and Morehouse College’s Frank L. Forbes Arena. All games will then move to Forbes Arena on March 4th and 5th for the semifinal round and championship games.
This year’s tournament will also feature the SIAC college fair on February 28th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as the SIAC cheerleading & dance competition on March 1st at 7 p.m. Both events are open to the public.
Last year’s tournament and events drew nearly 11,000 patrons throughout the week.
2011 SIAC Basketball Tournament Schedule of Events:
Monday, February 28th, 2011
SIAC Basketball Tournament College Fair
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Clark Atlanta University Student Center
Note: Live remote by V-103
Contact: Tina Jones, 404-221-1041, Email: tjones@thesiac.com
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
SIAC Cheerleading & Dance Competition
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: L.S. Epps Gymnasium at Clark Atlanta University
Note: Doors open at 6:00 p.m., Tickets on sale at the door (Admission is $3)
Contact: Tina Jones, 404-221-1041, Email: tjones@thesiac.com
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
Opening Round of the 2011 SIAC Basketball Tournament
Time: *12 p.m., **2 p.m., **4 p.m., **6 p.m., and **8 p.m.
Locations: Frank L Forbes Arena at Morehouse College & L.S. Epps Gymnasium at Clark Atlanta University
Note:*There is only one game in this time slot which takes place at Forbes Arena, **There are two games in this time slot
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
Quarterfinal Round of the 2011 SIAC Basketball Tournament
Time: **2 p.m., **4 p.m., **6 p.m., and **8 p.m.
Locations: Frank L Forbes Arena at Morehouse College & L.S. Epps Gymnasium at Clark Atlanta University
Note: **There are two games in this time slot
Friday, March 4th, 2011
Semifinal Round of the 2011 SIAC Basketball Tournament
Time: 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Location: Frank L Forbes Arena at Morehouse College
Note: 2-hour remote with Greg Street & V-103
Saturday, March 5th, 2011
Championship Saturday
Time: 5 p.m. (Women’s) & 8 p.m. (Men’s)
Location: Frank L Forbes Arena at Morehouse College
Note: V-103’s Greg Street will broadcast live from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Ticket Info: General Admission: $15, Student Admission: $10, Advance General Admission tickets on sale at http://www.thesiactickets.com/.
ECSU Vikings off to surprising 3-0 start
Elizabeth City State’s baseball team has been practicing under some difficult conditions. That is why last weekend’s season-opening three-game road swing, which produced three wins, came as a bit of a surprise to coach Terrance WhittleThe Vikings won twice at Morehouse in Atlanta on Saturday, 8-1 and 13-6, then followed that with a 10-7 win over Paine in Augusta, despite having only had three outdoor practices and not facing live pitching because of rain and winter weather.
RANDOLPH FANS NINE AS VIKINGS BEAT PAINE COLLEGE 10-7
AUGUSTA, GA-The Elizabeth City State University baseball team will return home with a perfect record intact as they downed Paine College 10-7 Sunday afternoon.
Pitcher Kerich Randolph pitched 7 innings striking out nine against on one hit.
Offensively the Vikings stayed hot with four different players going 2-4 on the afternoon. Tony Wiggins and Clifton Taylor both tallied two singles each while Phillip Dodson finished with a double and a single. Kyle Meads, who hit a three-run homer in the Vikings' opener against Morehouse, hit a triple and a double on the afternoon
VIKINGS SWEEP MOREHOUSE WITH 13-6 WIN IN GAME TWO OF DOUBLEHEADER
ATLANTA, GA- Elizabeth City State University Vikings completed a doubleheader sweep of Morehouse College downing the Maroon Tigers 13-6 in game two on Saturday afternoon.
Weston Dodson collected his three RBI on a three run homer while Hasten Simmons and Khatim Butler both added 2 RBI apiece in the seven run victory. Freshman Cameron Cecil, who was relieved by Hertford, NC native Brad Miller, pitched four shut-out inning in his first appearance.
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Stillman continues dominance in SIAC
TUSCALOOSA, AL | Currently at the top of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Stillman College men’s basketball team proved why when it took on the Claflin University Panthers on Monday. The Tigers beat the Panthers on Senior Night, 62-55.“We really played together as a team tonight,” Stillman coach Michael Grant said. “We did a pretty good job of taking care of the basketball, we just really took our time and then we hit our open shots. Any time you can get hit your open shots and hit your free throws, you have a shot and that’s what we did tonight.”
After a slow start where both teams remained scoreless for the first five minutes, Claflin scored first with a basket by senior center Efe Uwadiae. Stillman (17-5, 15-4 in SIAC) answered back a just 35 seconds later on a field goal by Tiger senior guard Rakee Anderson.
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A&T upsets Hampton
GREENSBORO, N.C. — With its 74-63 victory over first-place Hampton on Monday night, N.C. A&T took an important first step toward climbing the MEAC ladder.Playing in their fourth straight game without guard Nic Simpson, the Aggies (12-14, 7-5) weathered 27 points from Kwame Morgan to pull away from the Pirates (19-6, 9-3) in the final minutes in the Corbett Sports Center.
Simpson, who likely will be sidelined until the final week of the season with a knee injury, is A&T's second-leading scorer at 14.6 points per game. "This team has really stepped up. They really have. It just doesn't show all the time," A&T coach Jerry Eaves said. "To have lost Nic, the team has made a decision they can win."
Aggies' Streak Comes To An End
GREENSBORO, N.C. - There were times on Monday when it looked like North Carolina A&T's streak would end without much of a fight.
That is until the Aggies started to fight. They took conference-leader Hampton's best shots, and kept getting off the canvas. But missed opportunities on the offensive end, and made Hampton free throws finally finished off the Aggies in a 74-66 loss to the Pirates.
The loss brought to an end one of the most impressive streaks in MEAC history. The Aggies went four years without losing to a conference opponent at home. The winning streak lasted 30 games. It lasted so long; no current player on the roster was an Aggie when the streak began.
"A streak like that says you have had one of the better programs for a long time," said N.C. A&T head Patricia Cage-Bibbs.
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NEXT GAME: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19 @ SOUTH CAROLINA STATE, 2 P.M., ORANGEBURG, S.C.
FAMU women's basketball team celebrates after a big victory
There was a bit of a celebration in the locker room of the Florida A&M women's basketball team at the Lawson Center. And, it had nothing to do with the fact that the Rattlers are now in sole possession of third place in the MEAC.The postgame merriment Monday night was spurred by the Rattlers reaching a team goal for the first time in a conference game when they defeated Delaware State University 68-46. The 46 points allowed was the cause for celebration.
Holding conference opponents to 55 or fewer points is one of the team's goals set by coach LeDawn Gibson, but FAMU has not been able to do so against a conference opponent until Monday night.
FAMU men win seventh straight game at home
Simply put — there is no place like home for the Florida A&M men's basketball team.
Amin Stevens scored 16 points and the Rattlers fought off a late surge from Delaware State University for a 69-63 victory to complete a four-game home stretch without a loss at the Lawson Center. The Rattlers improved to 10-1 at home and extended their consecutive win streak to seven on their home floor.
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NEXT GAME: FEBRUARY 19, 2:00 P.M. @ HOWARD UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Doyle's Career-High 38 Leads Lady Bison Over Norfolk State
NORFOLK, VA – Saadia Doyle led all scorers with a career-high of 38 points en-route to a 66-49 rout over Norfolk State (8-14, 1-11) on Mon. Feb. 14. Doyle also pulled down a game-best 10 off the glass and went 17-for-20 from the charity stripe. The sophomore is now 47 points away from 1,000. With the win, the Lady Bison improve to 7-5 in conference play.HU (11-15, 7-5 MEAC) started the game with seven unanswered points – capped by an Adele Walton three-pointer. The Lady Bison pushed the advantage to double-digits, 13-2, with a pair from the line by Doyle at the 13:10 mark. Howard kept its double-digit lead throughout the half and went into intermission with a comfortable 21-point cushion, 33-12.
In the first 20 minutes, Howard held the Spartans to just 20 percent shooting (5-for-24) while going 12-for-22 from the field for a 54 percent clip.
In the second period, the Spartans rattled off nine straight to make it 35-22 at the 14:25 mark. The Lady Bison ended the run with a jumper by Holmes. Howard led by as many as 18 (51-33) midway through the half, but Norfolk used a 10-4 run to cut it to 55-43 at the 7:25 mark. The Spartans would not get any closer, however.
For the game, the Lady Bison shot 43.5 from the field (20-for-46) and converted 22 Spartan turnovers into 29 points. Prior to today’s matchup, Norfolk lead the meac in field-goal percentage, shooting 40 percent on the season. However, The Lady Bison held the Spartans to 28.8 percent from the floor. Howard also edged NSU on the glass 37-33 – including 27 defensive rebounds.
Tamoria Holmes was the only other HU player to finish in double-digits with 11 points and five rebounds. Kara Smith chipped in with seven points, four boards, and four assists.
For Norfolk State, Sarah Daily was the only player to finish in double figures with 10 points. Whitney Long tallied nine nine points behind 3-of-6 shooting from behind the arc.
Howard is back in action on Sat. Feb. 19 when it hosts Florida A&M for its annual Pink Zone initiative. The game is slated for 2 p.m.
By Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
Howard University
Coach Steve Davenport determined to make SSU's football team a success
Coach Steve Davenport may be a newcomer on the scene, but he is determined to make Savannah State University's football team the team to watch in 2011.
The married Atlanta native and father of one, has always had a love of sports dating back to his days as a All-American wide receiver at Southwest Dekalb High School and a wide receiver for Georgia Tech.
"I was a little league baseball player and never played football until I got into high school and I've always been a sports guy," Davenport said.
The new head coach started off 2011 by hiring former Georgia Tech football players William Bell, Thomas Balkcom, C. Angelo Wyatt, Greg Lester and former All-Pro wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, Terance Mathis, as his new assistant coaches.
"I have the up most confidence in the gentlemen I hired and have known them for quite some time," Davenport said.
In addition to the five assistant coaches, Davenport has landed 24 recruits from various parts of the country. Davenport is confident the new recruits will be the boost that SSU needs.
" I think these guys are good football players and good students as well," Davenport said." I think they will be a tremendous asset to the SSU community."
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Thomas, Killebrew lead WSSU Lady Rams to first CIAA title in school history
Final ResultsHampton, VA - The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams claimed their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association indoor track & field championship Sunday after a specatular two-day effort at the meet. The Lady Rams finished the meet with a team total of 99 points, topping second-place Johnson C. Smith's 95 total points. It was the strong performances in the middle distance and relay events that propelled the team to its first indoor track & field championship in school history.
"We knew what we had in our athletes and believed in them and this weekend, they performed," WSSU interim head track & field coach Inez Turner said. "We used a great strategy and everybody stepped up."
The Lady Rams played to their strengths as the team dominated middle distance and field events at the meet. After winning the women's distance medley relay on the first day of the meet, the Lady Rams kept things going on the second day, taking four of the top five spots in the women's 800m run. Freshman Brittney Killebrew, the 2010 CIAA Women's Cross Country champion, took first place in the women's 800m run with a 2:27.44 while sophomore Manuela Rigaud added a strong second-place finish in 2:28.75. Fellow sophomore Tyrah Winfrey took third in the event with a 2:29.06 while senior Ashley Fraser added a fifth place finish at 2:33.19.
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By WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations
Saint Augustine's Falcons Win CIAA Indoor Track Crown
HAMPTON, Va. - Saint Augustine's College took its 13th straight men's title, and Winston-Salem State earned its first women's crown Sunday in the 2011 CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Boo Williams Sportsplex.Led by men's field MVP Orlando Duffus and men's track MVP Josh Edmonds, the Falcons scored 155 points to run away with the win. Winston-Salem State was second with 80 points and Bowie State was third with 68 points.
The Lady Rams won the women's championship in their first year back in the CIAA after an attempted move to Division I. Their victory snapped Saint Augustine's College's steak of 14 consecutive league titles. Led by women's field MVP Dedricka Thomas, the Lady Rams scored 99 points to nip Johnson C. Smith, which finished second with 95 points. Virginia State placed third with 70 points.
Both Duffus and Edmonds sparked the Falcon men. Duffus won the triple jump, tied for third in the high jump and placed fifth in the long jump. Edmonds won the 200 dash, ran the second leg on the winning 4x400 relay team which included Dahmyir Owens, Jameel Walcott and Antonio Abney, and placed second in the 400 dash for the Falcons.
Thomas of the Lady Rams finished second in the long jump, high jump and triple jump. Shermaine Williams of Johnson C. Smith was named track MVP after winning the 60 hurdles, the 60 dash and the 200 dash.
By Saint Augustine's College Sports Information Office
Final Results
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TSU ready to put experience to use
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| TSU Coach Michael Robertson |
The Tigers lost just two seniors from last season's 30-26 squad that went 18-6 in the SWAC and fell in the semifinals of the conference tournament. They retained all three of their weekend starting pitchers and two stoppers in the bullpen. The roster is stocked with potent hitters.
The ingredients are there for another successful run.
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Step Aside FCS....Here Comes the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
With incoming head football coaches Rod Broadway (67-27 career) at North Carolina A&T, Henry Frazier (69-55 career) at North Carolina Central, Kermit Blount (91-87-3) at Delaware State, Gary "Flea" Harrell (0-0) at Howard University and Steve Davenport (0-0) at Savannah State, the MEAC just got 50 percent better than last year.
North Carolina native Broadway, served 22 years as a Division I, FBS defensive assistant coach, mostly under Steve Spurrier at Florida and Duke. He also coached at East Carolina and North Carolina. His resume includes: a Division I-A National Championship (1996) at Florida; CIAA Championships (2005, 2006) as head coach at N.C. Central; CIAA Coach of the Year Award (2006); and 2006 AFCA National Coach of the Year (Division II) award.
Not bad for a former defensive lineman, that played his college ball at North Carolina and spent his entire career coaching the defensive line. At Grambling State, Broadway compiled a record of 35-14 and won the SWAC Championship in his second season (2008) as head coach of the Tigers.
Frazier has served as the head football coach at his alma mater, Bowie State University (1999–2003) and at Prairie View A&M University (2004-2010). The former CIAA quarterback was able to lead PVAMU to a 43–30 record, including the 2009 SWAC Championship. Coach Frazier was recognized for his total body of work in resurrecting the Panthers program and was honored with the Eddie Robinson Award in 2009. This award is given annually to college football's top head coach in the Division I, Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA).
Upon his resignation at Prairie View A&M in December 2010 to take the NCCU job, Frazier was the second winningest coach in Prairie View A&M football history.
Coach Kermit Blount has gained the reputation over the years as a builder of men. Blount has served in his career as an offensive coordinator (1984-89) under College Football Hall of Fame Coach Willie Jefferies at Howard University and South Carolina State University. Blount won a MEAC championship in 1987, before returning to his alma mater, Winston Salem State University, as the head coach (1993).
He won two CIAA championships (1999, 2000) and improved the WSSU players' graduation rate from 42% in 1993 to 80% by 2009.
Both Gary Harrell and Steve Davenport are first time head coaches, but each has assembled a coaching staff that is ready to compete. Let's not forget the success of Bethune-Cookman's Coach Brian Jenkins that lead the Wildcats to a portion of the MEAC Championship and the FCS Playoffs in his first season as a head coach. He too, was a long time assistant Division I, FBS position coach.
With Coach Joe Taylor at Florida A&M, the American Football Coaches Association Region 2 and 2010 MEAC Coach of the Year - Brian Jenkins at Bethune Cookman, Oliver "Buddy" Pough at South Carolina State, Donald Hill-Eley at Morgan State, Pete Adrian at Norfolk State, and Donovan Rose at Hampton, the MEAC has the potential to become a powerhouse football conference overnight.
It is no longer a league for under-achieving players and under performing coaches. Expectations are high for great performances not only in the classroom, but on the gridiron and weight rooms as well. The administrations have raised the bar. The fans are demanding more for their financial support of the athletic programs. And athletic directors know their jobs are on the line if they do not deliver a championship product on the field.
Let's not forget parity of the conference this past season which ended in a three-way tie for the championship. Florida A&M ruined Bethune-Cookman's perfect, undefeated season and earned a share of the conference crown with the Wildcats and South Carolina State. The Bulldogs and Wildcats lost in the initial round of the FCS playoffs, with B-CU earning a first round bye.
The 2011 season will be even more exciting with the infusion of proven winners -- Broadway and Frazier--both bringing a championship mentality and wide-open brand of football over from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. We all know how well Grambling State and Prairie View dominated the SWAC competition under the experienced eyes of Broadway and Frazier. Expect more of the same in the MEAC.
What Delaware State lacks this season in pure athletic talent, Coach Blount will make the Hornets competitive right away with a powerful offensive game and tough defense. The only question is how quickly can Savannah State and Howard become competitive with new commitments from their Administrations. We believe they hired the right guys for their situations, but they need time to put the pieces together to build the programs.
Parity is the right word to use in describing the new MEAC, as there will be "no cupcakes" in this conference in a 2-3 years. At least not in football competition.
So get ready to move over Colonial Athletic, Southern, and Ohio Valley conferences as its a new day in the Football Championship Subdivision.
High Quality Players returning to HBCUs
If you don't believe me, check out the outstanding haul of three and four-star players that signed National Letters of Intent with MEAC institutions. Who would have thought that Bethune-Cookman would ink 2010 Florida Mr. Football, record-setting quarterback Quentin Williams. Williams led Tampa Jefferson (15-0) to the 3A state championship and rewrote the Florida passing record lists, with new standards for yards in a season (4,451) and career (10,384) and TDs in a season (56) and career (109).
Florida A&M may have the second best class overall, signing 24 of 25 players on their draft board, including quarterback Tyler Bass, a transfer from Memphis, Casey Turner, a star running back transfer from Rutgers and a bunch of stud linemen to build depth on both lines. Coach Taylor describes the class as his best ever, since taking over the Rattlers program. Don't expect the Rattlers to not make the FCS playoffs in 2011, as Taylor has a stable of smart and athletically sound players returning.
S.C. State as always, snatched the best skill players in the state and is loaded with redshirt talent from last year's signing class. The Bulldogs will be in contention again for the conference championship and a playoff berth, if they can survive a September schedule with road stops at Central Michigan, Bethune-Cookman and Indiana University (Bloomington) before their home opener with Delaware State.
Coach Pough also has a difficult month of October, with Norfolk State on the road and NCCU coming in for an early homecoming. Georgia State is next at home for the Bulldogs and you may not want to call the Panthers a "cupcake," who went 6-5 in its first season, knocking off both SSU and NCCU at the Georgia Dome.
MEAC improving in Attendance
The FAMU brand is also at the top in Football Championship Subdivision in 2010 home attendance. The Rattlers were ranked #11 out of 117 FCS (#2 in HBCUs) programs in home attendance with 15,913 average for four home games.
Both Gary Harrell and Steve Davenport are first time head coaches, but each has assembled a coaching staff that is ready to compete. Let's not forget the success of Bethune-Cookman's Coach Brian Jenkins that lead the Wildcats to a portion of the MEAC Championship and the FCS Playoffs in his first season as a head coach. He too, was a long time assistant Division I, FBS position coach.
With Coach Joe Taylor at Florida A&M, the American Football Coaches Association Region 2 and 2010 MEAC Coach of the Year - Brian Jenkins at Bethune Cookman, Oliver "Buddy" Pough at South Carolina State, Donald Hill-Eley at Morgan State, Pete Adrian at Norfolk State, and Donovan Rose at Hampton, the MEAC has the potential to become a powerhouse football conference overnight.
It is no longer a league for under-achieving players and under performing coaches. Expectations are high for great performances not only in the classroom, but on the gridiron and weight rooms as well. The administrations have raised the bar. The fans are demanding more for their financial support of the athletic programs. And athletic directors know their jobs are on the line if they do not deliver a championship product on the field.
Let's not forget parity of the conference this past season which ended in a three-way tie for the championship. Florida A&M ruined Bethune-Cookman's perfect, undefeated season and earned a share of the conference crown with the Wildcats and South Carolina State. The Bulldogs and Wildcats lost in the initial round of the FCS playoffs, with B-CU earning a first round bye.
The 2011 season will be even more exciting with the infusion of proven winners -- Broadway and Frazier--both bringing a championship mentality and wide-open brand of football over from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. We all know how well Grambling State and Prairie View dominated the SWAC competition under the experienced eyes of Broadway and Frazier. Expect more of the same in the MEAC.
What Delaware State lacks this season in pure athletic talent, Coach Blount will make the Hornets competitive right away with a powerful offensive game and tough defense. The only question is how quickly can Savannah State and Howard become competitive with new commitments from their Administrations. We believe they hired the right guys for their situations, but they need time to put the pieces together to build the programs.
Parity is the right word to use in describing the new MEAC, as there will be "no cupcakes" in this conference in a 2-3 years. At least not in football competition.
So get ready to move over Colonial Athletic, Southern, and Ohio Valley conferences as its a new day in the Football Championship Subdivision.
High Quality Players returning to HBCUs
If you don't believe me, check out the outstanding haul of three and four-star players that signed National Letters of Intent with MEAC institutions. Who would have thought that Bethune-Cookman would ink 2010 Florida Mr. Football, record-setting quarterback Quentin Williams. Williams led Tampa Jefferson (15-0) to the 3A state championship and rewrote the Florida passing record lists, with new standards for yards in a season (4,451) and career (10,384) and TDs in a season (56) and career (109).
Florida A&M may have the second best class overall, signing 24 of 25 players on their draft board, including quarterback Tyler Bass, a transfer from Memphis, Casey Turner, a star running back transfer from Rutgers and a bunch of stud linemen to build depth on both lines. Coach Taylor describes the class as his best ever, since taking over the Rattlers program. Don't expect the Rattlers to not make the FCS playoffs in 2011, as Taylor has a stable of smart and athletically sound players returning.
S.C. State as always, snatched the best skill players in the state and is loaded with redshirt talent from last year's signing class. The Bulldogs will be in contention again for the conference championship and a playoff berth, if they can survive a September schedule with road stops at Central Michigan, Bethune-Cookman and Indiana University (Bloomington) before their home opener with Delaware State.
Coach Pough also has a difficult month of October, with Norfolk State on the road and NCCU coming in for an early homecoming. Georgia State is next at home for the Bulldogs and you may not want to call the Panthers a "cupcake," who went 6-5 in its first season, knocking off both SSU and NCCU at the Georgia Dome.
MEAC improving in Attendance
The FAMU brand is also at the top in Football Championship Subdivision in 2010 home attendance. The Rattlers were ranked #11 out of 117 FCS (#2 in HBCUs) programs in home attendance with 15,913 average for four home games.
This was better than Division I, FBS program attendance at Eastern Michigan 15,885, Miami (OH) 15,559, Ball State 8,947, Bowling Green 13,306, Buffalo 12,981, Akron 10,105, Florida Atlantic 14,425, Idaho 12,730, New Mexico State 15,906, San Jose State 14,474, Western Kentucky 14,577 and Western Michigan 14,255.
South Carolina State was ranked #13 out of 117 FCS programs (#3 in HBCUs) with a 14,862 average for five home contests. This was better than nine of the twelve Division I FBS programs listed above.
The Rattlers and Bethune-Cookman attracted 61,712 to their annual neutral site Florida Classic battle at the Orlando Citrus Bowl with a national television audience watching. The same was repeated with the Atlanta Football Classic, FAMU vs. Tennessee State with 52,202 in attendance. The game was televised live by Versus nationally.
Let us share with you another positive fact about the MEAC.
The NCAA data does not include neutral site games into the average per home game computations. In other words, the MEAC's best attended games--the Florida Classic and the Atlanta Football Classic are not included in the average attendance numbers. If it was included in the data for 2010, FAMU average attendance would be 29,594 or 4,000 fans per game average better than FCS #1, Appalachian State.
And Jackson State's Southwestern Athletic Conference leading average would be 27,564, not 24,140 as indicated in the report.
So, what does that tell you?
The MEAC did better in attendance in 2010 than some Sun-Belt, Western Athletic and Mid-American conference teams playing on the Division I, FBS level.
With the World-renowned Florida A&M University Marching 100, the Rattlers helped University of Miami set its third highest attendance record at Sun Life Stadium with 53,674 in 2010. Expect more of the same when the Rattlers visit University of South Florida on September 17, 2011. The last FAMU game in 2005 drew an announced crowd of 43,122, then the second-largest crowd ever to see the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.
MEAC programs like the FAMU brand is returning to its former glory with top student-athletes selecting the Rattlers and the MEAC over FBC programs. No doubt, Florida A&M and other conference programs have a better academic reputation and a very long history of placing great players into the NFL.
For some parents, the MEAC institutions offers an opportunity for guaranteed success both in the classroom and in the field of completion. More importantly, most student-athletes are walking away in 4-5 years having earned their undergraduate degrees and ready to take on the challenges of life.
With the MEAC experimenting with video replay for ESPN televised games next season, the conference front office has really gotten serious about the quality of its football. Now that everyone is on the same page, it will be interesting to see how the out-of conference schedule plays out.
South Carolina State was ranked #13 out of 117 FCS programs (#3 in HBCUs) with a 14,862 average for five home contests. This was better than nine of the twelve Division I FBS programs listed above.
The Rattlers and Bethune-Cookman attracted 61,712 to their annual neutral site Florida Classic battle at the Orlando Citrus Bowl with a national television audience watching. The same was repeated with the Atlanta Football Classic, FAMU vs. Tennessee State with 52,202 in attendance. The game was televised live by Versus nationally.
Let us share with you another positive fact about the MEAC.
The NCAA data does not include neutral site games into the average per home game computations. In other words, the MEAC's best attended games--the Florida Classic and the Atlanta Football Classic are not included in the average attendance numbers. If it was included in the data for 2010, FAMU average attendance would be 29,594 or 4,000 fans per game average better than FCS #1, Appalachian State.
And Jackson State's Southwestern Athletic Conference leading average would be 27,564, not 24,140 as indicated in the report.
So, what does that tell you?
The MEAC did better in attendance in 2010 than some Sun-Belt, Western Athletic and Mid-American conference teams playing on the Division I, FBS level.
With the World-renowned Florida A&M University Marching 100, the Rattlers helped University of Miami set its third highest attendance record at Sun Life Stadium with 53,674 in 2010. Expect more of the same when the Rattlers visit University of South Florida on September 17, 2011. The last FAMU game in 2005 drew an announced crowd of 43,122, then the second-largest crowd ever to see the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.
MEAC programs like the FAMU brand is returning to its former glory with top student-athletes selecting the Rattlers and the MEAC over FBC programs. No doubt, Florida A&M and other conference programs have a better academic reputation and a very long history of placing great players into the NFL.
For some parents, the MEAC institutions offers an opportunity for guaranteed success both in the classroom and in the field of completion. More importantly, most student-athletes are walking away in 4-5 years having earned their undergraduate degrees and ready to take on the challenges of life.
With the MEAC experimenting with video replay for ESPN televised games next season, the conference front office has really gotten serious about the quality of its football. Now that everyone is on the same page, it will be interesting to see how the out-of conference schedule plays out.
Out-of-conference schedules stronger
Viewing the few schedules that have been released so far, 2011 should be a bumper year in attendance and support for the MEAC with high quality opponents filling out the schedules. Here's a quick look of the 2011 MEAC out-of conference games:
BCU vs. Miami, Oct. 1
BCU vs. Fort Valley State, Oct. 15
FAMU vs. Fort Valley State, Sept. 3
FAMU vs. South Florida, Sept. 17
FAMU vs. Southern, Sept. 24
SCSU vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 1
SCSU vs. Indiana, Sept. 17
SCSU vs. Georgia State, Oct. 15
SSU vs. Albany State, Sept. 3
SSU vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Sept. 10
SSU vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 17
NCAT vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 10
NCCU vs. Rutgers, Sept. 1
NCCU vs. Central State, Sept. 10
NCCU vs. Elon, Sept. 17
NSU vs. VSU, Sept. 3
NSU vs. West Virginia, Sept. 10
NSU vs. Charles Southern, Sept. 14
Hampton vs. AAMU, Sept.3
We are always reminded that the reason most women come to the games are for the half-time shows. With new members Savannah State and North Carolina Central, expect major improvements in their marching band programs along with their quick growth in football competition. The SSU Tigers have a tremendous upside, and having a head coach that coached and recruited in Atlanta and the backwoods of Georgia is a major plus. The former Georgia state high school coach of the year recruited the region as a position coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and played his college ball at Georgia Tech.
Viewing the few schedules that have been released so far, 2011 should be a bumper year in attendance and support for the MEAC with high quality opponents filling out the schedules. Here's a quick look of the 2011 MEAC out-of conference games:
BCU vs. Miami, Oct. 1
BCU vs. Fort Valley State, Oct. 15
FAMU vs. Fort Valley State, Sept. 3
FAMU vs. South Florida, Sept. 17
FAMU vs. Southern, Sept. 24
SCSU vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 1
SCSU vs. Indiana, Sept. 17
SCSU vs. Georgia State, Oct. 15
SSU vs. Albany State, Sept. 3
SSU vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Sept. 10
SSU vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 17
NCAT vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 10
NCCU vs. Rutgers, Sept. 1
NCCU vs. Central State, Sept. 10
NCCU vs. Elon, Sept. 17
NSU vs. VSU, Sept. 3
NSU vs. West Virginia, Sept. 10
NSU vs. Charles Southern, Sept. 14
Hampton vs. AAMU, Sept.3
We are always reminded that the reason most women come to the games are for the half-time shows. With new members Savannah State and North Carolina Central, expect major improvements in their marching band programs along with their quick growth in football competition. The SSU Tigers have a tremendous upside, and having a head coach that coached and recruited in Atlanta and the backwoods of Georgia is a major plus. The former Georgia state high school coach of the year recruited the region as a position coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and played his college ball at Georgia Tech.
Georgia Avenue in Washington, D.C. may never be the same again, with new Bison athletic director Louis "Skip" Perkins and Gary "the Flea" Harrell on board. Perkins is a local product from Fort Washington, Maryland (Prince George's County) and is very familiar with the local football landscape at the high school level. He comes to Howard from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, where he had much success as the athletic director over the Golden Lions program.
Harrell is a Miami native that would love to get some of that Florida speed on the Bison team. With Ted White on board as the Bison offensive coordinator, there is no doubt that the 2011 Bison will be the most improved team in the MEAC.
Harrell is a Miami native that would love to get some of that Florida speed on the Bison team. With Ted White on board as the Bison offensive coordinator, there is no doubt that the 2011 Bison will be the most improved team in the MEAC.
You would think that Morgan State would recruit those strong musicians that plays in the Coppin State pep band, to give it more brass horsepower. But that's another story for another day. As you can see below, most of the MEAC bands are improving--NCCU, SCSU, NSU and B-CU are becoming world-class music organizations, like their teacher -- the Florida A&M University Marching 100.
Who said competition wasn't good for the MEAC? Iron does sharpen iron!
by beepbeep 2/13/11
Credits:
1. North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine & Golden Delight Dancers, Videographer: SpeechlessQue; 11/13/2010.
2. Savannah State University Coastal Empire Sound Explosion Marching Band & The Klassy Kitties Dancers, Videographer: TheOProductions1907
3. Howard University ShowTime Marching Band & Oh La La Dancers, Videographer: HUReaction
4. Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats & 14 Karat Gold Dancers, Videographer: MarchingsportHD
5. Delaware State University Marching Band 'The Approaching Storm and D'Elegance Dancers' Videographer:8to5pros
6. Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band and Hot Ice Dancers, Videographer: freezezone1
7. Morgan State University "Magnificent Marching Machine & Foxy Dancers" Videographer: pvimaging
8. South Carolina State University Marching 101 Band & Champagne Dancers, Pt.1&2, Videographer: Biranandrew
9. Hampton University Marching Force Band and Ebony Fire, Videographer:JayHowEdu
10. North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band & The Exquisite Ladies of the eClipse; Part 1&2, Videographer: Music213
11. Coppin State University Eagle Band, Pt. 1&2, Videographer: Anakoni2012
12. Florida A&M University Marching 100, Videographer: ThePoopFly
13. Florida A&M University Marching 100, Videographer: sonyadenise1974
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Benedict Tigers Hold Off Claflin Panthers 69-63
Columbia, SC- The electricity was building since 10:30 a.m. and by tip off time the pitch was deafening. For Claflin University and Benedict College the moment had come. A nationally televised men’s basketball game carried on CBS Sports network. An opportunity that comes rarely to NCAA Division II programs that had been afforded to these two prestigious institutions.Crucial free-throw shooting by the Benedict Tigers (16-6, 16-4), foiled all hopes of a miraculous comeback by the Claflin University Panthers (9-14, 8-13). Benedict went 6-6 at the line in the final minute and took the 69-65 SIAC win over Claflin.
The Panthers began the second half down by seven points, and again came out slowly, which quickly put the Tigers up again by double-figures, 39-29 with just one and a half minutes had ticked off the second half clock. But the Panthers never said die and began to cut the Tiger lead inside of ten points 47-54, with: 25 remaining.
And after a steal Claflin’s Stacy McAlister was fouled and he made both free-throws to pull the Panthers to within five points, 49-54. Benedict’s Antrjuan Albright quickly responded with a three point basket to push their lead back to eight points, 49-57, at the 5:13 mark.
Claflin Lady Panthers Fall to Benedict Lady Tigers 62-53
Columbia, SC- The air calmed down considerably, but the game began hot for the Lady Panthers taking a commanding 19-3 lead early. However Benedict tried to make a comeback but could only get as close as eight points 19-11 with six left in the first half. The teams ended the half on even terms scoring 10 points each for the 29-21 halftime score.
Claflin shot a sizzling 42 percent form the floor compared to just 17 percent for Benedict. Claflin was also 60 percent from beyond the arc (3-5) while Benedict was poultry 16 percent.
Natalie Davis went 3-4 from three point land for nine points. Santeria Grooms also scored nine points for Benedict, by intermission.
by Claflin University Sports Information
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Bennett hits 1,000 in FAMU win over UMES Hawks
Antonia Bennett had an attitude going into Saturday's basketball game against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as if she wasn't going to let the Hawks build the kind of lead like they did when the two teams met a month ago.
Bennett scored 17 points in the first half for Florida A&M, reaching the 1,000-point plateau along the way, as the Rattlers rolled past UMES 81-58 at the Lawson Center. The win kept FAMU (12-11, 7-4) locked in a third-place tie with North Carolina A&T (11-11, 7-4), which beat Howard University to knock the Bison out of the three-way tie.
As important as the win was for the Rattlers' MEAC standing, the night clearly was....
Rattlers Sweep Hawks
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Antonia Bennett scored 17 first half points and became a member of the Lady Rattler 1,000 point club as the Lady Rattlers handed Maryland Eastern Shore an 81-58 loss, here Saturday afternoon at the Alfred Lawson Center.
FAMU (12-11, 7-4 MEA) had a pair of Lady Rattlers to score 20-plus points as Bennett finished with a game high 25 points to lead all scorers. Tameka McKelton dropped in 21 points followed by Shekeira Copeland with 14 points from off the bench, while Jasmine Grice added 10. Bennett led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with 10 rebounds.
Moore, Rattlers catch fire in win
Just before his men's basketball team returned to the floor to begin the second half, coach Eugene Harris pleaded with his players to be as accurate as they could from the free-throw line.
That was in spite of a first-half effort by former Rickards standout Avery Moore, who already had hit three of five 3-pointers against Maryland Eastern Shore. Moore went on to hit 15 of 17 points from 3-point range, but it was the insistent on free-throw accuracy that turned away the Hawks 63-55 Saturday night at the Lawson Center.
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Bennett scored 17 points in the first half for Florida A&M, reaching the 1,000-point plateau along the way, as the Rattlers rolled past UMES 81-58 at the Lawson Center. The win kept FAMU (12-11, 7-4) locked in a third-place tie with North Carolina A&T (11-11, 7-4), which beat Howard University to knock the Bison out of the three-way tie.
As important as the win was for the Rattlers' MEAC standing, the night clearly was....
Rattlers Sweep Hawks
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Antonia Bennett scored 17 first half points and became a member of the Lady Rattler 1,000 point club as the Lady Rattlers handed Maryland Eastern Shore an 81-58 loss, here Saturday afternoon at the Alfred Lawson Center.
FAMU (12-11, 7-4 MEA) had a pair of Lady Rattlers to score 20-plus points as Bennett finished with a game high 25 points to lead all scorers. Tameka McKelton dropped in 21 points followed by Shekeira Copeland with 14 points from off the bench, while Jasmine Grice added 10. Bennett led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with 10 rebounds.
Moore, Rattlers catch fire in win
Just before his men's basketball team returned to the floor to begin the second half, coach Eugene Harris pleaded with his players to be as accurate as they could from the free-throw line.
That was in spite of a first-half effort by former Rickards standout Avery Moore, who already had hit three of five 3-pointers against Maryland Eastern Shore. Moore went on to hit 15 of 17 points from 3-point range, but it was the insistent on free-throw accuracy that turned away the Hawks 63-55 Saturday night at the Lawson Center.
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Hampton's Morgan shoots Pirates past Norfolk State 86-72
NORFOLK, VA — Kwame Morgan looks like any normal red-blooded human being, but he clearly has ice chips, not platelets, coursing through his circulatory system.
Morgan made three huge 3-pointers, each which swung the momentum firmly to Hampton's side, as the Pirates held off Norfolk State 86-72 on Saturday night to win their fourth straight game and remain atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
"He's one of those kids that relishes the big moment," HU coach Ed Joyner said. "He understands it. He'll deal with the criticism for not making the play, and he'll handle the credit when he knocks down the big shot."
Photo Gallery: Hampton vs. Norfolk State
HU sweeps Battle Of The Bay
NORFOLK, VA – The Hampton University men’s basketball team picked up its fourth straight win in front of a sold-out Echols Hall on Saturday night, beating Norfolk State 86-72.
The Pirates (19-5, 9-2 MEAC) were led by 26 points from junior guard Darrion Pellum on 8-for-16 shooting and 6-for-11 from the free throw line. Junior guard Kwame Morgan added 19 points, while senior guard Brandon Tunnell scored 15 points. Senior forward Charles Funches added nine points and a team-high eight rebounds.
NSU victory puts Pirates in driver's seat in MEAC
NORFOLK, VA - If the standings in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference were a bit murky a little over a week ago, they are becoming crystal clear now: The Hampton Pirates are the team to beat.
The Pirates rolled into hostile - and heavily populated - territory Saturday night and strutted out of sold-out Echols Hall with an 86-72 victory over Norfolk State.
Mixing a packed-in zone defense with man-to-man, which was designed to offer help down low, the Pirates kept Spartans center Kyle O'Quinn from ever finding a rhythm. The 6-foot-10 junior, who had earned back-to-back MEAC Player of the Week honors, was limited to 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Jenkins' mastery at point guard helps Lady Pirates to 74-53 win vs. Norfolk State
NORFOLK, VA — Choicetta McMillian tied a career-high with 20 points and Jericka Jenkins had 16 of her 22 points and five of her nine assists in the first half as Hampton's women's basketball team rolled to a 74-53 victory against Norfolk State.
The Lady Pirates held an opponent to fewer than 60 points for the 11th straight time while topping 70 points for the third consecutive game in their 10th win in a row against the Lady Spartans.
Jenkins, a junior guard who came into the game tied for second in the nation with seven assists per game, steadied Hampton (18-6, 10-1 MEAC), leading the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, during the game's first 13 minutes, when the Lady Spartans (8-13 1-10) seemed determined to make a game of it. Jenkins sparked a stagnant Lady Pirates offense with her penetration, scoring seven early points from the free-throw line — where she was 9-of-10 - after drawing fouls in the lane.
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Morgan made three huge 3-pointers, each which swung the momentum firmly to Hampton's side, as the Pirates held off Norfolk State 86-72 on Saturday night to win their fourth straight game and remain atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
"He's one of those kids that relishes the big moment," HU coach Ed Joyner said. "He understands it. He'll deal with the criticism for not making the play, and he'll handle the credit when he knocks down the big shot."
Photo Gallery: Hampton vs. Norfolk State
HU sweeps Battle Of The Bay
NORFOLK, VA – The Hampton University men’s basketball team picked up its fourth straight win in front of a sold-out Echols Hall on Saturday night, beating Norfolk State 86-72.
The Pirates (19-5, 9-2 MEAC) were led by 26 points from junior guard Darrion Pellum on 8-for-16 shooting and 6-for-11 from the free throw line. Junior guard Kwame Morgan added 19 points, while senior guard Brandon Tunnell scored 15 points. Senior forward Charles Funches added nine points and a team-high eight rebounds.
NSU victory puts Pirates in driver's seat in MEAC
NORFOLK, VA - If the standings in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference were a bit murky a little over a week ago, they are becoming crystal clear now: The Hampton Pirates are the team to beat.
The Pirates rolled into hostile - and heavily populated - territory Saturday night and strutted out of sold-out Echols Hall with an 86-72 victory over Norfolk State.
Mixing a packed-in zone defense with man-to-man, which was designed to offer help down low, the Pirates kept Spartans center Kyle O'Quinn from ever finding a rhythm. The 6-foot-10 junior, who had earned back-to-back MEAC Player of the Week honors, was limited to 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Jenkins' mastery at point guard helps Lady Pirates to 74-53 win vs. Norfolk State
NORFOLK, VA — Choicetta McMillian tied a career-high with 20 points and Jericka Jenkins had 16 of her 22 points and five of her nine assists in the first half as Hampton's women's basketball team rolled to a 74-53 victory against Norfolk State.
The Lady Pirates held an opponent to fewer than 60 points for the 11th straight time while topping 70 points for the third consecutive game in their 10th win in a row against the Lady Spartans.
Jenkins, a junior guard who came into the game tied for second in the nation with seven assists per game, steadied Hampton (18-6, 10-1 MEAC), leading the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, during the game's first 13 minutes, when the Lady Spartans (8-13 1-10) seemed determined to make a game of it. Jenkins sparked a stagnant Lady Pirates offense with her penetration, scoring seven early points from the free-throw line — where she was 9-of-10 - after drawing fouls in the lane.
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JSU lets 15-point lead slip away, takes hit in SWAC standings
The shot bounded off the side rim. Grant Maxey's head dipped. And Jackson State missed a monumental opportunity. Texas Southern overcame a 15-point second-half deficit to stun JSU 70-67 on Saturday night, clawing back into the game in the final moments to take control of the conference lead."To say the least, it was very disappointing," JSU coach Tevester Anderson said. "This game will hurt for a while because it was a big game." Huge.
It was a battle between the conference's No. 1 and No. 2 teams, a clash involving the third- and fourth-ranked squads in Division I black college basketball - both scrapping for a leg up in the league in front of an announced 2,002 crowd at the Athletics and Assembly Center.
Men's Basketball: JSU 67, Texas Southern 70
By JSU Office of Athletic Media Relations
JACKSON, Miss. - Despite having three players score in double figures and owing a 16-point second half lead the Jackson State men's basketball team fell 70-67 to Texas Southern in a battle for the No. 1 spot in the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings Saturday night at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.
With the loss JSU falls to 13-11 overall record and a 9-3 SWAC mark. Texas Southern improves to 12-10, 10-1 record.
Grant Maxey led JSU with 18 points in 21 minutes. Tyrone Hanson added 16 and Jenirro Bush scored 15. Travele Jones recorded a double-double as he scored a game high 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for Texas Southern. Lawrence Danner-Johnson scored 15, Keithtrick Denson added 14 and Kevin Galloway scored 10.
Bench scoring proved to be the difference in the game for TSU. Texas Southern got 22 bench points while JSU got 14 bench points.
JSU jumped out to an early lead and took a 37-28 advantage into halftime. In the second half, JSU led by as many as 16, 53-37, with 13:06 left to play. Texas Southern then outscored Jackson State 23-8 to pull within 61-60 on Kevin Galloway's free throws with 2:28 remaining.
Jackson State returns to action Monday, Feb. 14 when the Tigers host Prairie View A&M on ESPNU. Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm.
Final Stats
Women Basketball: JSU 56, Texas Southern 49
JACKSON, Miss. - Three Lady Tigers scored in double figures to help the Jackson State women's basketball beat Texas Southern 56-49 Saturday at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. JSU swept the regular season series against Texas Southern.
With the win JSU improves to a 6-15 overall record and a 5-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference mark. Texas Southern falls to a 4-18, 2-9 record. Jackson State is ranked seventh in the SWAC standings.
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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG
Shaw Bears turns back WSSU Rams
The Rams were a little shell-shocked out of the gate playing in such a small gym and fell behind by 17, thanks to the Bears (15-7, 4-2 Southern Division) scoring on 10 of their first 13 possessions. The Rams (16-5, 4-2) finally did get it together late in the first half.
"This was the smallest, hottest gym I've ever been in," said forward McIntoche Alcius of the Rams. "And it was a tough crowd out there."
Strong Performances Lead Shaw Past Winston-Salem State
(Raleigh, NC) - Shaw got zero points from its bench Saturday night, but four of the five starters scored 17 points or more to lead the Bears past Winston-Salem State 77-64 in a CIAA divisional game played at C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium.
Shaw (15-7, 8-5 CIAA) built a big lead early, and while Winston-Salem State (16-5, 9-4 CIAA) tied the game with their first bucket in the second half, they did not hold a lead at any time in the game.
The Bears seemed equally comfortable from the arc and the paint, hitting nine of 23 three-point attempts and garnering 32 points in the paint (versus 22 for the Rams).
Coming off a career-high 27-point performance against Livingstone Monday night, Dwight Bell started the game hot – scoring Shaw's first eight points, on the way to what would become a 16-2 lead with 14:40 remaining in the first.
Second Half Scoring Surge Powers Shaw Lady Bears Past WSSU 73-53
(Raleigh, NC) - The Shaw women's basketball team used a 34-9 scoring run at the start of the second half to power past Winston-Salem State 73-53 in a CIAA divisional contest played at C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium.
Shaw (14-10, 7-6 CIAA) and Winston-Salem State (14-8, 9-4 CIAA) played a see-saw first half, but the Lady Bears stormed through the opening ten minutes of the second half to build a lead that never fell below 20 in the last eight minutes of the game.
The Lady Rams opened the game with a hot shooting hand from the three-point line, with Jasmine Newkirk hitting three three-pointers to build an 11-2 lead with 15:33 left in the half.
Demaria Liles, in her first game for the Lady Bears, hit two unanswered buckets, then Kyria Buford added two more – one a three pointer – to tie the game at 11. Aslea Williams would then add four unanswered points of her own, allowing Shaw to take a 15-11 lead with 9:05 left in the first.
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Videographer: ShawUniv; 2011 CIAA TICKETS ON SALE
ASU women flatten FVSU, seize control of No. 1 in SIAC
So when the time finally came for ASU to take the court against one of its fierce rivals, the Lady Rams did not hold anything back, especially Kourtney Alexander who scored a career-high 35 points, as ASU soundly defeated FVSU, 82-69, Saturday night.
“We needed this win,” ASU coach Robert Skinner said of the victory, which propelled into sole possession of No. 1 in the SIAC. Skinner than added: “This is what we have been waiting for, a chance to get an opportunity to get Fort Valley back in Albany and it feels good and we are really pleased with the win (Saturday night).”
The win gives ASU (15-9, 14-4 in the SIAC) sole possession of the No. 1 spot in the conference, while FVSU (15-9, 13-5) drops to the second spot.
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Saturday, February 12, 2011
Softball kicks off season at Tiny Laster classic
 |
| Courtesy: Tennessee State Athletics |
The three-day event, named in honor of Hampton University's legendary softball and volleyball coach, will be held February 12 through 14, 2011, at the Earl O'Neal Sports Complex, located at 2709 Old Covington Road, Conyers, Georgia.
Teams from eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) will participate in an inter-conference round robin tournament.
The Tigers will face four schools from the MEAC : South Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T, Hampton University and Florida A&M.
TSU will face South Carolina State in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday at 1 p.m. before the Tigers take on North Carolina A&T at 3 p.m.
South Carolina State was predicted to finish fourth in the Southern Division of the MEAC preseason poll. Last year the Bulldogs finished with an overall record of 9-43, winning one of their last three games.
North Carolina A&T was selected to finish third in the Southern Division of the MEAC after finishing last year with an overall record of 27-26.
On Sunday, TSU will match-up with Hampton University in the morning game at 10 a.m. before competing against Florida A&M in the afternoon game.
Hampton University, the only school from the Northern Division of the MEAC that TSU will face was picked to finish third in a preseason poll. The Lady Pirates are led by preseason selection Kelsei Saunders. HU finished last season with an overall record of 21-38.
Florida A&M was picked to finish second in the Southern Division of the MEAC. The 2009 MEAC Champions are led by preseason selection Jasmine Donaldson. The Rattlers concluded the 2010 season with an overall record of 30-24.
North Carolina A&T State University has dominated this tournament for the past two years posting a perfect 8-0 record. During the life span of this tournament, the MEAC and SWAC have split years in collecting the most wins for the tournament.
Tennessee State was scheduled to participate in the Tiny Laster tournament last year but it was canceled due to the inclement weather in the Georgia area.
Under first year head coach Jeff Dabney, Tennessee State returned nine letterwinners from last year's team that finished 11-34 and added seven newcomers to the squad. Among the key returners include seniors Caitlin Eaton and Brittany Webb.
Eaton and Webb were the offensive leaders for the Tigers for the majority of last season. They led TSU in the categories of batting average, hits, doubles and runs batted in.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information Release: 02/11/2011
NSU center O'Quinn loses 15 pounds, gains stature
NORFOLK, VA - Thin is in for Kyle O'Quinn. Anybody looking for answers as to why Norfolk State's 6-foot-10 junior center has been the best player in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the past month should look no further than the scale. These days, it reads 235 pounds, 15 less than a year ago.
"I can get down the court now, almost all the time, where last year, I couldn't and didn't," said O'Quinn, who has averaged 25.4 points and 13.3 rebounds in his past five games. "Nothing tells you that you're dragging better than watching game film and running across a possession where your team is playing 4-on-5 because you haven't yet made it across half court."
So what spurred the weight loss? O'Quinn points to local high school basketball coach Walter Webb, whom O'Quinn met through a mutual acquaintance.
1. Videographer: UrbanSportsITG
2. Videographer: SportsGrooveTV
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"I can get down the court now, almost all the time, where last year, I couldn't and didn't," said O'Quinn, who has averaged 25.4 points and 13.3 rebounds in his past five games. "Nothing tells you that you're dragging better than watching game film and running across a possession where your team is playing 4-on-5 because you haven't yet made it across half court."
So what spurred the weight loss? O'Quinn points to local high school basketball coach Walter Webb, whom O'Quinn met through a mutual acquaintance.
1. Videographer: UrbanSportsITG
2. Videographer: SportsGrooveTV
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