O'Quinn Sparks NSU into MEAC Quarterfinals

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Kyle O’Quinn tallied 25 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead No. 6 Norfolk State to a 68-53 win over No. 11 Howard in a MEAC Tournament first round game on Wednesday afternoon at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

With the win, the Spartans (11-19) advance to a 6 p.m. quarterfinal game Thursday night against No. 3 Coppin State. Howard ends its season with a 6-24 record.

Both teams struggled on offense in the first half, which ended in a 25-all tie. But Howard would come out hot in the second half, hitting four 3-pointers in the first 3:09 of play. Dadrian Collins hit three of those, the last of which gave the Bison a 37-32 edge. Mike Phillips then scored on a layup to give Howard a 39-32 lead with 16:17 left.

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Six HU Bison Score in 17-7 Win over Wilmington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After splitting four games at Greene Stadium over the course of the season, the Howard lacrosse team looked to sack their third consecutive win at home against Wilmington (Del.) on March 9. The match marked Wilmington’s (1-2) third match of their regular season and they too were hoping to capitalize on another consecutive win, however, Howard (3-3) would be the team to come out on top, stretching their winning streak to three games, as they defeated Wilmington, 17-7.

The Bison found a fluid rhythm, racking in seven goals in the first half. Six members of the Bison tallied goals in the win, while senior Desiree Cox finished with seven goals and a game-leading two assists. Behind Cox in scoring was Cynithia Smalls with three goals, Cheryse Cox and Tynes Taylor with two, and Ashley Lawrence with one.

Cox exploded in the early minutes of the game with three quick scores after charging down the field and dodging multiple defenders with ease. Cox added two more goals before the close of the half.

Following halftime Wilmington picked up momentum after Howard gave their opponent a goal where a Howard defender mistakenly flipped the ball into the net with the intention of passing it to goalie Amber Meeks on a scramble in the box. Wilmington’s Danielle Niccoli shortly after scored their fourth goal on a free position shot.

Howard quickly regained control of the game with three goals of their own, extending their lead, 11-4.

Defensively, Howard kept Wilmington off balance, limiting their opponents to a mere 24.1 shooting percentage (7-29). Meanwhile Howard boasted a 65.4 shooting percentage, scoring 17 goals on 26 shots. Meeks recorded an astounding 15 saves and allowed only four shots to get into the net, marking the fewest points scored by an opponent thus far into the season.

Up next the Lady Bison will travel to meet St. Francis (Pa.) on March 13 in hopes of claiming their first win on the road and fourth consecutive win. Visit Howard-Bison.com for more updates on the Howard lacrosse team.

Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
Visit: howard-bison.com

Doyle Leads Howard To Win Over Norfolk State

Winston-Salem, NC -- Saadia Doyle scored a game-high 23 points to lead four players in double figures and help Howard University defeat Norfolk State, 68-56 in the first round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's tournament at the Lawrence V. Joel Coliseum.

The 2011 MEAC Player of the Year, Doyle got the Lady Bison (14-17) off to a fast start, scoring 13 of her points in the first half as Howard jumped out to an early lead and hold a 40-24 advantage at the half. A 5-11 sophomore forward from Atlanta, GA, Doyle connected on 5 of 7 from the field.

"When you have the MEAC Player of the Year, a lot of teams gear their defense towards her her," said Howard Coach Niki Reid Geckeler. "She's had to come out and play against double and triple teams all season. So her fast start was huge. It set the tone for us and opened up things for the other players."

The Lady Bison, the Number 6 seed, got a nice boost from sophomore guard Adele Walton, who provided some perimeter shooting with 10 points on 3 of 4 shooting from the field and sophomore forward Kara Smith.

"Adele is a shooter and in the first half, she loosened up things for us offensively with her outside shooting," said Coach Geckeler. "Kara gave us something also with her scoring and her rebounding. We are hopeful that they can continue to play like this the rest of the tournament."

The Lady Spartans (9-19), the Number 11 seed, were not able to stay with Howard, mostly due to their mistakes which the Lady Bison converted into scored 16 points.

Riding the scoring of sophomore guard Tamoria Holmes, the Lady Bison increased their lead to 20 in the first minute of the second half and appeared to have the game in hand.

But the Lady Spartans rallied on the scoring freshman of Rachel Gordon, junior Whitney Long and freshman Rae Corbo to reduce the lead to eight at the four-minute mark. Norfolk State's comeback attempt was fueled by the absence of Lady Bison sophomore point guard Cheyenne Curley Payne, who was forced to the bench when she picked up her fourth foul.

"We had to go man-to-man because we got a little too deep," explained Norfolk State Coach Debra Clark. "When we started making the run, we picked them up fullcourt and that generated offense for us."

But Doyle converted four free throws, Curley Payne got inside the lane for a tough basket and Holmes made an acrobatic shot with the shot clock winding down to help Howard advance to Thursday's quarterfinal round against North Carolina A&T on Thursday at 12 noon.

Doyle just missed a double double with 23 points and nine rebounds while Holmes and Curley Payne each tallied 13 and Walton contributed 10, all coming in the first half. Curley Payne also tied her career-high of eight assists.

Norfolk State was led by Corbo, who finished with a team-high 14, Gordon with 12 and Whitney Long with 10 off the bench, all coming in the second half.

Howard and North Carolina A&T split during the regular season, each winning at home.

"I think that any game this time of the season is competitive," said Geckeler. "We talk about March and it's one and done. We are coming into this game to play Howard basketball and see what happens."

By Howard University Media Relations

Visit: howard-bison.com

FAMU knocked out of tourney with 2OT defeat

The Florida A&M men's basketball team came up short in double-overtime, losing 87-85 to Maryland-Eastern Shore in the first round of the MEAC Tournament in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Tuesday.

Eugene Harris' ballclub finishes the season 12-20. UMES (9-21) will play Hampton in the MEAC quarterfinals tonight at 9:30 p.m.

The Rattlers trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but closed the gap and went into halftime down by just three points at 30-27.

Maryland-Eastern wins in double overtime

Maryland-Eastern Shore worked through a little fatigue and found the energy to outlast Florida A&M 87-85 in double overtime Tuesday night in a first-round game of the MEAC men's tournament. Playing in front of about 800 at Joel Coliseum, the 10th-seeded Hawks made the right plays and made more free throws when they mattered most.

Point guard Kevin White finished with 22 points and seven assists, and UMES (9-21) advanced to play second-seeded Hampton in a quarterfinal scheduled for 9:30 tonight. White also made three key free throws in the second overtime, and Hillary Haley added 17 points and 10 rebounds. At the end of the game, with most of his post players fouled out, coach Frankie Allen of the Hawks had to improvise.

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Videographer: Mysterious910; FAMU's Cheerleaders --First Place MEAC Co-Ed Division Champions

John Wall does the Dougie at Howard-Hampton game (last week)

Say this for John Wall: he's throwing himself right into the D.C. community. I mean, he went to last week's Howard-Hampton game at Burr Gymnasium, for crying out loud. Not too many No. 1 overall picks are looking out for MEAC basketball.

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Videographer: HUReaction

MEAC Women's Tournament Opening Round: S.C. State 62, Bethune-Cookman 52

Coach Doug Robertson

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Whitney Wiley scored 19 points, including 10-11 from the free-throw line, and Trinese Fox and Paris Alston each added 10 as the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's tournament for the second straight year.

S.C. State (12-16) rallied from an eight-point deficit with 9:27 left in the first half to take a 26-23 halftime lead. The Lady Bulldogs would maintain the advantage by holding the Lady Wildcats (13-17) to 2-11 shooting from three-point range and outrebounding them 38-29.

Sarah Bolden led all scorers with 16 points for Bethune-Cookman, followed by three players with 10 points each in defeat.

Hampton Pirates Releases 2011 Football Schedule

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University football team, under the direction of head coach Donovan Rose, has released its 2011 schedule – a slate that includes seven home games.

The Pirates (6-5, 5-3 MEAC in 2010) will open the season on Sept. 3 at Armstrong Stadium against Alabama A&M at 6 p.m., before playing host to Florida A&M in the first conference game of the season on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

Hampton’s first road game will be on Sept. 17, when the Pirates head to Foreman Field to take on Old Dominion at 6 p.m., before they head to Daytona Beach, Fla. on Sept. 24 to face defending MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman.

The Pirates’ bye week will be on Oct. 1.

Hampton will play host to Princeton on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m., before heading to Dick Price Stadium on Oct. 15 for the annual Battle of the Bay against Norfolk State. North Carolina Central will come to Armstrong Stadium on Oct. 22 for a 2 p.m. kickoff, and the Pirates will close out the month on Oct. 29 at Savannah State.

All three of Hampton’s games in November will be at home: Nov. 5 against Howard at 1 p.m., against Delaware State on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. in the annual Hall of Fame Game and against Morgan State on Nov. 19 at 1 p.m.



Pirates 2011 Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION GAME TAG TIME
9/3/2011 Alabama A&M Hampton, Va. Alumni Day 6 pm 
9/10/2011 Florida A&M Hampton, Va. Take-A-Kid-to-the-Game Day/Greek Day 6 pm 
9/17/2011 Old Dominion Norfolk, Va. 6 pm
9/24/2011 Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA
10/8/2011 Princeton Hampton, Va. Military Appreciation Day, Parents’ Weekend 1 pm 
10/15/2011 Norfolk State Norfolk, Va. Battle of the bay 1 pm
10/22/2011 North Carolina Central Hampton, Va. Homecoming 2 pm 
10/29/2011 Savannah State Savannah, Ga. 2 pm
11/5/2011 Howard Hampton, Va. Battle of the “Real” HU 1 pm 
11/12/2011 Delaware State Hampton, Va. Athletics Hall of Fame Game, Take-A-Kid-to-the-Game Day 1 pm 
11/19/2011 Morgan State Hampton, Va. Community Appreciation Day 1 pm

Home Games are in bold
* denotes a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest

By Hampton University Media Relations

Florida A&M's Moore making big impact

Florida A&M freshman guard Avery Moore scored a 3-point transition field goal from near midcourt, while the Bethune-Cookman defense was crashing down around the basket.

On the ensuing Wildcats' possession, C.J. Reed hit a trey of his own. Immediately afterward, Moore and Reed briefly exchanged words. Moore flashed a smile. "He was telling me you're not scoring anymore," said Moore. "I'm the player of the year and this is my gym."

Moore didn't back down. Not on offense or on defense. Down to the final seconds in the Rattlers' overtime loss to B-CU, he made plays on both ends of the floor.

Dynamic duo leads FAMU into postseason

When coach LeDawn Gibson was recruiting Antonia Bennett and Tameka McKelton, she saw two players who had very different roles on their high school basketball teams.

McKelton was the star at West Palm Beach High, while Bennett played in the shadow of two featured players at Lakeland High. But Gibson, who is in her third season as head coach at Florida A&M, figured the diverse roles that they played could be meshed to form a nucleus for her program.


Videographer: FAMUSPORTS

FAMU looks to Bennett once again

DAYTONA — Coach LeDawn Gibson can begin preparing her Florida A&M women's basketball team with a little bit more emphasis on the role that forward Antonia Bennett will play during next week's MEAC tournament.

The cards played out in such a fashion during Thursday's final regular season games that the Rattlers won't play until the third day after competition begins in Winston-Salem, N.C. When they step on the court against Coppin State, it would be exactly a week after their 68-59 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Thursday at Moore Gymnasium.

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Bowie State earns an at-large bid to NCAAs

The Bowie State men's basketball team received an at-large selection to the Division II NCAA tournament, the field for which was announced Sunday night. The Bulldogs are seeded third in the Atlantic Region and will face Mansfield University on Saturday at West Liberty (W.Va.) University.

The Bulldogs (22-5) won the regular season meeting, 82-81 in overtime. Senior Eric Vann (Gwynn Park) leads the team in scoring at 17.9 points.

Mansfield men will face Bowie State in basketball NCAAs

MANSFIELD, Pa. -- The Mansfield University men's basketball team earned its first NCAA Division II National Championship tournament berth since 1997 late Sunday. Mansfield (18-9), the No. 6 seed, will square off against No. 3 seed Bowie State (22-5) in a Division II Atlantic Regional quarterfinal game at noon on Saturday at West Liberty University in Wheeling, W. Va. The tournament schedule was announced Monday.

West Liberty State (29-0, the tournament host and No. 1 seed, will take on No. 8 seed Slippery Rock (21-10). Two other quarterfinal games will also be played at West Liberty. Mansfield and Bowie met earlier in the season at Bowie with the Bulldogs taking an 82-81 win in overtime.

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Stillman to take on Harding in first round of Division II playoffs

TUSCALOOSA - The Stillman College men's basketball team may have been disappointed with its last loss, but the Tigers get to play again.

Coach Michael Grant's Tigers were selected as an at-large team for the NCAA Division II playoffs. Stillman (22-7) plays Harding University from Arkansas (25-4) on Saturday at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. Stillman is the No. 7 seed. Harding is the No. 2 seed. If the Tigers can win three games, they will advance to the Elite Eight in Springfield, Mass., the city where James Naismith invented basketball.

Grant directed the Tigers to seven wins in his first season, and 18 last year.

Stillman Tigers Basketball goes dancing

Indianapolis, IN -  The NCAA Division II announced the 2011 Tournament Bracket and the Stillman Tigers received an at-large bid. The Tigers finished the regular season ranked 8th in the southern region. The Tigers fell one game short of winning their first conference championship in five years. Stillman will not have far to travel to compete. The host school for the Southern Regional is the University of Alabama-Huntsville. “Because it’s not that far travel, the players will have time to get plenty of rest,” said head coach Michael Grant.

Stillman was one of three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) teams to make the Tournament. The other schools were Benedict College of Columbia, South Carolina, the regular season winner and Clark-Atlanta University of Atlanta, Ga., the conference champion. The Tigers came in second to both teams. Also making the Tournament for the women was the Fort Valley State University of Fort Valley, Ga.

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Fort Valley State University Men's Basketball Coach Relieved of Duties

Fort Valley, Ga. (March 7, 2011) - After a 10 a.m. meeting with the men’s head basketball coach, Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Athletic Director Percy Caldwell has announced that John Douglas has been relieved of his duties as the Head Coach of FVSU Men’s Basketball.

Douglas served as head coach for the past two seasons at FVSU and during that time accumulated a 17-40 overall record (43% winning record) and a 15-33 conference record (45% winning record). The Wildcats finished the regular season ranked 11th out of 13 teams in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and were eliminated in the first round of the conference tournament in both years.

“After an assessment of the past two years of the men’s basketball program, it has become patently clear that we must take our program in a different direction, said Caldwell. We are grateful to Coach Douglas for the service he has provided and wish him success in his future endeavors.’

The search for a new men’s head basketball coach will begin immediately.

By FVSU Media Relations

HU Softball Falls to No. 19/20 Texas Tech and Dayton Flyers

Lubbock, Texas  -  The Howard softball team suffered a tough weekend in Lubbock, Texas after taking losses from Dayton and No. 19/20 Texas Tech in the Red Raider Classic.

The Bison (3-8) met tournament hosts Texas Tech (22-0) three times throughout the weekend. Howard opened the Classic with a 8-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Red Raiders. Christine Sborz was the only member of the Bison to muster a hit against Texas Tech’s Kelsey Dennis and started off the game with a leadoff double.

On the mound for Howard was Carly Martin who allowed eight earned runs on eight hits and five walks. Martin was unable to deliver a strikeout against the nationally-ranked powerhouse throughout the game.

In their second meeting, Howard took another shutout loss, 10-0. Sborz finished the game with another hit while Ciera Gordon, Andascha Moore and Candace Rogers also posted hits.
Samantha Gatson pitched four innings and gave up ten hits on eight earned runs, walking six and striking out none. The loss was her first on the season.

In the final face off in their trio of games, Howard took another heavy loss to the Red Raiders on Sunday, wrapping up the weekend with a 7-1 loss. Despite losing the game, Howard ended Tech’s five game-shutout streak and held them to their fewest runs scored since Feb. 25, 2011.

Video Highlights: Click Here                     

Box Score

Howard’s run also ended Tech’s newly established record of most consecutive innings without allowing a run as Brittany Barker delivered a RBI single with bases loaded, giving the Bison an early 1-0 lead. Barker finished the game with two hits, and was the only Bison to land more than one hit against Tech over the span of the weekend.

Sborz sacked her third hit of the Classic in their final game against Tech. Sborz has now posted at least one hit in six of the Bison’s eight games this season. She is now on a four-game hitting streak. Marisa Coats also added with a hit of her own while Andascha scored Howard’s sole run.

The lead would diminish quickly after the Red Raiders cracked the game wide open with a three-run homer giving them a comfortable 5-1 lead. Emily Johnson took her fourth loss of the season after giving up six runs, in which three came from seven hits spanning four innings.

In between Howard’s match ups with Texas Tech, the Bison took on Dayton (7-7) in a duo of games. On Friday Howard scored three runs against Dayton and were led by Lorae Robinson who posted two hits. Eight members of the Bison recorded hits in the 10-3 loss.

Johnson and Gatson shared the mound, while Johnson was given the loss. Johnson pitched 4.2 innings and gave up six runs on six hits and three walks, including three homers. She did manage however, to blast four strikeouts. Gatson came in for an inning and gave up two hits, four runs and a walk.

On Saturday, Howard dropped again to Dayton, but posted six hits in the 7-1 loss. Gordon posted two hits, while three other members of the Lady Bison posted a hit. Martin took the loss in the circle after giving up seven earned runs on seven hits and five walks. She equaled Gatson, posting a tournament best, four strikeouts against the Flyers.

Up next the Bison will travel to Tempe, Ariz. on March 11-13 for the Diamond Devil Invitational. Visit Howard-Bison.com for further updates on the Howard softball team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
VISIT: howard-bison.com

JCSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TO FACE EDINBORO IN NCAA DII ATLANTIC TOURNAMENT

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team has received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Atlantic Regional Championship. The tournament will be hosted by Edinboro University on March 11-12, and 14 inside McComb Field House in Edinboro, PA. JCSU enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed and will face No. 7 Glenville State College.

After capturing the CIAA Southern Division regular season title, J.C. Smith advanced to the 2011 CIAA Tournament Championship Game with victories over Chowan (71-52) and Bowie State (69-64). However, JCSU came up short to Shaw (62-56) in the title game.

Johnson C. Smith will begin their quest for a national championship against Glenville State out of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).

The Lady Golden Bulls finish the conference post season with the best overall record in the history of the women's program at 24-4; previous mark 22-5 during the 1999-00 season. Reigning CIAA Coach of the Year Vanessa Taylor also set a new career mark for most wins in an individual season; surpassing her mark of 22-5.

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Shaw men, women in NCAA field

Shaw's men's and women's basketball teams, who each won a CIAA tournament championship on Saturday, are headed to NCAA Division II tournaments.

The women, who defeated Johnson C. Smith in the CIAA final, have been designated the eighth seed in the Atlantic Region and will begin play on Friday at Edinboro, Pa., taking on No. 1 seed Edinboro. The Bears are 21-11. The Fighting Scots, winners of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, are 26-3.

Johnson C. Smith was seeded second in the Atlantic Region and will face Glenville State.

2011 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Brackets



Shaw women aim for national glory

Winning the CIAA women’s basketball championship is old hat for Shaw’s Bears. Winning the national title, now that’s a prize that’s worth chasing.

“Shaw’s won the CIAA championship,” said Bears coach Jacques Curtis, who has earned six since 2003. “What we’re trying to do is a little bit different.”

Shaw (21-11) and fellow CIAA member Johnson C. Smith (24-4) are in the Division II tournament, which starts March 11 with the Atlantic Regional in Edinboro, Pa. Shaw will face top-seeded and region host Edinboro (26-3) while the No. 2 Golden Bulls Bulls will play No. 7 Glenville State (23-8).

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Winston-Salem State Earns At-Large Bid To NCAA Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Winston-Salem State Rams (19-7) received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament, Sunday. Though the Rams fell short in the 2011 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament, they will receive a shot at ultimate redemption when they face the 2011 CIAA champion Shaw Bears in the opening round of the 2011 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament.

"We didn't like the way the season ended. This will give us a chance to go out and make it right," WSSU men's basketball head coach Bobby Collins said.



 WSSU gets Division II bid

Winston-Salem State’s season will continue. The Rams (19-7) are seeded fifth in the eight-team Atlantic Region and will take on CIAA champion Shaw (22-8), the fourth seed, in the first round of the 64-team Division II Tournament on Saturday.

The winner of the Shaw-WSSU game will take on the winner of the West Liberty-Slippery Rock game in the second round on Sunday. West Liberty is 29-0 and is the seeded No.1 in the eight-team regional, and Slippery Rock (21-10) is seeded eighth.

West Liberty is located in West Virginia.

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SWAC Tournament 2011 Schedule And Bracket

The SWAC Conference tournament will be held in Garland, Texas, starting on Wednesday and running through Saturday. Most projections have the winner of the SWAC tournament being one of the absolute worst seeds in the NCAA's, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can't pull a win out once they get there.

The Texas Southern Tigers, hailing from Houston, are the #1 seed with a 18-11 mark, including a 16-2 run in conference. Led by senior Kevin Galloway, who almost never leaves the floor, the Tigers defense was the best in the SWAC. They'll open up against the #8 seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, which went 7-23 on the season, with all 7 wins coming in-conference. The Tigers went 2-0 against them this season.

The tournament will play four straight days...

That roar is Harvey's TSU Tigers

With conference tournaments in full force, NCAA Tournament bids are there to be won this week, and some teams can turn an otherwise sorry season into a good year by earning an NCAA bid. Texas Southern already has had a good season.

As for local schools, TSU has the best chance to prance in the Big Dance. That is apropos, says head coach Tony Harvey, who believes his Tigers are the best college basketball team in the area.

At 18-11, Harvey's team certainly has the best record, and the SWAC regular-season champions head to Garland this week as the favorite to earn the conference's automatic bid at the league tournament.

2011 SWAC Tournament Bracket: THE MAP FOR THE ROAD TO GLORY

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VISIT: SWACHOOPS

What to watch: Conference top seeds headed to NIT

USA TODAY takes a look at what to watch for during a pivotal week in college basketball as March Madness looms:

Three to watch

Bethune-Cookman and C.J. Reed: The team won its first Mid-Eastern Athletic regular-season title since joining Division I in 1980. Reed, a junior guard playing for his father, Clifford, is averaging 19.5 points and 4.6 assists overall and 40.2 minutes a game in MEAC play. Four of the Wildcats' MEAC games have gone to overtime; nine others have been decided by seven points or fewer.

So Reed has played 643 of 665 MEAC minutes - a big reason the team is 12-1 in those 13 close games.

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2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament Preview

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The 40th-annual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament is set to begin Tuesday, March 8th and run though Saturday, March 12th, with the winner earning a place among the 68-team field in the NCAA Tournament.

The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats earned this year's top-seed and an opening-round bye on the strength of a 13-3 regular-season MEAC record. The Hampton Pirates and the Coppin State Eagles each earned a share of the league's runner-up trophy with 11-5 marks. The Pirates earned the tournament's second-seed by virtue of a tiebreaker over the third-seeded Eagles. Also receiving opening round byes were fourth-seeded, two-time defending MEAC champion Morgan State (10-6) and fifth-seeded North Carolina A&T (9-7).

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VISIT: meachoops.com/

2011 CIAA All-Tournament Team

Member Institutions

NORTHERN DIVISION
Bowie State
Chowan
Elizabeth City State
Lincoln (PA)
Saint Paul's
Virginia State
Virginia Union

SOUTHERN DIVISION
Fayetteville State
Johnson C. Smith
Livingstone
Saint Augustine's
Shaw
Winston-Salem State

Raheem Smith (Shaw University) was named Tournament MVP, and he joined the Bears' Tony Smith and Devon Mclendon (Shaw)on the All-Tournament team. Other players who made the All-Tournament team include Trent Bivens of Elizabeth City State, Eric Vann of Bowie State, CIAA player of the year Trevin Parks of Johnson C. Smith, Sidney Evans of Fayetteville State, and Charles Rhodes of Chowan. Fayetteville State won the John B. McLendon Sportsmanship Trophy at the tournament.

On the women's side, tournament MVP Demaria Liles (Shaw University), Kyria Buford and Aslea Williams (Shaw) joined Liles on the All-Tournament team. Johnson C. Smith was represented by Terran Quattlebaum and Terrica Jones.

Rounding out the All-Tournament team was: Rhon’Neisha Taylor (Virginia State), Allison Sikes, (St. Augustine’s), Umeka Benson (St. Augustine’s) Ransheda Jennings (Chowan) and Vontisha Woods (Winston-Salem State).

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Stillman loses in title game

ATLANTA | Clark Atlanta University stopped Stillman College one win short of a title Saturday night as the Tigers fell 78-71 in the championship game of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

Clark Atlanta led by 23 points at the half, leading 50-27 going into the break, but Stillman came back to take the lead late in the game. In the final three minutes, however, the Panther’s David Brown made two key baskets to put Clark Atlanta ahead and take the win. Brown ended the game with 20 points.

Also scoring in double figures for the Panthers were Najee Lane with 14, Royce Hamilton with 11 and Antonio Burch with 10.

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FVSU Lady Wildcats Capture 2011 Women's SIAC Basketball Title

Atlanta, GA- The Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) (22-9) are back on top of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) after a 69-54 win over the Miles College Lady Bears (21-8) to capture the 2011 SIAC Women’s Basketball Championship. The win gives FVSU Head Coach Lonnie Bartley his 10th SIAC title. This was the second Lady Wildcats championship in the past three years.

In a closely contested first half, there were four ties and two lead changes. With 4:18 remaining before the intermission, the Lady Bears held their largest lead of the half, 28-20. However, the nine-time SIAC Champion Lady Wildcats ended the first half with a 13-3 scoring run to take a 33-31 halftime lead.

NO. 3 SEED LADY BEARS FALL TO NO.1 LADY WILDCATS FOR SIAC TOURNAMENT TITLE

ATLANTA, GA – Junior Toccara Charles scored 17 points to lead the Lady Bears (21-8) as they fell to Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats (22-9) in the SIAC Women’s Basketball Championship game 69-54 today at Frank Forbes Arena. The Lady Wildcats walked away with their tenth SIAC title.

Holding on to a slim two point halftime lead, Fort Valley State went on a 12-4 run pushing the lead to double-digits with 12:31 left in the game. After a Lady Bear time-out, the Lady Wildcats went on another 6-2 run for the largest lead of the contest with 14 points (53-39). Miles would go on a run of their own to slice the Lady Wildcats lead to seven points 53-46 with 6:45 left. Fort Valley quickly answered with a 6-3 run of their own to forge ahead by 10 points (57-49) with 3:17 left. Miles’ gave it one more surge cutting the Lady Wildcats lead back to seven points 59-52 with 3:07 remaining. That would be as close as the Lady Bears would get, as the Lady Wildcats cruised to victory 69-54.

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By Fort Valley State University and Miles College Media Relations

Shaw University Raheem Smith's Late Free Throws Clinch CIAA Championship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Raheem Smith scored 28 points including two free throws with 2.3 seconds left in the game to give Shaw a 72-69 win over Livingstone Saturday for its second CIAA men's championship in school history.

Victory wasn't assured until a desperation three-pointer by Livingstone misfired, setting off a celebration inside Time Warner Cable Arena. Smith was named Tournament MVP, and he joined the Bears' Tony Smith and Devon Mclendon on the All-Tournament team. They led the Bears (22-8 overall), the No. 2 Southern Division seed, to victory over a game Livingstone squad making its first CIAA finals appearance.

Charlotte Observer Photos: Championship games 

"I can't say enough about this team," Shaw Head Coach Cleo Hill, Jr. said. "I'm proud of them and we fought throughout this tournament."

Mclendon added 19 points and 14 rebounds and Tony Smith scored 11 points for the Bears, who shot 52 percent from the floor including 54 percent in the second half. Livingstone, who put Darius Cox and Greg Henry on the All-Tournament team, shot 46 percent for the game including 50 percent in the second half, to make the game close.

The win gave Shaw a sweep of the men's and women's tournaments, which is a first for the private Raleigh, N.C., school. Hill, Jr., claimed his first crown in only his third season as head coach after being an assistant coach on the 2001-02 team which won the CIAA Tournament with former NBA player Ronald "Flip" Murray, who was the NCAA Division II player of the year for the Bears at the time.


Videographer: Cwallace281; Shaw University Choir joins Wake Forest Baptist Church in Wake Forest North Carolina, featuring soloist Brandi Hancock. Song: Lord Make Me An Instrument

Blue Bears Fall 72-69 to Shaw in CIAA Championship

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Livingstone men’s basketball team fell in its bid to win the 2011 CIAA Championship Saturday, falling in its first-ever title game, 72-69 to the Shaw University Bears at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Livingstone finishes its 2010-2011 campaign with a 17-12 overall record.

The Blue Bears were led by game MVP and All-Tournament Team selection Darius Cox who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Fellow All-Tournament Team selection Greg Henry finished with 10 points and six boards. Also in double figures was Nasir Austin with 11 points and Carl Boswell who added 10 points.

Mush as they had all tournament, the Blue Bears jumped out to an early lead on Saturday. Livingstone led 12-5 with 13:42 left in the first half, but a 14-4 run by Shaw gave the Bears a 19-16 edge with 8:58 remaining in the opening half. Towards the end of the first half the Blue Bears stayed close and went into the break only down two, 32-30.

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By Livingstone College and Shaw University Media Relations

Shaw Lady Bears Reclaim Their Perch Atop The CIAA

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Shaw Lady Bears virtually owned the last decade at the CIAA Tournament, winning five championships between 2003-2008. Now they are working on the next one. And it is something Johnson C. Smith knows all too well.

Tournament MVP Demaria Liles had 15 points, six rebounds and three steals as the Lady Bears captured the 2011 CIAA Championship after a 62-56 victory over the Lady Golden Bulls on Saturday evening at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

"This one is big," said Shaw coach Jacques Curtis, who has led the Lady Bears to each of their six titles in the last nine years. "And it's big because there was a lot of pressure on this team from the beginning, especially early in the season when we lost a couple of games. We knew we had to win this tournament to go on to the next level."

It is the fifth time the Lady Bears (21-11) have defeated Johnson C. Smith (23-4) in the CIAA Championship and the fourth time in the last nine years the Lady Golden Bulls, the 2009 CIAA champion, have finished as the tournament's runner-up.

"Although in defeat, we are extremely proud of our women's basketball team and what they've accomplished thus far," said Johnson C. Smith coach Vanessa Taylor, the CIAA Women's Coach of the Year. "We hope that it is enough for the NCAA to say to us that we can live to play another day."


Videographer: pbsstep1914; Shaw University 2011 CIAA Champions

LADY GOLDEN BULLS FALL SHORT IN A 62-56 CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP LOSS TO SHAW

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball were seven points shy of claiming their second CIAA Tournament title in three seasons after a 62-56 loss against Shaw University in the 2011 CIAA Women's Championship game on Saturday evening inside the Time Warner Cable Arena. The Lady Golden Bulls finish the conference post season with the best overall record in the history of the women's program at 24-4; previous mark 22-5 during the 1999-00 season. Reigning CIAA Coach of the Year Vanessa Taylor also set a new career mark for most wins in an individual season; surpassing her mark of 22-5.

This is the fifth time in history the Lady Bears (21-11) have defeated Johnson C. Smith in the CIAA Championship and the fourth time in the last nine years the Lady Golden Bulls, the 2009 CIAA champion, have finished as the tournament's runner-up (1989, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2011).
The Shaw Lady Bears virtually owned the last decade at the CIAA Tournament, winning five championships between 2003-2008.

“Although in defeat, we are extremely proud of our women's basketball team and what they've accomplished thus far,” said Taylor. “We hope that it is enough for the NCAA to say to us that we can live to play another day.”

The Lady Bears were down 43-37 with 10:05 remaining in the game after junior guards Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, MD) and Terrica Jones (Raleigh, NC) combined for 13 points in an 18-5 run. Aslea Williams, who finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, scored seven straight points in a span of 1:40 to spark Shaw's decisive run of the game, a 12-0 spurt that handed the Lady Bears a 51-45 edge they would never relinquish.

CIAA Championship Box vs. Shaw

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Videographer: ombudlady; CIAA 2011 JCSU Cheerleader Exhibition

By Shaw University and Johnson C. Smith University Media Relations

READ MORE AT: theCIAA.com

MEAC Announces 2011 Women's Basketball Tournament Seedings

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its women's pairings for the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament, March 7-12 at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Hampton will enter the tournament as the top seed after concluding the regular-season with a 15-1 mark in MEAC play.

The Lady Pirates earned the tournament first-round bye and will open up play on Wednesday, March 9 at 12:30 p.m. They will face the winner of the South Carolina State/ Bethune-Cookman matchup slated for Tuesday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m.

Howard’s Saadia Doyle was named Player of the Year. Coppin State’s Larrisa Carter was selected the MEAC Rookie of the Year and Hampton's Quanneisha Perry earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight year. Hampton’s David Six was voted by his peers as the MEAC Coach of the Year.

2011 MEAC Women’s Basketball Championship Schedule

Tuesday, March 8 - Opening Round
11:00 AM Game 1 - No. 7 Maryland Eastern Shore vs. No. 10 Delaware State
1:30 PM Game 2**- No. 8 South Carolina State/Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 9 South Carolina State/Bethune-Cookman
4:00 PM Game 3 - No. 6 Howard vs. No. 11 Norfolk State

Wednesday, March 9 - Opening Round/Quarterfinals
10 AM Game 6 - No. 2 Morgan State vs. Winner of Game 1
12:30 PM Game 7 - No. 1 Hampton vs. Winner of Game 2

Thursday, March 10 - Quarterfinals
NOON Game 11 - No. 3 North Carolina A&T vs. Winner of Game 3
2:30 PM Game 12 - No. 4 Florida A&M vs. No. 5 Coppin State

Friday, March 11 - Semifinals
NOON Game 15 - Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 12
2:30 PM Game 16 - Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 11

Saturday, March 12 - Championship Final (ESPNU-taped delayed)
5:00 PM Game 20 - Winner of Game 15 vs. Winner of Game 16

2011 Women's Tournament Bracket

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2011 MEAC Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its men's pairings for the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament, March 8-12 at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Bethune-Cookman will enter the tournament as the top seed after closing out the regular-season with a 13-3 mark in MEAC play and will compete for the tournament title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball tournament.

A bonus game between the North Carolina Central and Savannah State men's basketball teams will also highlight championship day.

Bethune-Cookman's C.J. Reed was named MEAC Player of the Year. Delaware State's Casey Walker was chosen as the MEAC Rookie of the Year and Norfolk State's Kyle O'Quinn earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Bethune-Cookman's Clifford Reed was voted by his counterparts at the MEAC Coach of the Year.

2011 MEAC Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule

Tuesday, March 8 - Opening Round
6:30 PM Game 4 - No. 7 Florida A&M vs. No. 10 Maryland Eastern Shore
9:00 PM Game 5 - No. 8 Delaware State vs. No. 9 South Carolina State

Wednesday, March 9 - Opening Round/Quarterfinals
3:00 PM Game 8 - No. 6 Norfolk State vs. No. 11 Howard
7:00 PM Game 9 - No. 1 Bethune-Cookman vs. Winner of Game 5
9:30 PM Game 10 - No. 2 Hampton vs. Winner of Game 4

Thursday, March 10 - Quarterfinals
6:00 PM Game 13 - No. 3 Coppin State vs. Winner of Game 8
8:00 PM Game 14 - No. 4 Morgan State vs. No. 5 North Carolina A&T

Friday, March 11 - Semifinals
6:00 PM Game 17 - Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 14
8:00 PM Game 18 - Winner of Game 10 vs. Winner of Game 13

Saturday, March 12 - Championship Final (ESPN2)
11:00 AM BONUS GAME - North Carolina Central vs. Savannah State (men’s)
2:00 PM Game 19 - Winner of Game 17 vs. Winner of Game 18

2011 Men's MEAC Basketball Tournament Bracket






By MEAC Media Relations

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