Paine's Tim Duncan already hard at work

Augusta, GA - When Tim Duncan officially started at Paine, he planned to take 90 days to observe and then take action. President George Bradley had other plans for his new athletic director, telling him he soon wanted a strategic plan in place. Shortly after his May 9 start date, Duncan assembled a five-part plan. That’s been just the start for Duncan, who’s made several other major changes for the athletic department.

“It’s been extremely busy,” Duncan said. “But it’s been very good.”

The former UNC-Wilmington associate athletic director and director of major gifts, Duncan has been working to become more visible in the Augusta community. He’s also spoken to several alumni groups throughout the state.

“Paine College has been a well-kept secret,” Duncan said. “I want people to know the good things we’re doing.” He established a five-part plan, which includes academic excellence, athletic excellence, compliance, external operations and student well-being.

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Benedict Names James Woody Interim Head Football Coach

Columbia, SC - Benedict College announced the hiring of James Woody as interim head football coach on Monday.

Woody brings more than 25 years experience as one of the nation's top offensive coordinators to the Tigers, who dropped to 1-3 after 40-23 televised loss to Fort Valley State on Thursday night. The Tigers travel to Augusta, Ga., this Saturday to face Miles College in the annual Augusta City Classic.

“I'm really looking forward to get going,” Woody said at a late-morning press conference at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. “My first priority here is to make sure we put a team on the field that can be competitive - competitive week in and week out.”

Woody takes over for Stanley Conner, who went 21-27 in four full seasons, plus the first four games this season.

“We are very appreciative of the work of Coach Conner,” said Willie Washington, Benedict College Director of Athletics. “But as life has it, changes take place, and this is one of those changes that occurred here at Benedict College.”

This will be Woody's first head coaching position.

As an offensive coordinator at Tuskegee University and Jackson State University, Woody was instrumental in developing high-powered, high-scoring offenses. He said his coaching philosophy is simple – to play hard and play smart.

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Winless Valley on the rise

Baton Rouge, LA -- After a tough opening month, this is the kind of game the Southern football team really needs. This figures to be an easier week. This one is a no-brainer. Or is it?

At 2 p.m. Saturday in Itta Bena, Miss., the Jaguars (1-3, 1-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) face winless Mississippi Valley State (0-4, 0-3) in Rice-Totten Stadium.

At first glance, the game looks like it’s made to order for the Jaguars, who need a feel-good moment after losing fourth-quarter leads in crushing back-to-back losses against Jackson State and Florida A&M. But take a closer look. It’s possible this game won’t be the gimme it appears to be.

Yes, the Delta Devils are winless in 14 games under second-year coach Karl Morgan. But they’re still there. They’re still trying ...

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B-CU Coach Denson helps mold running backs

Bethune-Cookman at Miami

WHERE: Sun Life Stadium, Miami

WHEN: 3:30 Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011

RECORDS: B-CU 2-1, Miami 1-2

TV: ESPNU

RADIO: WELE 1380AM

Daytona Beach, FL - Autry Denson Jr.'s playing resume gave him instant credibility when he arrived at Bethune-Cookman as the Wildcats' running backs coach. His character away from the field also paid immediate dividends.

"Autry is a great example as a father, as a man, for our players to follow," B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. "I think he's made a big impression on our players being good decision-makers off the field."

Denson a South Florida native is Notre Dame's all-time leading rusher and played four seasons in the NFL. He earned a business degree at Notre Dame and put it to use as a financial adviser to pro athletes before he retired from playing football. He also spent some time in the corporate world and focused on charities to help inner-city youth.

Denson, who played two seasons for the Miami Dolphins ...

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Falcons Pro-Bowl returner Eric Weems keeps everything in perspective

TAMPA -- A popular joke inside the Atlanta Falcons' locker room is that Eric Weems is so tight with his money that he still has a couple of Pell Grant checks left over from his college days at Bethune-Cookman.

The Pro Bowl return specialist smiled when he heard that line again inside the visitors' locker room Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. He didn't mind hearing it, because he knows there's a little bit of truth to it.

"That's always been me," Weems said after Tampa Bay beat the Falcons 16-13. "I like to be smart with my money. I'm tight. I'm a cautious investor. I'm not going to buy five cars, a house here, a house there. I've got one car -- my Dodge Magnum. It's an '08 and rides smooth."

Weems doesn't just throw away his money. The way the 26-year-old looks at it, every NFL player's career has an expiration date. For someone who makes a living returning kickoffs and punts, that expiration date can come sooner rather than later.



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Points a rarity for Johnson C. Smith University

Charlotte, NC - Points are scarce at Johnson C. Smith. After lighting up opponents for 99 points in their first two games, the Golden Bulls offense has produced 14 in the last pair. JCSU (2-2, 1-0 CIAA) split those games – a 14-7 win against Virginia State and 35-7 loss at Davidson.

I'm concerned, but I know schematically the coaches do a great job on game planning what we have to do to take advantage of another defense," JCSU coach Steve Aycock said. "We've just got to go back to square one and get the basics."

The Bulls are having trouble moving the ball, especially via the pass. Freshman quarterback Keahn Wallace has thrown for 359 yards and two scores in the last two weeks compared to 337 and four touchdowns against West Virginia State and 325 and three against Brevard. Very little went right against Davidson, with Wallace hitting 11-of-29 passes for ...

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Clash of the cymbals, roll of the drums bring spectacular, high energy, festive game day entertainment

Washington, D.C. - Let's Groove ... Can't get enough of that funky stuff ... Can't get enough of that funky stuff ... I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa..., yeah ...

Whether its Earth, Wind & Fire or Kool and the Gang, HBCU Bands are rocking the house this season with innovation, marching creativity, rap, ole school songs, and exceptional musicianship that is sure to please any die hard critic or connoisseur that follows the HBCU football circuit.

This posting is not about who is the best ... no contest, as Florida A&M University Marching 100 sets the standards for all others to follow.

The FAMU 100'rd marches 420 members -- all first chair musicians from their respective high schools from all across the United States and have been the innovators of the modern marching bands since 1946, the year that the legendary Dr. William P. Foster, started implementing his vision for college bands.

There is no debate here, as this is my blog!

It's more about the high quality of the HBCU marching band programs, be it small schools like Livingstone, Fort Valley State or Benedict; or median sized programs like Tennessee State, Norfolk State or Prairie View. Or the super-sized programs like Bethune-Cookman, Alabama State, Southern, Jackson State.  The outcomes are the same -- exceptional marching performances with superb musicianship that connects with all age groups and genres.

Our favorite teams and bands may differ and that's perfectly OK,  but you gotta make it to the nearest HBCU stadium to take in a few of the football games. Ole school, new school, high school, and those that never attended an HBCU -- the band battles alone is worth the price of the tickets and 3-4 hours of entertainment.  Plus, a great family atmosphere with out-of-sight B-B-Q ribs, chicken, fried fish, and so forth sold by the local vendors -- are worth all the efforts in fighting the game day traffic to arrive at your favorite HBCU stadium.

Did I mention there is some hellacious football being played by our teams in their battle for conference supremacy?

Most importantly, all the students are the real winners -- for the countless hundreds of  hours dedicated to perfecting their craft that brings us so much athletic and musical enjoyment. If you have not experienced an HBCU game day, this is a must see activity before you leave this planet! 

 Now, let's groove.

-beepbeep

FSU's Phillips praises the WSSU Rams

Fayetteville, NC - Coach Kenny Phillips of Fayetteville State, who has three CIAA titles on his résumé, gave high praise to Winston-Salem State after his team's 56-20 loss last Saturday.

"Talent-wise, they are stacked," Phillips said of the 4-0 Rams. "They didn't have to throw the football because we did such a poor job with their running game. That quarterback (Kameron Smith), we got him bottled up, and he got out there and went 60 (yards for a touchdown). He's got some weapons."

Smith had six touchdown passes in a 55-24 thumping of Chowan on Sept. 17, and WSSU had six rushing touchdowns against Fayetteville State. The Rams have been balanced, with totals of 968 yards rushing and 1,102 passing.



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XU's Pieri equals GCAC mark with his 8th weekly award

Gold Rush Matt Pieri

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Matt Pieri equaled a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference mark Monday when he was selected GCAC Runner of the Week in men's cross country for the eighth time in his career.

Pieri is a junior from New Orleans, a graduate of Brother Martin High School and the defending GCAC individual champion. He matched the mark of Kate Imwalle, who won eight women's awards for former member Spring Hill from 2008-09.

The GCAC instituted its cross country awards in 2008. Pieri won it once in 2009, five times in 2010 and twice this season.

Pieri ran 8,000 meters in 29 minutes, 18.5 seconds to finish 29th out of 97 runners Saturday in the LSU Invitational at Baton Rouge, La. He led the Gold Rush to seventh place out of 13 colleges and eighth place out of 14 teams overall. Xavier finished ahead of three NCAA Division I schools.

The XU men are 4-for-4 this season in winning the GCAC award — freshman Kwame Jackson earned the other two — and have won 11 consecutive times dating to 2009.

Xavier's men and women will compete Saturday morning in the Gulf Coast Stampede at Pensacola, Fla.

Most GCAC Runner of the Week Awards in a Career
Men 8 — Matt Pieri, Xavier (2009-11) * 5 — Mark Dotson, Xavier (2009) 4 — Ray Walston, Xavier (2008-2010) * 3 — Patrick Aucoin, Spring Hill (2008) 2 — Kwame Jackson, Xavier (2011) * 1 — Kieran Harper, Loyola (2009) 1 — Will Kirkikis, Spring Hill (2009) 1 — Michael Sinkey, Mobile (2008)	Women 8 — Kate Imwalle, Spring Hill (2008-09) 5 — Ebony Harding, Xavier (2008-09) 3 — Zahri Jackson, Xavier (2011) * 3 — Sherri McIntosh, Mobile (2008) 2 — Monicah Jepkemboi, SUNO (2009-10) * 1 — Anna D'Souza, Xavier (2010) * 1 — Yazmin Ramirez, Xavier (2010) 1 — Hannah Reese, Belhaven (2009)
* active GCAC runner

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Southern sweeps to end XU Gold Nuggets' record win streak

BATON ROUGE, La. — Ja'Quincia Williams had 13 kills Monday, and Beonka Savoy served three aces to lead Southern to a 25-19, 25-21, 27-25 women's volleyball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Lady Jaguars (4-11) won for the fourth time in six matches and snapped the school-record eight-match win streak of the Gold Nuggets (9-3). Xavier beat Southern in three sets one week ago at The Barn.

Taylor Reuther had 16 kills and 13 digs for Xavier (9-3) — her sixth kill-dig double-double of the season — Moira Kirk had 10 kills, Chinedu Echebelem had 11 digs, and Kerris Crier had four blocks.

The teams were tied at 24 in the third set before Southern three of the final four points.

Southern outhit Xavier .252 to .173 — it was the Nuggets' lowest attack percentage since their fourth match — and had advantages of 5-2 in aces and 9-5 in blocks. Xavier committed 39 total errors, 11 more than in the earlier match against Southern. Reuther had a season-worst 12 attack errors. The Lady Jaguars committed 29 errors.

The Nuggets' two aces were a season low, and they committed five reception errors after a collective 10 in the previous seven matches.

Xavier's next match will start at 6 p.m. Saturday at Dillard, the defending Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament champion. Xavier leads the GCAC regular season at 4-0.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Miami Hurricanes have respect for Bethune-Cookman

Miami, Florida -- If Miami running back Lamar Miller’s left shoulder injury is bearable, he will play against Bethune-Cookman University at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday.

It became evident late Sunday afternoon that Miami coach Al Golden in no way intends to peek past Bethune Cookman to plan toward 11th-ranked Virginia Tech — the Canes’ Atlantic Coast Conference road opponent on Oct. 8.

Not after UM’s 28-24 loss to Kansas State in which the defense allowed 265 yards rushing and couldn’t come up with a turnover after four Wildcats’ fumbles. And not after the Hurricanes offense couldn’t score the winning touchdown after four chances from within 2 yards.

“All respect,’’ Golden said Sunday during his Kansas State recap teleconference, “we’re trying to win the game. That’s all we’re trying to do. … We’re not there right now.



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KEYS: Complete game still eludes SU, Mitchell

Baton Rouge, LA - It happened less than 20 minutes after Southern gave away yet another game, blowing a fourth-quarter lead and losing to an old rival for the second consecutive week.

It happened less than 20 minutes after the Jaguars failed yet again to play a complete game from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. This time, Saturday evening inside the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, they squandered a 16-point second-half lead and fell apart in a 38-33 loss to Florida A&M.

Less than 20 minutes after the teams exchanged handshakes, Stump Mitchell was behind a microphone, addressing a dozen or so reporters, trying to explain how Southern lost for the 12th time in his 15 games as coach.

The question was simple: You had so many Southern fans come to Atlanta, spend a good bit of money getting here, and obviously, they just watched another frustrating loss. Where do you stand, and what do you tell the Jaguar Nation?

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Improved North Carolina A&T Aggies lose game, but win respect

Greensboro, NC -- Coastal Carolina hosts N.C. A&T next season in the final meeting of their second home-and-home series. Don’t bet on a renewal of the series after that.

“You hired a guy away from Grambling who won nine games there last year?” Coastal coach David Bennett drawled, shaking his head. “Shoot. After next year, we won’t be scheduling them. They’re going to get it right. I promise you. I just hope they’re two years away.”

Bennett’s Chanticleers led wire-to-wire in their 31-14 victory over A&T in a less-than-half-full Aggie Stadium on Saturday. But short-handed A&T is a better football team than it was three weeks ago, when the Aggies trounced start-up Virginia University of Lynchburg.

The 9,709 who paid to get in saw the Aggies shuffle their offensive line and struggle to protect quarterback Lewis Kindle. They saw a tiring defense give up too many big plays and 354 total yards.



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Another XU record, this time for Fakler at LSU Invitational

Catherine Fakler

BATON ROUGE, La. — Xavier University of Louisiana's Catherine Fakler ran 6,000 meters in 24 minutes, 10.3 seconds Saturday to break a 3-year-old school record and finish 16th out of 76 runners in the LSU Invitational cross country meet.

Fakler, a freshman, broke Ebony Harding's school mark of 24:41.13 set Oct. 11, 2008, in the University of Dallas Invitational at Irving, Texas.

Also exceeding Harding's record was XU freshman Zahri Jackson, who placed 17th in 24:14.4. Jackson broke the XU record for 4,000 meters on Sept. 1 and the 5K record Sept. 10. Fakler and Jackson are the first XU females to finish in the top 20 at LSU's meet.

The Gold Nuggets scored 128 points to tie for fourth place with NCAA Division I member Louisiana-Lafayette. Ten schools scored. XU's women have placed in the top half of all four meets this season.

 Zahri Jackson

This was the Nuggets' highest team finish at LSU, too. A year ago the Gold Nuggets were 11th out of 12 schools in this meet.

In the 8,000-meter men's race, XU's Matt Pieri was 29th out of 97 runners in 29:18.5, and Kwame Jackson, Zahri's brother, was 32nd in 29:25.3. The Gold Rush scored 229 points to finish seventh out of 13 college teams and eighth out of 14 overall.

Individual winners were LSU's Laura Carleton, who is redshirting and ran unattached, in 21:04.4 in the women's race, and Houston's Baptist's Matt Perri in 26:59.9 in the men's. Team champions were LSU's women with 19 points and Miami of Ohio's men with 32.

Xavier's next meet will be the Gulf Coast Stampede at Pensacola, Fla., next Saturday morning. The women's 5K will start at 7:30, followed by the men's 8K at 8.

Results:  Men    Women

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Atlanta Football Classic Parade, Half-Time Shows & 5th Qtr.

Chowan Falls to Virginia State University, 35-20

ETTRICK, VA – Coming in to tonight's game, the Virginia State University defense allowed only 21 total points to Division II opponents. The Trojans defense was again strong tonight, proving to be the difference as VSU defeated Chowan 35-20. Chowan is now 1-3 overall, and 0-2 in the CIAA. Virginia State moves to 2-2 overall (1-1 in the CIAA).

The Virginia State defense caused five Chowan turnovers and stopped the Hawks twice in the red zone.

Virginia State put together a four play, 60 yard drive on the opening series of the game for their lone score of the first half. Kenay Hawks capped the drive for the Trojans with a seven yard touchdown run. The Hawks defense stepped up for the rest of the quarter, however, allowing only 34 more yards.

After totaling 72 yards in the first quarter, the Hawks offense got back to their usual ways in the second. Quarterback Cameron Stover went 8-13 for 88 yards in the stanza. Stover led a seven play, 59 yard drive late in the quarter to even the score at seven. He hooked up with Kevin Hodrick for a ten yard pass for the score.

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Jackson State loses to Alabama State, 21-14

Jackson, MS - Casey Therriault threw a whopping six interceptions and Alabama State, despite gaining just 227 yards, beat Jackson State for a second straight year, dishing the Tigers a hurtful blow in its hopes of winning a black national championship.

Jackson State, 3-1 and entered ranked No. 1 in some black college polls, suffered its first loss of the season despite gaining 487 yards. The Tigers committed seven turnovers. They have now had 17 in the last three games and 19 for the season.



Hornets Top Jackson State

JACKSON, Miss. - LB Leland Baker's interception with nine seconds remaining sealed Alabama State's 21-14 win at Jackson State Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Baker's interception at the Alabama State 28-yard line was the seventh takeaway by the Hornets (3-1 overall, 3-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference), who have won six consecutive SWAC games dating back to last season.

“We're excited,” head coach Reggie Barlow said. “We told our guys it was going to be a championship-type game against a really good team on the road. We came in and played hard and I'm proud of them.”

Jackson State (3-1, 1-1) was limited to only 14 points, 21 below its season average.

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Late miscues make Grambling rally moot

Grambling, LA - Doug Williams practically begged his Grambling State players to step up and show him something Saturday night. What the Tigers showed were flashes of brilliance that, ultimately, were undone by eight turnovers and an inability to finish the job.

When Luther Snipe made a sliding interception of a Frank Rivers pass at the Alabama A&M 10 with 25 seconds left, Grambling’s losing streak officially hit three games and allowed the Bulldogs to hang on for a 20-14 victory at Robinson Stadium.

“Not protecting the football is a big factor in any football game,” Williams said. “We had opportunities. We were in the red zone two or three times and we gave the ball back. Those are things we can’t do. We fumbled at a crucial time where we moving the football and Alabama A&M made the plays when they had to.”

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Bowie State Falls in First Loss of Season, 32-29, to Virginia Union

Richmond, Virginia - The Bowie State (BSU)Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Virginia Union University(VUU), 32-29, in a Central Interscholastic Athletic Association (CIAA) football matchup on Sept. 24 in Richmond, Va.

The Bulldogs have been a very explosive offensive team so far this season, but it was VUU who made most off their offensive plays on Saturday. Virginia Union quarterback Cheston Hickman completed 19 of 35 passes for 320 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown pitch to Jerrell Washington in the third quarter. Washington also rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns as VUU accumulated more than 500 total offensive yards.

Meanwhile, Bowie State didn’t find its usual offensive rhythm, turning the ball over three times. BSU senior quarterback Clifton Budd rushed for 141 yards and passed for 247 yards. But he also tossed a costly interception and the Bulldogs gave up two fumbles.

2011 Road To The SIAC Championship

ASU barely wins SIAC opener at Miles

FAIRFIELD, Ala. -- Just when it looked as if Albany State had lost its identity Saturday night against Miles, the Rams dug deep into the artificial turf at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium and found it.

It came in the form of a Justin Blash fumble recovery in the third quarter. It arose again when the Rams forced the Miles offense into three-and-outs on two of its final three possessions. And it re-appeared for a final time when Rashad McRae picked off a David Thomas pass in the Golden Bears' end zone with 1:30 left in the game.

The defense showed up -- finally. It was that defense -- that ability to land a series of knockout punches when the Rams were against the ropes -- that gave Albany State (3-1, 1-0) a 34-27 victory in the SIAC opener for both teams. And it was McRae's interception that iced the game and ended a potential game-tying drive.



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Laughinghouse, Mathis Spark Falcons Over Lincoln (Pa.) 34-17

DURHAM, NC – Saint Augustine's College found its offensive rhythm in a 34-17 CIAA football victory over Lincoln (Pa.) Saturday at Durham County Stadium.

The Falcons hurt the Lions on the ground and through the air. Preseason All-CIAA player Tyron Laughinghouse (Sr./Greenville, N.C.) scored three touchdowns including two on pass catches, and Dennis Mathis (Sr./Hampton, Va.) gained 157 yards and scored one touchdown on 27 carries.

The Falcons gained 387 total offensive yards including 138 rushing yards, both season highs. It led to their first conference victory of the season and kept them in the race for the Southern Division title. The Falcons are 1-1 in the CIAA and 2-2 overall.

The Lions (1-2 CIAA, 1-3 overall) were sky-high after snapping a 13-game losing streak last weekend with a win over Virginia Union. The Falcons dashed any thoughts of another upset by scoring on their first three possessions in the opening minutes.

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NFL Panthers sign AAMU's Frank Kearse, cut Reggie Wells

Charlotte, NC - The Carolina Panthers signed rookie defensive lineman Frank Kearse off the Miami Dolphins' practice squad today, guaranteeing him at least three game checks under NFL rules. And they cut former Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles offensive guard Reggie Wells.

Drafted in the seventh round out of Alabama A&M, Kearse was an offensive lineman in high school who was recruited by Georgia, Georgia Southern and Central Florida before winding up at A&M after some academic issues endangered his eligibility.

Fifteen teams attended his Pro Day workout where he ran the 40-yard dash in 5.2 and 5.3 seconds and recorded a 30-inch vertical leap, an 8-7 broad jump and bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times.
The All-SWAC defensive lineman posted a 4.66 in the short shuttle and a 7.8 in the three-cone drill.



Kearse played in the Texas vs. the Nation game, the HBCU Bowl and was named a team captain and second-team All-SWAC. As a senior, he posted 30 tackles, 14 for losses, one sack and two forced fumbles.

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Prairie View hands Mississippi Valley State its 15th straight loss

Prairie View, Texas - Quarterback Jerry Lovelocke threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, and Fred Anderson rushed for two scores to help carry Prairie View A&M to a 43-34 win over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday night in Prairie View.

The Panthers (2-2, 2-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) won for the second time in three games and moved into sole possession of second place in the SWAC Western Division behind frontrunner Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Mississippi Valley State (0-3, 0-4) suffered its 15th consecutive loss and 20th in the last 21 games dating back to 2009.



Box score

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2011 Shreveport Classic: JSU vs. PVAMU