FAMU senior sets example for young Rattlers team

 MEAC LEADING SCORER AND REBOUNDER

ANTONIA MONIQUE BENNETT
6'-1" GUARD/FORWARD, SENIOR
SEASON PGA as of 1/1/12:
 20.1 points., 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists,
2.3 steals and 1.7 blocked shots.
LAKE GIBSON HIGH SCHOOL
Hometown: LAKELAND, FLORIDA
Major:  Occupational/Physical Therapy

(Photo Courtesy: FAMU Sports Information) 

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Typically, this time of the year, HBCU basketball programs are road warriors, traveling the nation to play and get pounded by non-conference Division I programs. That hasn't been the case for Florida A&M. Antonia Bennett is seeing to that.

Bennett, a 6-foot-1 senior guard/forward, has started fast. She is first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring (19.6 ppg), fourth in rebounding (8.9 rpg) and third in blocks (1.7bpg). Her efforts have helped the Lady Rattlers to a 8-5 start, and they are currently riding a five game winning streak. Among their victories are ones against Southern Mississippi, Northwestern Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana and Austin Peay.

This start is due largely to Bennett, who has stepped up in her role as a leader of a very young team.

"And I still feel like we dropped a few we should not have dropped," LeDawn Gibson, FAMU head coach, said. "We're young. On the back end, we have six freshmen we are trying to rotate in and get their feet wet.

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Antonia Bennett Playing a Big Game

Tallahassee, FL - Brittney Griner. Skylar Diggans. Elena Della Donne. Names you may recognize as some of the top players in women's college basketball. One name that shouldn't be overlooked is Antonia Bennett. The FAMU senior forward has the numbers to prove it.

"I really didn't expect to be at the top like that, but hey, hardwork pays off," Bennett said.

Out of high school, she was barely recruited. Her best offers came from Division-II schools. Luckily her rival in high school happened to be her current coach LeDawn Gibson. Gibson would take the FAMU job and decided to give Bennett a chance.

Since she was a freshman, Bennett hasn't disappointed. She's gotten better every year.

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Lady Rattlers looking for sixth consecutive win

Saturday, the Florida A&M women's basketball team (8-5, 1-0 MEAC) will look to add to its five-game winning streak on the road at North Carolina Central (2-12, 0-1 MEAC) in Durham, NC.

Head coach LeDawn Gibson said she feels great about how the ladies are playing and is very confident in her team as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play is about to begin. Coach Gibson said practicing hard, playing together and staying positive would help the team continue its win streak. The Lady Rattlers' athleticism and depth are two of the key factors to their success. Senior Antonia Bennett, who has been the Rattlers' leading scorer in nine of their 13 games this season, is a major part of their success. Coach Gibson said she is well deserving.

"Bennett's performance has been great this season," Gibson said. "She has worked hard her previous three years here and has put in a lot of hard work and time in the offseason to get where she is right now."

The Lady Rattlers' depth is also major weapon...

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Bowie State men, women earn CIAA victories

BOWIE,Maryland - The Bowie State University men’s and women’s basketball teams opened Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association play with lopsided victories against visiting Fayetteville State University on Thursday evening in front of nearly 800 spectators at the A.C. Jordan Arena in Bowie.

After falling behind briefly late in the first half, the Bowie State men’s team took command with two decisive runs en rout to a 97-85 victory. The women’s team earned its first victory of the season, 69-49.

In the men’s game, Fayetteville’s Tyrrel Tate connected on a 3-pointer to give the visitors a 40-36 lead with 2 minutes, 40 seconds remaining before the intermission. But the Bulldogs (9-1 overall, 1-0 in the CIAA) responded with a 9-2 run that ended when Seat Pleasant resident Jay Gavin nailed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to send the Bulldogs into the locker room with a 45-42 lead.

BOX SCORE - MEN
BOX SCORE - WOMEN

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Winston Salem State Tops Virginia State In CIAA Opener 56-43

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - The Winston-Salem State Rams beat the Virginia State Trojans on Thursday night at the C.E. Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, NC.

The Rams move to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in CIAA play.



WSSU wins CIAA opener

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - Winston-Salem State's opening CIAA game was no thing of beauty, but it was a victory and that's all that mattered.

The Rams finally solved Virginia State's packed-in zone in the second half to come away with a 56-43 victory at the Gaines Center on Thursday night.

It wasn't until midway through the second half that the Rams hit some key 3-pointers to put away the pesky Trojans (1-11, 0-1). The Trojans hardly resembled a team on a five-game losing streak and with the worst record among CIAA teams.

"They kind of clogged the middle and forced us to take a lot of 3-pointers," said Kimani Hunt, who hit a big 3-pointer with 7:03 left that gave the Rams an eight-point lead and some breathing room. "Marcus (Wells) knocked down some 3s as well, but we knew we had to make some of them."

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Roosevelt Wilson's Against The Grain: FAMU Board Of Trustees should be applauded

Roosevelt Wilson

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Though their work was clouded by the tragic death of a drum major at Florida A&M University, FAMU’s Board of Trustees should be applauded for being able to cut through all of the smoke and say no to Gov. Rick Scott’s recommendation that FAMU President James H. Ammons be suspended while the matter is being investigated. That decision was critical not only for FAMU, but for the other members of the state university system as well.

Drum major Robert Champion, 26, died tragically Nov. 19, allegedly as a result of a beating that was part of a hazing ritual following the band’s performance at the Florida Classic, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. That not only is a shame and a tragedy, but it is also a crime. FAMU, the state university system and the State of Florida should use all available resources to identify and appropriately punish those responsible for such a senseless death and such a criminal act.

READ THE WHOLE COLUMN

About Roosevelt Wilson
Roosevelt Wilson is the former owner and publisher of the Capital Outlook Newspaper, Tallahassee, Florida. His syndicated column, "Against The Grain" is legendary -- high impact and are written without fear or favoritism on serious issues that matter to the people of Florida and beyond.  He is a former member of the FAMU public relations staff and former member of the faculty at the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. He also served as FAMU’s sports information director, director of university publications and athletics director.

Mr. Wilson earned his bachelor's degree from Bethune-Cookman University with a major in English; a master's degree from Florida State University in Mass Communications; and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in 2008 from Florida A&M University for his exemplary contributions to the field of journalism.

Roosevelt Wilson’s thought provoking and award winning column “Against The Grain’ has returned and can be viewed at The Grain Online .

Opposing view: FAMU is committed to student safety

DR. JAMES H. AMMONS
PRESIDENT
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Our top priority at Florida A&M University is to ensure and protect the safety of every person on campus. Accordingly, the FAMU Board of Trustees and the FAMU administration resolve to break the culture of secrecy that is a major component of institutionalized hazing. While we acknowledge the complexity of this challenge, our goal is to eliminate this pattern of destructive behavior from our campus.

As part of our ongoing efforts, the FAMU trustees are creating a Blue Ribbon Committee to examine hazing and ways to eradicate it from campus life. The university will honor the memory of our student Robert Champion, who died in a hazing incident, by establishing a new set of traditions across our campus that will result in a complete culture change and "zero tolerance" for hazing.

READ THE ENTIRE OPPOSING VIEW by James H. Ammons

XU Gold Rush defeat New Orleans Privateers for the first time since 1974

ANTHONY SIMMONS
6-8/245 JUNIOR, FORWARD
HOMETOWN: ROCHESTER, N.Y.
ALLENDALE COLUMBIA H.S. 
XU GOLD RUSH

NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Simmons scored 13 of his season-high 17 points in the second half Wednesday to help Xavier University of Louisiana earn a 79-70 men's basketball victory against the University of New Orleans at Lakefront Arena.

The Gold Rush (9-4), ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, handed the Privateers (9-8) their fourth consecutive defeat and beat them for the first time since 1974. It was the teams' first meeting since 2000 and sixth overall.

Simmons scored seven points during a 9-2 run which erased UNO's only second-half lead. Simmons' basket and free throw with 9:36 remaining put Xavier ahead to stay, 52-49.

But Xavier did not seal the victory until it made 6-of-6 free throws in the final 46 seconds.

Five XU players scored in double figures. Wanto Joseph had 14 points, six assists and zero turnovers. Chris Iles and Jamaan Kenner scored 12 points apiece, and Cordell Hadnot had 10 points and seven rebounds,

Max Banchy scored 16 points and made 5-of-6 3-pointers for UNO, an NCAA Division I independent which is transitioning to Division II. Brandon Knight had 14 points and six assists. Lovell Cook scored 13 points and Antonio Holmes 11.

Banchy's 3-pointer with 11:15 remaining gave the Privateers a 49-47 lead. UNO also led 23-22 and 25-24 before Xavier rallied for a 31-30 halftime advantage.

Kenner, a senior guard, scored 11 points in the final nine minutes to produce a season high and reach double figures in consecutive games for the first time in his career. Hadnot scored in double figures for the seventh straight game, a personal best, and Iles led the Rush with a career-best eight rebounds.

Xavier shot 52.7 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the line, both season highs, and outrebounded the Privateers 37-29. UNO shot 43.1 percent and made a season-high 11 3-pointers in 21 attempts.

The Gold Rush will play its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at noon Saturday against Philander Smith in Little Rock, Ark. Philander Smith, in its first GCAC season, already has victories against defending GCAC Tournament champion Tougaloo and NCAA D-I Central Arkansas.

BOX SCORE

NOTES: It's the first time in nearly 40 years that Xavier earned victories against NCAA D-I opponents in consecutive seasons. The Gold Rush won at Southern a year ago . . . UNO leads the series 4-2 . . . The teams will meet again at 7 p.m. on Feb. 1 at The Barn . . . It was Xavier's fifth of six consecutive road games . . . XU junior guard Nick Haywood made 2-of-2 free throws and has made 24 straight during the past nine games.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS  

VISIT: GCACSPORTS

Grant's 3 gives Xavier Gold Nuggets season sweep of 18th-ranked Shorter

ROME, Georgia — Jasmine Grant's 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining Wednesday gave Xavier University of Louisiana a 60-59 women's basketball victory against Shorter in a matchup of ranked NAIA Division I teams.

The Gold Nuggets (10-5), ranked 16th, won their third in a row and defeated the Lady Hawks (10-2), ranked 18th, for the second time this season.

Grant, who led the Nuggets with 15 points, made her fifth 3-pointer of the game after Shorter's Brittney Smith missed two free throws with 29 seconds remaining. The Lady Hawks still had two chances to win, but they committed a turnover with five seconds remaining, then missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer after XU's Brandi Young missed the front end of a 1-and-1.

Shorter, playing for the first time in 23 days, didn't score again after Allison Danner's basket gave the Lady Hawks a 59-54 advantage with 1:07 remaining. Xavier and Shorter traded misses, then SiMon Franklin's 3-pointer, her third of the season, cut the margin to 59-57 with 30 seconds remaining.

2011/12 XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

GOLD NUGGETS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

HEAD COACH: ROBERT "BO" BROWDER (13th SEASON)

ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: DARRILYN BROUSSARD (11th SEASON)

ROSTER

(Click Photo Enlarge)

Keldra Hall, recording a double-double on the road for the second straight day, had 14 points and 17 rebounds. Since the start of the 2003-04 season, no Gold Nugget has grabbed as many rebounds in a game. Franklin was 5-of-7 from the floor and had 12 points and three assists.

Kelly Ellison had 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Shorter but committed the turnover which followed Grant's winning shot. Smith scored 11 points, and Shelby Farrer had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Shorter outshot Xavier 37.5 to 31.9 percent from the floor, but the Nuggets had a 49-39 rebound advantage. Both teams made seven 3-pointers.

Grant made her most 3-pointers since tying the school record of seven against Paul Quinn on Nov. 19, 2010. The senior guard missed the final 26 games of 2010-11 because of a knee injury, but she has bounced back this season with 35 3-pointers in 15 games.

Xavier scored the first four points and never lost the lead until Smith's basket gave Shorter a 31-30 advantage with 18:11 remaining. There were three more lead changes and two ties before Grant's winning shot.

Xavier, the 2011 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament champion, will stay on the road and play its conference opener at 2 p.m. Saturday against GCAC newcomer Philander Smith in Little Rock, Ark.

NOTES: Xavier beat Shorter 56-51 at The Barn on Dec. 3 in their other meeting this season . . . Smith's two missed free throws in the final minute came after Shorter made 10 in a row . . . Grant ranks third at Xavier with 158 career 3-pointers. Courtney Simon (1992-96) made 204, and Jarryn Cleaves (2003-08) made 283 . . . Jazmoné Kelly had three steals to increase her team-leading total to 39. She needs two steals to become the 19th Gold Nugget with 200 in a career . . . Kelly needs two rebounds to reach 500 for her career . . . Shorter committed 10 fewer personal fouls than Xavier but attempted one more free throw than the Nuggets.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  

VISIT: GCACSPORTS  

Prince George’s backcourt sparks Bowie State 8-1 Bulldogs

JAYDE A. GAVIN
6-2/190 SENIOR GUARD
BISHOP MCNAMARA HS
SEAT PLEASANT, MD

BOWIE, Maryland  -  Led by a backcourt of Prince George’s County natives, Bowie State University’s men’s basketball team is surging into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association portion of its schedule as the 15th-ranked team in the nation.

The Division II Bulldogs are 8-1 and rolled through their December non-conference slate despite playing what coaches and players agree has not been their best basketball.


DARREN J. CLARK, JR.
6-0/185 SENIOR GUARD
LARGO HS
LARGO, MD










We’re kind of a work in progress right now,” said Bowie State coach Darrell Brooks. “We’re trying to tighten up some loose ends and figure out exactly what we can be as a team, but overall, I’m really pleased. To be honest, I don’t think we’ve done any one thing really well yet. I think we have spurts … but we still have not been able to put it all together. That’s kind of exciting because I think we will put it together at some point.”

 

In the backcourt, guards Darren Clark (Largo High) and Jay Gavin (Bishop McNamara) are providing a spark on offense, defense and off the court as senior leaders.

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Photo Courtesy: Bowie State University Sports Information

Eight Straight For Howard University Women's Basketball, Mount Saint Mary's Falls 67-55

EMMITSBURG, Maryland  -  The Howard Women's basketball team (9-5) outrebounded Mount St. Mary's by 14 (41-27) to pull away with a 67-55 victory at Knott Arena for the first game of the new year.

Saadia Doyle paced HU, recording her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with a game high of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Tamoria Holmes tallied 16 points and three assist while Cheyenne Curley-Payne chipped in with nine assists, and four steals 12 points – all from the charity stripe. Zykia Brown added ten points, and Nicole Deterville grabbed a game-best and season-high of 12 boards.

SAADIA DOYLE
5-11 R-JUNIOR FORWARD
COLUMBIA H.S.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Howard quickly opened up the first half gaining a 4-0 lead by forcing three turnovers in just under three minutes of action. The Mount's Ashley Christie responded by knocking down a three-pointer to put her team on the scoreboard. However, that did not stop HU as it continued to push the lead to eight points from a traditional three-point play by Holmes at the 10:15 mark. From there, both teams attacked the basket. With 5:53 left in the first period, Mount Saint Mary's scored the next few baskets, placing the score at 18-15. Howard responded with a 9-3 run spreading the margin to nine, 27-18. To close the first twenty minutes of action, the Bison led by eight, 29-21.

To jump into the second half, Curley-Payne stole the ball and dished out an assist to Holmes for a lay-up 16 seconds in. Howard proceeded to extend the lead to 12, 33-21, by the 18:39 mark. The Bison's lead was halted from a three-ball by Kayla Grossett. HU then answered with a bucket by Doyle with 17:53 left in the contest.

By the 14:46 mark, the Mount closed the gap to one, 35-34. Mount St. Mary's knotted the score at 35 from a foul shot by Grossett, then took its first advantage of the match with the second free-throw, 36-35.

At 13:07, Howard tied and recaptured the lead (37-36) from a pair at the stripe by Doyle.

From there, HU held its ground and slid away with its eighth consecutive win.

JULEE' O' NEAL
6-2 JUNIOR CENTER
HILLSIDE HS
DURHAM, NC



The Mountaineers were led by Grossett who finished with 14 points in 22 minutes of action. Christie contributed 12 points, while Sydney Henderson added 10.



Howard will return home to close out its non-conference slate with NJIT on Jan 5. Game-time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

FINAL STATS

Written by Julee' O'Neal, W. Basketball, Broadcast Journalism '13

Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information

VISIT: HOWARD-BISON

VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Hall's double-double helps Xavier rally past Southern Poly

MARIETTA, Ga. — Senior center Keldra Hall produced Xavier University of Louisiana's first double-double of the season — 16 points and 13 rebounds — to lead the Gold Nuggets in a 76-58 women's basketball victory Tuesday against Southern Polytechnic.

Xavier (9-5), ranked 16th in NAIA Division I and playing its first game in 13 days, used 16-3 and 18-4 second-half runs to erase a 30-27 halftime deficit.

Hall, recording her fifth double-double in two seasons and her highest rebound total of 2011-12, had 11 points and nine rebounds in the second half. Her 3-point play with 13:12 remaining capped the Nuggets' first burst of the period and gave them a 45-37 lead. Xavier's second run covered the final five minutes.

Jazmoné Kelly had 15 points, a season best, and nine rebounds for Xavier — she had 12 points and seven rebounds in the second half — and Danielle Kennebrew scored a career-high-tying 13 points. Jasmine Grant, Dalila Robinson and Brandi Young scored nine points apiece,

SiMon Franklin's only field goal of the game put Xavier ahead to stay, 38-36, with 14:52 remaining.

Tara Hay scored 18 of her career-high 25 points in the second half for Southern Poly (1-11), which had six available players because of injuries. Dominique Smith had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Jacqueline Schadeck had a season-high 10 points. Chase Morgan grabbed 14 rebounds.

Xavier, despite making one of its first 13 shots from the floor, led 17-9 after Grant's two free throws at 9:43 of the first half. But Hay had five points during a 17-3 run which gave the Lady Hornets their biggest lead, 26-20, with 2:23 remaining.

Southern Poly outshot the Nuggets 36 to 24.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 25-20 in the first half, but in the second half Xavier outshot the Lady Hornets 54.5 to 25.9 percent and outrebounded them 27-14. The Nuggets scored all 15 of their second-chance points after halftime.

Xavier, on the road for three games this week, will play NAIA No. 18 Shorter at 6 p.m. EST Wednesday. The Nuggets are responsible for Shorter's only loss this season, a 56-51 decision at The Barn on Dec. 3.

NOTES: The meeting was the teams' first . . . The victory was Xavier's fourth in five games this season against Southern States Athletic Conference members . . . The Nuggets' 49 second-half points were their second most of the season, topped only by 51 at Georgetown (Ky.) in the Chick-fil-A Classic on Nov. 12 . . . The Nuggets have trailed at halftime seven times this season but rallied to win three of those games . . . Xavier used three Georgia residents: Kennebrew, Robinson and Crystal Wallace. Robinson had her second best point total of the season, and Wallace grabbed two rebounds in her first game since Nov. 29 . . . Fans and media desiring halftime and final scores of XU basketball games via text message can send an e-mail to ecassier@xula.edu. Include the words "text message" in the subject of the e-mail, and indicate if scores from both teams or a specific team are desired. Xavier offers the service for free, but standard text message rates will apply.

BOX SCORE

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

XU's Cordell Hadnot selected GCAC Player of the Week

Cordell Hadnot, shooting ball, is the third Gold Rush player this season to be selected GCAC Player of the Week.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Cordell Hadnot, who extended his career-best double-figure scoring streak to six games, is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's basketball for Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

Hadnot, a 6-foot-7 senior forward from Los Angeles and a graduate of Westchester High School, led the Gold Rush with averages of 11.5 points and 12 rebounds and a .571 field-goal percentage in two games at the Mami Gardens Classic. Hadnot scored 12 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds Thursday in an overtime victory against Florida Memorial. He's the first XU player since February 2009 to grab 15 rebounds in a game.

Hadnot had 11 points and nine rebounds Wednesday in a loss to St. Thomas (Fla.), and he leads the team with averages of 10.3 points and 8.4 rebounds in 11 games.

Hadnot is the third Gold Rush player this season to receive the GCAC award. Nick Haywood did it for Nov. 21-27, and Denzell Erves earned it for Oct. 31-Nov. 6.

Xavier, 8-4 and ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, will visit the University of New Orleans in a 7 p.m. game Wednesday. It will be the teams' first meeting since 2000.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: GCACSPORTS

FAMU Lady Rattlers Win Fifth Straight With 69-59 Win Over UAB

ANTONIA BENNETT
6-1 SENIOR G/F
LAKE GIBSON HS
LAKELAND, FL




QIANA DONALD
6-0 SENIOR C/F
RIBAULT HS
JACKSONVILLE, FL

  

TAMEKA MCKELTON
5-8 SENIOR GUARD
PALM BCH LAKES HS
W. PALM BEACH, FL

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (8-5, 1-0 MEAC) defeated the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Blazers (9-3, 0-0 C-USA) in a 40-minute slugefest. At the half, the Blazers were leading 29-27, but the Lady Rattlers came out with a stiff press, stifling the offense of UAB and allowed the Lady Rattlers to score 42 points in the second half tonight at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.

The Blazers, who had earlier this season defeated the defending MEAC women's conference champion Hampton Pirates, controlled the pace of the first half as it played to their strength. UAB was known for its stifling defense, which held teams to under 40 points in the games they won this season, but the Lady Rattlers would find an answer at halftime.



In the first half UAB's leading scorer, Amber Jones, dropped in 11 points, on 4-10 shooting (2-5 from three-point range). The Blazers' Karisma Chapman scored eight and Michaelea Kleist dropped in six. Meagan Brown would grab six rebounds in the half. In all, only five Blazers scored in the first half.

For the Lady Rattlers, Jasmine Grice came off the bench to score 10 points in the first half. Qiana Donald scored eight and Antonia Bennett scored six. Donald and Bennett grabbed five rebounds each in the half.

Coach LeDawn Gibson challenged her team to get after the Blazers at halftime. "The first half was slow-paced. We played to their strength. We did offensive and defensive adjustments at halftime that allowed us to pick up the pace and play our game," Gibson said.

PHOTO ALBUM 

FINAL STATS

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JASMINE GRICE
5-9 SOPH. GUARD
EAST GADSDEN HS
QUINCY, FL



KETURAH MARTIN
6-0 JUNIOR GUARD
SW TENN. CC
MEMPHIS, TN



KIMBERLY SPARKMAN
5-8 SOPH. GUARD
VOLUNTEER ST. CC
COLUMBIA, TN



Courtesy: FAMU Sports Information (Click on player name for profile and accomplishments).

FAMU earns big win over UAB

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida A&M women's basketball team answered two questions Monday night: whether it could find its offense if scoring leader Antonia Bennett has an off night and when it would win a game at home.

The Rattlers answered yes and now, as they rallied from a first-half deficit to defeat the University of Alabama at Birmingham for their first home victory of the season, 69-59, at the Lawson Center.

Bennett, the leading scorer in the MEAC who came into the game with an average of 20.1 points per game, was held to six first-half points. She finished the game 6 of 17 shooting for 14 points Seniors Qiana Donald (16 points) and Tameka McKelton (10 points) stepped up, while redshirt freshman Jasmine Grice (13 points) continued her hot shooting in her second game since regaining eligibility for academic reasons.

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UAB's Streak Snapped With 69-59 Loss At FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Karisma Chapman and Amber Jones combined for 47 points Monday night, but the UAB women's basketball team saw its eight-game winning streak snapped with a 69-59 loss in its non-conference finale at Florida A&M.

The Blazers (9-3) took a 29-27 lead into the half but were outscored by 12 points over the final 20 minutes by a Florida A&M team that presented a different challenge than any previous opponent during the winning streak.

The Lady Rattlers (8-5) applied full-court pressure defense for the entire game and got out in transition at any opportunity, even after made baskets. Their 69 points were the most allowed this season by UAB, the fourth-best team in the country in scoring defense that hadn't allowed more than 47 points in eight games.

Chapman matched her career-high with 24 points for UAB, including 16 in the second half, while Jones finished with 23. The pair combined to knock down 16 of 29 shots from the floor, but the Blazers shot 38.5 percent as a team for the night.

Florida A&M put four players in double figures, led by Qiana Donald with 16 points. Antonia Bennett added 14 points, Jasmine Grice 13 and Tameka McKelton 10 for the Lady Rattlers. Bennett also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds for a double-double.

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ECSU Opens Up the New Year With Win Over Division I UMES

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina  -  Three Elizabeth City State University Lady Vikings notched double figures in a 62-55 victory over the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore Monday evening at the RL Vaughan Center.

Jasmine Whitehurst led ECSU in scoring with 15 points while Shatara Jackson and Stephanie Harper chipped in with 14 points apiece.

The victory gives ECSU their second win this season over a Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opponent. The Lady Vikings topped Norfolk State University in an exhibition 76-74 on November 7th in Elizabeth City.

The two teams exchanged two ties and two lead changes in the first half, the Hawks last lead coming via two free throws by Jessica Long at the 10:31 mark. DeAudra Brown's three-pointer on ECSU's ensuing possession gave the Lady Vikings a one point lead for good and they held a 26-23 advantage at the intermission.

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Tennessee State Tigers drop shootout to UT Martin, 114-105

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -  The Tennessee State University women's basketball team scored a season-high 105 points and had six players to score in double-digits but it wasn't enough to hold off Tennessee-Martin in a, 114-105, loss to the Skyhawks Monday night in the Gentry Center.

The point total marked the most points TSU has scored in a game since posting 106 against Valparaiso in the 1990 season. Additionally, the 219 combined points from both teams is a new OVC record as Morehead (110) and EKU (106) previously held the record from the 1992-93 season.

The OVC record-breaking game, featured five ties and seven lead changes.

Jasmin Shuler led all TSU (5-10, 1-2 OVC) scorers with 20 points while Kim Haynes scored 16. Avery Jones came off the bench to score 15 followed by Rachel Allen's 14 and Kesi Hess' 13. Tayla Foster registered a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Allen also dished out seven assists.

Jasmine Newsome tallied 37 points to lead UTM (8-6, 2-0 OVC) while Heather Butler scored 35. Taylor Hall also notched double-figures with 15 points. Butler and Newsome each recorded eight assists.

The game was tied 3-3 when a couple of three-pointers put UTM on top, 9-3. The Skyhawks stretched their advantage to 14-5 on another triple at the 15:11 mark.

Over the next couple of minutes, a 7-2 run capped by a three-pointer by Kim Haynes pulled TSU to within four, 16-12. The Lady Tigers were trailing, 18-12, when an old fashioned three-point play by Kim Haynes sparked a 10-0 run that put TSU on top, 22-18.

After UTM pulled even at 26-all, the teams traded buckets. Jasmin Shuler finally got going and hit her third triple of the half to give TSU a, 37-31, advantage with about five minutes left in the frame.

The Lady Tigers were holding on to a, 46-42, lead when a 6-1 run to close out the half gave TSU a, 52-43, advantage at the break.

FINAL STATS

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Hampton Bounce Back with Dominating win over East Carolina

HAMPTON, Virginia - The Hampton University women’s basketball team bounced back into the win column Monday night at the HU Convocation Center, pouncing on East Carolina early en route to a 76-48 win.

The Lady Pirates (10-3) still have not lost back-to-back games since November of last season, and Hampton has held seven of its last nine opponents under 50 points. Hampton is the first team to score more than 65 points against East Carolina this season.

Senior guard Jericka Jenkins (Lancaster, Texas), the MEAC Player of the Week, led the way with 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting, while also recording 10 assists for her second double-double of the season. Sophomore guard Alyssa Bennett (Hampton, Va.) poured in a career-high 18 points, while junior forward Keiara Avant (Chesapeake, Va.) added 14 points and a team-high 10 rebounds for her third double of the season.

Hampton wasted no time establishing control, jumping out to a 17-3 lead at the 15:22 mark of the first half after a fastbreak layup from Avant. Hampton’s lead grew to 21-5 almost a minute later, when Bennett sank a layup at the 14:23 mark.  A Bennett jumper with 10:59 left in the half put Hampton up 27-6.

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East Carolina Suffers Defeat At Hampton

HAMPTON, Virginia - A large halftime deficit was too much for East Carolina to overcome Monday night, as it fell to Hampton 76-48 at the HU Convocation Center. The Pirates close non-conference play with a 6-7 record while the Lady Pirates improve to 10-3 overall.

Senior Chareya Smith netted 13 points to lead ECU offensively and freshman Tatiana Chapple corralled a team-best seven rebounds. Jericka Jenkins was the force for Hampton as she led three Hampton players in double figures with 25 points before exiting the game late.

The Lady Pirates held the upper hand over East Carolina in shooting percentage, nailing 48 percent of their tries from the field as compared to 37 percent for ECU. Hampton also enjoyed a healthy rebounding advantage at 40-29 with 15 offensive boards to its credit. The visiting Pirates were plagued by 20 turnovers, which allowed the Lady Pirates to score 16 second chance points.

Hampton jumped out to a 13-3 lead when Jenkins hit a three-point field goal with 16:09 on the clock, forcing a quick timeout from the Pirate sideline. The Lady Pirates continued the run, stretching their advantage to 21-5 a few minutes later.

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Norfolk State Upsets George Mason, 60-57

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA – Kicking off the new year on the right foot, the Norfolk State women’s basketball team pulled off one of its biggest upsets in several years with a 60-57 victory over George Mason Monday evening at Joseph Echols Hall.

The Patriots (7-5) had won the previous two meetings each of the last two seasons by an average of 22 points and looked to be headed to another victory after erasing a seven-point deficit in the second half. NSU (6-7), though, forced George Mason into 1-of-8 shooting in the last five minutes of the game, including a desperation trey at the buzzer by forward Janaa Pickard.

Senior Whitney Long had 15 points on the night for NSU and hit the most important basket of the game, a floater in the lane for a 56-55 lead with 46.2 seconds left. Long and sophomore Rae Corbo each hit a pair of free throws in the last 20 seconds of play right after George Mason had missed the front end of a 1-and-1 down by one with 30 seconds to go.

The win marked the first over a CAA opponent in 26 games dating back to a 55-52 victory over William & Mary during the 1999-2000 season.

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NSU women break long drought against CAA

NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State earned its first women's basketball victory over a CAA foe in more than a decade Monday night, stunning George Mason 60-57 at Echols Hall.

Whitney Long hit a basket in the lane in the final minute and she and Rae Corbo each made a pair of free throws in the final 20 seconds. It was the Spartans' first win over a CAA team since the 1999-2000 season, a span of 27 games.

Long finished with 15 points and Batavia Owens had 16 for NSU (6-7), which snapped a five-game losing streak.

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UNC-Wilmington Hot-Shooting Seahawks Soar Past NCA&T

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  -  UNCW shot a season-high 56.9 percent from the floor and had five players reach double figures as it cruised past North Carolina A&T, 90-63, in collegiate women's basketball action Monday at the Corbett Sports Center.

The Seahawks improved to 7-5 overall as they closed out non-conference play with their fifth victory in six games. The Aggies slipped to 6-8 on the season as they saw their losing streak extend to six straight.

Junior Jessica Freeman scored a career-high 18 points and sophomore Alisha Andrews chipped in 15 points and a game-best 10 assists to power a UNCW lineup that finished 33-of-58 from the floor for the contest, including a sizzling 67.9 percent (19-of-28) from the field in the opening frame.



Junior Tawanna Lee chipped in 14 points and fellow junior Ayoola Weaver added 12 points and a game-high nine caroms as the Seahawks held a commanding 41-24 edge on the glass. Sophomore Abria Trice rounded out the quartet of double-figure scorers as she finished with 10 points to reach double figures for the third straight contest.

Sophomore Tracy King poured in a game-high 24 points to lead a trio of double-figure scorers for N.C. A&T as sophomore Amber Calvin added 14 and junior JaQuayla Berry pitched in 11.

Tied at 14-all midway through the first half, a three-pointer and back-to-back layups by Lee sparked the Seahawks to a 12-2 spurt and a 26-16 cushion.

A three-pointer by Calvin and a layup by King ended the run and trimmed the UNCW edge to five, 26-21, before the Seahawks closed the frame on an 8-3 spurt to take a 44-32 lead into the locker room.

The Seahawks continued their strong play in the second half, opening the frame on a 9-3 run to expand their advantage to 53-35 before using a 19-4 spurt moments later to take its largest advantage of the afternoon, 73-44, with 9:43 to play.

A 10-2 A&T run ended UNCW's run and pulled the Aggies to within 21, 75-54. The Seahawks kept A&T from drawing any closer, however, as they closed out the contest on a 15-9 stretch to maintain a 20-point cushion the rest of the way.

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Courtesy: UNCW Sports Information