Florida A&M Rattlers Hold On For 62-60 Win Over NCCU Eagles

DURHAM, North Carolina - The Florida A&M Rattlers (3-13,1-1 MEAC), pulled off a big MEAC win today against the North Carolina Central Eagles (7-8, 1-1 MEAC) in the McDougald-McLendon Gym. The Rattlers used a tough defense and solid outside shooting to even their MEAC record at 1-1 for the season.

Reggie Lewis had the hot hand for the Rattlers as he hit 22 points on 8-16 shooting from the field, including 6-10 shooting Dfrom the three-point arch. Amin Stevens scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for a double-double. Yannick Crowder led the Rattlers on the boards with nine rebounds.

Coach Clemon Johnson was happy to get his first MEAC win since returning to his alma mater as head coach. "I'm totally ecstatic to come out of there with a win. I'm proud of the team. I'm very excited that I'm back here coaching the team and I think that the hard work we've been doing paid off for us today. We've taken some butt beatings down the road, but I think those helped us to grow up. I saw this team grow up today. We played sloppy at points in the first half, so I gave them some kind words at halftime, and it seemed to motivate them," Johnson said.

The Rattlers were down 31-26 at the half, but battled back with a press and clutch shooting from Lewis to pull even with the Aggies. The waning moments of the game were testy as the Rattlers entered the double-bonus in the half with 10 fouls, while the Eagles only had three team fouls at that point. The Rattlers would outscore the Eagles 36-29 in the second half to secure the victory.

Lewis felt the flow of the game dictated his scoring. "Coach saw that I had the hot hand and he started running plays for me and I was able to knock the shots down. It's real important to get this win. Coach (Johnson) said this game began our new season. We had the Bethune-Cookman game early, but we are looking at this game as the start of MEAC play and we're happy that we came out of here with a victory," Lewis said.

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By Florida A&M University Sports Information

VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS

VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY  

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES RESULT IN FIRST HOME LOSS OF SEASON FOR NCCU

DURHAM, N.C. (NCCUEaglePride.com) – North Carolina Central University missed a golden opportunity to start 2-0 in the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) when the Eagles could not connect on five free throws down the backstretch of the second half and allowed Amin Stevens to record his first double-double of the season, while Reggie Lewis scored a season-high 22 points, sparking Florida A&M University to the 62-60 win on Saturday afternoon inside McDougald-McLendon Gym.

With conference play underway, the intensity was taken to another level in this game as the teams combined for 11 ties and six lead changes in their sixth meeting all-time.

Neither team had a lead larger than five in the first half, as the Eagles led 11-9 with 11:42 left following a David Best (Raleigh, N.C.) put back, but the Rattlers responded with a 6-1 run of to grab a 15-12 lead with 9:31 remaining.

The rest of the first frame went back-and-forth, but the maroon and gray made the last move, breaking open a 26-all contest with a 5-0 spurt that was highlighted by a Jeremy Ingram (Charlotte, N.C.) three-pointer sending NCCU into the locker room with a 31-26 lead.

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SSU men win first MEAC game in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Georgia  -  Savannah State missed wide-open shots and bricked free throws Saturday afternoon. But seeing the Tigers lack effort on defense drew the ire of coach Horace Broadnax.

“All the other stuff is going to happen but on the defensive end, that’s just energy,” he said. “I’m not accepting anything less.”

Broadnax relayed this message — perhaps, slightly more emphatically — to his players at halftime and then watched them turn up the heat on Coppin State at Tiger Arena. Trailing by nine at halftime, SSU did an aboutface and took over the second half en route to a 72-60 victory over the Eagles from Baltimore before 2,310 fans.

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Arnold Louis Leads Savannah State over Coppin State 72-60

Savannah State opened up a lead in the first half and cruised to a MEAC win over Coppin State 72-60 Saturday evening at Tiger Arena in Savannah.

Arnold Louis provided the punch underneath scoring 24 points, including two monster dunks. Deric Rudolph was hot on the day from the outside scoring 18 points off the bench.

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Poor shooting dooms SSU women

The Savannah State women’s basketball team missed its first six shots and didn’t get much better throughout a long Saturday afternoon. The Tigers couldn’t overcome 28 percent shooting and lost to Coppin State, 71-45, at Tiger Arena.

It was SSU’s fourth straight loss and ninth in the last 11 games. Most of the disappointment has followed a similar script. The Tigers are 328th among 336 Division I schools in scoring (48.4 ppg.) and 330th in 3-pointers (2.3 per game).

“The numbers in black and white are not favorable,” SSU coach Cedric Baker said. “We’re a young team and we’re trying to be patient, but there’s no excuse for the field-goal percentage.”

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Chris Carlson: Thoughts on NSU schedule, no movement on offensive coordinator

NORFOLK, Virginia - A few extra notes after talking with Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian about the schedule.

During the 2013 season, Norfolk State will have four non-conference games, facing Rutgers, Charleston Southern, Old Dominion and Virginia State. In 2014, the Spartans will play Virginia State, Buffalo, Liberty and Old Dominion

Adrian said he’s collected a significant number of resumes for the offensive coordinator position at Norfolk State and will start to pare down the list later this month. He declined to say whether any of his current coaches had applied, but he did state previously that he hoped to find someone with previous experience as a coordinator.

My personal belief is ...

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Norfolk State's road to repeat MEAC crown won't be easy

NORFOLK, Virginia - The road to a repeat will be more rugged than the path to Norfolk State's first MEAC championship.

The Spartans released their 2012 football schedule Wednesday, a slate that includes a bye week in the final week of the season, their toughest conference contests on the road and consecutive road games against FBS opponent Ohio and MEAC power South Carolina State.

"What do you mean harder? It's easier," coach Pete Adrian said jokingly.

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Bennett, Hampton Lady Pirates humble Howard

Hampton, Virginia  -  Hampton sophomore forward Alyssa Bennett scored a career-high 23 points as Hampton jumped on Howard early and didn’t let up in a Saturday’s 63-40 victory in a matchup of 10-win teams.

The game featured teams with matching 2-0 conference records and two of the league’s best players in Howard junior forward Saadia Doyle and Hampton senior guard Jericka Jenkins. But after a jittery start that saw the first first 4:30 pass without a point, the Lady Pirates (11-3, 3-0 MEAC) found their groove.

Hampton held Howard (10-6, 2-1 MEAC) to a season-low eight points and an 8.7 shooting percentage at halftime while outrebounding the Bison 25-14.
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Lady Bison Win Streak Snapped by Pirates

HAMPTON, VA - The Howard University women's basketball team saw its nine-game win streak snapped by Hampton, 63-40 on Saturday Jan. 7. This is the first loss for HU since Nov. 30 against St. John's, and the widest margin of victory allowed by any opponent since Nov. 22 at Ohio State. The loss drops the Bison to 2-1 in the MEAC and 10-6 overall.

The Bison struggled to get things going on the offensive end in the first 20, as they were held to just eight points at the half – Howard's lowest scoring performance since Baylor on Nov. 11.

For the game, Saadia Doyle led HU with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting (63 percent) from the floor. Tamoria Holmes tallied 12 points and five rebounds.

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LADY PIRATES STIFLE HOWARD IN DOMINATING CONFERENCE WIN

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University women’s basketball team established control early Saturday evening at the HU Convocation Center, stifling Howard offensively en route to a 63-40 win.

In the win, Hampton snapped the Lady Bison’s nine-game winning streak and handed Howard its first conference loss. The Lady Pirates (11-3, 3-0 MEAC) also established season lows in opponent’s field goal percentage and points allowed in a half.

The Lady Pirates have also won 15 straight games at home, as well as five straight over Howard.

Sophomore forward Alyssa Bennett (Hampton, Va.) led the Lady Pirates with a career-high 23 points on 11-for-16 shooting, while also tying her career high with 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Senior guard Jericka Jenkins (Lancaster, Texas) poured in 14 points and dished out a season-high-tying 11 assists for her second straight double-double.

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NSU Releases 2012 Football Schedule

(Photo: Mark W. Sutton Digital Photography)

NORFOLK, Virginia – Norfolk State University released its 2012 football schedule on Wednesday. Highlighting the slate are five home games, another road date with a Big South opponent, and a first-ever game with a team from the Mid-American Conference.

For the second straight year, NSU will play 11 straight games without a bye week before having off the final week of the FCS regular season on Nov. 17. The Spartans navigated that stretch well in 2011, finishing 9-3, winning their first-ever MEAC football title and making their initial FCS playoff appearance.

The Spartans open the season on Sept. 1 against Virginia State in the Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic at Dick Price Stadium. Kickoff will be 6 p.m. for 50th all-time meeting between the long-time rivals.

The following week, the Spartans travel west across the state of Virginia to meet 2011 Big South Conference runner-up Liberty University. The teams will be meeting for the fifth time in their history and first since 2005, when NSU defeated the Flames 34-17 at Dick Price Stadium. Liberty, which won the first three games between the schools, will return to Dick Price Stadium in 2014. Last season, NSU won 33-3 at another Big South foe, Charleston Southern.

“Playing Liberty will be a challenge for our team, especially facing them in Lynchburg,” said NSU head coach Pete Adrian. “They are always one of the top teams in their conference and we know that will be a competitive game.”

NSU opens MEAC play the following Saturday, Sept. 15, at home against Howard. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. Following their MEAC opener, the Spartans play their final non-conference game of the year at MAC power Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, on Sept. 22. This marks NSU’s fifth-ever game against an FBS team and third year in a row playing a team from the highest subdivision. The Bobcats were MAC runners-up and finished 10-4 last season, including a win in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

“We are excited to continue our streak of playing FBS teams,” said Adrian, who is a native of Brilliant, Ohio. “Ohio had a great year in 2011 and will serve as another stern challenge for our team.”

NSU’s final seven games of the season are against MEAC teams, beginning on Sept. 29 at South Carolina State. Delaware State visits NSU for a 1 p.m. game on Oct. 6 before the Spartans hit the road for consecutive games at Hampton, Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina A&T. The schedule is reversed from last season, when NSU played three straight home games in October.

“It certainly won’t be easy facing those three schools on the road in consecutive weeks, but I think our team will be up for the challenge,” Adrian said.

NSU closes the season with two straight home games – against Savannah State on the Spartans’ homecoming on Nov. 3, and against Morgan State for Senior Day on Nov. 10.

2012 NSU Football Schedule (.pdf)

Date Opponent Location Time/Result Details

9/1/2012 Virginia State (Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic) Norfolk, Va. 6 p.m.

9/8/2012 Liberty Lynchburg, Va. TBA

9/15/2012 * Howard Norfolk, Va. 4 p.m.

9/22/2012 Ohio Athens, Ohio TBA

9/29/2012 * South Carolina State Orangeburg, S.C. TBA 

10/6/2012 * Delaware State Norfolk, Va. 1 p.m. 

10/13/2012 * Hampton (Battle of the Bay) Hampton, Va. TBA 

10/20/2012 * Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA 

10/27/2012 * North Carolina A&T Greensboro, N.C. TBA 

11/3/2012 * Savannah State (Homecoming) Norfolk, Va. 2 p.m. 

11/10/2012 * Morgan State (Senior Day) Norfolk, Va. 1 p.m. 

By Matt Michalec, Sports Information Director
VISIT: NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NSUSPARTANS

NCCU Eagles bring talent, swagger to MEAC play

DURHAM, North Carolina — Back in the nest after a month on the road all the way to Eugene, Ore., the N.C. Central Eagles face Florida A&M today with another taste of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s strength.

The Eagles, in their first season since rejoining the MEAC, opened their conference schedule with a 65-46 home win over rival N.C. A&T on Dec. 3.

NCCU has come up short against stronger, more established Division I programs including Wake Forest, N.C. State, East Carolina and Wagner. The Eagles didn’t embarrass themselves in those losses, and coaches and players from those squads form a chorus about how formidable NCCU is with the additions of players who transferred from major programs.

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NCCU SPORTS NETWORK TO LIVE STREAM SATURDAY (FAMU) AND MONDAY (BETHUNE-COOKMAN) MEAC DOUBLEHEADERS

DURHAM, N.C. (NCCUEaglePride.com) – The NCCU Sports Network has announced that it will broadcast the next two home doubleheaders coming up this Saturday, Jan. 7 against Florida A&M University, and Monday, Jan. 9 against Bethune-Cookman University on both a live video stream that is $8.95 per game and a live audio stream for fans to enjoy the action of MEAC basketball.

On Saturday afternoon, tune in beginning at 1:45 for Eagle Gameday built by Dayeco Construction Co. as Lady Eagles play-by-play voice, Paul Doherty, and former standout Danielle Johnson-Webb bring you live action between the Lady Eagles and the Lady Rattlers, followed immediately with play-by-play voice, Chris Hooks, and hall-of-famer, Joe Simmons, for the men’s contest approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women’s game.

The schedule for Monday is very similar format beginning at 5:15 p.m. as NCCU takes on Bethune-Cookman in a MEAC twinbill.

To access either the video or audio stream, simply go to GameCentral on the main page of the website. The cost to watch the live video stream is $8.95 per game, while the live audio is free.

Stay up-to-date with North Carolina Central University Athletics by flying over to http://www.nccueaglepride.com/, the official website of NCCU Athletics.

NCCU vs. FAMU Notes (PDF)
2011-12 Women’s Basketball Information Guide / Game Notes: NCCU vs. Florida A&M

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It'll be ladies first when Xavier visits Philander Smith

NEW ORLEANS — The order of games for Xavier University of Louisiana's basketball doubleheader Saturday at Philander Smith has changed. XU's women, originally scheduled to play at 2 p.m., will play at noon instead. The XU men, originally scheduled for noon, will play at 2 p.m.

Both games will be played at Mims Gym in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The games will be the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference openers for both XU teams. The Gold Nuggets are 10-5 and ranked 16th in NAIA Division I, and the Gold Rush are 9-4 and ranked 21st. Philander Smith's women are 1-11 overall and 0-1 in the GCAC, and the men are 5-8 and 1-0. This is Philander Smith's first GCAC season.

The games will be the sixth in a row on the road for both XU teams. Xavier will play Tuesday at The Barn in a GCAC doubleheader against city rival SUNO, with the women tipping off at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 7:30. The first 300 XU students with a valid XU ID card will be admitted free; other XU students will play $5 for admission.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: GCACSPORTS

Texas Southern introduces new football coach Asberry

HOUSTON, Texas - Expectations will probably be modest for Darrell Asberry's first year as Texas Southern's football coach. But that didn't stop athletic director Charles McClelland from offering a lofty target during Tuesday's news conference at TSU's H&PE Arena.

"I'm not going to put too many expectations on coach Asberry, other than he has to win at least three (conference) championships during his tenure within a five-year time period," McClelland said jokingly before introducing Asberry as the program's 15th coach.

Three championships in five years might seem like a tall order, but not for someone with Asberry's background.

Asberry was hired by TSU on Dec. 22 after going 40-25 in six seasons at NCAA Division II Shaw. The Bears won three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships during Asberry's last five seasons, making appearances in the Division II playoffs in 2007 and 2010.

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Howard Women’s Basketball Extends Streak to Nine; Thrashes NJIT by 27

ZYKIA BROWN
8 points
5-8 GUARD, SENIOR
PARKDALE H.S.
RIVERDALE, MARYLAND 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Howard Women's Basketball team extended their win streak to nine by scoring 18 points off of NJIT's 19 miscues to a deciding 58-31 victory over the Highlanders at Burr Gym Thursday night. The win improves the Bison the 10-5 – including a perfect 6-0 mark at home.



TAMORIA HOLMES
HIGH SCORER: 24 Points 5 Asst.
5-6 GUARD, JUNIOR
HILLSIDE H.S.
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Tamoria Holmes led HU with a game high of 24 points and five assists. Saadia Doyle tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 boards. Zykia Brown chipped in with eight points in 28 minutes of action.



The Highlander's Rayven Johnson scored the first bucket of the first half draining a triple in the first 37 seconds. The Bison responded with baskets from Doyle at the 18:58 mark. HU quickly turned up the heat by going on a 28-4 run to end the first period. At half time, the Bison led the game with a comfortable 18 point cushion, 29-11.



Jumping into the last 20 minutes of action, Holmes fueled the Bison, scoring 12 points and spreading the lead to 25, 41-16, with 12:52 left in the match. With minor mistakes, Howard closed the game out with a 27 point lead over the Highlanders.

 

NJIT was led by Denisa Domiterova who finished with nine points, Johnson chipped in with eight points and a game-best of 12 rebounds.



Howard will look to extend its streak to 10 as it travels to Hampton, Va. on Jan 7 to take on the MEAC's top-ranked Hampton Pirates. The battle of the HU's will begin at 4 p.m.



FINAL STATS

Written by Julee O'Neal, Women's Basketball, Broadcast Journalism '13

Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information

VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

VISIT: HOWARD-BISON 

FAMU, other MEAC teams find way to beat bigger-name teams

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Two years ago when the Florida A&M women’s basketball team won 18 games for the first time in more than a decade, the Rattlers had served notice early in their schedule that they’d be a competitive team.

They beat Florida. Alabama and South Florida also made the Rattlers’ hit list. Such accomplishments — by FAMU or any other teams in the MEAC — were few not too long ago.

Before that, signature victories were mostly rivalry games or a meeting between top teams in the conference. But now teams in the MEAC are making it common to win games that they play as underdogs.

That’s happening because more talented players are coming into the conference and coaches are having more success getting their players to develop a mental edge, said LeDawn Gibson who is in her fourth season at FAMU.

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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

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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

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