TSU Welcomes EKU for Coaches vs. Cancer Game

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- After a three-game road swing, the Tennessee State University men's basketball team returns home on Saturday, Jan. 28 to host Eastern Kentucky University. Saturday's scheduled tip-off is at 7 p.m. and is Coaches vs. Cancer/80s Night at the Gentry Center.

The Tigers (12-10, 5-4 Ohio Valley) bring a two-game winning streak to the Gentry after picking up a 72-59 victory over UT Martin on Thursday. TSU scored 25 points off turnovers, while guard Patrick Miller led the Tigers with 17 points. Miller is averaging 11.9 points and leads the Tigers with 78 assists.

Eastern Kentucky (12-10, 5-4 OVC) has lost three out of its' last five games, including a 82-65 defeat to Tennessee Tech on Thursday. The Colonels have lost five straight road games and have not picked up a road win since defeating Jacksonville State, 59-53, on Jan. 17.

From the field, EKU is shooting 44 percent (508x1156) and averaging 66.3 points per game. The Colonels are committing an average of just 11.1 turnovers this season. Eastern Kentucky is led by Jaron Jones who is averaging 16.4 points per game. Freshman Eric Stutz is the leading rebounder, notching 5.1 boards per contest.

EKU has won the last two games in the series and four out of the last five. Earlier this season, TSU dropped a 73-68 contest to the Colonels in Richmond.

Robert Covington's 11 points against UTM marked the 21st straight game for Covington to reach double-figures. The junior forward is fourth in the OVC and 48th nationally with 17.5 points per contest. Covington is second in the OVC with 7.8 rebounds and third with 1.3 blocks each game.

OVC Co-Newcomer of the Week Kellen Thornton posted 14 points and three rebounds in the win at UTM. The Chicago product is averaging 10.8 ppg in the past five contests.

The Tigers are third nationally in the Boxtorow HBCU Top-5 poll, while ranking 10th in the Dr. Cavil HBCU Top-10 Major Division I HBCU poll. TSU leads the OVC with 34.7 rebounds per game, holding opponents to just 31 rebounds.

TSU Head Coach John Cooper will participate in the annual Coaches vs. Cancer® Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend, a collaborative initiative of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The TSU staff will wear sneakers instead of dress shoes with their suits during weekend games to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society and its vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Fans may support this cause by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5.00 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer and help in the search for a cure. For more information, visit the Coaches vs. Cancer Facebook page, facebook.com/coachesvscancer.

Fans can listen to Saturday's game on the Big Blue Network (102.1 FM The Light and 101.9 FM Clarksville) as Albert Dawson and Mark Pittman describe the action. Live stats and video will be available online at TSUTigers.com.

TSU Aristocrats of Bands performs at Tri-Cities High School as they prepare for the 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands, January 28 in Atlanta.

Game Notes...

SCOUTING THE COLONELS: Eastern Kentucky (12-10, 5-4 OVC) has lost three out of its' last five games. The Colonels dropped an 82-65 decision to Tennessee Tech on Thursday evening. EKU has not won a road game since defeating Jacksonville State 59-53 on Jan. 17. Jaron Jones leads the Colonels with 16.4 points per game. Near double-figures is Joshua Jones (9.3 ppg) and Eric Stutz (9.0). Stutz is EKU's leading rebounder with an average of 5.0 boards. From the field, Eastern Kentucky is shooting 44 percent (508x1156) and 33 percent (154x461) from 3-point range. The Colonels are committing only 11.1 turnovers per game in 22 contests played this season.

IT'S MILLER TIME: Patrick Miller is second on the team with 11.9 ppg, leading the team in assists (78) and second with 30 steals. He has reached double-digits in 16 out of the last 19 games. Miller has multiple assists in 15 straight games. He tied a career-high with 17 points in the win at UTM. In the last five games, Miller is averaging 11.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 3.8 apg.

NEW YEAR, NEW RESOLUTION: TSU has not posted a winning record in the month of January since the 2007-2008 campaign. However, that mark seems to be trending upward under third-year head coach John Cooper. And this year, the Tigers are hoping that is their New Year's resolution. The Tigers posted a 4-4 mark last season. The Tigers went 1-9 in 2009-10 and 3-6 during the 2008-09 season. The Tigers notched a 6-5 record in 2007-08 under then head coach Cy Alexander. TSU is currently 4-3 after a win over UT Martin.

TIGERS RANKED: TSU is currently ranked No. 3 in the Boxtorow HBCU Division I Poll and No. 10 in the Dr. Cavil Top 10 Poll released earlier this week.

R.C. ON A TEAR: Junior forward Robert Covington has led Tennessee State in scoring in 16 of 22 games played this season. At Austin Peay (Jan. 16), Covington inked his 16th career double-double by tying his career-high with 30 points. Covington also hit four treys to move to 10th all-time in made triples at TSU (119). Covington scored 11 and inked three steals in the win at UTM. He has reached double-figures in 21 games. With 17 points against UTM, Covington eclipsed the 1,000 points mark becoming the first TSU player since Gerald Robinson, Jr. in 2009 to reach that milestone. Covington has collected 14 20-plus point performances in his career. He was named to the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament team earlier this season and garnered OVC Player of the Week honors on Nov. 21. On the season, Covington ranks fourth in the OVC (48th NCAA) with 17.5 ppg, is second in the OVC in rebounding (7.8 per game) and fourth in blocks (1.3 per game). TSU is 9-5 this season when Covington scores 17 or more points.

PLAYING IT CLOSE: This season, TSU is 7-6 in single-digit games, having played the last seven contests in single margins. The 2010-11 season saw the Tigers play 18 of their 30 games, including three overtime games, in tight-nit fashion. TSU finished 9-9 in those games, 2-1 with an extra session. Ten games in a 12-game stretch from Dec. 19 (Morehead State) to Feb. 7 (Jacksonville State) all finished with less than ten points deciding the outcome.

GIVE ME A HAND: The Tigers are just 5-8 this season when dishing out 13 or fewer assists. On the contrast, the Tigers are 7-2 when they reach 15 or more assists. Earlier this season, the Tigers dished out 24 balls vs. LeMoyne-Owen, the most since notching 24 against Morehead State in 2005.

IT'S GREAT TO BE AT THE GENTRY: The Tigers boast an 18-3 record at the Gentry Center during the past two seasons. TSU has won five consecutive contests at home and finished with a 4-1 record against non-conference opponents at the Gentry. TSU has a six-game win streak against OVC opponents dating back to Feb. 5, 2011. The Tigers' only blemishes were losses to Belmont (2010), Murray State (2011) and MTSU (2011). TSU has a +11.0 average scoring margin at home this season.

THE IRONMAN - WIL POWER: Nashville native and Whites Creek product Wil Peters has been instrumental in the rise of the TSU program. Peters has played in 114 games and 3,177 minutes during his four-year career. The senior has 73 assists in 22 games (3.3 apg). He has totaled 344 assists for 3.0 per game in his tenure. Miller leads the Tigers with 32 steals. During the last five games, he has dished out 16 assists. Peters is averaging 7.9 points and 33 minutes per game this season.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS (RPI): The recent RPI ratings released on Monday, Jan. 23 gave TSU a number of 239, ranking them seventh in the OVC. TSU has faced four opponents with a top-100 RPI: North Carolina 13, Saint Louis 51, Middle Tennessee 54 and Belmont 94. TSU will also play OVC-foe Murray State twice this season, which holds a 33 RPI.

GRABBING THE BOARDS: Tennessee State leads the OVC and is 66th in the NCAA with a +3.7 rebounding margin. TSU is pulling in 34.7 rebounds per contest, while limiting opponents to 31.0 per game. Robert Covington leads TSU with 7.8 rebounds a contest, ranking second in the conference. The Tigers are 9-4 when grabbing 35+ rebounds. TSU's streak of out-rebounding opponents was snapped at 11 against UTM.

LIMITING THE OPPOSITION: When TSU limits its' opposition to 45 percent or less shooting, the Tigers are a remarkable 11-1. TSU is also 10-2 when they hold opponents to less than 67 points. TSU has a 6-0 record when opponents bank less than 40 percent of their FGAs. In contrast, the Tigers are 0-7 when giving up 50 percent or more.

TRIPLE THREAT: The Tigers have plenty of options when it comes to 3-point shooting. TSU ranks sixth in the OVC with a 35.9 average (144-of-401). Four players have combined for 322 career made 3-pointers: Robert Covington (119), Wil Peters (118), Kenny Moore (45) and Patrick Miller (40). Covington ranks 10th all-time at TSU with 119 triples, passing former teammate Jacquan Nobles' mark of 117.

NEWCOMERS PROVIDING SCORING DEPTH: TSU newcomers have added much needed depth for the Tigers. Transfers Jordan Cyphers and Kellen Thornton are averaging 8.3 and 8.1 ppg, respectively. Thornton was named OVC Co-Newcomer of the Week on Jan. 23 after posting 11.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in games against APSU and EIU. He scored 14 points in the victory at UTM.

MARGINALLY TELLING: Tennessee State has played in many closely contested games since the 2008-09 seasons. During that span, the Tigers are 9-22 on the road in games decided by six points or less. In contrast, the Tigers boast a 14-2 record at the Gentry.

RHETT MAKING NOISE: Redshirt freshman forward M.J. Rhett has made some considerable noise in the past five games. He has averaged 5.2 boards per game during that span. Rhett has reached double-digit rebounds in three games this season. He is averaging 4.7 rebounds per game, which ranks second on the squad.

SETTING THE MARK: Robert Covington and Wil Peters are close to reaching some career marks at Tennessee State. Covington is just 96 points away from reaching TSU's top-20 list for points scored and passing Mike Johnson's mark of 1,251 points set during the 1972-76 seasons. Covington is just 54 rebounds away from reaching 13th on the all-time list. He has corralled 605 rebounds in 84 career games played. Peters is 121 points away from reaching 1,000 points in his career. Peters is also 105 assists shy of becoming the all-time assists leader at Tennessee State.

WHO WE GOT?: Tennessee State will find out on Monday, Jan. 30 who the Tigers will face in the Sears ESPN BracketBuster.

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

Coach G Uses Facebook to Offer an Inside Look at the Howard Women’s Basketball Program

Washington D.C. -- Head women’s basketball coach Niki Geckeler offers fans a behind the scenes look at the Howard Women’s Basketball program by utilizing Facebook. The community can follow the team by going to www.facebook.com/NikiGeckeler and clicking “like.” It is a way for Coach G. to keep supporters informed with the progress of the program, and also engage with alumni/fans.

“I think this is a great way to reach out to the community and the Howard University Bison family,” says Coach G. “It will keep them up to date on the Howard Women's Basketball program.”

Last year, the Bison ended the season with a disappointing loss to the MEAC two-time champions, Hampton University. As HU women’s basketball took time to prepare during the off-season, they used the defeat as fuel for this year.

With the big picture in mind, the Bison understand the steps they need to take in order to walk away with the MEAC title.

After finishing runner-up in the MEAC 2010-11 Tournament, Howard was invited to the Preseason Women’s National-Invitational Tournament (WNIT) for the opening of the 2011-12 fall season.

HU began the WNIT competition facing Big-12 opponent, Baylor University. After falling to both Baylor and Akron in the first two games, Howard found success by edging Detroit, 60-58, for its first win of the season.

To push through its tough schedule, HU was handed consecutive losses to Ohio State, Loyola and St. John’s.

On Dec 3, the Bison tipped off the month with their first conference match against Coppin St. After defeating the Eagles, the Bison jumped into a nine game winning streak by upsetting teams such as ACC opponent, Wake Forest and Big East opponent, Seton Hall.

HU was on-a-roll with an improving 10-5 record. During that stretch, the Bison notched eight double-digit wins, including its widest margin of victory against Buffalo, 81-57. The streak came to a sudden halt with a disappointing loss to Hampton, however.


The Bison are currently 13-7 overall, and 5-2 in MEAC play.



Jamilah Corbett

As the community continues to support the Howard women’s basketball team on their road to the MEAC Championship title, follow Coach G on Facebook to get a behind the scenes look at their push to the Big Dance: www.facebook.com/NikiGeckeler .



Jamilah Corbett, Asst. Director of Sports Information

VISIT: HOWARD-BISON

VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Scores That Matters!!

January 26, 2012

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MEAC
Savannah State 74, Talladega 58
Maryland Eastern Shore 59, Lincoln Pa. 45 (1/25/12)

GCAC
Cumberland TN 60, Fisk 52

CIAA
Virginia Union 59, Virginia State 48
Chowan 68, Elizabeth City State 59
Livingstone 80, Allen 68 (1/25/12)

OTHERS
Voorhees SC 59, Morris SC 40
LSU Shreveport 75, Wiley TX 70
Langston OK 86, Texas College 63
Jarvis Christian TX 51, Huston-Tillotson TX 49
William Woods 68 Harris-Stowe State (MO) 44

SIAC
Tuskegee 74, Lane 60
Stillman 58, Kentucky State 54
Benedict 48, Claflin 45
Albany State 81, Miles 69
Fort Valley State 74, LeMoyne-Owen 64



MEN BASKETBALL

CIAA
Chowan 80, Elizabeth City State 72
Shaw 80, Livingstone 77

OTHER
Harris-Stowe State (MO) 71, William Woods
Morris SC 87, Voorhees SC 70
Abilene Christian 88, Paul Quinn TX 70
Jarvis Christian TX 106, Huston-Tillotson TX 86
Texas College 79, Langston OK 77
LSU Shreveport 67, Wiley TX 56
Life GA 108, Oakwood AL 91

SIAC
Claflin 77, Benedict 58
Stillman 79, Kentucky State 76
Lane 83, Tuskegee 66
Miles 60, Albany State 56
Clark Atlanta 77, Morehouse 64
LeMoyne-Owen 73, Fort Valley State 68

GCAC
Mountain State WV 84, Talladega 67


Fort Valley State University Blue Machine Marching Band Recruitment Video 2012

2011 SIAC Football Highlights

Former Jackson State University coach sues school

JACKSON, Mississippi - Denise Taylor, the former Jackson State women's basketball coach who was fired in June, has filed a lawsuit against the university alleging wrongful termination and discrimination.

The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court, is seeking unspecified damages.

According to information received by The Clarion-Ledger through public records requests, Taylor's firing stemmed from ...

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Ex-JSU Coach Sues to Get Job Back

JACKSON, Mississippi - Denise Taylor-Travis says she was fired after claiming inequity.

Taylor-Travis coached 10 seasons of the Jackson State Women's basketball team. School officials fired her last June. Her lawyer, Louis Watson, says school officials said she was fired over claims of harassment, violation of policy, misuse of funds, and not complying with school standards.

However, Watson believes his client was really fired after she claimed school officials violated the Title IX ammendment by giving more funding to men's sports. Taylor-Travis also claimed she could not go certain conventions that her male colleagues attended.

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No room for error: ASU Hornets hope to end losing slide

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - It was a long bus ride home from Baton Rouge, La. The loss to Southern was bad enough, but the shooting percentage (54 percent) of the Jaguars was higher than any Southwestern Athletic Conference team has recorded against a Lewis Jackson-coached team in recent memory.

And the Alabama State men's basketball players have paid the price for it this week. "It's been really extreme these past couple of days," said senior Tramaine Butler. "Practice has been pretty crazy these last three days."

This was a team picked to win the conference and even if Jackson would have given the edge to Mississippi Valley State because of its strong presence in the paint and its perimeter shooters, he never would have expected his team to go on the road in January and allow Alcorn State and Southern to shoot a combined 51 percent from the field.

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MEAC Tournament 2012

Tennessee State University Volleyball Season Review

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  - The Tennessee State University 2011 volleyball season may not have ended with an Ohio Valley Conference championship but it was still a successful run that featured a number of accomplishments for the Tiger program.

Tennessee State finished the 2011 campaign with an overall record of 18-11 (13-7 OVC) after being selected to place eighth in the preseason predictions.

TSU wrapped up the season in second place in the conference standings and boasted three All-OVC team selections, including the 2011 OVC Player of the Year, Shaquita Williams. Erika Moss and Terakka Walker also garnered post-season honors.

Williams became the first Tennessee State University player to receive Player of the Year honors since the award began in 1985.

TSU kicked-off the season on a good note after defeating South Carolina State and Loyola (MD) at the Big Orange Bash to finish the tournament in second place. The Tigers also notched a second place finish at the Bear Brawl a week later.

The Tigers opened up Ohio Valley Conference action with a loss at Morehead State before winning three straight matches. The 3-1 record was good for fourth place in the league standings.

TSU went 6-5 over the next 11 contests before winning five out of the last six matches of the season to make a push for second place in the OVC.

Tennessee State entered the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference tournament as the second seed and faced UT Martin in the semifinals. After receiving a bye in the first round, TSU dropped a tough 3-1 (22-25, 21-25, 25-10, 18-25) decision to UTM.

With the 18-7 record, TSU had its first winning season since the 2007 campaign. For a full list of 2011 Volleyball Notables Click Here

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

Xavier's Erves named Boxtorow National Player of the Week

DENZELL ERVES #15
BOXTOROW NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
6' 7"/205 FORWARD, JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI
VICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL

FUQUAY-VARINA, North Carolina -- Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball forward Denzell Erves has been named Boxtorow National Player of the Week.

The 6-foot-7 junior from Vicksburg, Miss., averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in two victories for the Gold Rush last week.

Erves is featured on http://www.boxtorow.com/ as Boxtorow National Player of the Week and will also appear as a guest on the sports talk show FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW with host Donal Ware.

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW airs on 36 radio stations around the country including Saturdays from noon-1 p.m. in New Orleans on WBOK-AM 1230 as well as at www.boxtorow.com. Boxtorow also airs Fridays from noon-1 p.m. CT on Sirius XM Channel 141. For a list of radio stations that carry the show, visit http://www.boxtorow.com/affiliates.php

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW airs in markets such as Atlanta, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Raleigh, New Orleans, Nashville, and Austin, Texas.

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW is the nationally syndicated sports talk radio show that places major emphasis on HBCU Sports. The show is celebrating six years on the air and was featured in JET Magazine (Aug. 9/16, 2010).

NOTE: This news release comes from Donal Ware of DWCommunications. Xavier's Denzell Erves was selected from players at all HBCUs, including NCAA Division I members.

Tennessee State Tigers Use All-Around Effort to Derail UTM

MARTIN, Tennessee  -  Tennessee State University used a combination of defense and strong second-half shooting to defeat UT Martin, 72-59, at the Elam Center on Thursday evening.

Three Tigers reached double-digits as Tennessee State improved to 12-10, 5-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference. TSU used a 16-to-6 run in the second half to pull away and sweep the regular season series with the Skyhawks.

The Skyhawks (3-19, 0-9 OVC) turned the ball over 20 times, shooting 44 percent (20-of-46) for the game. TSU scored 25 points off 20 UTM turnovers.

Offensively, the Tigers shot 48 percent (23-of-48) from the field, making 24-of-34 attempts at the free throw line. In the second half, TSU made 12-of-18 for 67 percent from the field. TSU was out-rebounded by an opponent, 31-29, for the first time in 11 games.

Patrick Miller led the Tigers with 17 points, all of which were scored in the second half. The sophomore was 7-of-11 from the field. He also dished out three assists, notching a career-best two blocks and a steal.

Reigning Co-OVC Newcomer of the Week Kellen Thornton scored 14 points, picking up three boards in 24 minutes.

Also reaching double-figures for the 21st straight game was Robert Covington. The junior forward added 11 points, swatting away three blocks, recording three steals and dishing out two assists in 24 minutes.

Forward Kenny Moore set a season-high with four assists and three rebounds. In 20 minutes of action, Moore also picked up a block and a steal.

Senior Wil Peters added seven points and three rebounds, while freshman M.J. Rhett notched four points and four rebounds. Guard Jay Harris tallied seven points, an assist and a steal.

Tennessee State held a narrow 26-25 lead over the Skyhawks in the first half. The Tigers shot 37 percent (11-of-30) from the field, as Covington led TSU with 10 points. The Tigers scored 20 of their 26 points off of UTM turnovers, forcing 14 in the first half.

The Tigers jumped out early to a 10-5 advantage with 15:36 left on the clock as Covington and Harris combined for all the points. UTM fought back tying the game at 10, but TSU used a 10-0 run to stretch their lead to 10.

UTM used a 9-to-2 run, narrowing the Tigers' advantage to 22-19 with 3:43 left in the first period. The Skyhawks used back-to-back baskets from Corderio Maclin to take a brief 25-22 lead. TSU snapped a six minute scoreless drought with four consecutive points, taking a 26-25 lead at the break.

In the second half, TSU started on a 16-to-6 run, capped off by a Chris Conner trey at 14:32 to take a 42-31 advantage. TSU stretched its lead to 16 with a basket at 8:37. From there, the Tigers traded baskets and sealed the win at the free throw line.

Tennessee State returns to the Gentry Center for a two-game home stand beginning on Saturday. The Big Blue welcomes Eastern Kentucky for a 7 p.m. start.

TSU at UTM Box Score

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

Tallahassee Godby offensive lineman Griffin commits to play at Savannah State

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - A visit to Savannah, Ga., this past weekend made the decision that much easier for Percy Griffin. A senior offensive lineman on the Godby High football team, Griffin committed Wednesday night to the Savannah State Tigers. He becomes the seventh Cougar to commit to a four-year university.

"I liked Savannah State because the head coach — Coach (Steve) Davenport — made me and my family feel like it was home," Griffin said. "They have a really good coaching staff and I enjoyed meeting them. I really enjoyed meeting their players, too."

Griffin (6-foot-3, 300 pounds) made it a point to thank the other programs who recruited him, including Troy, Western Kentucky and Albany State. "I want them to know how thankful I am they showed interest in me," Griffin said.




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Donald Evans heading to CIAA hall of fame

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - It’s hard to believe that Donald Evans of Winston-Salem State hadn’t already been enshrined into the CIAA’s John B. McLendon Hall of Fame. But Evans, a former football star for the Rams, will be enshrined on March 2 at the Charlotte Convention Center during the CIAA basketball tournament.

Evans, whose son, also named Donald, was a backup lineman on the 13-1 Rams this past season, became the highest-drafted player in school history when he was a second-round pick in 1987 by the Los Angeles Rams. He wound up playing eight seasons in the NFL with the Rams, Eagles, Steelers and Jets.

During his 90 games in the NFL he had 17 sacks with his best season coming in 1993 when he had 6.5 sacks for the Steelers.

Bill Hayes, the athletics director at WSSU, was Evans’ coach when he played for the Rams in the mid-1980s. Despite being such a high draft pick Evans, who was enshrined into WSSU’s Big House Gaines hall of fame in 2004, never made an All-CIAA team during his career.

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Tennessee State Football Hosts Signing Day Event Next Week

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Tennessee State University football team will host its' annual signing day event on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in the TSU Faculty Dining Center.

Third year Head Coach Rod Reed and others from the TSU football staff will be on hand to discuss the latest additions to the Big Blue football program. Fans will have a chance to get an inside scoop on the season ahead.



Admission to the signing day event is free and open to the public. All of those in attendance will also receive a complimentary ticket to the Lady Tigers vs. Eastern Kentucky game at 7 p.m. inside the Gentry Center.

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Juco standout Huggins joins XU Gold Rush for spring season

COREY HUGGINS
 MEN'S TENNIS TEAM
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

NEW ORLEANS — Corey Huggins, a standout the past two seasons for Seminole State College of Seminole, Okla., has signed a men's tennis scholarship with Xavier University of Louisiana.

Huggins, a 6-foot-2, 182-pound right-hander from Brooklyn, N.Y., is an XU junior majoring in marketing and eligible for the 2012 spring season, which the Gold Rush will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Tulane.

Huggins was a semifinalist at No. 5 singles at the 2011 NJCAA Division I National Tournament and, for the second consecutive year, helped the Trojans finish fifth in the team standings. This past season he recorded a doubles victory against Baylor, ranked 13th in NCAA Division I, and a singles victory against Cameron, ranked 19th in NCAA Division II. As a freshman Huggins was a regional runner-up in doubles during the fall and finished fifth in the NJCAA division of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.

Huggins was 19-6 in singles as a Seminole sophomore. He was 14-5 in singles and 18-6 in doubles as a freshman. In the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association NJCAA rankings, Huggins was 84th in singles and 18th in doubles as a sophomore and 47th in singles and 19th in doubles as a freshman.

"Corey is a strong doubles player and has a really big forehand," Seminole coach Brian Nelson said. "He's solid at the net with his volleying. He's a mature tennis player. He doesn't get rattled and doesn't get nervous, probably because of all the juniors experience he has."

Huggins is a native of Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and moved to the United States from that Caribbean country in 2004. He graduated from Brooklyn's Bedford Stuyvesant Preparatory High School but did not compete in sports there. TennisRecruiting.net rated him as a four-star recruit.

Huggins is one of four newcomers — the others are Loic Didavi, Nikita Soifer and Viktor Svoboda — on the Gold Rush roster.

NOTES: XU coach Alan Green said fifth-year student Ashley McGill has rejoined the women's roster for 2012. McGill, who played tennis the past two seasons and basketball the past four seasons for the Gold Nuggets, is from Memphis, Tenn., and a graduate of Northside High School. The Gold Nuggets' first match will start at 9 a.m. Sunday at Tulane.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Charleston's West Ashley Football Star Commits to Howard Bison

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - Marvin Harris has shut it down. The West Ashley High senior just recently made his decision as to where he will be suiting up next season. The 6-4, 240 pound OL/DL will be taking his skill set to Howard University, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, also known as the MEAC.

Harris chose Howard over North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, amongst several other small DI programs. Harris, who primarily lined up at right tackle for the Wildcats last season, informed us that the coaching staff at Howard plans to bring him on as a tight end.

Harris took his official visit to Howard University on this past weekend, where he was highly intrigued with what the prestigious MEAC program had to offer.





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Grambling adds trio of commitments

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -  The Grambling State defense helped carry the Tigers to a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship this year. On Wednesday, the Tigers got verbal confirmation that reinforcements are on the way as a pair of defensive recruits committed to play at GSU.

The Tigers added size in 6-foot-2, 254-pound Houston defensive lineman Devaughn Madise and speed in Byrd cornerback/return specialist Nicholas Peoples (5-10, 180). Peoples was The Times' All-City Defensive Player of the Year after recording 62 tackles and intercepting four passes for the state semifinalist Yellow Jackets.

Grambling also secured an offensive commitment, landing Dallas Skyline receiver Travondre Raybon, whose build is similar to that of departed big-play receiver Mario Louis. The 6-2, 190-pound Raybon expressed a strong level of commitment to Grambling.

READ THE ARTICLE

XU's Rush, Nuggets will face challenging 2012 schedules

COACH ALAN GREEN
MEN'S & WOMEN'S TENNIS HEAD COACH
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA



NEW ORLEANS — The Xavier University of Louisiana tennis teams will get a heavy concentration of ranked NAIA opponents and NCAA Division I opponents in 2012.

Alan Green, in his ninth season as coach of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets, announced Tuesday the spring portion of the schedules.

Approximately 65 percent of both teams' schedules will consist of opponents which were ranked in the final 2011 NAIA coaches top 25 poll or are NCAA D-I members. Xavier competes in the NAIA.

Competition will begin this weekend when the XU men visit Tulane at 2 p.m. Saturday. XU's women will visit Tulane at 9 a.m. Sunday. The first home duals will be Feb. 1 when Xavier's men and women play the University of New Orleans at the City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center, which opened 10 months ago. That facility will play host to most of Xavier's home matches this season.

Ranked 2011 NAIA teams on the schedules of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets include top-10 programs Auburn Montgomery — whose women won the national championship this past season — Point Loma Nazarene and Vanguard. NCAA Division I opponents will include the men and women of Nicholls State and the women of Louisiana Tech and South Alabama.

"This will be our toughest men's and women's schedules ever," Green said. "I'm not looking to play a lot of cream puffs. We want to challenge ourselves with difficult competition and use those challenges to become better and stronger."

For the second straight year the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference will not crown tennis champions — only Xavier, Tougaloo and Fisk sponsor the sport — but both XU teams will compete in an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament in the Atlanta area in late April for automatic bids to the NAIA National Championships.

Xavier's men will attempt earn a fourth consecutive berth at the NAIA nationals, and the women will attempt to qualify for the sixth time in eight seasons. The Gold Nuggets missed qualifiying last year after reaching the previous three seasons.

The first NAIA team rankings of the season will be announced next Wednesday.

2012 Xavier Women's Tennis Schedule
January
29 Sunday: at Tulane, 9 a.m.

February
1 Wednesday: NEW ORLEANS, 3 p.m. (1)

4 Saturday: at South Alabama, 11 a.m.

10 Friday: at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
12 Sunday: at McNeese State, noon
18 Saturday: • TOUGALOO, 10 a.m. (2)
18 Saturday: BELHAVEN, 3 p.m. (2)
24 Friday: at Southeastern Louisiana, 6 p.m.
25 Saturday: WILLIAM CAREY, 10 a.m. (1)

March

3 Saturday: at Southern, noon

6 Tuesday: TENNESSEE WESLEYAN, 3 p.m. (1)
7 Wednesday: SHORTER, 3 p.m. (1)
9 Friday-11 Sunday: at AUM Invitational, Montgomery, Ala.
14 Wednesday: NICHOLLS STATE, 3 p.m. (1)
17 Saturday: LOUISIANA TECH, 11 a.m. (1)
17 Saturday: LOYOLA, 5 p.m. (1)
20 Tuesday: CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, 4 p.m. (1)
24 Saturday: AUBURN MONTGOMERY, 4 p.m. (2)

April

2 Monday: at Point Loma Nazarene, 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)

3 Tuesday: at Westmont, 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)
4 Wednesday: at Concordia (Calif.), 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)
5 Thursday: at Vanguard, noon (10 a.m. PDT)
14 Saturday: • at Tougaloo, 9 a.m.
14 Saturday: at Alcorn State, 3 p.m.
27 Friday-28 Saturday: NAIA unaffiliated group tournament at Norcross, Ga.

May
15 Tuesday-19 Saturday: NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

Home matches in BOLD TYPE
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match
All times are Central except where noted
(1) at City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center
(2) at University of New Orleans Tennis Center
TBA — to be announced

2012 Xavier Men's Tennis Schedule

January

28 Saturday: at Tulane, 2 p.m.

February
1 Wednesday: NEW ORLEANS, 3 p.m. (1)
10 Friday: at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
11 Saturday: Bethany (Kan.), 10 a.m. (3)
18 Saturday: • TOUGALOO, 10 a.m. (2)
18 Saturday: BELHAVEN, 3 p.m. (2)
25 Saturday: WILLIAM CAREY, 10 a.m. (1)

March
6 Tuesday: TENNESSEE WESLEYAN, 3 p.m. (1)
7 Wednesday: SHORTER, 3 p.m. (1)
9 Friday-11 Sunday: at AUM Invitational, Montgomery, Ala.
14 Wednesday: NICHOLLS STATE, 3 p.m. (1)
17 Saturday: LOYOLA, 5 p.m. (1)
24 Saturday: AUBURN MONTGOMERY, 4 p.m. (2)

April
2 Monday: at Point Loma Nazarene, 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)
3 Tuesday: at Westmont, 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)
4 Wednesday: at Concordia (Calif.), 4 p.m. (2 p.m. PDT)

5 Thursday: at Vanguard, noon (10 a.m. PDT)

14 Saturday: • at Tougaloo, 9 a.m.

14 Saturday: at Alcorn State, 3 p.m.

27 Friday-28 Saturday: NAIA unaffiliated group tournament at Norcross, Ga.

May

15 Tuesday-19 Saturday: NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

Home matches in BOLD TYPE

• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match

All times are Central except where noted

(1) at City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center

(2) at University of New Orleans Tennis Center

(3) at Prairie View, Texas

TBA — to be announced

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

TSU's Jasmin Shuler named adidas® OVC Player of the Week

JASMIN SHULER
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - JUNIOR CLASS
HOMETOWN: CLARKSVILLE, TN
KENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University women's basketball junior Jasmin Shuler was named the adidas® OVC Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Shuler, a 5-8 guard, led TSU in scoring last week to help the Lady Tigers go 1-1 in Ohio Valley Conference action. The Clarksville, Tenn. native averaged 30.0 points per game and shot over 50 percent from the field and beyond the arc.

She exploded for a career-high 38 points on 14-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-9 from three-point range in an, 86-80, overtime win against Morehead State. She also tallied five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the victory.

Against Eastern Illinois, she led the Lady Tigers with 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting. She knocked down three triples and registered four rebounds in the game.

Shuler leads TSU while ranking sixth in the OVC in scoring with 15.9 points per game. She is also fourth in the league in made three-pointers and ninth in three-point field goal percentage.

This marks the first time that Shuler has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week and the fourth time a Tennessee State player has received a weekly award this season. Destiney Gaston was named Player of the Week on Dec. 6 while Rachel Allen garnered two Freshman of the Week honors on Nov. 22 and Jan. 3.

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

TSU's Avian Hughes Named BEYA STEM Award Winner

AVIAN HUGHES
6'2" JUMPS
HOMETOWN: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
TOM CLARK HIGH SCHOOL

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University's Avian Hughes was selected as a Black Engineer of the Year Award's STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) student-athlete award winner last week.

Hughes, a member of the TSU track & field program, holds a 3.10 GPA with a major in Electrical Engineering. He has been a three-year letter winner for the Flying Tigers track & field team and a member of the Air Force ROTC program.

"Avian is a great example of what being a college student is all about," noted TSU Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services, Dr. Johnnie Smith. "For a young man to balance academics, athletics and ROTC, and excel in all three, he is truly the epitome of excellence. I am so proud of Avian and I salute him on this national achievement."

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Hughes claimed All-Conference accolades during his freshman campaign in the long jump. Hughes primarily focuses in the long jump and triple jump.

His best triple jump mark this season came with a distance of 13.57-meters at the UNC Dick Taylor Invitational. Hughes also leapt 7.04m in the long jump at the Dick Taylor Invitational.

"First of all congratulations to Avian for being an outstanding student-athlete," said TSU Track & Field Director Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice. "He is really dedicated on what he does on the track and it shows in the classroom as well."

Hughes will be recognized at the Student Leadership Awards Dinner during the 26th annual BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference in Philadelphia, Pa., on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

Scores That Matter!!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MEAC
Hampton 78, South Carolina State 66
Morehead State 75, Norfolk State 69

CIAA
North Greenville 67, Fayetteville State 65
Virginia State 66, Johnson C. Smith 63
Winston Salem State 100, Washington Adventist 84

SIAC
Lane 64, Stillman 62
LeMoyne-Owen 83, Albany State 65
Tuskegee 65, Kentucky State 60
Clark Atlanta 54, Claflin 51
Paine 60, Benedict 55
Fort Valley State 73, Miles 69



WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

CIAA
Shaw 63, Virginia Union 57
Johnson C. Smith 59, Virginia State 55

SIAC
Stillman 62, Lane 39
Tuskegee 64, Kentucky State 54
LeMoyne-Owen 76, Albany State 66
Paine 55, Benedict 28
Clark Atlanta 75, Claflin 72
Miles 59, Fort Valley State 57

GCAC
Philander Smith 66, Central Baptist AR 61

OTHERS
Voorhees SC 73, Webber International 66

Crosstown Classic returns with free tickets for XU students

NEW ORLEANS — The oldest college basketball rivalry in New Orleans, Xavier vs. Dillard, will heat up again Saturday when the Crosstown Classic returns for what should be the final time at The Barn.

The women's game will start at 5 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7. Tailgating in front of The Barn will start at 3 p.m.

The Barn, Xavier's gymnasium since 1937, will be replaced later this year by a 4,500-seat facility, the Convocation Academic Center, which is under construction.

Xavier students with a valid XU identification card will be admitted free to the doubleheader. A limited number of advance student admission tickets will be available through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University Center information desk on the first floor and from 2 to 4 p.m. in the XU Office of Student Services, room 305b on the UC's third floor.

Additional student tickets will be available at the box office at The Barn beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday.

A limited number of $10 general admission tickets will be available in the athletics administration office of The Barn from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Thursday. Tickets also will be sold at the doubleheader.

"Because seating at The Barn is limited, we ask our students to arrive early to the games on Saturday, regardless of when they pick up their tickets," said Dennis Cousin, XU's director of athletics.

Fans unable to attend can watch the doubleheader on the internet via PSBLive.com. The free webcasts can be accessed at www.xula.edu/athletics/stream.

The games will be the 122nd meeting between the men's teams and the 75th between the women's teams. The men's series began in the 1947-48 season, and the women's series started in 1977-78.

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

Panthers Hold Off UAPB In A 76-75 Thriller On ESPNU

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Jourdan DeMuynck hit the go-ahead free throw with 22 seconds remaining as Prairie View A&M held off Arkansas-Pine Bluff 76-75 in conference action on Monday before 4,319 fans in the William Nicks Building.

“Every time we play them (UAPB) the game comes down to one point,” said head coach Byron Rimm II. “Both teams were amped to play each other and it showed both on-and-off the court.”

Holding a one-point halftime lead, Prairie View A&M jumped out to a 45-38 lead less than two minutes in. UAPB closed to within three on two occasions but the Panthers held their ground as they claimed their largest lead (52-44) of the evening at the 15:16 mark following a jumper from DeMuynck.



UAPB refused to go away though as they continued to hang around and closed to within one point on two occasions over the next nine minutes. The Golden Lions regained the lead for the first time since the first half with 6:45 left as Savalance Townsend recorded a three-point play for a 65-64 advantage. Nearly a minute later, DeMuynck hit 1-of-2 free throws to knot the contest at 65.

From that point, the game went back-and-forth as UAPB's Clay Johnson hit a basket followed by two free throws by PV's Marcellus Jackson. Townsend moved the Golden Lions back on top 69-67 with 4:51 left following a driving layup down the lane. However, Jackson kept the Panthers in contention as he tied the contest at 69-all with a huge basket in the paint.

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Mississippi Valley State edges TSU in OT

HOUSTON, Texas - Several fans rushed the court at Texas Southern's H&PE Arena to celebrate when TSU guard Madarious Gibbs made a layup as time expired in regulation against Mississippi Valley State to send the game into overtime tied at 63.

Security officials needed several minutes to clear the court so the contest could continue. Unfortunately for TSU fans, the celebration was premature.

Gibbs hit two layups in the final 12 seconds of regulation to send the game into overtime, but TSU fell flat in the extra period en route to dropping a 77-69 decision to the Delta Devils before a crowd of 1,412 on Monday night.

The Tigers, who ended their home winning streak at 14, shot themselves in the foot repeatedly in the final minutes. TSU (6-13, 5-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) made only ...

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Erves earns Xavier's fourth straight GCAC player award

DENZELL ERVES

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Denzell Erves is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's basketball for Jan. 16-22. It's the second time this season that Erves earned the honor and the fourth consecutive week that the Gold Rush received the award.

Erves, a 6-foot-7 junior forward from Vicksburg, Miss., and a graduate of Vicksburg High School, averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks and shot 73.7 percent from the floor and 90 percent from the line during Xavier's 2-0 week. Erves had career highs of 23 points and 13 rebounds Jan. 16 in an 87-80 home victory against Philander Smith — 17 points and nine rebounds in the second half to help Xavier erase a seven-point halftime deficit — and 14 points in a 77-64 home victory against Talladega on Saturday. He scored five points against Talladega during an 11-2 second-half run which gave Xavier the lead for good.

Erves has started all 20 games this season and is averaging 8.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 24.8 minutes. He is shooting 56.2 percent from the floor and 78 percent from the line. Erves leads Xavier with 18 blocked shots.

Four XU players — the others are Cordell Hadnot, Nick Haywood and Anthony Simmons — have accounted for six of the GCAC's 11 player awards this season. Simmons won the award the previous two weeks, and Hadnot started the Gold Rush streak with a victory for Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

Xavier, 14-6 and ranked 19th in NAIA Division I, will play Dillard at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Crosstown Classic at The Barn.

Xavier's 2011-12 GCAC Players of the Week in Men's Basketball

Oct. 31-Nov. 6 Denzell Erves

Nov. 21-27 Nick Haywood

Dec. 26-Jan. 1 Cordell Hadnot

Jan. 2-8 Anthony Simmons

Jan. 9-15 Anthony Simmons

Jan. 16-22 Denzell Erves

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