With a team full of long-range shooters, Eagles are the No. 2 team in the country in 3-pointers per game
BALTIMORE, Maryland - Before every Coppin State practice this season, a band of shooters from one of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams in Division I gathers around a rim inside the Physical Education Complex for a little friendly competition.
The goal is simple, guard Tony Gallo explains, and the battles typically taut. Knock down 10 shots from beyond the arc before anyone else does, and you win. Lately, Gallo's won a lot. Or has he? "He said he was in the lead?" forward Logan Wiens exclaimed in mock disbelief Monday. "I don't know about that one."
Mute the background rap music/noise for better enjoyment.
On a team that has 3-pointers account for more than 40 percent of its scoring, perhaps these kinds of grudges are only natural. The Eagles' 9.9 3-pointers per game trail only Florida (10.2 per game) nationally, and three players shoot 40 percent or better from beyond the arc.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Sammeika Thomas makes it work at Miles College
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| SAMMEIKA THOMAS 6-2 FORWARD, SENIOR HOMETOWN: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA TRANSFER: RUTGERS UNIVERSITY |
Senior forward juggles parenting, school, work and basketball
FAIRFIELD, Alabama - When she's not rubbing off a screen, she's screening passengers. When not picking up her teammates with a solid season, she's picking up her kids and making sure they are taken care of. Such is the life of Sammeika Thomas, Miles College's 6-foot-2 senior forward.
Thomas, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's reigning Player of the Year, is doing it all. She's a fulltime student, a TSA passenger screener at the Birmingham Airport and a basketball standout – all while raising two small children on her own.
"It's not really hard for me because I'm a very motivated person," Thomas said. "I know that I have to work in order for my kids to survive. I also understand I have to finish school to earn the money that I want to make, or have the career that I want to have. So it's really not hard balancing it. My job helps me a lot. My coaches help me a lot, and my teammates. So it's not very hard as people would think. But it's very tiring."
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Shaw University ranked 6th in NABC Division II Poll
RALEIGH, North Carolina — Shaw moved up three spots in this week's National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II poll, coming in at sixth. This is the highest ranking in the history of the men's basketball program at Shaw. Last week the Bears were ninth in the poll.
The program's previous high ranking was in 2002-2003 when they were tenth in the first poll of the season.
Last week, the Bears handily defeated Fayetteville State and Winston-Salem State to raise their record to 23-2 and continue what is now a 19-game winning streak. Shaw is 15-0 in the CIAA and 9-0 in the Southern Division. The Bears have already clinched the division title.
After last week’s number one team, Bellarmine, suffered a loss, West Liberty takes over the top spot in the poll. Last season, West Liberty knocked Shaw out of the NCAA tournament in the second round.
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The program's previous high ranking was in 2002-2003 when they were tenth in the first poll of the season.
Last week, the Bears handily defeated Fayetteville State and Winston-Salem State to raise their record to 23-2 and continue what is now a 19-game winning streak. Shaw is 15-0 in the CIAA and 9-0 in the Southern Division. The Bears have already clinched the division title.
After last week’s number one team, Bellarmine, suffered a loss, West Liberty takes over the top spot in the poll. Last season, West Liberty knocked Shaw out of the NCAA tournament in the second round.
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Virginia State wins fifth straight, blowing out Lincoln (Pa.)
ETTRICK, Virginia - There is no team in the CIAA that has improved more than Virginia State, and now they're playing good enough basketball that they're a dangerous team headed into the conference tournament.
The Trojans dominated Lincoln (PA) Monday night, 75-51 at Daniel Gymnasium, avenging an earlier season 20 point loss to the Lions.
VSU stormed ahead to a nine point halftime lead, but outscored Lincoln 45-30 after halftime to make it a rout. Mike Bynum led all scorers with 18 points. There were three other players in double figures, Daniel Awosanya had 13, Kenny Mitchell put in 12 points, and Ibn Rassoull scored 12. Denzel Mooney had a team-high 17 points for Lincoln. VSU shot 51 percent from the floor, while Lincoln managed just 28 percent.
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The Trojans dominated Lincoln (PA) Monday night, 75-51 at Daniel Gymnasium, avenging an earlier season 20 point loss to the Lions.
VSU stormed ahead to a nine point halftime lead, but outscored Lincoln 45-30 after halftime to make it a rout. Mike Bynum led all scorers with 18 points. There were three other players in double figures, Daniel Awosanya had 13, Kenny Mitchell put in 12 points, and Ibn Rassoull scored 12. Denzel Mooney had a team-high 17 points for Lincoln. VSU shot 51 percent from the floor, while Lincoln managed just 28 percent.
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VUU juggernaut derailed by Bowie State, 101-82
But Union’s winning streak hit a speed bump Monday night. The Panthers were beaten 101-82 to Bowie State (20-5, 12-4) at Barco-Stevens Hall. It was Bowie State’s largest margin of victory ever over Union.
“It’s a bitter taste right now,” senior Jamaal Blalock said. Bowie State, ranked 19th in the country, secured the No. 1 seed in the CIAA tournament. Union (15-12, 10-5) still gets the Northern Division’s second seed and a bye in the first round.
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Players treasure memories from '56 Knoxville College team
KNOWVILLE, Tennessee -- Fifty-six years ago, the powerhouse Knoxville College basketball team tore through the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with aplomb. Undersized but fearless and athletic, the Bulldogs averaged a nation-best 101 points a game on their way to a spectacular 32-3 record. Their average margin of victory was 30 points.Knoxville College was not only the first team from Tennessee to win the SIAC tournament and conference championships, the Bulldogs also placed an unprecedented four players on the all-conference and all-tournament teams. They featured a lineup of mostly northern transplants who were thrust into often tumultuous circumstances at a small black college in the South at the vanguard of the Civil Rights movement.
Despite their successes on the court, the garnet and blue-clad Bulldogs toiled in virtual anonymity in the segregated South of the 1950s. Off the court, they were often subjected to the all-too-familiar racial injustices of the time.
Shaw cruises past WSSU in home finale
RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Ninth-ranked Shaw continued its impressive run through the CIAA. The Bears rolled to an 80-59 victory over defenseless Winston-Salem State on Monday night at Spaulding Gym. Showing balance that has brought them a 23-2 record and a 19-game win streak, the Bears sent their seniors out on a good note in their final home game.
"They are a talented team," said coach Bobby Collins of the Rams. "One through five, any of them can go off and get points. I know what they were all capable of, and I thought if we could get back and set our defense we would have a chance, but we couldn't do that."
The Rams (18-7, 4-5 Southern Division) had a six-point lead early but it didn't last long. The Bears went on a 22-0 run over six minutes, and the Rams failed to score on their next 12 possessions.
It didn't get much better the rest of the way, thanks to a steady diet of guards Malik Alvin (20 points) and Tony Smith (14 points, seven rebounds and four assists). Every time the Rams tried to make a run, it was Smith or Alvin who made the big shots to preserve the Bears' lead.
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"They are a talented team," said coach Bobby Collins of the Rams. "One through five, any of them can go off and get points. I know what they were all capable of, and I thought if we could get back and set our defense we would have a chance, but we couldn't do that."
The Rams (18-7, 4-5 Southern Division) had a six-point lead early but it didn't last long. The Bears went on a 22-0 run over six minutes, and the Rams failed to score on their next 12 possessions.
It didn't get much better the rest of the way, thanks to a steady diet of guards Malik Alvin (20 points) and Tony Smith (14 points, seven rebounds and four assists). Every time the Rams tried to make a run, it was Smith or Alvin who made the big shots to preserve the Bears' lead.
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With 17 new additions to roster, WSSU baseball looks to repeat
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| COACH KEVIN RITSCHE |
The 2011 Rams baseball season ended with a record of 30-25 overall, and 19-7 in the conference. They won the CIAA Championship and earned a trip to the regionals with a fifth seed. At the NCAA tournament at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pa. the Rams came up short with two losses, 7-2 to Mercyhurst and 11-3 to Concord.
"Bringing in these new guys equals starting from scratch with my system, but we also have increased the talent level," Ritsche said.
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XU Nuggets beat Fisk, clinch tie for GCAC regular-season title
NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Jasmine Grant scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half Monday to help NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana earn an 81-50 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Fisk.
Keldra Hall scored 11 points, and Paige Gauthier had a season-high-tying 10 points and a career-best nine assists for Xavier. All 15 Gold Nuggets scored.
De'Erin Rogan scored 15 points for Fisk (4-22, 0-12), and Simona Newman and Tiffany Wynn scored 10 apiece.
Xavier led 40-25 at halftime and took its biggest lead, 76-38, when Gauthier passed to Paige Rochelle for a fast-break basket with 6:08 remaining.
Gauthier is the third XU player this season to reach nine assists in a game. Her previous high was five. Gauthier had seven assists in the second half.
Xavier shot a season-high 57.4 percent from the floor — 65.4 in the second half — and limited the Lady Bulldogs to 30.4 percent. The Gold Nuggets had a 38-24 rebound advantage, and they recorded their largest winning margin on an opponent's floor since a 74-40 victory at William Carey on Feb. 27, 2003.
It was the first time since November 2010 that the Nuggets reached 80 points, and it was the first time they did it on the road since December 2008.
The XU-Dillard game will tip off at 5 p.m. Saturday at Dillard's Dent Hall.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
TSU women's golf finishes 16th at Ann Rhoads Invitational
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| JAMIE PIERCE Senior Harriman, TN |
The spring season-opener saw TSU finish in 16th place with an overall score of 792 after two rounds. After shooting a 416 as a team in the opening round the Tigers improved 40 strokes with a 376 in the second frame.
Jamie Pierce led Tennessee State with a score of 174 behind rounds of 93 and 81. She finished in a tie for 35th to pace the Tigers. Sara Shoufler carded a 186 (97-89) for 70th place followed by Bria Norris (79th) with a 209 mark. Norris recorded a 112 if the first round before registering a score of 97 in the second stanza.
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| BRIA NORRIS Sophomore Franklin, TN |
Mya Billingsley rounded out the scorers for TSU with 223 (114-109). The University of Indianapolis claimed the tournament title with a score of 644 (336-308) while OVC foe Tennessee Tech finished fourteen strokes behind with 658. Methodist University placed third after carding a 662 (343-319).
Women's golf will return to action at the Murray State New Wave Communications Racer Classic on Sunday, March 4.
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| SARA SHOUFLER SOPHOMORE BEDFORD, INDIANA |
Women's golf will return to action at the Murray State New Wave Communications Racer Classic on Sunday, March 4.
Xavier Gold Rush defeat Fisk to give Jackson his 200th victory
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| HEAD COACH DANNTON JACKSON |
NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Chris Iles scored a career-high 21 points Monday to lead NAIA No. 25 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 74-50 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Fisk.
Denzell Erves had 16 points and 10 rebounds — his team-leading sixth double-double of the season and his second in a row — and Wanto Joseph scored 12 points.
Jackson is 200-88 in nine seasons at Xavier and has reached 20 victories seven times. He is the third consecutive Gold Rush coach to reach 200 victories — Denny Alexander (1978-90) and Dale Valdery (1990-2002) did it too. Valdery won a Gold Rush-record 234 games, and Alexander won 212.
"I couldn't get to 200 wins on my own," Jackson said. "Reaching 200 is a tribute to all the guys who wore the Xavier uniform. We've had some unbelievable guys in the program. They're responsible for this. I'm really proud to represent Xavier, my alma mater."
Jewaun Wynn scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, for Fisk (6-20, 2-10).
Xavier overcame a 7-0 Fisk start to lead 28-25 at halftime, then pulled away with a 30-7 burst in the first 13 minutes of the second half. Iles scored 11 points during the run, and Cordell Hadnot's basket with 7:40 remaining gave Xavier its largest lead, 58-32.
"Fisk hit some early shots and played well," Jackson said. "They were attacking the paint and creating shots. Once we were able to control that, we got it going. We depended on our defense again to pull away."
The Gold Rush outshot the Bulldogs 45.5 to 31 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 47-31. Xavier had advantages of 42-18 in points in the paint and 32-14 in bench scoring. Xavier dominated at the line, making 20-of-27 free throws to Fisk's 9-of-20.
"I like the way we're playing. I like the way we're defending," Jackson said. "When we're settled down and defending, we're really a hard team to beat."
Xavier remained one game behind 17th-ranked Tougaloo, an 84-64 winner at home against Talladega, in the GCAC. Xavier and Tougaloo will close the regular season Saturday with conference road games — Xavier will visit city rival Dillard at 7 p.m., and Tougaloo will visit SUNO at 5 p.m.
BOX SCORE
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Hampton women cruise past Delaware State on Senior Night
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| MELANIE WARNER FORWARD, SENIOR HOMETOWN: TALLAHASSEE, FL NORTH FLORIDA CHRISTIAN H.S. |
Warner, Hampton's senior guard/forward, caught the opening tip of Monday night's game against Delaware State with her left hand, then immediately headed to the bench. She spent the rest of the night cheering her teammates, playing their final home game of the season, with the broken finger on her right hand heavily wrapped.
Warner, averaging 10.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 32.7 minutes per game for the Lady Pirates, jammed the finger catching a pass in Sunday's practice. She will have surgery Tuesday and is likely out for the rest of her final season.
"It's bittersweet," said Warner, a 42 percent 3-point shooter who shoots 83 percent from the free-throw line. "Everybody wants to play on senior night, but my teammates held it down, so I'm OK with it. All I can do is be positive and just cheer on my teammates. I know that they have my back."
They certainly did on Monday, dispatching Delaware State 71-44 after a ragged 0-for-9 start from the field. But even as the Lady Pirates (20-4, 12-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) cruised to victory, trailing by no fewer than 23 points in the second half, their missing teammate wasn't far from their thoughts.
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Scores That Matters!
February 20, 2012
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
GCAC
Tougaloo 60, Talladega 47
Dillard 61, Philander Smith 47
Xavier 81, Fisk 50
SIAC
Kentucky State 52, Miles 44
Paine 89, LeMoyne-Owen 86 (2OT)
CIAA
Virginia State 75, Lincoln Pa. 50
Virginia Union 66, Bowie State 39
Shaw 83, Winston Salem State 57
Johnson C. Smith 81, Saint Augustine's 78
Fayetteville State 78 , Livingstone 71
MEAC
Hampton 71, Delaware State 44
Howard 62, Maryland Eastern Shore 49
Florida A&M 75, South Carolina State 69
Bethune-Cookman 47, Savannah State 43
SWAC
Alabama State 52, Southern 39
Alabama A&M 61, Alcorn State 50
Mississippi Valley 82, Texas Southern 48
Praire View A&M 72, Arkansas Pine Bluff 52
NAIA
Texas College 70, SAGU Tx 59
Langston OK 102, Huston-Tillotson 56
Jarvis Christian Tx 62, LSU Shreveport 56
Wiley Tx 2, Paul Quinn Tx 0 (Forfeit)
MEN'S BASKETBALL
GCAC
Tougaloo 84, Talladega 64
Southern-New Orleans 70, William Carey 59
Xavier 74, Fisk 50
Philander Smith 101, Dillard 90
SIAC
Kentucky State 68, Miles 60
Paine 86, LeMoyne-Owen 71
Benedict 73, Morehouse 55
CIAA
Shaw 80, Winston Salem State 59
Bowie State 101, Virginia Union 82
Virginia State 75, Lincoln Pa. 51
Johnson C. Smith 89, Saint Augustine's 79
Livingstone 74, Fayetteville State 65
MEAC
Norfolk State 66, Longwood 52
Savannah State 67, Bethune-Cookman 44
Delaware State 74, Hampton 68 (2OT)
Florida A&M 83, South Carolina State 82
Howard 53, Maryland Eastern Shore 51
SWAC
Mississippi Valley State 56, Texas Southern 53
Alabama A&M 81, Alcorn State 71
Arkansas Pine Bluff 61, Prairie View A&M 58
Southern 55, Alabama State 53
NAIA
Texas College 74, SAGU Tx 73 (2OT)
Langston OK 93, Huston-Tillotson Tx 68
Wiley 80, Paul Quinn 71
LSU Shreveport 75, Jarvis Christian Tx 54
Webber International 76, Florida Memorial 68
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
GCAC
Tougaloo 60, Talladega 47
Dillard 61, Philander Smith 47
Xavier 81, Fisk 50
SIAC
Kentucky State 52, Miles 44
Paine 89, LeMoyne-Owen 86 (2OT)
CIAA
Virginia State 75, Lincoln Pa. 50
Virginia Union 66, Bowie State 39
Shaw 83, Winston Salem State 57
Johnson C. Smith 81, Saint Augustine's 78
Fayetteville State 78 , Livingstone 71
MEAC
Hampton 71, Delaware State 44
Howard 62, Maryland Eastern Shore 49
Florida A&M 75, South Carolina State 69
Bethune-Cookman 47, Savannah State 43
SWAC
Alabama State 52, Southern 39
Alabama A&M 61, Alcorn State 50
Mississippi Valley 82, Texas Southern 48
Praire View A&M 72, Arkansas Pine Bluff 52
NAIA
Texas College 70, SAGU Tx 59
Langston OK 102, Huston-Tillotson 56
Jarvis Christian Tx 62, LSU Shreveport 56
Wiley Tx 2, Paul Quinn Tx 0 (Forfeit)
MEN'S BASKETBALL
GCAC
Tougaloo 84, Talladega 64
Southern-New Orleans 70, William Carey 59
Xavier 74, Fisk 50
Philander Smith 101, Dillard 90
SIAC
Kentucky State 68, Miles 60
Paine 86, LeMoyne-Owen 71
Benedict 73, Morehouse 55
CIAA
Shaw 80, Winston Salem State 59
Bowie State 101, Virginia Union 82
Virginia State 75, Lincoln Pa. 51
Johnson C. Smith 89, Saint Augustine's 79
Livingstone 74, Fayetteville State 65
MEAC
Norfolk State 66, Longwood 52
Savannah State 67, Bethune-Cookman 44
Delaware State 74, Hampton 68 (2OT)
Florida A&M 83, South Carolina State 82
Howard 53, Maryland Eastern Shore 51
SWAC
Mississippi Valley State 56, Texas Southern 53
Alabama A&M 81, Alcorn State 71
Arkansas Pine Bluff 61, Prairie View A&M 58
Southern 55, Alabama State 53
NAIA
Texas College 74, SAGU Tx 73 (2OT)
Langston OK 93, Huston-Tillotson Tx 68
Wiley 80, Paul Quinn 71
LSU Shreveport 75, Jarvis Christian Tx 54
Webber International 76, Florida Memorial 68
XU Nuggets climb to 19th; Rush 25th for fourth straight week
NEW ORLEANS — The Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team climbed two places to 19th in the NAIA Division I coaches poll. Xavier is 25th in the men's poll for the fourth consecutive week.
The polls, the 10th of the season, were announced Monday afternoon before Xavier's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader at Fisk.
The Gold Nuggets are in the top 25 for the 28th consecutive time. The Gold Rush appear in the top 25 for the 21st time in 22 polls.
Both XU teams were 2-0 this past week. The Gold Nuggets (20-8) won 52-46 at home against Tougaloo and 60-53 at Edward Waters. The Gold Rush (20-7) rallied from 16 down to beat Tougaloo 67-61, then won 68-57 at Edward Waters.
he Tougaloo doubleheader was the final night of XU basketball at The Barn. A 4,500-seat arena, which is still under construction, will replace XU's 75-year-old gymnasium next season.
The Rush failed to climb despite a victory against Tougaloo, which entered the game 18th. Yet Tougaloo climbed one place to 17th.
Oklahoma City's women and Oklahoma Baptist's men are the top-ranked teams. Oklahoma City was a unanimous No. 1 for the fourth straight week, and Oklahoma Baptist replaced Shorter at the top.
Receiving votes for the second straight week was GCAC newcomer Talladega, whose women collected 10 points, five more than a week ago, and are 33rd.
Xavier is one of 10 schools with women's and men's teams in the top 25. The other schools are Azusa Pacific, Campbellsville, Columbia (Mo.), Georgetown (Ky.), Lee (Tenn.), Rogers State, Shorter, Southern Nazarene and Westmont. A week ago there were 11 such schools.
Both XU teams will close the regular season Saturday at longtime city and GCAC rival Dillard, then travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for the GCAC Tournament on March 1-3.
NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Feb. 19)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Oklahoma City (12) 25-1 312 1
2 Union (Tenn.) 27-2 302 2
3 Freed-Hardeman 24-4 292 3
4 Lee (Tenn.) 28-1 282 4
5 Westmont 25-2 272 6
6 Lubbock Christian 22-4 261 7
7 Shawnee State 23-4 246 9
8 Cumberlands 23-3 242 5
9 Langston 25-2 229 10
10 Olivet Nazarene 25-3 225 11
11 Vanguard 20-5 211 12
12 Azusa Pacific 20-6 199 13
13 Lewis-Clark State 23-4 193 8
14 Saint Xavier 20-7 183 14
15 Southern Nazarene 21-7 167 15
16 Westminster (Utah) 18-7 164 18
17 Georgetown (Ky.) 19-8 157 17
18 Belhaven 22-6 151 16
19 Xavier 20-8 125 21
20 Shorter 23-5 119 22
21 Campbellsville 18-10 103 20
22 MidAmerica Nazarene 20-8 100 24
23 Loyola 21-4 99 19
24 Columbia (Mo.) 20-8 88 25
25 Rogers State 18-10 56 RV
Others receiving votes: Avila 50, LSU-Shreveport 48, St. Catharine 26, Biola 23, Lyon 19, William Woods 16, Lindsey Wilson 12, Talladega 10, Robert Morris (Chicago) 1, Montana State Northern 1, Our Lady of the Lake 1, San Diego Christian 1, St. Gregory's 1.
NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Feb. 19)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Oklahoma Baptist (9) 24-3 310 2
2 Shorter (3) 26-2 302 1
3 Robert Morris (Chicago) 24-3 294 3
4 Concordia (Calif.) 22-5 273 11
5 Southern Poly 22-5 268 4
6 Martin Methodist 22-6 261 6
7 Our Lady of the Lake 21-6 248 7
8 Lindsey Wilson 18-8 231 16
9 Mountain State 21-7 230 9
10 Rogers State 21-6 228 5
11 Texas Wesleyan 21-5 193 12
12 Point Loma Nazarene 18-7 188 RV
13-tie Georgetown (Ky.) 20-7 185 10
13-tie Montana Western 21-7 185 15
15 John Brown 22-6 182 13
16 Lee (Tenn.) 19-7 177 14
17 Tougaloo 22-6 142 18
18 Columbia (Mo.) 22-6 138 20
19 LSU-Shreveport 19-7 117 19
20 Campbellsville 20-8 112 RV
21 Westmont 18-7 101 8
22 Montana State Northern 22-6 99 22
23 Southern Nazarene 20-8 87 23
24 Azusa Pacific 21-7 85 17
25 Xavier 20-7 82 25
Others receiving votes: Cumberland 75, MidAmerica Nazarene 67, Evangel 26, Cal State San Marcos 21, Saint Xavier 16, Freed-Hardeman 14, Southwestern Assemblies of God 9, Olivet Nazarene 8, Westminster (Utah) 5, Cumberlands 5, Union (Tenn.) 1, Biola 1, Baker 1, Pikeville 1, Harris-Stowe 1, Voorhees 1, St. Catharine 1, Oklahoma Christian 1.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
The polls, the 10th of the season, were announced Monday afternoon before Xavier's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader at Fisk.
The Gold Nuggets are in the top 25 for the 28th consecutive time. The Gold Rush appear in the top 25 for the 21st time in 22 polls.
Both XU teams were 2-0 this past week. The Gold Nuggets (20-8) won 52-46 at home against Tougaloo and 60-53 at Edward Waters. The Gold Rush (20-7) rallied from 16 down to beat Tougaloo 67-61, then won 68-57 at Edward Waters.
he Tougaloo doubleheader was the final night of XU basketball at The Barn. A 4,500-seat arena, which is still under construction, will replace XU's 75-year-old gymnasium next season.
The Rush failed to climb despite a victory against Tougaloo, which entered the game 18th. Yet Tougaloo climbed one place to 17th.
Oklahoma City's women and Oklahoma Baptist's men are the top-ranked teams. Oklahoma City was a unanimous No. 1 for the fourth straight week, and Oklahoma Baptist replaced Shorter at the top.
Receiving votes for the second straight week was GCAC newcomer Talladega, whose women collected 10 points, five more than a week ago, and are 33rd.
Xavier is one of 10 schools with women's and men's teams in the top 25. The other schools are Azusa Pacific, Campbellsville, Columbia (Mo.), Georgetown (Ky.), Lee (Tenn.), Rogers State, Shorter, Southern Nazarene and Westmont. A week ago there were 11 such schools.
Both XU teams will close the regular season Saturday at longtime city and GCAC rival Dillard, then travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for the GCAC Tournament on March 1-3.
NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Feb. 19)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Oklahoma City (12) 25-1 312 1
2 Union (Tenn.) 27-2 302 2
3 Freed-Hardeman 24-4 292 3
4 Lee (Tenn.) 28-1 282 4
5 Westmont 25-2 272 6
6 Lubbock Christian 22-4 261 7
7 Shawnee State 23-4 246 9
8 Cumberlands 23-3 242 5
9 Langston 25-2 229 10
10 Olivet Nazarene 25-3 225 11
11 Vanguard 20-5 211 12
12 Azusa Pacific 20-6 199 13
13 Lewis-Clark State 23-4 193 8
14 Saint Xavier 20-7 183 14
15 Southern Nazarene 21-7 167 15
16 Westminster (Utah) 18-7 164 18
17 Georgetown (Ky.) 19-8 157 17
18 Belhaven 22-6 151 16
19 Xavier 20-8 125 21
20 Shorter 23-5 119 22
21 Campbellsville 18-10 103 20
22 MidAmerica Nazarene 20-8 100 24
23 Loyola 21-4 99 19
24 Columbia (Mo.) 20-8 88 25
25 Rogers State 18-10 56 RV
Others receiving votes: Avila 50, LSU-Shreveport 48, St. Catharine 26, Biola 23, Lyon 19, William Woods 16, Lindsey Wilson 12, Talladega 10, Robert Morris (Chicago) 1, Montana State Northern 1, Our Lady of the Lake 1, San Diego Christian 1, St. Gregory's 1.
NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Feb. 19)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Oklahoma Baptist (9) 24-3 310 2
2 Shorter (3) 26-2 302 1
3 Robert Morris (Chicago) 24-3 294 3
4 Concordia (Calif.) 22-5 273 11
5 Southern Poly 22-5 268 4
6 Martin Methodist 22-6 261 6
7 Our Lady of the Lake 21-6 248 7
8 Lindsey Wilson 18-8 231 16
9 Mountain State 21-7 230 9
10 Rogers State 21-6 228 5
11 Texas Wesleyan 21-5 193 12
12 Point Loma Nazarene 18-7 188 RV
13-tie Georgetown (Ky.) 20-7 185 10
13-tie Montana Western 21-7 185 15
15 John Brown 22-6 182 13
16 Lee (Tenn.) 19-7 177 14
17 Tougaloo 22-6 142 18
18 Columbia (Mo.) 22-6 138 20
19 LSU-Shreveport 19-7 117 19
20 Campbellsville 20-8 112 RV
21 Westmont 18-7 101 8
22 Montana State Northern 22-6 99 22
23 Southern Nazarene 20-8 87 23
24 Azusa Pacific 21-7 85 17
25 Xavier 20-7 82 25
Others receiving votes: Cumberland 75, MidAmerica Nazarene 67, Evangel 26, Cal State San Marcos 21, Saint Xavier 16, Freed-Hardeman 14, Southwestern Assemblies of God 9, Olivet Nazarene 8, Westminster (Utah) 5, Cumberlands 5, Union (Tenn.) 1, Biola 1, Baker 1, Pikeville 1, Harris-Stowe 1, Voorhees 1, St. Catharine 1, Oklahoma Christian 1.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
8 Straight for Howard With 62-49 Win Over UMES On Senior Night
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard University women's basketball team won its eighth straight, 62-49, over the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (9-16, 6-7 MEAC) at Burr Gym on senior night. The Lady Bison, now 21-7 on the season, will finish the 2011-12 campaign with a 10-1 home record. Three players reached double-figures en route to their 13th conference victory. Tamoria Holmes had a solid night with 22 points, five assists, three steals, and a career-best three blocks in 39 minutes of action. Saadia Doyle finished one board shy of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Zykia Brown tallied 10 points – just one shy of her 1,500th point – and pulled down six off the glass.
As a team, the Lady Bison finished with a 31.3 shooting clip (15-for-28). HU scored 20 points off 23 UMES miscues, while committing 18 of its own.
In the first period, HU got off to a fast start with a quick triple from Holmes – the first of five by the Lady Bison in the first three-plus minutes of regulation. UMES responded with a layup by Shanyce Stewart, but India Bradford hit a three-pointer on the next possession to give the Lady Bison a four-point edge, 6-2. A layup by Nicole Deterville gave HU a 13-4 lead by the 16:02 mark.
Sparked by a Chelsea Sanders jumper, the Lady Hawks notched a 16-2 run over a seven minute span to take a 20-15 slim cushion over HU midway through the period. From there, the advantage changed hands three times, with Howard ending the first 20 with a 9-2 run to take a 32-26 lead into the lockerroom.
For the Lady Hawks, Kwinnyata Mercer notched 12 points, while Sanders tallied 10. Amber Cook chipped in with eight points in 29 minutes of action.
The Lady Bison are back in action on Sat. Feb. 25 for their final regular season match against Delaware State beginning at 5 p.m.
Follow Coach G's fan page on facebook to get a behind the scenes look at the team as they make their push toward the Big Dance: www.facebook.com/NikiGeckeler.
VISIT: HOWARD-BISON
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
A Tale of Two Stadiums
The New Hornet Stadium
ASU's new stadium will be the largest in the SWAC conference. In fact, it will hold more than three times the number of fans that normally attends Hornet football games. But university officials say that doesn't concern them. They say they're building for the future. The stadium is one of more than a dozen new construction projects on campus in the last five years. There are new dorms, new classroom buildings, and a new library.
Here's a complete list of recent projects.
"The economy is conducive to construction, so we've taken advantage of economic times," said Kippy Tate, Vice President of Buildings and Grounds. Together, the recent projects cost ASU more than a quarter of a billion dollars. The football stadium's price tag is $62 million. It is designed to hold nearly 30,000 fans, but can be expanded in the future to accommodate 55,000.
Learn more about the stadium and how to buy tickets.
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Monday, February 20, 2012
2012 MEAC Basketball Tournament
Photo 1: Florida A&M 6'-1" senior guard/forward Antonia Bennett, Lakeland, Florida (Lake Gibson High School) is majoring in Occupational/Physical Therapy. Bennett leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in several statistical categories, with per game averages of 19.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.7 block shots. The FAMU Lady Rattlers leads the conference in scoring offense at 72.1 points per game average and is seventh in scoring defense holding opponents to an average of 63.7 points per contest. In addition to having had a 14 game win streak, the Lady Rattlers have out-of-conference wins over Alabama-Birmingham, Southern Mississippi, Southeastern Louisiana, Jacksonville, Northwestern State, Tennessee State and Austin Peay State.
Any defensive player that has the assignment of guarding Antonia Bennett will be in need of therapy by the end of the game. Bennett is a very smooth operator that can breakdown any defensive player and drive to the hoop for a score or foul. And she will kill you with her length on the offensive boards. A zone defense actually plays to her strength as she is a consistent shooter from 15-18 feet.
The Lady Rattlers are currently 19-6, 12-1 MEAC, tied for first place with the defending MEAC Champions Hampton University Lady Pirates and Howard University Lady Bison (2/20/12).
Photo 2: Howard University's All-American redshirt-junior forward Saadia Doyle has taken the Lady Bison to new heights, with its first 20-win season in twelve years. The explosive 5'-11" scorer is from Atlanta, Georgia, Columbia High School and is a fierce defender and rebounder. Doyle is second in the MEAC in scoring, averaging 17.9 points per game and sixth in rebounding at 8.4 caroms per game.
The strength of the Lady Bison team is its scoring defense, holding teams to a league second best 53.7 points per game and forcing the opposition into 19.1 turnovers per game. Doyle's inside game is unstoppable -- she has forced MEAC defenses into 158 fouls, where she averages 80 percent from the line (6th in MEAC). The Lady Bison is currently tied for first place in the MEAC at 21-7, 13-2 MEAC.
Howard's signature wins are over Wake Forest, Navy, Detroit, Buffalo, Seton Hall, Fairleigh Dickinson, Mount St. Mary's and New Jersey Tech. It's most difficult opponents have been Hampton (0-2) and FAMU (1-1).
3. Photo 3: She beat Cancer! But the burning question is can she beat down Florida A&M and Howard for the 2011-12 MEAC Crown?
Sure she can!
Jericka Jenkins -- all 5'-4" is the best player in the MEAC with the best talented, supporting cast that know how to win the big games. The honorable mention AP All-American from Lancaster, Texas (Lancaster High School) made a wise decision and chose the Hampton Lady Pirates over University of Oklahoma Sooners. With Jenkins at point guard, the Lady Pirates have knocked off Pittsburgh, Boston College, Jacksonville, Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne, Chicago State, Maryland Baltimore County, Central Michigan and East Carolina this season.
The two-time defending MEAC champion Lady Pirates are 20-4, 12-1 MEAC and have won at least 20 games for the third straight season. Hampton leads the MEAC in scoring defense at a per game average of 48.5, with an astounding +18.2 scoring margin on all opponents. Jenkins is averaging a conference leading 7.9 assists per game. She is scoring at a clip of 14.0 points per game, good enough for 9th place in the conference ranking. The little dynamo has slashed for 105 fouls where she leads the MEAC with a free throw percentage of 87 percent. Jenkins also ranks 8th in 3-point shooting, 1st in assist/turnover ratio and 1st in minutes played -- averaging 38.3 minutes per game.
No doubt, Jericka Jenkins is a very special player (who won her battle with Cancer as a teenager) that has immense drive, a competitive spirit, but has tremendous personality and smarts. In other words, this lady got game!
Jenkins also leads the nation in assist per game, 4th in the nation in assist-turnover ration (2.67) and 23rd in free throw percentage (.867). This is no fluke as she has improved upon her national rankings from last season.
Jenkins will receive her degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology in May 2012, after four-years of college --making the Dean's List every semester at Hampton. I look forward to seeing the Lady Pirates return to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and all three players, Bennett, Doyle and Jenkins being named MEAC Co-Players of the Year. Pound for pound, it can be fairly augued that Jericka Jenkins has been the best point guard in the MEAC in the past two or three decades.
Pay attention NCAA! Hampton is having difficulty in scheduling out-of-conference games with the top mid-major and BCS programs. No one wants to pencil in a home L by scheduling the Lady Pirates. Expect to see the same towards Howard and FAMU in the next few seasons. Hampton was seeded 13th in last year's NCAAs and proved worthy of the ranking.
Howard, FAMU and Hampton ALL deserve an invite to the Big Dance, but we know that isn't going to happen this season. MEAC women's basketball is no longer a cupcake league for our top 3-4 teams. Just ask Wake Forest, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Southern Miss or Alabama-Birmingham. The MEAC got game!
Photo Courtesy: Florida A&M, Hampton and Howard Sports Information
beepbeep
MLB Urban Invitational thrives in giving HBCU baseball programs national exposure
HOUSTON -- The 2012 Urban Invitational achieved its primary goal over the weekend at Minute Maid Park by giving several HBCU programs national exposure while promoting the value of education.
Alabama State, Grambling State, Southern, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern represented the HBCU participants this year. Also, No. 24 UC Irvine played in the tournament.
Although the tournament was scheduled to take place at the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park for two of the days (Friday and Sunday), inclement weather caused the event to take place entirely at Minute Maid Park for the weekend.
The games on Saturday aired on MLB Network and MLB.com, with analysis from Greg Amsinger and two-time All-Star Harold Reynolds.
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NOTE: It's great to see how HBCU are continually linked by family members...
If you didn't know, Vince Coleman Sr. played college baseball at Florida A&M. His cousin Greg Coleman also played on the Rattlers football team and ran the sprints, and hurdles on the FAMU Track and Field Teams. Greg was drafted into the NFL as a punter in the 14 round in 1976 by the Cincinnati Bengals, but ended up at Cleveland in 1977, and had a nice 12 year career in the NFL -- playing for Cleveland, Minnesota and the Washington Redskins. Greg was noted for his coffin corner kicks, and his fake punts, as he had great speed, like Vince Sr.
Last I read, Greg was a sideline reporter for Minneapolis/St. Paul radio station that covered the Minnesota Vikings, and was working as an ordained minister. He has served as an associate pastor in the Twin Cities for a number of years. Greg is enshrined in the FAMU Football Hall of Fame and the State of Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Vince was also a two-sports star at FAMU in football and baseball. In 1981 he set the single season stolen base record for the Rattlers, stealing 65 bases in 69 attempts. But, his football kicking abilities--like his cousin Greg, is what made him legendary in Rattlers' lore. Vince is remembered for kicking the game winning 34 yard field goal in Florida A&M's upset of the University of Miami in 1979. The final score, 16-13, giving the Division I-AA Rattlers its first win over one of Florida's Division I-A Big 3.
The NFL was also interested in drafting Vince as a punter, but he chose to go the baseball route. He was drafted in the 10th round of the '82 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. In a nutshell, Vince had a stellar 12 year career managing to become a two-time all-star and 6th in MLB history in stolen bases (752). The former NL Rookie of the year ('85) was signed by seven teams during his productive career. He ended with a .264 batting average, 1425 hits, and 752 stolen bases. Not bad for an athlete that played in the SIAC.
I remember that Vince Sr. and Greg were both products of William Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida -- the same school that Dr. Julian White had built into a musical powerhouse ('61-'71), before returning to FAMU in 1972 as the associate director of bands for the FAMU Marching 100.
Back in those days, Jacksonville high schools like Raines, Matthew Gilbert, and New Stanton, among others were major feeders to FAMU, SU and TSU; and fueled the Florida A&M rivalry with Southern University and Tennessee State in every competition imaginable, including ping-pong.
Vince Coleman Jr. will have the opportunity to write his own legacy at Southern without looking over his shoulders and being reminded of his dad's record setting accomplishments at FAMU.
It's funny how we are all connected. Rattlers, and Tigers, and Jaguars. Oh My!
It's funny how we are all connected. Rattlers, and Tigers, and Jaguars. Oh My!
Southern University Releases 2012 Football Schedule
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University's 2012 football schedule features a season-opening date at Football Bowl Subdivision member New Mexico on Sept. 1 and seven games away from A.W. Mumford Stadium, the Athletics Department announced Saturday.
For the first time since playing at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2009, the Jaguars open the season against a FBS opponent in the first-ever meeting against New Mexico at University Stadium in Alberquerque, N.M.
One week later, Southern host Mississippi Valley State in its home and SWAC opener on Sept. 15 before reaching the season's first off week.
The Jaguars wrap up the month of September on the road against two rivals on Sept. 22 at Jackson State, followed by a return trip to Atlanta to take on Florida A&M on Sept. 29 in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic in the Georgia Dome.
Southern travel to Lorman, Miss. to take on Alcorn State on Oct. 6, before hosting Texas Southern for homecoming on Oct. 13 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 20.
Southern embarks upon a two-game road swing when the Jaguars return to Shreveport, La. to meet Prairie View in Independence Stadium, where the two teams met in 2010, on Oct. 27. The following week, Southern visits Alabama A&M for a rare late-season matchup in Louis Crews Stadium.
Southern closes the 2012 campaign looking to snap a four-game losing streak to arch-rival Grambling State in the State Farm Bayou Classic on Nov. 24.
The Jaguars, who will make six television appearances, including three live broadcasts, are slated to make a Thursday night appearance on ESPNU as apart of the sport broadcasting company's agreement with the SWAC.
ESPN will select the Thursday night game that will broadcast from a list of proposed games submitted by Southern, which includes the Jaguars Sept. 15 game against Miss. Valley St.
Southern other two live broadcast will appear courtesy of NBC (Grambling, Nov. 24) and NBC Sports (Florida A&M, Sept. 29) - previously refered to as Versus.
Season book applications are available at the SU Ticket Office.
2012 Southern U. Football Schedule (Printable PDF)
September
1 at New Mexico (Alberquerque, N.M. | University Stadium)
15 Miss. Valley State
22 at Jackson State (Jackson, Miss. | Veterans Memorial)
29 vs. Florida A&M (Atlanta Football Classic | Atlanta, Ga. | Georgia Dome)
October
6 at Alcorn State (Lorman, Miss. | Jack Spinks Stadium)
13 Texas Southern (Homecoming 2012)
20 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
27 at Prairie View A&M (Shreveport, La. | Independence Stadium)
November
Nov. 3 at Alabama A&M (Huntsville, Ala. | Louis Crews Stadium)
Nov. 10 Alabama State (Senior Night)
Nov. 24 vs. Grambling State (State Farm Bayou Classic | New Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
Courtesy: Southern University Athletics Media Relations
For the first time since playing at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2009, the Jaguars open the season against a FBS opponent in the first-ever meeting against New Mexico at University Stadium in Alberquerque, N.M.
One week later, Southern host Mississippi Valley State in its home and SWAC opener on Sept. 15 before reaching the season's first off week.
The Jaguars wrap up the month of September on the road against two rivals on Sept. 22 at Jackson State, followed by a return trip to Atlanta to take on Florida A&M on Sept. 29 in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic in the Georgia Dome.
Southern travel to Lorman, Miss. to take on Alcorn State on Oct. 6, before hosting Texas Southern for homecoming on Oct. 13 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 20.
Southern embarks upon a two-game road swing when the Jaguars return to Shreveport, La. to meet Prairie View in Independence Stadium, where the two teams met in 2010, on Oct. 27. The following week, Southern visits Alabama A&M for a rare late-season matchup in Louis Crews Stadium.
Southern closes the 2012 campaign looking to snap a four-game losing streak to arch-rival Grambling State in the State Farm Bayou Classic on Nov. 24.
The Jaguars, who will make six television appearances, including three live broadcasts, are slated to make a Thursday night appearance on ESPNU as apart of the sport broadcasting company's agreement with the SWAC.
ESPN will select the Thursday night game that will broadcast from a list of proposed games submitted by Southern, which includes the Jaguars Sept. 15 game against Miss. Valley St.
Southern other two live broadcast will appear courtesy of NBC (Grambling, Nov. 24) and NBC Sports (Florida A&M, Sept. 29) - previously refered to as Versus.
Season book applications are available at the SU Ticket Office.
2012 Southern U. Football Schedule (Printable PDF)
September
1 at New Mexico (Alberquerque, N.M. | University Stadium)
15 Miss. Valley State
22 at Jackson State (Jackson, Miss. | Veterans Memorial)
29 vs. Florida A&M (Atlanta Football Classic | Atlanta, Ga. | Georgia Dome)
October
6 at Alcorn State (Lorman, Miss. | Jack Spinks Stadium)
13 Texas Southern (Homecoming 2012)
20 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
27 at Prairie View A&M (Shreveport, La. | Independence Stadium)
November
Nov. 3 at Alabama A&M (Huntsville, Ala. | Louis Crews Stadium)
Nov. 10 Alabama State (Senior Night)
Nov. 24 vs. Grambling State (State Farm Bayou Classic | New Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
Courtesy: Southern University Athletics Media Relations
Former Syracuse University recruit Tyree Smallwood signs with Bethune-Cookman
Syracuse, NY -- Tyree Smallwood, a member of Syracuse University's recruiting class of 2011, is now headed to FCS college Bethune-Cookman, according to a report in the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Smallwood, who failed to qualify academically out of Cornwall Central High School in New Windsor, ended up enrolling at Milford Academy prep school in New Berlin. But the 5-11, 180-pound running back never became a part of SU's 2012 class.
Smallwood is still listed on the 2011 Milford Academy football roster, but statistics for him, which had been listed during the season, have been removed.
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B-CU signs ex-Syracuse 3-Star signee
Former Syracuse signee Tyree Smallwood signed a letter of intent Friday to play football next season at Bethune-Cookman, Wildcats coach Brian Jenkins said Sunday.
Smallwood rushed for more than 2,500 yards as a high school senior at Cornwall, N.Y., in 2010 and signed with Syracuse but did not qualify. He played football for Milford Academy prep school in New Berlin, N.Y., this past season. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound speedster will play wide receiver for B-CU but will likely also see time at running back, Jenkins said.
"I'm real excited about this one," Jenkins said of his 16th signee of the 2012 class. "He has legit 4.3 speed. When you watch him run, it's impressive. You can see it on film. We look at him as a major offensive weapon. I think he'll help us out immediately."
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Smallwood, who failed to qualify academically out of Cornwall Central High School in New Windsor, ended up enrolling at Milford Academy prep school in New Berlin. But the 5-11, 180-pound running back never became a part of SU's 2012 class.
Smallwood is still listed on the 2011 Milford Academy football roster, but statistics for him, which had been listed during the season, have been removed.
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B-CU signs ex-Syracuse 3-Star signee
Former Syracuse signee Tyree Smallwood signed a letter of intent Friday to play football next season at Bethune-Cookman, Wildcats coach Brian Jenkins said Sunday.
Smallwood rushed for more than 2,500 yards as a high school senior at Cornwall, N.Y., in 2010 and signed with Syracuse but did not qualify. He played football for Milford Academy prep school in New Berlin, N.Y., this past season. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound speedster will play wide receiver for B-CU but will likely also see time at running back, Jenkins said.
"I'm real excited about this one," Jenkins said of his 16th signee of the 2012 class. "He has legit 4.3 speed. When you watch him run, it's impressive. You can see it on film. We look at him as a major offensive weapon. I think he'll help us out immediately."
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Tennessee State Tigers Rally to Defeat Miami RedHawks, 68-61
OXFORD, Ohio -- Tennessee State used an 11-0 run late in the game to seal a 68-61 victory over Miami (Ohio) in the annual Sears BracketBusters game on Sunday afternoon at Millett Hall. The Tigers took a 53-51 lead after Peters hit another trey with five minutes left. Miami took a brief 54-53 lead, but TSU used part of an 11-0 run in the final 3:44 to take the go-ahead lead.
Tennessee State extended its' win streak to nine games - the longest since the 1994-95 season. TSU forced 14 Miami turnovers, scoring 15 points in the process. TSU out-scored Miami 32-to-11 off the bench. The win also gave TSU a 4-2 all-time record in the BracketBusters.
From the field, the Tigers knocked down 46 percent (21-of-45), including 54 percent (13-of-24) in the second half. Miami was held to 37 percent (7-of-19) in the second half.
Four Big Blue student-athletes reached double-figures in the game. Robert Covington scored 14 points, shooting 4-of-8 from the field. Covington pulled in six rebounds, collected five steals, an assist and a block. Covington's six rebounds on Sunday gave him 662 in his career, moving him in 13th all-time in school history, passing Nico Childs (1987-91).
Patrick Miller scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half. Miller grabbed six boards and dished out three assists in 36 minutes.
Also adding 12 points was forward Kellen Thornton. The junior was 6-of-10 with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Jordan Cyphers notched 10 points, while Kenny Moore inked nine for the Tigers.
Tennessee State trailed by nine at the half, giving up 50 percent shooting (12-of-24) to Miami. The RedHawks were 7-of-13 behind the arch. TSU was held to 38 percent (8-of-21) and out-rebounded 18-to-9 in the opening frame.
Miami used five triples in the first eight minutes to open a 19-11 lead with 11:56 left in the first half. TSU rallied back within three after Kenny Moore made a basket and connected on an and-one.
The RedHawks used another triple and two inside baskets to maintain their lead to 30-25 with 3:07 left in the game.
At the halftime buzzer, Miami's Will Sullivan was fouled at the 3-point line. He made two-of-three attempts to extend the RedHawks lead to 35-26 at the break.
The RedHawks opened up to a double-digit lead, but the Tigers started to claw back. Patrick Miller connected on six straight points to help the Tigers pull within 45-41 as 10:29 remained on the clock.
Wil Peters hit a trey at 9:50 to put the Tigers within 46-44. Miami added two more points and TSU again pulled within added a bucket from Thornton.
The Tigers tied the game at 48. Peters' triple at 5:01 gave the Tigers the 53-51 lead. Miami battled to take a brief 54-53 advantage with 3:44 remaining.
Thornton added a basket underneath and Cyphers hit a triple on the next possession to give TSU the 58-54 lead with 2:12 left. From there TSU used a Cyphers dunk and another two-pointer from Thornton to seal a 68-61 win over Miami.
Tennessee State closes out the regular season with No. 14/16 Murray State on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Gentry Center. Tip is slated for 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU.
GAME NOTES
BOX SCORE
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Indiana Take On North Carolina Central
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana -- The Indiana Hoosiers are mathematically eliminated from being able to win the Big Ten after starting off so strongly when conference play began, but all is not lost for the boys in crimson. At this point they're more concerned with just upping themselves to a good position in the NCAA Tournament, after all.
They can start with a win over MEAC squad North Carolina Central -- a team that they should absolutely destroy, especially at home -- on Wednesday at 7 PM ET. It won't matter much in the standings, but they can drag momentum from that into their weekend tie against Minnesota.
It took a brilliant comeback and overtime for Notre Dame to beat Villanova last week, but they kept their winning streak alive at eight straight games and all but guaranteed they would keep their spot in the Top 25 rankings, where they placed 25th last week. The Fighting Irish are third in the Big East and can move over Marquette into second place if they can beat the West Virginia Mountaineers on Wednesday at 7 PM ET.
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They can start with a win over MEAC squad North Carolina Central -- a team that they should absolutely destroy, especially at home -- on Wednesday at 7 PM ET. It won't matter much in the standings, but they can drag momentum from that into their weekend tie against Minnesota.
It took a brilliant comeback and overtime for Notre Dame to beat Villanova last week, but they kept their winning streak alive at eight straight games and all but guaranteed they would keep their spot in the Top 25 rankings, where they placed 25th last week. The Fighting Irish are third in the Big East and can move over Marquette into second place if they can beat the West Virginia Mountaineers on Wednesday at 7 PM ET.
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
Howard University Releases 2012 Football Schedule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard University will kick off the 2012 season against Morehouse College in the Second Annual Nation's Football Classic on Saturday, September 1 at 3:30 pm at RFK Stadium. The Bison will then travel to Piscataway, New Jersey to face Rutgers on September 8.
Howard will follow with its first conference game of the season when it travels to Norfolk, VA to take on defending MEAC champion, Norfolk State on September 15 at 4 pm.
Following a bye on September 22, the Bison will play their first "official" home game when they host Savannah State in Greene Stadium at 1 pm on September 29. Florida A&M comes to Greene Stadium on October 6, followed by a road game at rival North Carolina A&T on October 13.
Howard will return home for homecoming the following week to take on the Bears of Morgan State. The schedule then takes the Bison on the road to Orangeburg, SC for a date with the Bulldogs of South Carolina State on October 27.
Howard returns home on November 3 for a conference showdown with Hampton and will then travel to Statesboro, Georgia for a first-ever game against perennial FCS power, Georgia Southern onNovember 10.
The Bison will close out the 2012 regular season with a home game against Delaware State on November 17.
Howard Bison 2012 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time
9/01/12 Morehouse, Washington, DC RFK Stadium 3:30 p.m. Nation's Football Classic
9/08/12 at Rutgers Piscataway, NJ,TBA
9/15/12 at Norfolk State,Norfolk,VA Dick Price Stadium,4 p.m.
9/22/12 OPEN
9/29/12 Savannah State, Washington, DC, Greene Stadium 1 p.m.
10/06/12 Florida A&M, Washington, DC , Greene Stadium 1 p.m.
10/13/12 at North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC, Greensboro, NC TBA
10/20/12 Morgan State (Homecoming) Washington, DC 1 p.m.
10/27/12 at South Carolina State, Orangeburg, SC TBA
11/03/12 Hampton, Washington, DC 1 p.m.
11/10/12 at Georgia Southern, Statesboro, GA TBA
11/17/12 Delaware State, Washington, D.C. 1 p.m., Senior Day
COURTESY: HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Howard will follow with its first conference game of the season when it travels to Norfolk, VA to take on defending MEAC champion, Norfolk State on September 15 at 4 pm.
Following a bye on September 22, the Bison will play their first "official" home game when they host Savannah State in Greene Stadium at 1 pm on September 29. Florida A&M comes to Greene Stadium on October 6, followed by a road game at rival North Carolina A&T on October 13.
Howard will return home for homecoming the following week to take on the Bears of Morgan State. The schedule then takes the Bison on the road to Orangeburg, SC for a date with the Bulldogs of South Carolina State on October 27.
Howard returns home on November 3 for a conference showdown with Hampton and will then travel to Statesboro, Georgia for a first-ever game against perennial FCS power, Georgia Southern onNovember 10.
The Bison will close out the 2012 regular season with a home game against Delaware State on November 17.
Howard Bison 2012 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time
9/01/12 Morehouse, Washington, DC RFK Stadium 3:30 p.m. Nation's Football Classic
9/08/12 at Rutgers Piscataway, NJ,TBA
9/15/12 at Norfolk State,Norfolk,VA Dick Price Stadium,4 p.m.
9/22/12 OPEN
9/29/12 Savannah State, Washington, DC, Greene Stadium 1 p.m.
10/06/12 Florida A&M, Washington, DC , Greene Stadium 1 p.m.
10/13/12 at North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC, Greensboro, NC TBA
10/20/12 Morgan State (Homecoming) Washington, DC 1 p.m.
10/27/12 at South Carolina State, Orangeburg, SC TBA
11/03/12 Hampton, Washington, DC 1 p.m.
11/10/12 at Georgia Southern, Statesboro, GA TBA
11/17/12 Delaware State, Washington, D.C. 1 p.m., Senior Day
COURTESY: HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
TSU Women's golf begins spring season at Ann Rhoads Invitational
 |
| Photo Courtesy: TSU Sports Information |
NASHVILLE, Tennessee --- The Tennessee State University women's golf team will kick-off the spring season at the Ann Rhoads Spring Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 18 in Birmingham, Alabama.
The tournament, hosted by Birmingham Southern, will feature 18 teams, including two from the Ohio Valley Conference: Southern Illinois, Methodist, UT Tyler, Belmont, Anderson, Lipscomb, Montevello, Lenoir-Rhyne, King College, Indianapolis, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, Jackson State, IUPUFW, Indiana State and host Birmingham Southern.
Play will begin on Sunday with the practice rounds set for Saturday at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley.
Oxmoor Valley is a 54-hole facility in Birmingham built on former mining land owned by U.S. Steel. Sculpted from the peaks and valleys of the Appalachians, the courses offer scenic forests, numerous creeks and challenging elevation changes.
This weekend will mark Tennessee State's first action since participating in the F&M Bank Intercollegiate last October. TSU finished in 10th place led by Jamie Pierce's score of 157. She recorded a low of 77 in the final round.
COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Celestin leads SU men past Alabama A&M
“It’s good to have him back,” Banks said. His re-emergence came at a great time, as Southern (14-13, 10-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) snapped a two-game losing streak and remained alone in second place.
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