Xavier to dedicate six new tennis courts Friday afternoon

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will dedicate its new six-court, lighted tennis facility at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Approximate address of the courts is 3619 Pine St., zip code 70125.
    
The courts will give the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets, both nationally ranked in the NAIA, the opportunity to practice and play home matches on campus. Since XU revived its tennis program in the mid-1990s, the teams used City Park and the University of New Orleans as home venues.
    

The new Xavier Tennis Center consists of six lighted hard courts and
will play host to XU dual matches during the spring semester.

Xavier intercollegiate teams have not played outdoors regularly on their campus since football and men's track and field competed at Xavier Stadium in 1959-60. That facility no longer exists. In recent years two campus tennis courts, which the Rush and Nuggets used for practices, were razed to make room for a College of Pharmacy building expansion.
    

"This is an exciting time for XU tennis," 10th-year coach Alan Green said. "We are thrilled and grateful to be back home and to be able to showcase our teams in this great new facility."
    

Green added that the tennis courts will be available to the XU community, the public and for youth clinics.
    

The facility cost approximately $2.5 million. Construction began in April. Manning Architects designed the facility, and Gibbs Construction built it. Streets bordering the courts are Stroelitz to the north, Palm to the south, Pine to the west and Broadway to the east.
    

The tennis courts are approximately two blocks east of Xavier's Convocation Center and Convocation Center annex, both of which will open next week. The Convocation Center will be the new home of XU men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

The Xavier Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets compete in Division I of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) as a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). Xavier fields men's teams in basketball, cross country, tennis and track and field and women's teams in basketball, cross country, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

George Mason eeks out win in exhibition hoops with Bowie State

FAIRFAX, Virginia  --  The George Mason men’s basketball team saw five players score in double figures as the Patriots outlasted a pesky Bowie State squad, 76-72, in exhibition action Thursday night at the Patriot Center. Leading the way was freshman Marko Gujanicic, who had 16 points in his unofficial Mason debut.

Adding to the Patriot offense was sophomore Erik Copes who had 13 points, while junior Vertrail Vaughns contributed 12, sophomore Anali Okoloji had 11 and junior Jonathan Arledge scored 10. In total, 11 different Patriots saw action in the preseason tuneup. Byron Westmorland accounted for 30 points for the NCAA Division II Bulldogs, who were picked to win the CIAA Northern Division title.

Mason had offensive struggles early, connecting on just one of their first nine field goal attempts, a layup by Copes. The Patriots would trail the Bulldogs for more than six minutes of the contest, until a Vaughns fast break layup tied the score at five.  It was part of a 9-2 run that gave the Patriots a 12-7 advantage less than midway through the first half. That lead held up until the 10-minute mark when Westmorland’s 3-pointer put the Bulldogs up 16-14.

The Patriots though, would take ...

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Xavier tops Tougaloo in 4, remains unbeaten in GCAC

NEW ORLEANS -- Moira Kirk had 17 kills, a season high, four blocks and two aces Thursday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball victory against Tougaloo at The Barn.

The Gold Nuggets (14-6, 7-0 GCAC) are the lone unbeaten team in the conference. They're 17-0 in regular-season conference matches since the start of 2011. The Lady Bulldogs (17-11, 6-1) lost their fourth in a row.

Taylor Reuther and Chinedu Echebelem had 10 kills apiece for Xavier, and Claudia Haywood had nine. Reuther served six aces and Franziska Pirkl four.

Marcella Oliveira had 16 kills for Tougaloo, and Dayane Souza had 14 kills and 18 digs.

More on this match will be available later online at http://www.xula.edu/athletics/news/2012/1025a.html.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director 

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: GCACSPORTS

Miles College starts slow, zooms past Stillman in 49-13 win

FAIRFIELD, Alabama---Bang. Bang. Bang.

It all happened so fast.

After trailing by three early and leading by a point after one, Miles College unleashed an arsenal of offensive weaponry in the second quarter of its 49-13 win against Stillman Thursday night that killed any hopes the Tigers might've had of contending for a Southern Intercollegiate Conference title.

The Golden Bears scored three unanswered touchdowns in a 5:44 span to distance themselves from a Tigers' bunch that looked game to compete with the defending conference champs for the first 15 minutes.

"Tempo," running back Floyd Graves said when asked what initiated the spurt. "We keep a fast tempo so they can get tired. We run them down. Then, we hit them with the big play."

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No. 18 Miles romps past Stillman

FAIRFIELD, AL | After a tight first quarter, the Miles Golden Bears, who are ranked No. 18 in the AFCA Division II poll, opened up their offensive attack and the Stillman Tigers were never able to recover, falling 49-13 in an SIAC game Thursday night.

Stillman scored first on a 48-yard field goal by Alejandro Huerta and was behind only 7-6 midway through the first quarter. Miles blocked a 44-yard field-goal attempt by Huerta, and Braysean Jones returned the live ball to the Stillman 32 near the end of the first quarter. Devonta Parker-Johnson scored on a 5-yard run to cap off the drive. The Tigers never recovered, and the Golden Bears moved their win streak to eight in a row.

“That was a mental block, a mental mistake,” Stillman coach Teddy Keaton said. “As I said before, our kids have got to learn to play in big ball games and learn how to execute and learn how to play every snap. You know, sometimes they go mentally half-rat trap on me or something, and they go in and forget that it's important to make every play.”

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Stillman falls at Miles in Thursday night action

FAIRFIELD, Alabama  --  Playing its second Thursday night contest this month, Stillman traveled to central Alabama to take on conference foe Miles College.

Miles used a strong ground game to defeat Stillman 49-13 to increase its hold on the SIAC Western Division.

Stillman (4-5) scored first when Alejandro Huerta connected on a 48-yard field goal.  Miles answered less than two minutes later when Antonio Pitts found himself on the receiving end of a David Thomas 13-yard pass and catch.  Stillman would get another field goal from Huerta, this time from 35 yards out to make the score 7-6 in favor of Miles in the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter belong to Miles as the Golden Bears posted 21 unanswered points in just under six minutes to build a 28-6 lead.  Stillman would score again when punt returner Damian Ford would scamper 63 yards using both sides of the field to make the contest 28-13, Miles.

Miles would add three more touchdowns over the final 21 minutes of game play for the final score 49-13.

Miles out gained Stillman 318-56 on the ground.  In total offense yards, Miles held a 430-256 advantage.

Dondre Purnell rushed 15 times for 59 yards while completing 3-of-6 pass attempts.  Stillman starter Joshua Straughan went 25-of-37 for 186 yards and one interception.  Ford had ten receptions for 78 yards while Charles Payne had five catches for 49 yards.  Defensively, Marcus Matthews had 12 tackles while Ronrico Dunn tallied nine.  Robert Crosby finished with eight stops in the game while Dontavious Lawson had six tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Stillman will return home to host Clark Atlanta on November 3.  Miles will host Tuskegee on the same Saturday.

Box Score

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

After 55 Years, Coach Stribling Calls It Quits

COACH LAFAYETTE STRIBLING

TOUGALOO, Mississippi  -- The Tougaloo College Athletics Department held a press conference on yesterday to officially announce the retirement of legendary coach Lafayette Stribling, the Head Men's Basketball Coach. Coach Stribling will be hanging up the whistle on October 31, 2012.

After 55 years of coaching on the high school and collegiate levels, Lafayette Stribling has decided to let it go. In the press conference held on yesterday, Coach Stribling announced his retirement effective October 31, 2012.

He has been at Tougaloo College for seven years. In those seven years, Coach Stribling led the Bulldogs to four regular season championships, one tournament championship, and five national tournament appearances. During the 2010-2011 season, Coach Stribling was forced to play with seven players, known as the Super 7. With those seven players, they had a 16-2 record. They had an overall record of 28-5 and he led them to a GCAC Regular Season and Tournament championship and the "Sweet Sixteen" of the national tournament.

Also during his time here at Tougaloo College, Coach Stribling has been named GCAC Coach of the Year three times. In his seven years here at Tougaloo, he only had one losing season, which was his first season here at Tougaloo when he went 5-20. However, the following season, he would go 17-13 and win the school's first GCAC Regular Season Championship.

At the press conference, Stribling thanked his players, past and present, for allowing him to coach them. He acknowledged that none of his accomplishments would not have been possible without them.

On hand for the press conference were his family, former and present players, athletic director Dr. James C. Coleman, Tougaloo College President Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan, Tougaloo College Athletic Booster Club President Trustee Jerry Nickens, and other friends and colleagues. Also at the press conference was the announcement of Coach Stribling's successor, who will be his assistant Coach Harvey Wardell. Wardell has been Stribling's assistant for 30 years, starting back at Mississippi Valley State University. In Coach Wardell's remarks, he stated "It's going to be the same ship, just a different captain." Coach Wardell acknowledged that he was humble and very thankful for the opportunity to succeed Coach Stribling.

The Bulldogs and new head coach Harvey Wardell are scheduled to kick-off the 2012-2013 season on October 31, 2012 in Tyler, TX against Texas College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 P.M.


COURTESY TOUGALOO COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Rejuvenated 'D' puts swagger into JCSU

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Johnson C. Smith’s defense has gone from liability to asset in two weeks. After being torched for 55 and 63 points in losses to Lincoln (Pa.) and Winston-Salem State, the Golden Bulls were forced to do some soul-searching on defense. Over the next two weeks, they allowed 38 points combined in wins at Fayetteville State and Shaw. “We had to look at each other and see who was there and who wanted to be around,” senior safety Chris Sams said. “It was like a wake-up call.” JCSU (4-4, 3-2 CIAA) shook off its slumber. Not only did the Golden Bulls limit opposing offenses, they created opportunities despite a spate of injuries that forced lineup changes. “We were pretty banged up, especially in the secondary,” defensive coordinator Craig Cox said. “We’re still missing a few guys but we’re getting back some of the guys that were injured and getting healthy and just started playing better as a unit.” READ MORE

Savannah State Tigers head to Hampton Saturday

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Good things come to those who wait. Well at least in the case of the Savannah State University football team. With their first win under their belt, the Savannah State Tigers hit the road to take on Hampton University this Saturday at Armstrong Stadium.

Last week’s homecoming victory broke SSU’s 13-game losing streak, with a record of 1-6. Savannah State hopes to take the momentum into this week’s Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference game as they face off against the 1-5 Pirates.

Simon Heyward- MEAC Player of the week

Speaking of momentum, Savannah State junior and Savannah, GA native Simon Heyward (#8) hopes to keep it rolling after being selected as the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. The SSU receiver’s three touchdowns helped push pass Edward Waters University, 42-35. Heyward recorded six passes for 160 yards against the EWC defense. Simon Heyward leads this season amongst SSU receivers with 27 catches, 535 yards, and five touchdowns.

Hampton University

Hampton University celebrates its Homecoming and Senior Day this Saturday as well as the final home game for the Pirates’ 2012 football season. HU hopes to improve its 1-3 MEAC record, after falling to North Carolina Central 37-20 in last Thursday’s game. 

 

 

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In the FCS Huddle: Week 9 Preview

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  -- Normally, with just four weeks remaining in the 2012 season, much of the attention in the FCS goes to the power conferences. Everyone wants to know which teams from the top conferences will make the postseason or earn a playoff seed.

In Week 9, however, two games taking place in the SWAC and the MEAC also deserve a share of the spotlight.

It's a huge week for black college football with the SWAC's Alabama A&M playing Alabama State in the 71st Magic City Classic and Bethune-Cookman hosting the MEAC's biggest surprise this season, North Carolina Central, with first place up for grabs.

Although the SWAC has been somewhat inconsistent and crazy this season, Alabama A&M and Alabama State have remained constant threats for the Eastern Division title. It seems whenever these teams meet in such a historic HBCU rivalry game, the winner almost always controls its destiny on the way to earning a shot in the SWAC title game.





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THE SHOW: 10th Annual Adrian Carroll Battle of the Bands at Durham, N.C.

Enjoy this show in 1080p HD FULL SCREEN...



Videographer: Thomas L. Jones Jr.

Morgan State Bears host Delaware State in ESPNU matchup

DELAWARE STATE @ MORGAN STATE
7:30 P.M. THURSDAY
TV: ESPNU
INTERNET: ESPN3 (See Map for Blackout)
RADIO: WEAA  88.9 FM
Gamenotes
Live Stats



GAME TIME  Morgan State (3-4, 2-2 MEAC) continues the 2012 season play in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup against Delaware State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hughes Stadium. The Hornets enter the 2012 season under the leadership of second-year head coach Kermit Blount. The Hornets (4-2, 3-1) are coming off a 24-0 shutout win at North Carolina A&T. The Bears fell short in the final moments at Howard 21-20 in Greene Stadium. This week's game will be broadcast to a national audience by ESPNU and will also be broadcast live by WEAA, 88.9 FM (www.weaa.org).

THE BEARS-HORNETS MATCHUP
• The Bears and Bison will meet for the 55th time since 1945. Morgan leads the series 31-23.

• Morgan State did what they had to do on a dreary, windy and rain-soaked day for the Hornet's Homecoming. They protected a slim lead, played solid defense and ran the ball. Tracy Martin ran for a game-high 154 yards on 38 carries and scored the only points of the game, helping the Bears grind out a 12-0 victory over Delaware State. The Bears played smash-mouth football throughout most of the ballgame and simply dominated the time of possession (39:53 - 20:07) -- recording their first shutout since October 7, 2006.

• The last time the Hornets were in Hughes Stadium was on Oct. 23, 2010 ... Redshirt freshman QB Delonte Williams led Morgan State on a comeback drive with under a minute remaining in the game. Williams had three interceptions – two of them returned for touchdowns – and was sacked three times. But he also led the Bears on an 8-play, 85 yard drive and threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Hendrix with 20 seconds on the clock. Sheldon Jacques added a two yard fumble return for a touchdown as the Bears came away with a climatic 34-24 win over the Hornets on Saturday at Hughes Stadium before an announced Homecoming crowd of 14,312 fans.


COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Reginald S. Avery Resigns Post as President of Coppin State University

Dr. Reginald S. Avery

BALTIMORE, Maryland  (October 24, 2012)  -- Reginald S. Avery, President of Coppin State University, announced today that he is resigning his position of President effective January 22, 2013. In making his departure announcement, Dr. Avery said "Serving as President of Coppin State University has been the highlight of my career in higher education. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead an institution that is so vitally important to the community and the students that we serve. There comes a time when leaders must step aside to allow for continued institutional growth, and for me that time has come. I am grateful to the entire Coppin Campus community for their commitment to the students and mission of Coppin State University."

One of 12 institutions in the University System of Maryland (USM), Coppin State University has a culturally rich 112-year history as an institution providing quality educational programs and community outreach services. Coppin State University is a model urban, residential liberal arts university located in the northwest section of the City of Baltimore and offers 53 majors and nine graduate-degree programs. A fully accredited institution, Coppin serves Baltimore residents as well as students from around the world.

 

Dr. Avery officially assumed the presidency of Coppin State University on January 14, 2008. His background includes more than 35-years of distinguished service in higher education. Prior to serving as Coppin’s fifth president he held the positions of Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of South Carolina, Provost at Alma College in Michigan, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kentucky State University among other positions.

 

William E. Kirwan, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, offered the following statement. "I am grateful to President Avery for his five years of service to Coppin State University, the University System of Maryland, and the state. His demonstrated commitment to advancing Coppin State will impact the university’s progress in the years ahead. Soon, I will announce the appointment of an interim president who will lead the Coppin community and help ensure that the university moves forward during this period of transition."

 

During the past five years Coppin State University has made advancements. Several key highlights include:

• Launched initiatives to reverse the course of declining retention rates for first-time, full-time students by implementing effective student support initiatives;
• Greatly expanded the use of technology in every aspect of the university from academic to operational applications generating national acclaim for Coppin in the area of information technology innovation;
• Expanded Coppin’s renowned nursing and allied health programs into the College of Health Sciences which now offers the only Health Information Management degree in the mid-Atlantic region;
• Established a new School of Business which currently offers a fully accredited on-line business degree program;
• Enhanced Coppin’s campus physical infrastructure with new and improved capital projects including plans to break ground on a new $68 million science and technology building before the end of December 2012.

"On behalf of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, I thank President Avery for his leadership of Coppin State University. As a member of the state’s public higher education system, Coppin plays a very important role in providing access, opportunity, and services to students and the greater Baltimore community," said James L. Shea, chair of the USM Board. "The regents wish President Avery success as he takes on new challenges."

 

Dr. Avery added, "It has been my privilege and honor to have served as President of Coppin and to have worked with a talented and dedicated team of individuals who care deeply about the university and our students. I am proud of what we have achieved together."--

 

 

COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama State quarterback Greg Jenkins talks Magic City Classic

HOMEWOOD, Alabama---Alabama State starting quarterback Greg Jenkins, a Florida native, talks about discovering how big a deal The Magic City Classic is and the importance of this year's game for the Hornets at Wednesday's kickoff press conference.

The interviewer, Nick Birdsong covers HBCU sports for al.com.

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Alabama State fighting to keep SWAC title hopes alive in Magic City Classic

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Magic City Classic week is special for a lot of reasons.

It's about friends, reuniting with old college buddies and meeting new ones. It's about fun.  Birmingham is pulling out all the stops prior to the 2:30 p.m. kickoff between Alabama A&M and Alabama State. The official schedule of events includes an alumni pep rally, scholarship breakfast, parade and tailgate party.

But even with all the festivities that precede the main event, it's also about football. This year's game has huge implications for both team's hopes of returning to Legion Field to play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game December 8^th.

At 6-1 and 5-1 in the conference, Alabama A&M, last year's conference runner-up, controls its own destiny. A game ahead of Alabama State (4-3, 4-2) and Jackson State (4-4-4-2) in the eastern division standings, if the Bulldogs win out, they're in.

Alabama State, on the other hand, is fighting to ...




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Paine College expected to announce return of football program

AUGUSTA, Georgia  --  Paine College is expected to announce the return of football Friday after a 50-year absence.

Lions athletic director Tim Duncan said Wednesday that he could neither confirm nor deny what a Friday morning news conference will address.

“It’ll be good news,” he said. “It’ll be an exciting time for Paine College.”

Roscoe Williams, a Paine alumnus and former assistant to the president, said the announcement would be about restarting a football team. He said the last year of the program was 1962.

“There’s nothing like having a football program,” Williams said. “My guess is it is to regenerate some school spirit.”

He said the talks have been going on for some time.

“It’s not a spur-of-the-moment thing,” he said. “I think it’s been planned out.”

Williams said he expects Au­gusta to support the team, particularly if it wins.

“It’s just like anything else,” he said. “It’s going to be a function of how successful the team is.”

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XU Gold Nuggets receive most points ever in NAIA rankings

By Ed Cassiere, SID, Xavier University of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana reached new heights Wednesday in the NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 poll. The Gold Nuggets received a school-record 18 points from the panel of 25 coaches and rank 34th.

The previous XU mark for poll points was 14 in the 2008 preseason. This is the 23rd time that the Gold Nuggets received points — the first time was in 2002 — and the fourth time they collected 10 or more points. Three of those double-figure occasions occured this season.

This is the third time this season that the Nuggets rank 34th. They were 37th a week ago with three points.

The XU women qualified automatically for the NAIA National Championships after a resounding victory Saturday in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships at Clinton, Miss. Xavier had the top six finishers — Zahri Jackson, Catherine Fakler, Briana Simms, Hali Yarmush, Hannah Finnegan and Donyé Coleman — in the 5,000-meter race, and Jackson and Fakler became the first Nuggets to run that distance in less than 19 minutes. Jackson (18:54.69) won by about a half-second over Fakler to repeat as GCAC individual champion. Xavier won the team championship for a GCAC-record-tying seventh consecutive season, this time by 63 points over runner-up Edward Waters. Xavier is 33-9 against all opponents this season.

Both XU teams qualified for the national meet, which will be Nov. 17 in Vancouver, Wash. The Gold Nuggets and the Gold Rush will compete at nationals for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in five years.

The final two polls of 2012 will be released Nov. 4 and 22.

NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll(first-place votes in parentheses) Rank Team Points Last 1 Cal State San Marcos (22) 653 1 2 British Columbia 628 2 3 College of Idaho (3) 604 3 4 Olivet Nazarene 599 4 5 Biola 569 5 6 Carroll (Mont.) 547 6 7 Northwest Christian 522 7 8 Westmont 501 8 9 Cornerstone 484 9 10 Oklahoma Baptist 472 11 11 Dordt 440 10 12 Lewis-Clark State 407 13 13 The Master's 394 14 14 Rocky Mountain 361 15 15 Huntington (Ind.) 346 24 16 Concordia (Calif.) 337 16 17 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 319 22 18 St. Francis (Ill.) 296 17 19 Milligan 279 19 20 Concordia (Neb.) 275 23 21 Aquinas 243 12 22 Eastern Oregon 207 21 23 Taylor 174 25 24-tie Northwest 131 RV 24-tie SCAD Savannah 131 NR Others receiving votes: Saint Xavier 130, Indiana Wesleyan 107, Southern Oregon 52, Central Methodist 41, Shawnee State 41, Doane 37, Rogers State 23, Spring Arbor 19, Xavier 18, Park 15, Baker 10, Lee (Tenn)

Gold Rush in preseason top 25 for 3rd consecutive year

NEW ORLEANS — For the third consecutive season, Xavier University of Louisiana earned a spot in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll. Xavier is 19th, its highest preseason ranking since 2007. The poll was announced Tuesday.

The Gold Rush, 23-9 in 2011-12 and the defending Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season co-champion, are in the top 25 for the 12th consecutive time and the 25th time in 26 polls dating to the start of the 2010-11 season. Xavier's highest ranking last season was 18th twice.
 
The next poll will be announced Dec. 4.

The XU men on Tuesday evening conducted their first practice in the new Convocation Center. The building will be dedicated Nov. 3, and the Gold Rush will play Morehouse at 1 p.m. that day. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at the XU athletics administration office in The Barn. Call (504) 520-7329 for more information.

The Gold Rush will attempt to reach 20 victories for the third consecutive year and the eighth time in 10 seasons. The Gold Rush have not finished with a losing record since 1989-90.

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records are from 2011-12 season) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Concordia (Calif.) (9) 31-7 250 1 2 Oklahoma Baptist (1) 32-5 242 2 3 Georgetown (Ky.) 26-9 231 5 4 Robert Morris (Chicago) 27-5 230 10 5 Rogers State 24-9 211 8 6 Southern Poly 25-7 208 11 7 Our Lady of the Lake 27-8 206 12 8 Westmont 19-9 195 RV 9 Pikeville 17-12 188 RV 10 Columbia (Mo.) 27-7 170 13 11 Lindsey Wilson 21-10 153 14 12 Freed-Hardeman 21-11 145 RV 13-tie Biola 27-9 139 6 13-tie Westminster (Utah) 21-11 139 NR 15 Lee (Tenn.) 20-9 135 18 16 MidAmerica Nazarene 25-9 132 19 17-tie John Brown 24-9 128 17 17-tie Texas Wesleyan 25-8 128 23 19 Xavier 23-9 119 24 20 Cal State San Marcos 19-12 107 NR 21 Evangel 24-10 80 22 22 Martin Methodist 28-7 72 9 23 Montana State Northern 27-7 68 21 24 SUNO 17-14 61 20 25 Cumberlands 20-12 50 RV Others receiving votes: Southwestern Assemblies of God 34, Montana Western 29, Loyola 24, Lubbock Christian 21, Life 20, Tougaloo 15, Campbellsville 9, Missouri Baptist 8, West Virginia Tech 7, LSU-Shreveport 6, Baker 3, Oklahoma City 3.

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

XU Nuggets earn highest NAIA preseason rank since 1997

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana was 11th in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll announced Tuesday. It's the Gold Nuggets' highest preseason ranking since 1997, when they were seventh.

Xavier, 26-9 in 2011-12, is in the top 25 for the 32nd consecutive time dating to January 2010. It's the Nuggets' longest top-25 streak since 34 straight polls from Jan. 13, 2003-March 8, 2005. It's their highest national ranking since Feb. 15, 2005, when they were 15th.

The Gold Nuggets will visit LSU in a 7 p.m. exhibition Nov. 1, then open the regular season at 3 p.m. on Nov. 3 against Johnson & Wales (Fla.) in XU's Convocation Center. The XU women conducted their first practice in the new facility Tuesday evening.

Five of the Nuggets' first 12 games will be against NAIA teams in the preseason top 25 — No. 5 Westminster (Utah) at home Nov. 17, No. 19 LSU-Shreveport at home Nov. 19, No. 14 Langston at home Nov. 22, No. 25 Faulkner in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Montgomery, Ala., on Dec. 29 and No. 22 Bethel (Tenn.) at home Jan. 2.

Xavier will attempt to win 20 games for the 12th consecutive season, which would extend a school record.

NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records are from 2011-12 season) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Lubbock Christian (9) 28-6 280 3 2 Shawnee State 28-6 269 tie-6 3 Freed-Hardeman (2) 28-6 266 5 4 Vanguard 23-7 251 tie-13 5 Westminster (Utah) 23-9 240 15 6 Georgetown (Ky.) 24-10 236 11 7 Westmont 31-4 229 4 8 Rogers State 22-12 216 21 9 Lee (Tenn.) 30-4 209 10 10 Oklahoma City 35-1 196 1 11 Xavier 26-9 192 16 12 Biola 23-11 174 20 13 Campbellsville 20-13 171 25 14 Langston 30-4 168 tie-8 15-tie Lewis-Clark State 29-5 154 12 15-tie MidAmerica Nazarene 25-9 154 22 17 Lindsey Wilson 20-13 135 RV 18 Cumberlands 28-4 120 tie-8 19 LSU-Shreveport 25-9 116 RV 20 Avila 22-11 106 24 21 Columbia (Mo.) 24-10 101 RV 22 Bethel (Tenn.) 15-17 75 NR 23 William Woods 23-10 73 RV 24 Our Lady of the Lake 26-8 71 RV 25 Faulkner 20-10 51 NR Others receiving votes: Loyola 37, Robert Morris (Chicago) 37, The Master's 35, Lyon 32, Cumberland 26, Talladega 25, Carroll (Mont.) 18, Oklahoma Baptist 14, San Diego Christian 8, Benedictine (Kan.) 5, Cal State San Marcos 3.

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

THURSDAY: Stillman (4-4) at Miles (7-0)

Stillman (4-4) at Miles (7-0)
Oct. 25 @ 6 pm • Fairfield, Ala.
Sloan Alumni Stadium

Download Complete Stillman Game Notes (PDF)
Link to live stats during game

RIVALY WEEK #2...PROVING TIME...REDEMPTION TIME...BROTHER VERSUS BROTHER...INTRASTATE RIVAL...DIVISIONAL MATCHUP...CRITICAL CONTEST.
A lot of catch phrases can be used to describe the emotion that has built up over this mid-week matchup between Stillman College and Miles College.

With the status of the Western Division hanging in the balance, this Thursday night matchup could go a long way in deciding who will play in the 2012 SIAC Championship. A win by Stillman will add a lot of intrigue to the situation.

With standout performers on both squads ... on both sides of the ball ... expect an emotional contest as the sun sets on Fairfield, Alabama Thursday evening.

Fort Valley State is coming off a 38-12 homecoming victory over Concordia-Selma while Stillman hopes for a rebound after a 16-0 decision against Tuskegee.

STILLMAN'S LAST GAME
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (October 20, 2012) - Despite a strong opening 44 minutes that saw Stillman move the ball on the ground, the Tiger football team dropped a 35-17 decision to the visiting Fort Valley State Wildcats Saturday evening at Stillman Stadium.

With the outcome, FVSU improves to 6-2, 4-1 in SIAC play while Stillman's record is evened at 4-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

The Wildcats took the opening possession and marched 63 yards on 11 plays culminating the drive with a one-yard run by Germaine Tait. From the point, the game slowed for both teams as neither team could put together sustained offensive possessions. After an uneventful second quarter, FVSU carried a 7-0 lead into the locker room at intermission.

The third quarter saw the Tigers take the kickoff and march 60 on seven plays with senior kicker Alejandro Huerta connecting on a 37-yard field goal putting Stillman on the board at 7-3. On Stillman's next possession, the Tigers would cap a 8-play, 85-yard drive with a one-yard rush by receiver-then-backup-quarterback Dondre Purnell. On the scoring drive, Purnell would have scrambles of 36 and seven yards before crossing the goal line on the one-yard plunge.

Two possessions later, Stillman would get the ball on its own 16 yard line. Five plays later, a costly fumble would be recovered by FVSU's Thomas Wolfe who would run 43 yards giving the Wildcats a 14-10 lead at the end of three quarters.

In the fourth, FVSU defensive back Dejuan Williams would intercept a Tiger pass attempt and run 60 yards to give FVSU a 21-10 lead. On Stillman's next offensive play, Tiger freshman running back David Johnson would take the handoff and run 75 yards practically untouched to cut the deficit to 21-17.

When FVSU's offense touched the field again, they would travel 62 yards on eight plays with Antonio Henton scoring on a one-yard run to make the game 28-17 in favor of the Wildcats. After a defensive stand, FVSU's Henton would connect with Chris Slaughter on a 44-yard scoring play making the score 35-17.

Stillman would have another offensive possession, but the drive would fall short at the hands of a Jabioas Glenn interception.

For the game, Stillman earned a 203-182 rushing yard advantage while FVSU out gained the Tigers 185-108 in the air.

Individually, Stillman was paced by Purnell, who finished with 10 carries for 103 yards. Johnson had eight carries for 82 yards and Travis Robinson had seven carries for 17 yards. Purnell also passed for 68 yards. Robinson caught four passes for 33 yards. Defensively, Eric Childs had nine tackles in the game while Robert Crosby had eight stops and two pass breakups.

MILES'S LAST GAME
JACKSON, Tennessee—Miles shook off a shaky start and used a big second half to remain unbeaten in SIAC play in its 38-20 win over Lane.

Miles wore down the Dragons with its balanced rushing attack. The Golden Bears, (7-1, 5-0) racked up 402 yards on the ground to extend its winning streak to seven straight games. Devonte Parker-Johnson rushed for a season high 193 yards and a touchdown, while Floyd Graves added 145 yards and two scores to lead the Golden Bears offense. All-SIAC Quarterback David Thomas passed for only 93 yards, but was able to find Antonio Pitts for a 38-yard touchdown to give Miles the go-ahead score late in the third quarter. The senior also rushed for 44 yards and a score.

Lane took a 14-7 lead late in the second quarter, but would eventually run out of gas in the second half. The Dragons were outscored by 18 points in the second half. The team, playing without starting quarterback Chris Rini, were led by backup quarterbacks McKinsley Marbury and Greg Landrum combined 296 yards passing and two touchdowns.

SCOUTING THE BEARS
Miles comes into the contest averaging 38 points per game while allowing 15 points per outing.
Leading the charge is quarterback David Thomas with 288 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. He is also completing 63 percent of his pass attempts for over 1,700 yards and ten touchdowns. Floyd Graves is the team's leading rusher averaging 6.8 yards per rush with seven touchdowns. Anton Pitts has 33 receptions for 409 yards and five touchdowns.
On defense, Julanta English has 58 tackles and 1.5 sacks while Reginald Virges has 55 tackles and two interceptions.

TIGER RETURNEES
The Tigers return 42 players from last year's team. Included in the count are:
Quarterback - 1
Offensive Line - 7
Defensive Back - 9
Defensive Line - 8
Wide Receivers - 4
Kickers - 1
Tight Ends - 3
Linebackers - 6
Running Backs - 3


COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Tougaloo College basketball coach Lafayette Stribling retires

TOUGALOO, Mississippi -- Dressed in one of his finest suits and saying “it’s been a good ride,” longtime basketball coach Lafayette Stribling announced his retirement from Tougaloo College inside the school’s Kroger Gymnasium Tuesday.

Stribling, who has coached for over 50 years, most coming at Mississippi Valley State University (22 years), closed the book on one of the state’s most illustrious coaching careers in a way that only he could.

He joked about the officals having it in for him and his MVSU team in 1985 when the Delta Devils took a three-point halftime lead into the locker room against then No.1 Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament, he poked fun at Tougaloo College athletic director James Coleman’s “persuading” that ultimately led him to leave MVSU for Tougaloo. He even teased a former Tougaloo basketball player for looking “like a football player,” since graduating.

More than anything, Stribling, who had heart surgery last summer, thanked those that have helped him along the way.



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