A&T Has Learned How To Win

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  The North Carolina A&T football team doesn't worry about style points. It concerns itself with results. The Aggies have won three straight games to guarantee themselves their first winning season in nine years.

All three games are evidence the Aggies have learned how to grind out and win close ballgames at home. Three weeks ago, the Aggies trailed 9-7 at halftime before their defense dominated Norfolk State, and the offense used an effective running game to earn a 30-9 win. Last week, in their 16-3 win over Florida A&M, the Aggies went without an offensive touchdown. But freshman kicker Zach Cimaglia kicked three field goals and junior linebacker D'Vonte Grant returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown.

Against the Bulldogs on Saturday, the Aggies again went on the grind. After the Bulldogs returned the opening kickoff 96 yards, the Aggies trailed for 3 ½ quarters. Then in a period of 16 seconds, they scored two touchdowns, one on a 34-yard run by Ricky Lewis, and the other on a 10-yard fumble return by D'Vonte Graham. A&T's defense, the second-best in the nation, has received the most credit, but A&T's offense seems to produce in crucial moments.

"I'm proud of the way our players hang in there and find ways to win ballgames," said A&T coach Rod Broadway. "It's not pretty, but it's a win. Our guys kept playing hard today, and they were rewarded for it during the back end of the ballgame because some things went our way. To be 6-4 at this point in the season is a great accomplishment for our players because they've worked their butts off this season."




THE STREAK: How good has the Aggies defense been this season? When Lewis scored on a 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, it marked the Aggies first offensive touchdown in seven quarters. Yet, the Aggies are on a three-game winning streak. That is because the A&T defense has not allowed an offensive touchdown in 14 quarters. It is a span of 3 ½ games.

"The guys have a lot of pride in how they're playing right now," said Broadway. "Our guys are being successful (on defense) because we understand where we're supposed to fit and fill. They know where to line up, and they have a clear understanding of what we want them to do."

SENIOR DAY: The Aggies honored 18 football players, three student managers and one student trainer as a part of its Senior Day celebration before the game. The football senior class overcame a 1-10 season in 2010 to post an 11-10 record over the last two seasons. They will also walk away with school's first winning record in nine seasons.

"This will be our legacy," said senior linebacker Makari Pugh.

Among the Aggies seniors are Mike Mayhew, the school's all-time leading rusher, and Chris Neal, a four-year starter on the Aggies defensive line. Pugh, Mayhew, Neal, Leroy Bradford, Jeremy Days, Brandon Hill, Brandon Young, Brandon Hover, Thomas Hearn, Tony Mashburn, Mark Newton, Jermarion Pegues, Donta Prince, Chris Andrews, Larry Raper, Devin Ray, Xavier Robinson and Armon White were the 18 players honored.

Student mangers Alicia Funderburk, Shannon Sellers and Shantel Wilkerson were also honored along with senior student trainer Kim Stratford.



HOME SWEET HOME: The Aggies are 10-2 at home under Broadway. The 6-4 Aggies have won all their games at home. Their last win on the road came on Oct. 1, 2011. They will try to end their seven-game road losing streak next week at N.C. Central. But for now, the Aggies are content with their success at home. Broadway has long had a reputation for getting his teams to play well at home. N.C. Central was 18-5 and Grambling was 15-0 under Broadway. As a head coach, Broadway is 43-7 at home.


COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Xavier Gold Rush take a free ride to rally past Tuskegee

NEW ORLEANS -- Wanto Joseph made all 10 of his free throws in the final four minutes Saturday to help NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana rally for a 78-70 victory against Tuskegee in the final game of the Big Easy Classic at XU's Convocation Center.

The Gold Rush (4-0), the only team to win both games in this event, outscored Tuskegee 29-9 in the final 12:04 after trailing 61-49. Xavier made 20-of-22 free throws during the comeback and 33-of-43 in the game.

Joseph, who scored one point in the first half, finished with 15 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals. Denzell Erves scored 13 points, Nick Haywood 12, Xavier Rogers 11 and Renard Smith 10 for the Gold Rush.

Javier McKinney scored 22 points, including 5-of-7 3-pointers, for Tuskegee, which was 1-1 in this event but counted both games as exhibitions. Calvin Thomas had 17 points, five assists, two blocked shots and three steals, and David Alexander scored 10 points.

The teams were tied at 36 at halftime.

Xavier, an NAIA member, has two victories this season against NCAA Division II opponents. The other was against Morehouse in Xavier's first game in its new home arena one week ago.

Xavier is 4-0 for the ninth time in 10 seasons.

Jarvis Christian made nine first-half 3-pointers in a 94-87 victory against Spring Hill in the first game Saturday.

More on the Xavier game will be posted online at http://www.xula.edu/athletics/news/2012/1110b.html



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

XU Nuggets repeat as GCAC champion; Echebelem is MVP

Chinedu Echebelem
2012 GCAC MVP

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball team defeated Tougaloo 25-15, 25-13, 25-16 Saturday to win the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the second consecutive year.

The Gold Nuggets (22-7, 4-0 tournament) became the first HBCU to qualify for the NAIA National Championship in consecutive seasons. They'll play a first-round match next Saturday against an opponent to be announced.

Xavier's Chinedu Echebelem was chosen tournament MVP and was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Moira Kirk and Taylor Reuther. All three are sophomores.

"It is an amazing feeling to be able to accomplish the same thing we did last year," said Christabell Hamilton, whose Gold Nuggets are 28-0 against GCAC opponents during her two seasons as coach. "I am very proud of my team and their hard work since August."

Tougaloo had less than an hour to prepare for Xavier after rallying for a five-set semifinal victory against SUNO. The Lady Bulldogs (23-14) won the final two sets. They turned an 11-6 deficit into a 15-13 fifth-set victory which earned them their first berth in the final and denied SUNO a third consecutive appearance in the championship round.

Xavier never trailed against Tougaloo until 1-0 and 2-1 in the third set. The Nuggets led 4-0 and 10-4 in the opening set and 7-1 and 13-3 in the middle set. They scored five consecutive points in the final set to build a 10-4 lead.

"Tougaloo was tired by the time they played us," Hamilton said. "They had some main players go down with injuries from the previous match and during ours, and that was a factor. However, we played very well. We controlled momentum the whole time, and we were able to play all of our players."

Echebelem excelled despite knee injuries which kept her out of the opening tournament match Thursday against Philander Smith. Echebelem played the final three matches, and "she played great," Hamilton said. "She's the kind of kid every coach wants to have on their team. I admire her fight and her love for the game and her teammates."

Echebelem said she was given the option to sit out the tournament, but she declined. "I fought through my pain for my team," Echebelem said. "All my teammates worked together to win the championship."

Hamilton used Echebelem on the front row only and subbed in CeCe Williams when Echebelem rotated to the back row.

The Nuggets have won six in a row, 9-of-10 and 17 of their last 20 matches.

For the second consecutive year, all three of XU's fall teams won conference championships. The men's and women's cross country teams each won seventh consecutive GCAC titles in October. The volleyball Nuggets, in their fifth season of intercollegiate competition, are 45-14 during Hamilton's tenure. They were 30-73 the first three seasons.


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

Alcorn State Braves Send the TSU Tigers Packing with their Tails Between their Legs

ALCORN STATE, MS --The Alcorn State Braves welcomed the Tigers of Texas Southern to the beautiful greens of 1000 ASU Drive. Today's game served as high school day as well as military and first responders' appreciation day. Under bright lights and gorgeous skies at Dwight Fisher Field the Braves delivered a show stopping explosive performance on offense and defense. You would have to be here to experience the electric atmosphere and crisp breeze setting the tone for exciting football action. Weather…..ideal for any football lover! Today's match up is the first game back at Spinks-Casem since the Braves two game winning streak against the Jaguars of Southern University.

The first quarter of action was a showcase and birthday highlight reel for senior wide receiver Terrance Lewis. Rookie quarterback John Gibbs connected with Lewis via air on an eight yard pass for an early Braves touchdown with 11:27. The drive went seven plays for sixty-five yards in 3:17 for a first quarter score of 7-0.

In the second quarter, the Tigers got on the scoreboard off the foot of senior kicker Robert Hersh with a forty yard field goal with 8:57 left in the quarter. The drive went eight plays for fifty-seven yards in 3:37 for a score of 7-3. The Braves responded with a successful scoring drive of their own. With 4:19 on the clock freshman quarterback Jordan Payne connected with senior wide receiver Nick Brooks for a nine yard pass and the PAT was good by sophomore kicker Ernesto Santillan for a score of 14-3. The drive went five plays and fifty-seven yards in 1:29. With more back and forth scoring between the teams Texas Southern scored their first touchdown with Rudolph Johnson hitting James Davis for a nineteen yard pass with 0:34 on the clock. The scoring drive was ten plays and seventy-four yards in 3:41. The score at the half was 14-10.



After going in down at the half the last two games, head coach Jay Hopson was elated to deliver not a motivational speech instead a resounding rally of the troops highlighting the team word of the season “execution”.

The third quarter saw Texas Southern edging a come-back; scoring first in the second half the Tigers' James Davis reached the end zone off a pass from Johnson for twenty-two yards. That drive was four plays for thirty-seven yards in 2:52. With 12:06 on the clock the score was 17-14, Texas Southern leading. The Braves quickly responded by putting our work horse….running back sensation senior Arnold Walker to work. On a two yard run in thirteen plays and sixty yards the Braves scored again. The clock read 7:03 and the score to end the quarter was 21-17.

Welcome to the fourth quarter, with all fours in the air the team was more than ready to put the icing on the cake and the win in the books. As in the previous quarter TSU scored first with a quarterback keeper run Johnson broke the plane with a forty-six yard run and the PAT was good by Hersh. The drive went four plays and eighty yards in 1:44 with 14:46 on the clock. The score was 24-21 with TSU looking to seal the deal. The Braves quickly responded with Walker pounding into the end zone at the 12:37 mark on a one yard run. The PAT by Santillan was no good leaving the Braves with a score of 27-24. The Braves went nine plays and seventy-five yards in 2:09. After the clinic Walker and Lewis put on Tollete George joined the party with a forty-one yard pass by Gibbs for the final score of the game with 1:46 left. The drive was eight plays and seventy-one yards in 3:56. Your final score from Spinks-Casem was 34-24. The Braves improve to 4-6 overall and 4-4 in the conference.

"I thought the guys executed when they had to and did enough to win the game. I'd like to eliminate the penalities but overall we ran and threw the ball effectively. I thought Arnold Walker ran the ball extremely hard and he brought life and energy to this unit", said offensive coordinator Willie Simmons.

The Braves will be back in action next weekend at home against arch-rival Jackson State University in the Magnolia Heritage Classic: Return of the Soul Bowl. Kick-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. We advise you all to get here early because you don't want to miss this thrilling finale from Dwight Fisher Field!




COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Stillman ends 2012 season with 28-26 homecoming win against Concordia-Selma

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama --- Since Sunday, the theme surrounding homecoming activities at Stillman was, "Stillman: Soaring". As the week closed out, indeed the Tigers needed to soar to put a more than favorable cap on the season.

Following the lead of senior wide receiver Damian Ford, the Tigers downed Concordia-Selma 28-26 Saturday afternoon at Stillman Stadium.

The senior from Birmingham scored on two pass plays and a punt return as the Tigers avenged last season's homecoming defeat.

Stillman (6-5) took the opening drive and marched 65 yards on six plays, ending the drive with a 24-yard pass play from freshman Joshua Straughan to senior Damian Ford. Concordia would answer with a 12-play, 64-yard drive ending with quarterback Keith Ray running in from three yards out. The Hornets (5-4) would score again on a 79-yard pass play from Ray to Jeremy Morris to give Concordia a 12-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Late in the second quarter, senior receiver Jamal Rodman scored on a 30-yard pass and catch to put Stillman in front 14-12. However, the Hornets would get a late score, a 15-yard pass play from Ray to David Hampton with 19 seconds remaining in the half. Concordia took a 18-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.




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Trei Mitchell’s mother dies before last chance to see him play

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana --  This was supposed to be the biggest game of the year for Sanja Mitchell.

It was supposed to be the last time the 43-year-old mother of two would see her son, Trei Mitchell, play football in A.W. Mumford Stadium — the same venue the former Southern Lab Kitten made a name for himself as a hole-opening offensive lineman.

“This was supposed to be her Super Bowl,” said Sanja’s sister, Tonja Myles. “She loved to see Trei play football. She was his biggest fan.”

For the first time in his life, Trei Mitchell is without the woman that molded him into the young man he is today. So, it’s no surprise the past two weeks have been extremely challenging.

Especially Saturday, as the Baton Rouge native returned home for the first time since his mother succumbed to a heart attack on Oct. 24 and helped his team pick up a bittersweet 31-30 win.

“It would have been something special,” Mitchell said ...

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Alabama State still alive in SWAC East race

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Southern’s football team has long since dropped out of the running for a spot in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

Alabama State, which survived Saturday’s trip to A.W. Mumford Stadium, holding on for a 31-30 victory, is still very much in the race.

But the Hornets need help.

Alabama State (7-3, 7-2 SWAC) wrapped up conference play with Saturday’s win. The Hornets, who are idle this week before their annual Turkey Day Classic against Tuskegee, must hope for Jackson State to lose Saturday at Alcorn State.

If JSU loses, Alabama State will represent the Eastern Division in the title game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 8. JSU holds the head-to-head tiebreaker against ASU, thanks to a 37-34 win on Oct. 13.

On the other side, Arkansas-Pine Bluff clinched the West title last week.

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FAMU wins its 'Holmescoming'

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  A scene that is rarely witnessed after a FAMU football game unfolded Saturday night at Bragg Stadium for the first time in more than a decade.

Right after Rattlers got a stunning 22-21 homecoming victory over North Carolina Central, the second-ranked team in the MEAC, acting coach Earl Holmes was doused with Gatorade. Still soaking wet, the players hoisted him on their shoulders amid a deafening cheer from the crowd of 14,768 that had witnessed the Rattlers win a homecoming game for the first time in two seasons.

“When you talk about love you just can’t talk about it,” Holmes said afterward. “You’ve got to show it and those guys showed love today.

“We play for each other; from week to week, day to day and hour to hour. At the end of the day we are modern gladiators.”

It’s been an emotional past seven days for the Rattlers. They found out last Saturday that former coach Joe Taylor would retire at the end of the season. Four days later, Taylor decided that he would step aside immediately.

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Varnadore's kicks lift FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  As FAMU drove toward the North Carolina Central end zone, kicker Chase Varnadore appeared a little antsy on the sideline.

His number was called after the Rattlers took two unsuccessful shots at the end zone. With two minutes left in the fourth quarter and FAMU down by two points, Varnadore knew he couldn’t miss.

He didn’t, either, driving the 36-yard attempt straight through the upright to secure a 22-21 victory for the Rattlers in their homecoming game at Bragg Stadium.

“I was real eager to get in there,” Varnadore said. “I kept pacing and going, ‘please just get me within range.’ I’m just thankful that the offense got down there and gave me an opportunity to make it.”

The win wasn’t all that Varnadore celebrated. He became the first FAMU kicker to hit five field goals in one game since his coach Juan Vasquez did it against Morgan State University in 2000.

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Week 11, HBCU Championship Football Saturday

SIAC Championship
Tuskegee 55, Fort Valley State 24

CIAA Championship
Winston-Salem State 34, Elizabeth City State 19

SIAC
Stillman 28, Concordia-Selma 26 (homecoming)

SWAC
**Arkansas Pine Bluff 24, Grambling State 17
Alabama State 31, Southern U. 30
Jackson State 35, Alabama A&M 21
Alcorn State 34, Texas Southern 24
Mississippi Valley State 22, Prairie View A&M 20

MEAC
Florida A&M 22, North Carolina Central 21 (homecoming)
North Carolina A&T 17, South Carolina State 7
*Bethune-Cookman 49, Savannah State 7
Delaware State 35, Hampton 27
Norfolk State 30, Morgan State 0
Georgia Southern 69, Howard U. 26

OTHERS
Central State (Ohio) 51, Kentucky Wesleyan 7
North Greenville 10, Virginia University of Lynchburg
Langston 27, Oklahoma Panhandle State 20
Charleston U. 62, West Virginia State 0
Lock Haven 15, Cheyney 7
SW Baptist 43, Lincoln (Mo.) 12
Southern Virginia 17, Edward Waters 10
SW Assemblies of God 24, Texas College 13

 
** 2012 SWAC West Division Champions
*  2012 MEAC Champions

TSU Volleyball Ends the Regular Season With a Win

Edwardsville, Illinois  - The Tennessee State volleyball team (17-13, 10-6 OVC) ended the regular season strong by defeating SIUE in four sets (25-27, 25-22, 25-20, 25-13).

Sherryce Butler and Rachel Ambroch each had 16 kills in the match to lead all attackers. Butler's total tied her career high that she set Oct. 12 at UT Martin.

TSU recorded 95 digs as a team, 19 higher than the squad's previous season-high. Naomi Wells and Britani Hathorn led the team with 28 and 25 digs, respectively. Well's 28 digs broke her previous season high by nine.

Setter Erika Moss tallied 52 assists in the match- her second 50-plus assist match in her last three tries.

SIUE (9-18, 5-11 OVC) jumped out to an early 3-1 lead when an attack from freshman Emilie Sandve Aase went long, but the Tigers came roaring back with a 4-0 run. Butler and Moss led the charge with a kill apiece, and freshman Jaime Cooper recorded her only service ace of the match.

SIUE came right back to tie the frame at six with a slam from Leslie Lindsey, but a 7-3 TSU run from there gave the Tigers a big lead at 13-9.

Tennessee State maintained its advantage for the better part of the set, but SIUE would eventually tie the score at 23 with an attack by Kelsey Augustine. Sensing the momentum shifting away from her side, TSU coach Kathy Rouhlac called time to talk things over.

The message was not received as SIUE ended the set on a 4-2 run to take the opening period.

The start of the second set was just as close as the ending of the first, as a kill from Butler tied the score at six a side.

Back-to-back points from Ambroch later in the frame put TSU up 12-8, prompting a timeout from the home team. Ambroch's second point of the run was one of Ambroch's four service aces in the match.

Freshman Linday Hornsby had a slam following the timeout, but SIUE rebounded to make the score 13-13.

The score was still tied at 22 each when Ambroch had a pair of points and Hornsby recorded another kill to tie the match at one set apiece.

With the score tied at five early in the third frame, the Tigers went on a 5-0 run highlighted by three kills from Butler.

The run proved to be too much for the Cougars, as they could never get within one of the lead and TSU hung on for a five-point set victory.

With two straight set wins, TSU carried over its strong play in the third set, starting on an 8-2 run. Butler and Aase led the charge with two kills each.

The Tigers extended their advantage to eight when SIUE committed two errors, causing SIUE to use its second timeout of the set.

The stoppage did nothing to stop the TSU run, as the Tigers eventually went up 20-10 when Hornsby connected on an attempt.

Hornsby finished the match third on the team in kills with 14.

Freshman Shawneis Jones recorded her first career kill to make the score 24-12, and Wells ended the match two-points later with a kill assisted by Moss.

TSU hit .270 during the final set and held SIUE to a -.105 line.

By virtue of its win, TSU earned the five-seed in the OVC Conference Tournament. This sets up a match against Austin Peay on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

The match will be held in Morehead, Ky.

 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alexander's 3-pointer lifts Tuskegee past Spring Hill in Big Easy Classic

NEW ORLEANS -- David Alexander's 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in overtime gave Tuskegee a 62-60 men's basketball victory against Spring Hill in the opening game of the Big Easy Classic at Xavier University of Louisiana's Convocation Center.

Xavier defeated Jarvis Christian 75-71 in the second game. Spring Hill will play Jarvis Christian at 2 p.m. Saturday, and Xavier will play Tuskegee at 4.

Alexander's 3-pointer, his only field-goal attempt of the game, came after Alex Looney's basket gave Spring Hill (0-3) a 60-59 lead with 49 seconds remaining. There were four lead changes in overtime, which the Badgers forced after Brett Williams' 3-pointer at the buzzer in regulation. That tied the score at 53.

Javier McKinney scored 13 points, Calvin Thomas 11 and Elliott Dean 10 for Tuskegee, which is counting both its games in this event as exhibitions. McKinney had five assists and four steals, one on Spring Hill's final possession. McKinney also passed to Alexander for the winning shot.

Looney and Williams scored 13 points apiece for Spring Hill, and Robert Gipson had 11. Looney missed three free throws in overtime.

Five times Tuskegee led by seven points, the latest at 25-18 after McKinney's 3-pointer at 18:35 of the second half. Spring Hill took its first lead, 36-35, on Gipson's basket at 9:29 and three times led by three points in the final nine minutes of regulation.

Tuskegee outshot Spring Hill 38.5 to 36.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Badgers 42-36. The Golden Tigers committed 17 turnovers and gained 22.


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

XU Gold Rush rally late to defeat Jarvis Christian 75-71

NEW ORLEANS -- Renard Smith's free throw with 51 seconds remaining put Xavier University of Louisiana ahead to stay Friday in a 75-71 men's basketball victory against Jarvis Christian in the Big Easy Classic at XU's Convocation Center.

The Gold Rush are 3-0 for the 11th consecutive season. It was Jarvis Christian's opener.

Tuskegee defeated Spring Hill 62-60 in overtime in the opening game. Spring Hill will play Jarvis Christian at 2 p.m. Saturday, and Xavier will play Tuskegee at 4 p.m.

Smith's free throw gave Xavier a 72-71 lead. It was 74-71 after Wanto Joseph's two free throws with 26 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs' Roman Walker missed a 3-pointer which would've tied the score with seven seconds remaining.

Joseph scored 16 points and Anthony Simmons 14 for Xavier. Denzell Erves had 13 points and 12 rebounds -- his third consecutive double-double -- and Nick Haywood and RJ Daniels scored 11 points apiece. Smith had eight points.

Marcus O'Key scored 15 points, Walker 13 and EJ Freeman 10 for Jarvis Christian.

More on this game will be posted online at http://www.xula.edu/athletics/news/2012/1109b.html
By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

UL-LaFayette’s last-second shot sinks Southern

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  The season opener for Southern and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette came with some last minute fireworks Friday night at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Unfortunately for The Lady Jaguars, they found themselves on the wrong end of a buzzer-beater, losing 71-69.

“It’s not the loss that bothers me, it’s how we played,” said Southern coach Sandy Pugh. “ULL played well. They ran their sets, they pushed the ball and got in the lane on us all night and they killed us at the end.”

Tied at 69 with nine seconds to go in the game, Southern’s Lechell Rush turned the ball over as Pugh desperately tried to call a timeout. The ball was picked up ULL’s Byronesha Santiago, she passed it up-court to Kia Wilridge who banked in a floater just as time expired, sinking the hearts of The Lady Jags and those in attendance.

“It was kind of helter-skelter with all of these new players we have on the floor but we played a good game,” said first-year ULL Coach Garry Brodhead. “I was pleased with the effort we gave.”

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St. Bonaventure tops Bethune-Cookman 65-55

OLEANS, New York -- Demitrius Conger netted 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds as St. Bonaventure toppled Bethune-Cookman 65-55 in a nonconference affair in each team's season opener Friday night.

After letting the Wildcats cut a 29-25 halftime lead to 33-32, Conger and Matthew Wright hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Wright and Eric Mosley made layups to stretch St. Bonaventure's lead to 43-32.

After that, Bethune-Cookman only threatened briefly, cutting the Bonnies' lead to 55-49 with 2:25 to play. But a 3-pointer and a free throw by Mosley and then a dunk by Conger stifled Bethune-Cookman's charge. St. Bonaventure scored 21 points off turnovers to Bethune-Cookman's 5.

Prior to the game, St. Bonaventure raised banners honoring the team's first Atlantic 10 championship and its NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance from a year ago.




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Bethune-Cookman clinches MEAC championship with win over Savannah State

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Brian Jenkins received a Gatorade bath after his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats clinched their second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in three years.

But the workaholic coach was not ready to celebrate.

 

“It's not over,'' Jenkins said after B-CU dispatched Savannah State 49-7 Saturday evening in Savannah, Ga. “We still have some more football to play. We're just going to keep preparing and keep playing.''

 

The win, coupled with North Carolina Central's 22-21 loss to Florida A&M, guaranteed the Wildcats (8-2, 7-0) at least one extra game to play. They clinched the MEAC's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

But first they have a date with arch-rival FAMU in the Florida Classic next Saturday in Orlando.

The Wildcats also advanced to the playoffs in 2010, Jenkins' first season at B-CU, when they finished in a three-way tie for first place in the conference. This year, with N.C. Central losing its second MEAC game, B-CU clinched the title outright.


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Stillman Men's Basketball Preview: Strong showing against Alabama has Tigers confident

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --  The season hasn't even officially started but Stillman College men's basketball team has already seen the best competition it'll face.

The Division II Tigers fell 76-68 to the University of Alabama on the road at Coleman Coliseum Tuesday night. They give the Crimson Tide, leading by as many as six points and one at the half before succumbing against their SEC opponent.

And while Stillman coach Michael Grant already figured his team might fare well in 2012-2013, it returns four starters from last year's team, three of whom were preseason All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference choices, it certainly adds to his confidence.

"I thought our guys really competed," Grant said. "They really respected their opponent but at the same time they knew that they wanted to come out and prove something---that they can play with anybody. That's what kind of team we have this year."

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Alabama A&M falls to Jackson State, 35-21, knocking Bulldogs from SWAC East contention

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Alabama A&M's hopes for a repeat trip to the SWAC Championship were erased Saturday afternoon in a 35-21 loss to Jackson State.

the Bulldogs, who opened the season with six consecutive wins, have dropped three of their last four games and stand 7-3 overall, 6-3 in the SWAC, with a season-finale at Auburn next Saturday at 1 p.m.

A&M needed to defeat Jackson State, then hope that Alabama State -- owner of the tie-breaker over A&M -- lost Saturday evening at Southern to win the SWAC East title.

Jackson State quarterback Clayton Moore riddled A&M with 233 yards of passing and he rushed for 54 more. Rakeem Sims gained 125 yards on 21 carries for Jackson (6-4, 6-2).

Alabama A&M senior quarterback Deaunte Mason had three touchdown passes, to Toriono Upshaw, Reshaad DeJarnett and Montarius Smith. However, he was only 17-for-40 and made a costly fumble that Jackson's Ryan Griffin returned for a 35-yard touchdown, giving the hosts a 28-7 lead in the third quarter that A&M couldn't overcome.


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Norfolk State Spartans send off seniors with a W

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) -- Norfolk State’s defense forced a season-high five turnovers, four in a 20-point first quarter, and the Spartans notched their second shutout of the season in a 30-0 Senior Day victory over Morgan State on Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium.

Nico Flores passed for 216 yards and two touchdown for the Spartans (4-7, 2-6 MEAC), who close the season on a two-game win streak. The Bears (3-7, 2-5), who were held to 221 yards of offense, lost their fifth in a row.

NSU’s defense set the tone for the afternoon on the first drive of the game. The Bears received the opening kickoff, but on the second play of their possession, Spartan defensive lineman Cameron Jude sacked MSU quarterback Robert Council and forced a fumble. NSU linebacker Jamal Giddens pounced on it at the Bears’ 4-yard line. Two plays later, freshman Brendon Riddick scored on a 2-yard TD run. The extra point hit the upright, keeping the Spartans’ lead at 6-0.

On MSU’s next possession, NSU safety Keenan Lambert picked off a third-down pass by Council deep in MSU territory. On the third play of the Spartans’ next drive, Flores hit Xavier Boyce for a 16-yard TD pass, putting NSU on top 13-0 at the 11:17 mark of the first quarter.

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Spartans send off seniors with a W

WSSU rallies, repeats as CIAA champion

DURHAM, North Carolina  --  Second-ranked Winston-Salem State won its second straight CIAA title by beating Elizabeth City State 34-19 on Saturday afternoon at Durham County Stadium.

The Rams improved to 11-0 and most likely assured themselves of a first-round bye in the Division II playoffs. The pairings will be announced Sunday at 5 p.m.
 

The Vikings (7-4) gave the Rams all they could handle in the first half. They knocked out starting quarterback Kameron Smith, who didn’t play in the second half because of a shoulder injury.

But backup Anthony Carrothers was more than ready to step in. He went 7 for 11 for 123 yards and three touchdowns and ran the offense to near perfection in Smith’s absence.

Maurice Lewis ran for 120 yards on 21 carries, and DeQuann Leak and Bryce Sherman combined to rush for 92 yards.

Wide receiver Jameze Massey, the game’s MVP for WSSU, had six catches for 115 yards and a championship-game record three touchdown catches.

 

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Winston-Salem tops Elizabeth City 34-19 for CIAA Championship

DURHAM The Winston-Salem State Rams are CIAA champions once again.

With starting quarterback and Garner native Kameron Smith out for the second half, sophomore signal-caller Anthony Carrothers rallied Winston to a 34-19 come-from-behind victory over Elizabeth City State on Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The victory gives the Rams their second straight undefeated CIAA season and a 16-game win streak.

But to use an old cliché, the game was much closer than the score. Elizabeth City led 9-0 after the first quarter, only the second time this season the Rams trailed after the period.

“I told the guys we weren’t going to score 48 points in this game, it was going to be much closer,” said Winston-Salem State coach Connell Maynor, the CIAA coach of the year. “I told them to just stay patient, play one play at a time, one quarter at a time.”

Smith threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter to give the Rams the lead: a 10-yard strike to Jamal Williams and a 26-yard pass to Jameze Massey, co-MVP of the game.

Smith then suffered a shoulder injury on a sack just as the first half ended and did not return.

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Xavier tops Dillard for 2nd straight GCAC tourney victory

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball team defeated city rival Dillard 25-12, 25-16, 25-18 for the Gold Nuggets' second victory in as many matches Thursday at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Gold Nuggets (20-7), the defending champion, reached 20 victories for the second consecutive season. They'll play at 4:30 p.m. Friday against SUNO for the right to advance to Saturday's championship round. The tournament is double elimination. SUNO defeated Tougaloo 25-21, 25-21, 25-20 to join Xavier as the tournament's other 2-0 team.

Xavier, which swept Philander Smith in the first match Thursday, took advantage of a Dillard team which needed five sets to defeat Talladega in the third match and had about two hours to rest and refuel before playing the Gold Nuggets. Xavier led 5-0 and 9-2 in the first set and closed it with a 10-2 run. It was the fewest points Xavier ever had allowed to Dillard in an opening set.

The Nuggets trailed 7-5 in the second set, then took the lead for good with a 6-0 run. Dillard led 8-3 in the third set, but the Nuggets rallied for their first lead, 15-14. After Dillard scored three consecutive times for a tie 17, Xavier ended the match by scoring eight of the final nine points.

"We played with high energy and great composure throughout the match," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said. "We had to make adjustments with our lineup due to injuries, but we controlled the momentum for the whole match. It was a great team effort."

Xavier defeated the Lady Bleu Devils (6-14) for the second time in six days and the third time this season. It was the Nuggets' seventh consecutive victory against Dillard, and it tied the series at 7.

The Nuggets have won four in a row, 7-of-8 and and 15 of their last 18 matches. Xavier has won 26 consecutive matches against GCAC opponents since the start of 2011 — 20 in the regular season, six in the tournament.

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

CIAA Notebook: Wilkins has helped ECSU offensive line

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- Elizabeth City State is back in the championship game despite having to revamp its entire offensive line from last season.

The Vikings (7-3) will take on Winston-Salem State on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Durham County Stadium. The Vikings lost 38-18to the Rams last season in the championship game.

One of the newcomers to the offensive line for the Vikings is Jairus Wilkins , a junior-college transfer. Wilkins, a 2009 graduate of Parkland High School, is 6-2 and 280 pounds.

The Vikings are led by running back Daronte McNeill , who has rushed for 1,145 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Converted wide receiver Petey Boone has also come on lately and has rushed for 203 yards on 36 carries.

McNeill, who was last season’s CIAA offensive player of the year, is the school’s all-time leading rusher with 4,489 yards and 54 touchdowns.

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Riding a wave of success, honors, but not at Navy

KAMERON SMITH, 2009

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Quarterback Kameron Smith of Winston-Salem State is tough to gauge.  He’s riding one of the hottest streaks of his quarterbacking life but he shrugs it off like he shrugs off would-be tacklers.

“I’m just enjoying it,” Smith said earlier this week as he tried to sum up a second straight unbeaten regular season for WSSU.

The Rams (10-0) are cruising toward another playoff berth — they are ranked No.2 in NCAA Division II — but before then they will take on Elizabeth City State (7-3) in the CIAA championship game on Saturday in Durham.

For Smith, who not that long ago was a converted wide receiver at Navy, it’s all about his preparation and attention to detail. It all came together this season, and that’s why he was named the CIAA’s offensive player of the year earlier this week.

When Smith went to Navy after a successful career at Garner High School in Raleigh, he was intent on playing quarterback. But a broken thumb his freshman year and a subsequent move to wide receiver wasn’t what he had in mind.

He transferred to WSSU before the 2010 season and has been Coach Connell Maynor’s most important recruit.

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XU Gold Nuggets sweep Philander Smith in GCAC first round

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Xavier University of Louisiana trailed briefly in the first and third sets but still rolled to a 25-11, 25-16, 25-17 women's volleyball victory against Philander Smith in the opening round of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

    

The Gold Nuggets (19-7), the defending champion, will play at 6 p.m. today against the winner of a 2 p.m. match between Talladega and Dillard. Philander Smith (7-28), the host school, will play in the losers bracket at 8:30 a.m. Friday against the loser of the Edward Waters-Tougaloo match.
    

Xavier trailed 3-0 and 4-1 to begin the match but took the lead to stay with a 6-0 run to give the Nuggets an 8-5 advantage. Xavier closed the set by winning 13 of the final 16 points, including another 6-0 run which gave the Nuggets a 21-9 lead.
    

The Nuggets scored the first seven points of the second set, then closed with a 12-4 burst after Philander Smith cut the margin to 13-12.
    

Xavier trailed 3-0 and 6-5 in the final set before scoring six consecutive points to take the lead to stay. The Nuggets ended the match by scoring the final five points.
    

"Everyone played well. No one stood out offensively," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said after the Nuggets' third consecutive victory and their 14th in 17 matches. "Jodi Chatters was pretty consistent on the back row."
    

Xavier defeated the Lady Panthers for the second time this season and leads the all-time series 3-0.
    

It's the third consecutive year that the Nuggets won their opening match in this tournament, which is double elimination.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: GCACSPORTS

Reuther, Hamilton earn top honors on All-GCAC team

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Taylor Reuther is the 2012 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year in women's volleyball, and XU's Christabell Hamilton is a repeat choice as GCAC Coach of the Year.
    

Reuther is one of five XU players honored. Moira Kirk and Franziska Pirkl joined Reuther on the first team, and Chinedu Echebelem and Jodi Chatters made the second team.
    

GCAC coaches selected the all-conference team Wednesday afternoon, and the results were announced during the evening at a banquet for the teams prior to the GCAC Tournament, which will begin Thursday in Little Rock, Ark.

From left: XU All-GCAC selections Jodi Chatters, Chinedu Echebelem,
 Moira Kirk, Player of the Year Taylor Reuther, Franziska Pirkl
 and Coach of the Year Christabell Hamilton.

Reuther, a sophomore outside hitter from Metairie, La., and a graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School, leads the Gold Nuggets with 286 kills, 66 aces and 251 digs in 25 matches. She ranks second in the NAIA with 0.78 aces per set. Reuther has eight kill-dig double-doubles, including 21 kills and 20 digs at Belhaven in the championship match of the Belhaven Tournament on Sept. 8.

    

Hamilton, who shared the GCAC coaching award a year ago, won it outright this time after leading Xavier to a second consecutive 10-0 conference record. The Gold Nuggets are 18-7 this season — including a school-record 11 consecutive road victories — and 41-14 since Hamilton was hired in June 2011.
    

Kirk, a sophomore middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, leads Xavier with a .308 hitting percentage and 69 blocks. She's third on the team with 197 kills and 23 aces. Kirk has nine matches of four or more blocks, and she closed the regular season with double-figure kills in 6-of-8 matches. She hit .416 in GCAC matches.
    

Pirkl, a freshman from Munich, Germany, and a graduate of Theodolinden Gymnasium, replaced the graduated Patrice Hightower, an All-GCAC setter in 2011, and recorded 663 assists, 36 aces, 34 kills, 116 digs and 24 blocks. Pirkl ranks 42nd in the NAIA in aces per set and second in the GCAC — first among freshmen — in assists per set.
    

Echebelem, a sophomore from Dallas and a graduate of Duncanville High School, is second on the Nuggets with 211 kills and 220 digs. She has seven kill-dig doubles and ranks among the GCAC's top 12 in kills, kills per set, hitting percentage, digs and digs per set. Her 22 digs against Belhaven on Oct. 29 are the most in a match this season by an XU player.
    

Chatters, a freshman setter/libero from Lake Charles, La., and a graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, emerged late in the season as the Nuggets' most reliable libero. She will enter the GCAC Tournament with a streak of eight consecutive matches with 10 or more digs, Xavier's longest streak since it reinstated volleyball in 2010. Chatters has 175 digs, 119 in the past eight matches.
    

Reuther, Kirk and Echebelem are repeat All-GCAC selections.
    

Xavier will lead off the GCAC Tournament with a 10 a.m. Thursday match against Philander Smith. If the Gold Nuggets win, they'll play at 6 p.m. Thursday against the winner of the Talladega-Dillard match. If the Nuggets lose to Philander Smith, they'll play at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the losers bracket. Xavier is the defending GCAC Tournament champion.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

XULAATHLETICS

TSU Mourns Passing of Freshman Football Player William Wayne Jones III

William Wayne Jones, III
(Photo Courtesy Tennessee State University Athletics)

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (11/7/2012)  - Tennessee State University is tonight mourning the death of one of its student- athletes.

William Wayne Jones, III, a freshman walk-on defensive back from Smyrna, Tenn., passed out and became unresponsive during an early evening practice at approximately 4 p.m. Jones was transported to Baptist Medical Center in Nashville where efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and died at approximately 5:50 p.m.

"This is a very tragic day for our entire Tennessee State University community and we are devastated by the sudden passing of this young man," said Teresa Phillips, TSU Athletics Director. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time. Our University and our football team are hurting as we feel the loss of one of our own. As a team and a family we will grieve alongside the family and do everything we can to help support the family through this very difficult time."

Students, faculty, staff and the TSU community are mourning the loss of the young football player. More details will be made as they become available.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION