It'll be a top-25 matchup when XU Gold Rush meet PSC Panthers

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana and Philander Smith share more than just first place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. They're both in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, which was announced Tuesday. Xavier is 13th — up three places and matching its highest position of the season — and Philander Smith is 22nd and in its first top-25 appearance this season.

The Gold Rush (16-3 overall, 4-0 GCAC) and Panthers (13-4, 4-0) will meet at noon Saturday at XU's new Convocation Center to break the tie for first place. The loser will have sole possession of second place.

Philander Smith will be the first ranked opponent to play the Gold Rush at the Convocation Center. The Panthers will be Xavier's first ranked home opponent since XU rallied from 16 down to defeat No. 18 Tougaloo in the final game at The Barn nearly a year ago.

Xavier is in the top 25 for the 29th time in 30 polls and the 54th time overall during Dannton Jackson's 10 seasons as head coach.

Wanto Joseph's basket with 0.7 seconds remaining in overtime Monday gave the Gold Rush a 70-68 home victory against city rival SUNO, another GCAC team which received votes this week. Xavier will enter Saturday's game with a five-game win streak. Philander Smith has won nine in a row.
    
Voting was based on games through Sunday. The next poll will be released Jan. 22.

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Jan. 13) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Columbia (Mo.) (11) 17-0 281 2 2 Pikeville 17-1 271 5 3 Lewis-Clark State 18-1 256 3 4 William Carey 15-2 254 6 5 Oklahoma Baptist 15-3 252 4 6 Lee (Tenn.) 15-1 232 7 7 Westmont 14-3 222 8 8-tie Cal State San Marcos 15-4 209 tie-10 8-tie Lindsey Wilson 16-2 209 14 10 John Brown 15-3 188 25 11 Evangel 13-4 187 13 12 Montana State Northern 16-3 181 tie-10 13 Xavier 15-3 173 16 14 Cumberlands 15-3 168 1 15 Bethel (Tenn.) 17-2 166 17 16 Hope International 17-1 145 RV 17 Southwestern Assemblies of God 14-3 142 21 18 Emmanuel (Ga.) 16-2 121 20 19 Westminster (Utah) 14-4 120 18 20 Rogers State 13-5 119 19 21 Faulkner 16-3 82 23 22 Philander Smith 12-4 78 RV 23 Science & Arts 8-4 77 9 24 Texas College 13-4 76 tie-10 25 MidAmerica Nazarene 14-5 74 RV Others receiving votes: Arizona Christian 60, Concordia (Calif.) 34, Texas Wesleyan 31, SUNO 28, Oklahoma City 18, Culver-Stockton 13, Shawnee State 9, LSU-Shreveport 7, Mid-Continent 3. By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA XULAATHLETICS

Orlando Edgewater DT Darius Tolbert commits to FAMU

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Orlando Edgewater defensive tackle Darius Tolbert committed to play at Florida A&M this past weekend and he is excited.

You could hear the pride in Tolbert's voice when he spoke about his decision on Sunday, and the 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman is thrilled to be able to say he'll be playing college football, but he seemed equally excited to just be able to say he is going to college.

"It feels very good," said Tolbert, who will be the first person in his family to attend college according to former Edgewater coach Dave Wensyel, who informed the Sentinel of the news on Sunday via text message. "FAMU has been with me for a while now and it's really the only school that ever offered me and it's where I wanted to go.

"They really care more about school work and books and working hard inthe classroom while still being committed to football. They help you work hard to keep postive and give it your all."

Tolbert was a little worried about his future after he broke his leg in the final game of the season against Orlando Boone on Nov. 11. He broke his left tibia and it needed surgery to have a metal rod and four pins inserted into the broken bone.

"At first I felt like ...



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Five home games highlight SU 2013 football schedule

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Dawson Odums makes his Southern coaching debut since having the interim tag removed from his title of head coach against the University of Houston to open the 2013 football slate.

"Several intriguing matchups, including an opener against Houston in the largest Southern Univeristy alumni pocket outside of Louisiana, a restoration of the intersectional rivalry against Northwestern State, and hosting defending SWAC Eastern Division champion Jackson State are highlights for next season," said Southern athletics director Dr. William Broussard.

The Jaguars contest against the Cougars will be the second consecutive season opener against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) member for Southern and the second meeting between the two schools. Houston defeated the Jaguars 55-3 in the first-ever meeting in 2008. Two dates, Aug. 29 and Aug. 31, are being targeted for game dates due to Robertson Stadium's closure to make way for a new state-of-the-art on-campus stadium scheduled to be completed on Aug. 30, 2014.

Southern will also renew a familiar rivalry with in-state rival Northwestern State Sept. 7 in Natchitoches. The Southern-Northwestern State series began in 1993 and served as the coaching debut and first Southern win for Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame coach Pete Richardson in the Louisiana Superdome. The series is tied at 5-5.

"With the proximity of the first two out of conference schedule games being within a tank of gas, we are thrilled that our administration was able to successfully accomplish scheduling games that the Jaguar Nation can travel to and support us with much excitement and anticipation for SWAC play," said Odums.

On Sept. 14, Southern welcomes Prairie View A&M for its 2013 home and Southwestern Athletic Conference opener in A.W. Mumford Stadium before traveling to Itta Bena, Miss. to face Mississippi Valley State Sept. 21.

Following the Oct. 6 bye week, the Jaguars will enjoy a two-game homestand when they host Jackson State Sept. 28 and Alabama A&M Oct. 12. Defending SWAC champion Arkansas Pine-Bluff will host Southern in Pine Bluff, Ark. Oct. 19.



"As we transition into SWAC play, it is encouraging to see three of the first four conference games at home, which gives us a great chance - with the kind of crowds and atmosphere we have at Mumford Stadium - to get the Jags headed in the right direction as we head down the final stretch of our schedule," Odums said.

Alcorn State will serve as the Jaguars' homecoming opponent on Oct. 26 before Southern concludes the 2013 campaign with four November games. The Jaguars will embark upon back-to-back road trips at Texas Southern in Houston and Alabama State in Montgomery, Ala. on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 respectively.

Clark Atlanta, where Odums served as interim head coach in 2004, will travel to Baton Rouge on Nov. 17 for the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

Southern closes the 2013 campaign looking to extend it Bayou Classic win streak to two over arch-rival Grambling State in the 40th annual Bayou Classic on Nov. 30.

"The energy and excitement around this program is growing rapidly and, after seeing the 2013 football schedule, I am excited and anxious to see the support of Jaguar Nation buying their season tickets," said Odums. "We have the opportunity to play five great home games at A.W. Mumford stadium and the 40th Bayou Classic, which always serves as a great Thanksgiving weekend memory," Odums said.

Season book applications are available at the SU Ticket Office in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Contact 225.771.3171 for more details.

2013 Southern U. Football Schedule

August
29 or 31 at Houston (Houston, Texas)

September
7 at Northwestern State (Natchitoches, La.)
14 Prairie View A&M (A.W. Mumford Stadium)
21 at Mississippi Valley State (Itta Bena, Miss.)
28 Jackson State (A.W. Mumford Stadium)

October
12 Alabama A&M (A.W. Mumford Stadium)
19 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, Ark.)
26 Alcorn State (A.W. Mumford Stadium | Homecoming 2012)

November
2 at Texas Southern (Houston, Texas)
9 at Alabama State (Montgomery, Ala.)
16 Clark Atlanta (A.W. Mumford Stadium)

30 vs. Grambling State (State Farm Bayou Classic | New Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome)

 

 

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Weston Named Head Football Coach at Clark Atlanta University

ATLANTA, Georgia  —  Clark Atlanta University (CAU) today announced the appointment of Tusculum College Defensive Line Coach Kevin Weston as its new Head Football Coach. Weston officially joins the CAU organization Tuesday, Jan. 15.
 
“In Weston,” CAU President Carlton E. Brown said, “we have identified an individual who knows the game inside and out, has proven his ability to build and grow successful teams, promote values education and insist upon personal and character development in his players. All of these qualities align not only with the mission of Clark Atlanta, but create the kind of foundation necessary to ensure a focused, aggressive turn-around in our football program.”
 
CAU Athletics Director Tamica Smith Jones, Ph.D., says “we are thrilled to have secured a rising star like Kevin Weston from a diverse national pool of very talented applicants. We feel confident that he will be a good fit to infuse momentum into our football program, which has lacked stability amidst several coaching changes. I believe, in particular, that he will be an ambassador for the program, accelerating its success by winning, local recruiting and reengaging the CAU fan base in new and exciting ways.” 

Weston served eight years on the Tusculum coaching staff and mentored the Tusculum defensive line in 2012.   During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, he was the program’s defensive coordinator and mentored the team’s linebackers.  His 2011 defensive unit finished second in the country in pass defense, allowing teams to average just 140.6 passing yards per contest.   
                         

(CENTER) - COACH KEVIN WESTON
PHOTO COURTESY CAU ATHLETICS

In March 2008, he was promoted to the position of assistant head coach while serving as the team’s strength and conditioning coordinator. The 2008 squad posted a 9-4 record while claiming the South Atlantic Conference championship and a berth to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time in the school’s history. 

While coaching the defensive line, he mentored two All-South Atlantic Conference selections in Adrian Samples and Rynel Butler. Samples was an All-SAC First Team choice in 2006, and earned All-SAC First Team recognition for a third consecutive year, while also being named to the All-Region Squad, in 2007. Butler was an All-SAC Second Team pick and was a force on a defense that established school single-season records for fumbles forced and recovered in 2008.     
               
“Of course, I’m excited about joining the Clark Atlanta University athletics organization,” Weston said, “but I am even more excited about building what can become one of the nation’s finest football programs from the ground up. There are clearly challenges that must be addressed, but in doing so, we have the rare opportunity to carve out what can become one of the most focused, unique and forceful squads in this Division and beyond. This is about legacy building,” he added. “Our charge is to ensure that legacy-building, academics and character-building remain strong pillars in this process.”            
               
CAU Booster President Lowell Dickerson agrees. “We must continue to move forward. I think that's what our football student-athletes have continued to do in the classroom and in the community. What we have to do now as a University, alumni, and as a supportive community fan base, is reunite as one Panther Nation and support Coach Weston and our team. If we commit to reconnect, we will secure a bright future and get Clark Atlanta football back to where we all want it.”
               
Weston’s experience on the gridiron and in the classroom has prepared him for the job. He played on the Tusculum squad from 1999-2002, and graduated in 2002 with the bachelor’s degree in physical education. While originally playing in tight end position, he moved to the offensive guard position and started in the trenches for the next three seasons. Following graduation, he was signed as a free agent as a running back for the Greensboro Prowlers of the Arena2 Football League. He subsequently completed the master’s degree from Troy University in 2005.
               
He returned to the college in 2005 after serving two seasons as an assistant coach at Morgan County High School in Madison, Ga. During his two seasons at Morgan County, the Bulldogs advanced to the state playoffs twice while posting a combined 19-5 record, with three of his players garnering All-Region recognition.
               
A native of Queens, N.Y., Weston is married to the former Bonnie Taylor of Akron, Ohio.

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Weston introduced as Clark Atlanta's new football coach 

Balanced J.C. Smith gets 4th straight victory in 6 days

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Johnson C. Smith is riding its best streak of basketball in two seasons.

The Golden Bulls won their fourth consecutive game in six days Monday with a 67-54 CIAA victory against Virginia State, their best run since the 2010-11 season. And like the previous three games, J.C. Smith’s balance and bench made the difference.

“We showed signs of being tired,” Golden Bulls coach Steve Joyner said. “We’ve played a lot of games in a few nights. We did enough to win.”

Four J.C. Smith players reached double figures led by Trevin Parks’ 15 points, and the reserves – paced by forward Antwan Wilkerson with 14 points in 15 minutes – outscored Virginia State’s 24-11.

“I just try to come in strong off the bench and show what I can do,” said Wilkerson, who also pulled down six rebounds. “I’m coming off an injury, so I’m trying to get back at it as best I can.”


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FAMU abruptly cancels plans to name new band director

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Florida A&M University abruptly canceled plans to name a new Marching 100 band director Tuesday morning, leaving an auditorium full of curious students, faculty and media wondering why the school couldn’t agree on a contract with the remaining finalist.

"Somehow they did not meet the negotiation process and they will not be able to name a candidate," university spokeswoman Sharon Saunders said.

The announcement is certain to draw nationwide scrutiny as the Marching 100 attempts to rebuild after the 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion. The group is on suspension but could return as early as the fall.
    
The university has refused to say which of four finalists was offered the job, though Saunders said the person is in Tallahassee meeting with school officials to seal the deal.

Saunders said she didn’t know what specifically had hampered contract negotiations other than it had to do with concerns about the role of the band director in light of recent efforts to reorganize the band.

The school is in the process of hiring additional staff to create more oversight. Also, the position of band director has been separated from the position of music department chair.

FAMU announced Monday afternoon that the news conference would happen Tuesday morning. Band members have been buzzing about who got the job.

Many hoped Shelby Chipman, the associate director of bands who had been groomed for years to assume the top position, would be selected. But others suggested North Carolina Central University band director Jorim Reid, a former Marching 100 drum major, was offered the job.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/15/3183828/famu-abruptly-cancels-plans-

FAMU delays hiring new leader for famed band - Miami Heraldto.html#storylink=cpy

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FAMU delays hiring new leader for famed band - Miami Herald

FAMU unable to decide on new band director ... - Tallahassee.com

FAMU Postpones Band Director Announcement

Miller, Mitchell help Southern Jaguars move to 6-0

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  A row of fans in chest paint led a spirited student section that seemed to hang on every play.

On the other end of the F.G. Clark Activity Center, a woman in a white Southern sweatshirt hung placards featuring the number “3” every time a Jaguar connected from downtown.

Down below, the Southwestern Conference’s hottest outfit continued to put on a show.

Southern ran away from another outmanned league rival Monday night, this time beating Mississippi Valley State 88-54 as a loud, energetic home crowd joined in on the fun.

“We’re just trying to reach our goals, be undefeated in the SWAC and try to make the (NCAA) tournament,” star sixth-man Malcolm Miller said. “Like coach tells us, we can’t underestimate anybody.”

Since opening SWAC play with a pair of narrow wins, the Jaguars (12-6, 6-0) have blown by their past four opponents by 120 combined points.

All this after shocking Texas A&M late in the nonconference season.

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Tennessee State Lady Tigers Take Down The Redhawks

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  The Tennessee State Lady Tigers returned to the Gentry Center for the first time in 2013 and were victorious taking down Southeast Missouri State 68-58 in OVC action Monday night at the Gentry Center.Kesi Hess led all players with 18 points, while Simone Hopes added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Big Blue.

Outside of the opening six minutes, TSU (6-9, 2-2 OVC) never trailed in the contest. SEMO (8-9, 2-2 OVC) was held to just six made field goals and 26 percent shooting in the first half. The Lady Tigers limited SEMO to just one made field goal in the final 7:30. The Redhawks were led by Jordan Hunter with 17 points and Ballie Roberts who tied a career-high 13 rebounds.TSU ended the half on a 10-3 run take put them up 40-28 heading into the locker room.

The big advantage for the Lady Tigers was in the paint as they outscored SEMO 28-0 downlow in the first half and 40-16 in the game.

An Alana Morris layup early in the second half gave TSU their largest lead at 47-32 with 17:18 remaining.The TSU defense was solid after the half giving up 30 points as the Redhawks never got closer than six points and shot just 33 percent for the game.TSU has won four straight vs. SEMO at the Gentry Center with their last loss coming on Jan. 17, 2008. The loss snapped the Redhawks three game winning streak.

The Lady Tigers return to the court at Belmont on Saturday. Tip is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers, Twitter @TSU_Tigers and YouTube

TSU vs. SEMO Final Stats


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Xavier's Gold Rush defeat SUNO in overtime, 70-68

NEW ORLEANS -- Wanto Joseph's basket with seven-tenths of a second remaining in overtime gave NAIA No. 16 Xavier University of Louisiana a 70-68 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against city rival SUNO.

The Gold Rush (16-3) have won five in a row and are 4-0 in the GCAC for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Joseph scored six points in the final 2½ minutes after SUNO grabbed a 66-62 lead.

Anthony Simmons scored a season-high-tying 20 points, Joseph had 18 points and 12 assists, and Denzell Erves had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Xavier.

Broc Willis scored a season-high 17 points for SUNO (8-3, 2-2). Clyde Moore had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Kevin Dukes and Russell Moore scored 10 points each.

Joseph made 1-of-2 free throws with 11.8 seconds remaining in the second half to tie the score at 60. Then both teams missed shots which would've ended the game in regulation.

Xavier remained in a tie for first in the conference with Philander Smith, a double-overtime winner at Talladega. Xavier and Philander Smith will meet at noon Saturday at the Convocation Center.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  -- Check out XAVIER'S New Website!!

Lady Knights end Gold Nuggets' GCAC home win streak

NEW ORLEANS -- Senior guard April Perry scored 26 points Monday -- 18 in the second half -- to lead SUNO to a 63-56 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory over NAIA No. 9 Xavier University of Louisiana at XU's Convocation Center.

The Lady Knights (8-2, 3-1 GCAC) ended the 23-game GCAC home win streak of the Gold Nuggets (12-4, 2-2). Xavier had not lost at home to a conference opponent since February 2009.

Perry reached 25 points or more for the third consecutive game. Janee Morton scored 12 points for SUNO.

SiMon Franklin scored 15 points and Whitney Gaston-Loyd 12 for Xavier.

SUNO led 29-22 at halftime and did not lose the lead thereafter.

The Gold Nuggets' next game will start at 2 p.m. Saturday against Philander Smith at the Convocation Center. It will be the second game of a doubleheader, following an XU-Philander men's game which will tip off at noon.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  -- Check out Xavier's NEW WEBSITE!

Hollis, Taylor combine for 31 points to lead B-CU women to MEAC win

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Junior-college transfers Terrenisha Hollis and Chastity Rene Taylor combined for 31 points as Bethune-Cookman defeated winless North Carolina Central 55-32 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball game Monday at Moore Gymnasium.

Hollis scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for her first double-double as a Wildcat. Taylor scored 15 points, 12 in the first half. She hit four of five 3-point attempts. Kayla Crawford added eight points for the 'Cats, who won their second game in a row.

B-CU (7-8, 2-1) jumped out to a 34-12 halftime lead and scored 23 points off 21 Eagles turnovers. The Wildcats shot 46 percent from the floor (21 for 46). Tenika Neely led N.C. Central (0-16, 0-3) with nine points.

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Pittman feels good about Fort Valley State’s recruiting

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  --  Things have changed a bit for Fort Valley State as football recruiting intensifies.

The Wildcats have more experience returning in the backfield and in the secondary and up front than at any time since Donald Pittman took over as head coach after the 2008 season.

“Oh yes,” Pittman said. “We’re just taking it easy with it. We’re trying to select the right ones.”

Not that the Wildcats’ staff is sitting around with feet propped up on desks just taking phone calls left and right.

As has been the case more often than not since Pittman’s arrival, one position again tops the recruiting wish list.

“Quarterback is probably number one,” Pittman said. “Number two is offensive line, and number three is defensive line. That’s it.”

Well, not quite.

“If we can get a free safety, that would be next,” he said. “A big tailback, we’ll take. We would like to have another center.”


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Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2013/01/12/2314031/pittman-feels-good-about-fort.html#storylink=cpy

ECSU Wylie enjoying comeback season

SALISBURY, North Carolina   —  The biggest smile in Livingstone’s Trent Gym was worn by Elizabeth City State’s De’Rya Wylie.

Thursday’s CIAA game was a homecoming for Wylie, a 21-year-old Salisbury High graduate who scored nine points as ECSU’s Vikings beat Livingstone 64-44.

Elizabeth City (12-3, 4-1) leads its division, but winning is not exactly new stuff for Wylie.

 

In her four seasons at Salisbury — all on the varsity — the Hornets won 110 and lost 12. Her teams included a 27-3 state runner-up squad her freshman year and a 29-3 state championship team her senior year. She’s one of those fortunate few who won their last game. She scored 10 in the 56-41 title-game victory against Graham.

 

Wylie played with outstanding players in high school. Ashley Watkins, Saybah Sammy, Kwameshia Hicks, Shi-Heria Shipp, Bubbles Phifer, Ashia Holmes and Ayanna Holmes were teammates and all rank among Salisbury’s all-time top-15 scorers. It may surprise you that Wylie also is on that top-15 list, but she is. She’s 11th with 957 points, although you can probably count the number of shots she took outside the paint in four years on one hand.

 

Roughly 900 of her points came on ...

 

 

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Virginia State University names Latrell Scott head football coach

ETTRICK, Virginia  --  Virginia State University named Latrell Scott as the University's 23^rd head football coach on Monday, January 14, 2013.

“I believe this place is special,” Scott said at the news conference where he was introduced. “VSU has made a commitment to football.”

Scott brings 12 years of coaching experience to the Trojans. Last year, he coached tight ends at James Madison University. At JMU, Scott recruited the Metro Richmond, Williamsburg and Northern Neck areas. He spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons as the wide receivers coach at the University of Tennessee and the University of Virginia, respectively.

Before joining JMU, Scott was head coach at the University of Richmond, where he previously served as wide receiver and assistant head coach. With Scott as position coach, the 2007 Richmond team posted a then-school record 11 wins and the school's first ever appearance in the National Semifinals. The University of Richmond eclipsed 10 team records in 2007, setting new standards for scoring average (34.9 points per game), touchdowns (63) and total offense (5,675 yards).



Scott met with current Trojan players Sunday and together the coach and team reorganized the weight room. Scott said the experience of immediately working together meshes with his philosophy for this year's team. “Our mantra is 'right now,'” he said.

Scott was a three-year starter at tight end at Hampton University, earning All-American honors his senior season. He played on two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and NCAA playoff teams and also competed in the Gridiron All-Star Classic in Orlando, FL. Scott graduated from Hampton with a sport management degree in 2001 and is a highly-regarded recruiter.

Scott said coming to an HBCU is especially significant. “My first experience with college football was watching the Gold Bowl with my Dad.”

VSU President Keith T. Miller said he was impressed with Scott's goals for the team, both athletically and academically. “We're delighted to have Coach Scott as a Trojan,” he said. “We're ready to embrace what he wants to do with our football program.”

Scott, a graduate of Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville, VA, is married to the former Brandi Bradby.   


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Quinnipiac Bobcats Wraps Up Non-Conference Play At Hampton On Monday Night

Quinnipiac University Bobcats (5-10, 1-3 NEC) at
Hampton University Pirates (4-10, 2-0 MEAC)Date: Monday, January 14, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Convocation Center – Hampton, Va.
Series vs. Hampton: First Meeting
Quinnipiac Last Five: 1-4
Hampton Last Five: 2-3
Audio: AM 1220 WQUN
Live Stats: HamptonPirates.com
Live Stats On Your Mobile Device: ESPN.Com
Tickets: QuinnipiacBobcats.com

Complete Game Notes as a PDF

Bobcats Face Hampton On Monday NightThe Quinnipiac University men's basketball team (5-10, 1-3 NEC) heads southward to Virginia for a final non-conference clash with Hampton University (4-10, 2-0 MEAC) on Monday night. The first meeting between the two schools is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center on the University's campus.

On The Air / Multimedia LinksFans can also tune into AM 1220 WQUN Radio where Bob Mortali will have the play-by-play call with Bob Tipson providing insight on color commentary. Live stats will also be available on www.HamptonPirates.com.
 
All-Time Against HamptonThis will be the first meeting between the two programs. American University serves as the only common opponent thus far – with Hampton defeating the Eagles, 72-65, on December 18, and Quinnipiac falling short, 61-55, on November 12.

Scouting The PiratesThe Pirates, in their fourth season under head coach Edward Joyner Jr., picked up their first road win of the season on Saturday, coming back to beat Howard, 51-49 – making it two straight wins. Freshman guard Deron Powers had a team-high 14 points, while junior guard Ramon Mercado came off the bench to add 10. So far this season, the Pirates are second the conference (MEAC) in field goal percentage defense, as opponents are shooting just 39.4 percent (282-for-715) from the floor. The Pirates are also third in the MEAC in scoring defense, holding teams to 62.1 points per game, and fourth in blocked shots with 4.9 per game. Powers leads the Pirates offensively, averaging team-bests in points (11.4) and assists (4.1). Du'Vaughn Maxwell leads the front court with 7.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Last Time Out Against Sacred Heart
Ike Azotam and Jamee Jackson each finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds on Saturday afternoon, but Sacred Heart University fended off a late Bobcat charge and earned an 80-74 decision at the TD Bank Sports Center. Quinnipiac received double-doubles from two different players for the first time this season, but it was SHU's Shane Gibson who poured in a game-high 31 points to lift the visiting Pioneers. Dave Johnson led the Bobcats offensively with a season-high 17 points – going 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. Azotam, Jackson and Hearst each chipped in with 10 points and Evan Conti added nine. Ousmane Drame and James Ford, Jr. finished with seven apiece – while combining for a total of 12 rebounds. Quinnipiac controlled the backboards, 45-35, and the paint 34-29, but left 13 at the free-throw line (14-27, 51.9 percent). SHU made 45.5 percent of its field goals compared to 39.7 percent from the hosting Bobcats.

Milestone Approaching For Moore
Head Coach Tom Moore picked up his 98th career win against LIU Brooklyn (1/5) and remains two shy of 100 for his career at Quinnipiac. His .566 winning percentage is fifth best among Division I Coaches in New England, only trailing Vermont's John Becker (.654), Harvard's Tommy Amaker (.623), Fairfield's Sydney Johnson (.589) and CCSU's Howie Dickenman (.572). (Winning percentage among coaches with at least one season at respective institution)

Coach (Team)	Wins	Losses	Winning %
John Becker (UVM)	34	18	0.654
Tommy Amaker (HARV)	101	61	0.623
Sydney Johnson (FAIR)	33	23	0.589
Howie Dickenman (CCSU)	171	128	0.572
Tom Moore (QU)	98	75	0.566

Climbing The Ladder
Azotam surpassed Bill Romano '02 (580) on Quinnipiac's Division I career rebounding list when he grabbed five rebounds against LIU Brooklyn (1/5). The junior power forward currently sits in second place, only trailing Justin Rutty '11 (1,032). Azotam also collected his 21^st career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Sacred Heart (1/12). Azotam ranks third in career double-doubles among active NEC players – sitting just one shy of LIU's Jamal Olasewere (22).

Dimes For Dave
Dave Johnson moved into fifth place among Division I career assist leaders at Quinnipiac. Johnson's 348 career assists trail Jared Grasso '02 who finished his career with 404 assists.

Rejection Is Key
Jamee Jackson recorded his 81st career block against Lehigh (11/27) and moved ahead of Justin Rutty '11 into second among Division I career block leaders at Quinnipiac. Jackson's 91 blocks trail C.J. Vick '05 who finished his career with 106 blocked shots.

Rebounding Margin Factors In
Rebounding has become the identity of the Bobcats under the direction of Head Coach Tom Moore. Through 173 games with Moore at the helm, Quinnipiac has only failed to out-rebound an opponent 27 times. In 50 of the 173 games, QU has posted a plus-10 or better rebounding margin, including 12 with plus-20 or better and a rebounding-margin high of 28 against FDU on February 27, 2011. The Bobcats hold a remarkable 45-5 mark when holding a plus-10 edge and a 10-2 record with plus-20.
 
Conti Cashes In
Evan Conti has been called upon to fill a starting role of late which recently featured a career day for the sophomore guard. Conti set new career-highs in points (15) and rebounds (9) against LIU Brooklyn (1/5), falling one rebound shy of a double-double. In seven career starts for the Bobcats, Conti is averaging 9.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Last season, Conti earned his first career nod in the CBI Tournament and posted 14 points and four rebounds against Penn.


COURTESY QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY BOBCATS ATHLETICS

Ram Ramblings: Assistant Wilhelmi pays tribute to mentor with bow tie

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  To find out just how big a game it is for Winston-Salem State looking to see what kind of tie assistant coach James Wilhelmi is wearing is a good place to start.

Wilhelmi, and fellow assistant Tim Wells, do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work for Coach Bobby Collins. One thing Collins tries to do after every game is make sure he mentions that Wells and Wilhelmi did a good job in preparing the scouting report.

 For Wilhelmi, if he’s wearing a bow tie, then that means it’s an important game. Chances are he’ll be wearing a bow tie tonight when 17^th-ranked WSSU puts its 11-game win streak on the line at the Gaines Center against Elizabeth City State. It’s an important game because the Rams can sweep the Northern Division of the CIAA with a 6-0 record.

Wilhelmi doesn’t wear a bow tie all the time but when he does he’s paying homage to one of his mentors, Gil Jackson. It was Jackson, the former head coach at Howard, who gave Wilhelmi his second chance in the college game.

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In the FCS Huddle: Change on coaching carousel often not pretty

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The number of head coaching hirings and openings since the start of this past Football Championship Subdivision season has risen to 15 - a typical number, and perhaps one not at its apex.

But the firing of Delaware mentor K.C. Keeler on Monday showed there is nothing ordinary about the changes going on this offseason.

Few, not even Keeler, saw the stunning firing coming.

The decision ranks up there alongside Appalachian State showing the door to legendary coach Jerry Moore one day after his 24th season ended and then giving the keys to the Southern Conference power to assistant Scott Satterfield.

Keeler led the Blue Hens to an FCS national title in 2003 and two other national runner-up finishes in 11 seasons, including against Moore in 2007 when Appalachian State won the last of three straight national titles.

Of course, the 53-year-old Keeler is 20 years younger than Moore, so it's not like his career was winding down.

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Money games termed fiscal necessity for S.C. State football, basketball

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  Tim Carter has a realistic approach toward the Upper Division I portion of South Carolina State men’s basketball schedule.

“This is our ‘pay bills’ games,” he said. “We’ve got to pay some bills.”

The Bulldogs head coach is equally candid with his players about the necessities of the games, while at the same time trying to keep their spirits and confidence up through those “brutalizing” losses often experienced in these match-ups.

“One thing that I have done is that I’ve been completely honest with our players about what they’re going through from the standpoint as to why we’re playing these type of teams,” Carter said. “I’ve been very candid with them and when you’re honest with your team, they can handle something a little bit better if you do it like that.”



On Jan. 5, the Bulldogs fell 80-69 to the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The 11-point loss proved to be the team’s best showing during a winless five-game stretch against Upper Division I opponents Maryland (61-46), nationally ranked Missouri (102-51), Iowa (90-46) and Clemson (77-41) in which the average margin of defeat was 31.4 points.

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NSU Spartans get rare TV starring role Monday night

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Norfolk State University's basketball team returns to the national spotlight tonight for the first time since the Spartans shined on the NCAA tournament stage last March.

The Spartans play at Howard at 7 p.m. in Washington, in a game to be broadcast on ESPNU. It is Norfolk State's first national television appearance since the NCAA tournament.

Last season the Spartans won their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title, then stunned Missouri, 86-84, in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

This season, after surviving a difficult early schedule that included 14 of 16 games on the road, NSU (8-10, 3-0 MEAC) has won two in a row and is atop the MEAC.

Howard (4-13, 1-2) fell at home to Hampton on Saturday night, 51-49.

Norfolk State has won six in a row against Howard and ousted the Bison from the the MEAC tournament the last two seasons.

"Howard is going to have some motivation," Norfolk State coach Anthony Evans said. "That's going to give them a little edge."

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Update: Alabama A&M's Joaquenssi Eugene to Participate in 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  The NFL Players Association is proud to announce that Joaquenssi Eugene of Alabama A&M has committed to playing in the 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

The offensive lineman from Miami will be one of the talented draft-eligible seniors competing in the all-star game on Saturday, January 19 at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised live on ESPN2. ESPNU will also air live broadcasts from practices on Thursday, January 17.

The 6-3, 325-pound center and offensive guard was named to the preseason All-SWAC First Team. He’s viewed as the O-line’s leader, identifying defensive formations and communicating to the signal-caller to help him make the correct reads. Eugene also contributes to Bulldog athletics as a thrower on the men’s varsity track and field team.

For player confirmations and news surrounding the game, follow @NFLPABowl on Twitter and on Facebook at Facebook.com/NFLPACollegiateBowl.

For one week preceding the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl presented by Winnol, participants will receive an in-depth introduction to the union – the primary resource for information on the business of football and how to succeed in the NFL and in post-football careers.

Pro-football players and coaching legends will work with the game’s future stars, giving them first-hand insight on what it takes to win on and off of the field. Herm Edwards and Dick Vermeil will serve as the head coaches for the American and National Teams. Player Ambassadors for the game include former NFL players Terrell Davis, Hank Baskett, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Lorenzo Neal and Andre Reed.

Tickets are on sale now: http://collegiate.nflpa.com/.
 

Hampton defeats Howard 52-50

WASHINGTON, D.C. (www.howard-bison.com) – Despite a final second three pointer by freshman Imani Bailey, a 10-2 Hampton run led to Howard University's first loss at home and in conference play in a 52-50 decision against Hampton University on Saturday, Jan. 12 in Burr Gymnasium.
The first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss drops Howard to 7-7 on the season, 4-1 at home and 2-1 in conference play.

Howard's offensive campaign was led by senior Saadia Doyle with 14 points, while fellow Atlanta, Ga., native freshman Victoria Gonzalez added 10 points to the afternoon. Doyle also led in rebounding with six, as senior Cheyenne Curley-Payne finished with three assists and three steals.

As a team, HU shot 39 percent from the field, 33 percent from the behind the arc and 83 percent from the free-throw line.

In spite of five lead changes and eight ties, the mighty blue and white maintained home-court advantage for entire first half and well into the second half.

In the first 20 minutes, which was the lowest first-half scoring outings for both teams, Howard and Hampton went possession-for-possession without scoring.

On a 4-0 run, Howard reached a first-half high six-point margin lead. Hampton's Keiara Avant put her offensive power to work to bring the Lady Pirates within one; nonetheless another Howard run extended the lead by four for a halftime score of 20-16.

After the halftime intermission, Howard displayed to fans and followers why they were the preseason favorite, taking a 10-point margin lead by the 16:44 make of the second-half.

By the 11:08 mark Howard would loss its power and succumb to a 10-2 Hampton run and a 38-38 tie by the 6:14 mark.

The two squads varied between two additional ties and two leads changes before a 6-3 run by Hampton silenced Burr Gymnasium and sent the Lady Bison scrambling for a way out with 21 second remaining.

Hampton advances to 12-5 on the season and 3-0 in the conference.

Howard returns to Burr on Monday, Jan. 14 to take on the Lady Spartans of Norfolk State University at 4:30 p.m., this contest will be aired on ESPNU.

For more information on Howard Women's Basketball, visit the official athletics website at www.howard-bison.com.


By Ariel V. Germain, Assistant Sports Information Director
HOWARD-BISON.COM
HOWARD UNIVERSITY

WSSU wears down Chowan, runs win streak to 11 games

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  The Winston-Salem State Rams aren’t interested in their winning streak.

“We really don’t care about all of that,” Kimani Hunt said after WSSU went to an extra gear in the second half Saturday night to put away quick Chowan 89-76 at the Gaines Center.
 The win streak reached 11 games, WSSU’s longest in 13 seasons, but Coach Bobby Collins and his assistants have yet to mention it to their players.

“It’s really just one game at a time,” Hunt said. “We don’t listen to you or anybody else about the streak because our main goal is to get better each time out.”

The Rams (12-2, 5-0 CIAA) found the going tough against the undersized Hawks (5-8, 0-5).

Chowan starts one player who is 6-7, but the rest of Coach Brett Vincent’s team is made up of quick guards in the 6-0 to 6-3 range, and they had the Rams reaching and clawing most of the way. Kortez Smith, just 5-7 but the quickest player on the court, kept blowing by the Rams and finished with 18 points.

But the Rams turned to their inside play and had just enough stops on defense. A tip-in by Wakefield Ellison with 8:04 left gave the Rams a 10-point lead and a chance to breathe a little easier.

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