Struggling SSU women fall to BCU

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Savannah State’s women struggled offensively, didn’t take care of the ball particularly well and lost the battle of the boards Monday afternoon.  That’s not exactly a winning formula.

The Tigers fought, but couldn’t overcome a rough day and fell to Bethune-Cookman 50-41 at Tiger Arena.

SSU (6-13, 1-5 MEAC) dropped its fourth straight game and seventh in the last eight outings.

Bethune (8-9, 3-2) won for the third time in its last four games.

The Tigers’ lone bright spot was Erin Hogue. The Alabama transfer recorded her fifth straight double-double (eight overall), scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

Despite Hogue’s solid outing, SSU had its second worst shooting game (26.9 percent), had only five assists and 23 turnovers and was outrebounded 47-39.

No one was looking forward to five days off before the next game more than Tigers’ coach Cedric Baker.


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FAMU Coach Holmes' big plan starts with the fans

COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Earl Holmes is putting the onus for digging FAMU athletics out of a financial hole squarely on himself and the football team he will lead next season in his first year as a head coach.

Holmes, a former linebacker for the Rattlers during an era when winning championships was the norm, was hired 10 days ago as the 16th head coach in the program’s history. He takes over at a time when FAMU’s athletics department is facing a financial deficit to the tune of more than $7 million.

Holmes said he couldn’t disclose all of the plans he has for promoting and marketing the Rattlers’ football program until his four-year contract, with an annual salary of $200,000, is approved next month by FAMU’s Board of Trustees. However, he said a big part is to bring fans back to Bragg Stadium.

“It all starts with winning,” Holmes said. “We are going to do our part. We will make sure that we play the type of football that excites people.”

The former FAMU defensive coordinator, who took over as acting head coach late last season, said a passionate fan base impacts more than just the bottom line. He believes their support can also lead to improved play on the field.

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FAMU Community Welcomes Earl Holmes With Rally

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  –  Rattler fans, make sure you don't miss the official FAMU Athletics welcome of Earl Holmes as the 16th head coach of FAMU football. The community welcome rally will be held at The Moon (1105 E. Lafayette St., Tall., Fl. 32301).

Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor and "The Almighty" Joe Bullard are the hosts of the affair. Admission to the event is absolutely FREE. There will be free hors d'eouvres, live music and door prizes.

In addition, you can visit the table of the FAMU Foundation to offer a donation to the football program. The Rattler Boosters will also be there, so you can renew your Booster memberships.

FAMU Athletics would like to challenge all fans to support our efforts. Let's make 2013 a banner year for donations and a record year for our Rattler Boosters.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Freeman, VUU Rally Past Slumping VSU

ETTRICK, Virginia – Virginia Union University women’s basketball coach Barvenia Wooten-Cherry called her players’ first-half performance against Virginia State “unacceptable.” She summoned another word altogether to describe their showing after halftime “fortitude.”

Propelled by 24 points from sophomore Ashle Freeman, the visiting Panthers overcame an 18-point deficit to defeat the Trojans 65-52 on Saturday in a CIAA Northern Division showdown in Ettrick.

VSU started the contest with a 23-5 burst singlehandedly outscored the home team in the second half. The 5-foot-6 guard poured in 21 points in the final 20 minutes, starring in a period that saw the Panthers outscore their rivals 42-19.

“Once [Freeman] found that rhythm, she’s that type of ball player,” Wooten-Cherry said. “She’s going to make it happen.”

The loss was the sixth in seven games for the Trojans and their fourth in a row at home.


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President Obama Delivers His Second Inaugural Address

Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson Sings at the 2013 Inauguration of President Barack Obama

JSU's Hunter Named Interim Coach of the NBA's Suns

PHOENIX, Arizona  --  The Phoenix Suns selected former Jackson State standout Lindsey Hunter to be the interim coach for the second half of the season.

After former four-year coach Alvin Gentry's departure Friday morning, Suns General Manager Lance Blanks led the decision on picking an internal replacement and chose Hunter over Suns veteran assistant coaches Elston Turner, Dan Majerle and Igor Kokoskov.

The former first round pick also played at Alcorn State during the 1988-89 season where he was named to the All-SWAC Freshmen Team. He would eventually transfer to JSU and went to earn the conference Player of the Year award while leading the league in scoring with 27.6 ppg. his senior year.

Hunter, 42, joined the Suns last season as a scout and was named the head of a new player development unit in the summer. Hunter has sat in the second row behind the Suns' coaching staff during most games but had not coached since ending his 17-year NBA playing career in 2010. Hunter was a part of 12 playoff teams and two championships (the 2001-02 Lakers and the 2003-04 Pistons).

Hunter will ran his first practice Sunday in preparation for the team's next game Wednesday at Sacramento. Hunter's hire signals that the Suns intend to use more of their youth, as he has been a proponent of first-round draft choice Kendall Marshall. At 13-28, the Suns are in last place in the Western Conference and assumedly out of the playoff race.

 
COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Hunter Charged With Giving Suns a Jolt

PHOENIX, Arizona  --  When Lindsey Hunter went to bed last night, he was the head of player development with the Suns. When he woke up this morning, he was the franchise’s new head coach.

After the organization and former Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry parted ways Friday morning, Phoenix’s front office spent the next 48 hours talking with the players and interviewing internal candidates, which were comprised of Hunter and Suns assistant coaches Elston Turner and Igor Kokoskov. On Sunday morning, about an hour before practice, Hunter received word that the job was his.

“The organization needed a jolt,” Suns General Manager Lance Blanks said. “We needed something that would shock the systems of us and the players. And the risk trumps safety in this business, and we felt this was the right person to take a risk on.”

A 17-year NBA veteran as a player, Hunter retired following the 2009-10 season after a successful career with the Pistons, Bucks, Lakers, Raptors and Bulls. During his career, Hunter won two NBA Championships, one with Lakers during the 2000-01 season and one with the Pistons during the 2003-04 season.

Coming exactly at the season’s midpoint, Hunter will be charged with leading the team for the remaining 41 games of the season. After the conclusion of the season, the Suns front office will re-open the search for the organization’s next head coach.

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President Obama takes the Oath of Office 1/20/13

Historical photos of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

West St. John trio decides to play football for Southern

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Southern football coach Dawson Odums’ first recruiting class could be rounding into shape.

Three players from West St. John High School lead the list of prospects who made commitments to Odums and his staff after visiting the campus last weekend.

West St. John stars Kylum Favorite, Javen Toney and Justin Bethancourt are all on board, Rams coach Robert Valdez said.

“They said they had a great time,” Valdez said. “And they said the food was very good.”

Other commitments for Southern include Higgins defensive lineman Gerald Brent, De La Salle defensive back Denshawn Jenkins, St. Augustine offensive lineman Damian Daniels, Mandeville cornerback Jamar Mitchell and Salmen wide receiver Chuck Baker. National signing day is Feb. 6.

Baker, a former LSU commitment, is listed as a three-star prospect by Rivals, Scout and 247Sports.

Favorite, Toney and Bethancourt would follow Southern quarterback Dray Joseph from West St. John. Joseph, who signed in 2010, led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in passing as a junior last fall, his first season as the full-time starter.

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SU Jaguars to display talents on TV at Alabama A&M

Southern at Alabama A&M

WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Monday.

WHERE: T.M. Elmore Gym,
Normal, Ala.

TV: ESPNU.

RECORDS: Southern 13-6, 7-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference. Alabama A&M 7-10, 3-3.

 

NORMAL, Alabama  --  Fans of Southwestern Athletic Conference basketball have gotten an up-close look at red-hot Southern in recent weeks.

Monday night, so will a national television audience.

When the Jaguars visit Alabama A&M looking to stay unbeaten in SWAC play, ESPNU will be in Normal, Ala., to provide live coverage of the 8:30 p.m. tipoff.

Southern (13-6, 7-0) has won its seven league games by an average of 20 points, with five straight wins by double figures. A&M (7-10, 3-3) lost its first home game of the SWAC season Saturday against Alcorn State after going 3-0 at home to start league action.

“It’s set up that you have to go somewhere on the road and win if you’re going to help yourself,” Southern coach Roman Banks said. “It only gets tougher for us as the season goes on.”

Southern got its third SWAC road win Saturday in a 79-67 victory over Alabama State, a game the Jaguars led by double figures for the final 23 minutes.

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HBCU Players on Super Bowl XLVII Rosters

Baltimore Ravens

12

Jones, Jacoby

WR/RS

6-2

212

28

6

Lane

70

Harewood, Ramon

T

6-6

340

25

3

Morehouse

54

Hamilton, Adrian

OLB

6-3

251

25

R

Prairie View A&M

Reserve/Injured

41

Levine, Anthony

S

5-11

199

25

1

Tennessee State

33

Thompson, Christian

S

6-0

211

22

R

South Carolina State

Practice Squad

42

Carr, Nigel

LB

6-2

232

22

R

Alabama State

San Francisco 49ers

Practice Squad

92	Divens, Lamar	DT	6-3	340	27	4	Tennessee St.
18	Lockette, Ricardo	WR	6-2	211	26	1	Fort Valley St.

Florida A&M Rattlers, new coach seek fresh start

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Under the watchful eyes of a young Kevin Clethen, players hoping for a spot on this year’s FAMU baseball team went through rapid-fire drills during a tryout Saturday morning at Moore-Kittles Field.

Pitchers worked with a radar gun trained on their throws, and players at all positions participated in a workout that lasted 2 1/2 hours.

Not a soul seemed distracted by the controversy surrounding Willie Brown, who coached the Rattlers last season. While Brown, who was fired after an investigation into sexual harassment allegations by walk-on Denard Williams II, fights to get his name cleared, Clethen has the task of keeping the players focused as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Thirty-four players, including Williams, participated in the tryout. Three newcomers from the Big Bend — catcher Garrett Johnson of Leon, pitcher Jordan Montague (Wakulla High) and infielder Kendal Week (Munroe High) — also took park in the workout.

Players weren’t available for interviews because of the circumstances surrounding Brown’s dismissal. They open the season Feb. 15 with a four-game series at Troy University.



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10-minute burst pushes XU Nuggets past PSC Lady Panthers

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana used a 10-minute first-half run Saturday to earn a 65-47 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Philander Smith.

Andraquay Quinnine scored 13 points and SiMon Franklin 12 to lead the Gold Nuggets (13-4 overall, 3-2 GCAC), who are ranked 12th in NAIA Division I and bounced back from a Monday home loss to SUNO. The Lady Panthers (10-10, 1-4) have lost four in a row.

Philander Smith led 4-0 through the first two minutes, then the Gold Nuggets took control with a 24-2 burst in which they gained 18 turnovers, 12 by steals. Franklin scored eight points and capped the run with a basket to give Xavier a 24-6 lead at 8:07.

Xavier led 33-14 at halftime and maintained its double-digit lead throughout the second half -- but the Nuggets never led by more than 22, the last time after Whitney Gaston-Loyd's basket made it 56-34 with 7:44 remaining.

Gaston-Loyd had nine points and blocked two shots. Talor Hixon had six of Xavier's 26 steals, and Paige Gauthier led the Nuggets with seven rebounds and four assists.

Quinnine did not score until two free throws at 4:07 of the first half, and she made three 3-pointers in an 11-point second half. The Gold Nuggets are 6-0 this season when Quinnine leads the team in scoring.

Rubyunnia McHenry led Philander Smith with 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Jerricka Scott scored 14 points, and Kanesha Merritt had 13 points and six steals -- but she also committed 10 of the Lady Panthers' 33 turnovers.

Xavier outshot Philander Smith 35 to 30 percent from the floor -- the Lady Panthers missed all 10 of their 3-point attempts -- and had a 46-34 rebound advantage. The Nuggets committed a season-worst 31 turnovers, 17 in the second half.

Franklin needs eight points to become the 19th XU female to reach 1,000 in a career. She'll get her next shot Monday when Xavier plays Fisk at 3 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

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

TSU Flying Tigers & Tigerbelles Wrap Up Competition In The Hoosier State

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana  --  For the first time this season, the Tennessee State Track & Field teams left the state to compete as TSU traveled to the University of Indiana to take part in the two-day Gladstein Invitational, which ended Saturday.

 

Sophomore Ashontae Jackson impressed with her jumping and running as she won the long jump at 19 feet, 7.5 inches. She was also a part of the 4X400 meter relay team, along with Gabrielle Todd, Breanna Adams and Jasmine Owens, that clocked in at 3:50.67 which was good enough for second place behind Ohio State.

In the triple jump, a distance of 39 feet, 1/4 inches gave Ja'Lyn Burr third place, while Quanisha Sales' also claimed third with a time of 25.22 seconds in the 200 meters

The highlights for the men came in the high jump and long jump. Daryl Rice cleared 6 feet, 8.75 inches to finish first in the high jump, two inches higher than second place. In the high jump, junior Royce Dates came in third with a distance of 23 feet, 4 1/2 inches.

TSU is off next week before returning back to the Gentry Center to host the TSU Invite on Saturday Feb. 2.

 

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

 

2013 Gladstein Invitational Results

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush rally late to take sole possession of GCAC lead

Anthony Simmons

Nick Haywood

NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Simmons scored a season-high 23 points, and Nick Haywood scored all five of his points during a closing run Saturday which gave Xavier University of Louisiana an 84-79 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Philander Smith.

The Gold Rush (17-3 overall, 5-0 GCAC), ranked 13th in NAIA Division I, took sole possession of first place in the conference. They ended the nine-game win streak of the Panthers (13-5, 4-1), who are ranked 22nd.

Simmons was 7-of-10 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the line before fouling out with 35 seconds remaining. But that came 13 seconds after Haywood made his only 3-pointer of the game to put Xavier ahead to stay, 80-78.

Xavier outscored Philander Smith 9-1 after Juvon Demerson's two free throws a 78-75 lead with 1:46 remaining. Haywood's basket at 1:35 cut the Panthers' lead to 78-77, and he followed with the go-ahead trey after Denzell Erves rebounded Alvin Nance's missed shot at 1:04.

Philander Smith, a second-year GCAC member, had a chance to tie the score when Simmons fouled out, but Demerson made one free throw and missed a second to keep Xavier ahead 80-79. The Gold Rush made 4-of-4 free throws thereafter -- two by Wanto Joseph with 27 seconds remaining, two by Olivier Siewe with 10.4 to play -- to preserve a season-high-tying sixth consecutive victory. Philander Smith missed a pair of 3-pointers in the final 11 seconds.

Simmons produced back-to-back 20-point games for the first time in his career. Joseph had 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds -- he has scored in double figures in every game this season -- and Renard Smith made four 3-pointers and scored 17 points for Xavier. Erves missed his third consecutive double-double but grabbed 11 rebounds to reach double figures for the sixth time in seven games.

Haywood's late points came after he scored a combined four points in the previous two games. He was scoreless Monday in an overtime home victory against SUNO.

Nance made 4-of-4 3-pointers, scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Philander Smith. Demerson had 22 points and four blocked shots, D'Alvin Brown scored 13 points, and Clayton Busby scored 11. Damarkus Lipscomb had 16 assists, 10 in the first half, to set a record in XU's first-year Concovation Center. His assists matched the most by an NAIA D-I player this season.

The Panthers made five 3-pointers, two each by Nance and Busby, to take their largest lead, 22-10, at 12:24 of the first half. But Xavier rallied to take a 45-41 lead and built its advantage to 70-58 after Smith's 3-pointer with 8:12 remaining. Then the Panthers regained the lead by making 10-of-11 free throws in a 20-5 run during the next 6½ minutes.

Xavier shot 45.9 percent from the floor, including 9-of-18 3-pointers, and made 19-of-23 free throws. Philander Smith shot 43.4 percent from the floor, including 10-of-25 3-pointers, and made 23-of-31 free throws. Xavier had a 35-32 rebound advantage.

The teams will meet again Feb. 9 in Little Rock, Ark. Next for Xavier will be a 1 p.m. Monday GCAC home game against Fisk, which lost 80-72 Saturday at Dillard.

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

SAU Falcons Edge 11th-Ranked Winston-Salem State 63-61

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  An excellent week of practice translated into a stunning victory for Saint Augustine's University over nationally-ranked Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013.

The Falcons were intense from tip-off and didn't let up despite falling behind at halftime. By time the final horn sounded, the Falcons came away with a 63-61 win at packed Emery Gymnasium in the CIAA Southern Division opener for both teams. The Falcons snapped the Rams' 12-game win streak which was their longest in 13 years.

“I had a good feeling all week in practice,” St. Aug Head Coach Lonnie Blow, Jr. said. “I told [our players] that. I felt good before the game, and I think they felt the same way.”

Coming off an eight-point win over Virginia Union University Monday, the Falcons (11-6 overall, 4-3 CIAA, 1-0 Southern Division) had five days to prepare for the Rams, ranked 11^th in the NABC/Division II Coaches Poll. It was the longest break between games since the Christmas and New Year's holidays for the Falcons. Blow and his assistant coaches Erasto Hatchett and MarQus Johnson stressed the importance of intensity to the team during the week.

The players carried the message into the contest against the Rams (13-3, 6-1 CIAA, 0-1 Southern Division), the defending CIAA champions. The Falcons shot out to a 17-10 lead early, but the Rams rallied to take a 28-23 halftime lead. Still, Blow was not discouraged in the first-half play of the Falcons.

“I thought we did a good job in the first half,” Blow said. “[The Rams] started trapping and pressing which made us rush a bit. In the second half, we went back to doing what we did earlier in the game.”

The Falcons relied on their strength - rebounding - to re-gain momentum. Misses were rare in the second half as the Rams shot 56 percent and the Falcons 53 percent, but the Falcons snatched the few rebounds which came off the rim. For the game, the Falcons, who lead the CIAA in rebounding margin, outrebounded the taller Rams 33-25 including 18-8 on the offensive end. Senior guard Tyquan Stroman (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) and sophomore center Jonathan Crawley (Richmond, Va.) led the Falcons with six rebounds apiece.

The Falcons showed intensity in other ways. Senior guard Nick Chamblee (Hampton, Va.) dished out six assists compared to two turnovers despite playing with an injury. The trio of junior guard Joel Kindred (Raleigh, N.C.), his brother senior guard/forward Jon Kindred (Raleigh, N.C.) and Crawley all came off the bench to give the Falcons a 33-11 advantage in bench points while making key stops on defense and helping the Falcons crash the boards.

Joel Kindred scored 11 points and Crawley, listed at 6-8 and 340 pounds, added 10 points in addition to his six rebounds while Jon Kindred had eight points and four rebounds. The win was especially sweet for Crawley, a former football offensive lineman for the Rams.

“I try to play hard every game but I can say I was a little bit more enthused [against Winston-Salem State].” Crawley said. “I have some friends on their team and it was a little friendly competition.”

Crawley felt the practices during the week helped the team get past the Rams.

““Everybody was competing against each other and pushing each other,” Crawley said. “We came out and did the right things against the Rams, who were ranked 11^th. This game will help us move forward.”

The Falcons led much of the second half though never by more than five points. Senior guard Percy Woods (Washington, D.C.), who led all scorers with 19 points, put the finishing touches on the contest. His three-pointer with 4:14 left made the score 54-49, but the Rams wouldn't quit. A three-pointer by Tyre Desmore (10 points) put the Rams within three with a minute left, but Woods hit three of four free throws to give the Falcons the win.
.
““We treated every play in practice like it was a real game,” Woods said. “Everybody is buying in to what Coach Blow is teaching. A win like this show we can make our mark in this league.”

Justin Glover led WSSU with 15 points. WyKevin Bazemore added 12 points for the Rams.

The Falcons need to bring the intensity again on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, when they face another Southern Division foe. Johnson C. Smith University comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. encounter at Emery Gymnasium. It will be the fifth straight home game for the Falcons.

“This win has to help our confidence,” said Blow about his squad, off to a good start despite being picked to finish last in the Southern Division in the preseason. “[The Rams] are really talented. To beat a team like that lets you know you can play with the big boys. We have to build on it. We can't be satisfied. We have to move forward.

“We have another big game Wednesday. Smith is coming in here and it is going to be another dogfight.”

WAUG-TV will televise the contest versus Johnson C. Smith on Time Warner Digital Cable 168. Fans can also follow the action via live stats on saintaugfalcons.com.

Boxscore




COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama A&M signs JUCO quarterback, running back

NORMAL, Alabama  --  After losing 23 seniors from a team that started the season 6-0 and earned the school's first ever ranking in the FCS Top 25 Poll, Alabama A&M has a lot of work to do on the recruiting trail this season.

And with National Signing Day less than three weeks away the Bulldogs have already addressed two of their biggest needs---quarterback and running back.

They've secured signatures from a pair of JUCO standouts in Kyle Harmyk, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller out of Mendocino Community College in California, and tailback Jabari Baker of Hinds Community College in Mississippi.

The duo will be working for the opportunity to fill some sizeable cleats when spring practices begin.

Former A&M quarterback Deaunte Mason earned the Bulldogs' starting gig in 2009 after transferring from Kentucky. The former Tennessee Mr. Football finished his career with a 19-14 record. He was second-team choice to the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference squad as a junior when he led A&M to the conference title game. As a senior, he was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Week four weeks ago.



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Howard pulls out 44-42 victory over North Carolina A&T

Saadia Doyle
Howard University 
(Courtesy Howard University Athletics) 

GREENSBORO, N.C. (www.howard-bison.com) –  Howard University worked to the bitter end for its fourth Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the season, despite an effortless first-half eight point lead, as the Lady Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University fell 42-44 to the Lady Bison on Saturday, Jan. 19 in the Corbett Sports Complex in Greensboro, N.C.

Senior Saadia Doyle finished the contest with her sixth double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Nicole Deterville tallied a season-best nine points. Senior Kara Smith finished eight points, as Cheyenne Curley-Payne and sophomore Cheyenne Brown gathered four points apiece. Curley-Payne also notched a team-best five assists.

After ending the first half of play with an eight point lead, Howard returned to the hardwood missing its first half momentum.

North Carolina A&T went on a 6-0 run to lead 24-22 by the 17:04 mark.

HU appeared unsynchronized, as they couldn't assemble an offensive front and tallied continues turnovers.

Doyle broke the Lady Aggie run with a jumper at the 16:04 mark, 26-22.

By the 12:01 mark, on a 7-3 run, the North Carolina Lady Aggies tied the ball game 29-29 for the second gridlock of the afternoon.

The back-and-forth action continued well into the final media timeout of the game, as a long-range basket from North Carolina A&T's Ariel Bursey turned a three point Howard lead into the fifth and final tie for a score of 39-39 at the 3:46 mark.

NCAT sent Doyle to the charity strip on two occasions four a four-point Howard lead.

Red-shirt junior Jerrelle Gorham sent A&T's Amber Calvin to the free-throw line, to bring the Lady Aggies within four by the 23-second mark. Fellow Aggie Eboni Ross hit the line and made a single free throw to bring her host squad within one, 43-42.

In under five seconds, NCAT sent Smith to the line for a chance at four points on two 1-of-1 options. Regrettably, the senior misses both opportunities.

With 1-second remaining, Curley-Payne sank a basket from the charity stripe securing the 44-42 win.
The mighty blue and white hit the first half with a slow start, as Doyle led the squad with seven of its eight points by the 11:40 mark.

Sharp-shooter Smith woke up her shot at the 9:53 with a two-pointer in the paint.

Fellow classmate Deterville led HU to its first dominate lead of the half with three consecutive drop-step layups for a score of 16-15 by the 4:46 mark.

On a 6-1 run, Howard headed to the locker room with an eight-point 24-16 lead.

Howard advances to 9-7 on the season and 4-1 in the MEAC.

The mighty blue and white continues its stint in North Carolina with a Monday, Jan. 21 5:30 p.m. meeting with the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on the NCCU campus.

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

Box Score

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

FAMU women pull away from Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Savannah State’s women survived one Florida A&M run but the second proved fatal.

Jasmine Grice had 15 of her game-high 25 points during the final 10 minutes as the Rattlers defeated the Tigers 59-49 at Tiger Arena on Saturday afternoon.

It was SSU’s third straight loss. The Tigers (6-12, 1-4 MEAC) have dropped six of seven games since losing leading scorer Ezinne Kalu to a knee injury on Dec. 20.

Erin Hogue, a transfer from Alabama, scored 18 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to keep SSU close against the Rattlers.

But the Tigers couldn’t find a second offensive threat. They shot only 29.6 percent from the floor.

“We’re a much different team than we were at the start of the school year,” SSU coach Cedric Baker said. “Right now, it’s about finding offensive chemistry. Defensively, I thought we were sound.”

A&M (6-11, 3-1 MEAC) went on an 11-1 run midway through the first half and built a 21-12 lead.
Behind Hogue, however, the Tigers fought back and had a 35-33 advantage with 10:45 to go.
Hogue had five points in SSU’s 7-0 spurt into the lead.

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Shakeem Copeland commits to Norfolk State

WOODBRIDGE, Virginia  -- Norfolk State got a verbal commitment this week from Gar-Field (Woodbridge) running back Shakeem Copeland.  Copeland, a 5-foot-9, 190-pounder who battled hamstring issues throughout the season, said he picked NSU over an offer from North Carolina Central and heavy interest from Richmond.

NSU coach: Potential QBs 'all starting even' in spring

NORFOLK, Virginia --  Chris Walley arrived from junior college laden with experience. Jake Basmagian had very little.

Norfolk State's newest junior college quarterback, Jason Stewart, has a resume somewhere in between and will be a potential option at the position heading into the Spartans' spring practice, according to head coach Pete Adrian.

Stewart, 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds, is at NSU for the second semester and is already working out with the team, while Basmagian and punter Dylan Shaddix did not return to school, Adrian said.

Adrian said he plans to have an open competition when spring practice begins.

"They're all starting even," Adrian said of the quarterbacks. "And it starts now when we're able to meet with them for an hour, an hour-and-a-half here and there."

Walley guided the Spartans to their first MEAC title as a senior in 2011, but the team slipped to 4-7 last season.

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FAMU Rattler Track Team Strikes At Florida Gator Invite

GAINESVILLE, Florida  -- (Jan.17) The Florida A&M Men's track team embarked on Gainesville for the Gator Invite indoor track meet and came away with several promising results. He coach Wayne Angel is building the squad to a total team after his first full year at the helm and several first-year athletes proved themselves on today.

One of the runners Angel knew he would have to depend on this season is freshman Troy Pollard. Pollard is a California junior college state champion from Minnesota, who showed he was as good as advertised as he won the 400m dash in a time of 48.42. He would place third in the 200m dash, coming in at 22.48. Newcomer Dennis Pugh came in fourth place in the 200m run in 22.67. Lee Williams took the No.10 spot, running 23.45 to complete the trifecta of Rattlers in the top 10.

Angel was pleased to see that Pollard has been able to adapt his successful high school career to a solid college start. "You never know. When you have a transfer to come in as decorated as Troy, the best way to find out if it translates to the collegiate Division I level is to put them in a race against solid competition, as was present today," Angel.

Sophomore Elias Chesire cruised to a victory in the mile run. He finished in 4:23.40, just ahead of senior teammate Lamere Buchanon, who ran 4:24.59 time. Dieumy Duclos finished seventh in the race (4:35.34), while Robyel Kidane took ninth place (4:41.05). Cheshire has qualified for the MEAC championships in both the 3000m and mile run in just two events this season. The reigning MEAC Most Outstanding Athlete for cross country, looks to maintain his dominance in the conference in distance running.

Dual sport athlete Williams, who is also a member of the Rattler football team, took fourth place in both the long jump and triple jump. He leaped 13.92m (45-08.00) in the triple jump and 6.44m (21-01.50) in the long jump.

Corey Jones, also a newcomer to Angel's squad, took seventh place in the 55m dash. He blazed the distance in just 6.56 to get a Top 10 finish.

Another on the Rattlers' new sprinters, Jabrelle Crawford, ran 51.44 in the 400m dash to finish 14th, while heptathlete Jean Leon grabbed the No.16 spot in 52.73. Leon would also place ninth in the long jump at 6.0m (19-08.25).


Veteran McDaniel Olivier got a fifth-place finish in the 800m run, finishing that race in 1:56.98. Isaiah Smith would round out the team with a 1:58.88 finish, which was good for the No.10 position.

Dennis McGee finished fourth in the shot put. His toss of 14.39m (47-02.50) was a crucial throw in a packed field of throwers. He would also take eighth place in the weight throw at 13.10m (42-11.75), just ahead of teammate Xavier Mackey's 12.29m (40-04.00).

Angel was pleased with the overall performance of the team. "I think there were some solid performances today. (Troy) Pollard, (Elias) Cheshire and Dennis McGee had admirable shwings today. We have a young team and we're trying to get better. Each week we're making an improvement, so at this point I'm pleased with our progress," Angel said.

The Rattlers will get back to the track on next Friday, Jan.25 at the Rod McRavey Invitational (E.J. Nutter Field House) in Lexington, KY.

The following represents the updated list of track athletes who have qualified for the MEAC Indoor Championships:

60m dash/Triple Jump: Lee Williams

400m dash: Troy Pollard
800m run: Lamere Buchanon

800m run: Troy Pollard/McDaniel Olivier

Mile run: Kevin Marindich/Elias Chesire/Lamere Buchanon
3000m: Dieumy Duclos/Robyel Kidane

Shot put/Weight throw: Dennis McGee

Heptathlon Leon Jean

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Grambling Band Headed to DC for Inaugural Parade

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band will represent Louisiana on Monday at the parade honoring the inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

This is the third time the Grambling band has marched in an inaugural parade. The band also marched in the inaugural parades of presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, in addition to the 2009 inaugural of Obama.

Participants in the parade will follow the traditional route down Pennsylvania Avenue from Fourth Street past the White House.

Obama and Biden, along with their families, will watch the parade from a reviewing stand across from Lafayette Park.

Participants in the parade are responsible for paying their own expenses.

Grambling State President Frank Pogue said the university will provide some assistance to band members, including contacting alumni for aid donations.

GSU is the only HBCU band participating in the 57th Inaugural Parade.



COURTESY SWAC.org

WSSU to start division play today at St. Aug’s

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State will head into the most crucial part of its basketball schedule today as it starts Southern Division play in the CIAA.

The Rams (13-2, 6-0 CIAA) are ranked No. 11 in Division II and riding a 12-game winning streak. They’ll play at St. Augustine’s (10-6, 3-3) at 4 p.m. today, starting a 10-game stretch of Southern Division opponents leading to the CIAA Tournament.
 “Everybody knows each other,” senior forward Kimani Hunt said of Southern Division play. “We have almost all our team back, so teams are going to know us pretty well. But we are a different team.”

The Rams, defending CIAA champions, have depth, experience (seven seniors) and a solid defense. They are second in the CIAA, behind St. Aug’s, in scoring defense, allowing 65 points a game.

“It’s a fun part of the season because every game is a rivalry game,” Hunt said of WSSU’s playing each of its five Southern Division opponents twice. “Every game is either here at home or close by, and your family can get to most of the games.”

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WSSU Notes: Games against J.C. Smith moved to Annex

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State’s doubleheader against Johnson C. Smith on Feb. 20 has been moved from the Gaines Center to Joel Coliseum Annex to accommodate what is expected to be an overflow crowd.

Some fans were turned away at the door at last year’s women’s-men’s doubleheader at the Gaines Center.

Kevin Manns , an assistant athletics director, said another reason for move is that it will be Senior Night. The women’s game will start at 5:30, and the men’s game will start about 7:30.

“We are very limited in seating in the Gaines Center,” Manns said of the on-campus arena, which seats about 3,000. “With the crowd we are expecting, we have the opportunity to host comfortably and also have some space to entertain and cultivate donors and sponsors.… Moving the game just gives us more options.”

The Annex seats about 6,000 and has more parking options than the Gaines Center.

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