NORFOLK, Virginia – Up by just two at the break, the Norfolk State men's basketball team pulled away from Bethune-Cookman in the second half in a 59-45 victory on Saturday evening at Joseph Echols Hall.
The Spartans were held to more than 25 points below their season average, but a strong defensive effort allowed NSU to win its 21st straight conference regular season game, the longest active streak in Division I basketball.
Norfolk State improved to 7-3 overall, the best 10-game start in the D-I era, and 2-0 in the MEAC. Bethune-Cookman dropped to 2-9, 0-1 after shooting just 16-of-53 (30.2 percent) for the game.
Senior Riley Maye tied his career high and led NSU with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting coming off the bench.
He had 11 in the second half as the Spartans turned a 30-30 tie into a double-digit lead over a six-and-a-half minute span. Senior Pendarvis Williams made it 44-33 at the end of the run after hitting a pair of free throws.
A short time later, Williams hit a driving layup with an outstretched left hand for a 52-40 advantage. Senior Marese Phelps got the kind bounce on his 3-point shot, and Williams hit a baseline jumper to cap an extended 15-5 run that lasted another eight minutes and put the Spartans up by 17.
After a slow start, Williams finished with 11 points, while seniors Brandon Goode and Malcolm Hawkins each added 10. Goode also added a game-high nine rebounds with five blocks.
Malik Jackson led the Wildcats with 16 points and seven boards.
Neither team could get much going offensively in the early going before the Spartans took a 16-10 lead on Maye's hook shot in the lane from 10 feet out. Goode's alley-oop layup then made it 21-17 at the 4:37 mark.
Jackson, who had 13 of his 16 points before the break, hit a trey with less than a minute to go to tie it up, but a last-second lay-in by senior Anell Alexis gave the Spartans a 27-25 lead at the break.
NSU hit 22-of-52 (42.3 percent) for the game and had a 32-12 advantage in points in the paint. The Spartans also connected on 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the free throw line two days after attempting a school-record 62 shots against Florida A&M.
Junior Jamel Fuentes had a career-high nine rebounds with seven assists. Norfolk State won its 16th straight home game.
The Spartans will take the week off before heading up to Boston University for an afternoon contest on Dec. 15.
Box Score
By Mike Bello, Asst. SID
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Sunday, December 8, 2013
TSU Track and Field Puts in Strong Performance at MTSU’s Christmas Invitational
MURFREESBORO, Tennessee – At Saturday’s Christmas Invitational the Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles took a combined three of five dual meets.
The women’s side took dual meets against Western Kentucky, 230-110 and Austin Peay, 218.5-147.5. Middle Tennessee State was the only group to top the Tigerbelles, and they did so by the narrowest of margins, 193.5-187.5.
Tenneessee State’s men’s team split its pair of dual meets against Western Kentucky and MTSU. The Flying Tigers edged out the Hilltoppers 60-56 and dropped their contest against the Blue Raiders 64-38.
For the Tigerbelles, freshman Amber Hughes posted the best finish winning the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 7.95 seconds. Hughes was followed closely by fellow freshman India Smith who finished fourth in the event at 8.30 seconds.
Junior JaLyn Burr put in solid performances in the jumps placing second in the triple jump (11.91 meters) and third in the high jump (1.63 meters). Burr was joined by sophomore Clairwin Dameus who put in a third place finish in the long jump with a hop of 5.86 meters.
In the sprints, junior Ashontae Jackson ran a time of 58.47 seconds in the 400 meters earning a fourth place finish. The Tigerbelles received a standout performance from senior Britani Logan with throws of 13.89 meters in the shot put (2nd) and 14.17 meters in the weight throw (3rd).
For the men two first place finishes highlighted the invitational. The 4X440 A relay topped the eight team field with a time of 3:16.66, the relay included: senior Michael Johnson, freshman Perry Stokes, junior Osafa Hippolyte and Joshua Price. The Tigers also finished with the top four spots in the high jump, with junior Daryl Rice’s jump of 2.03 meters winning the event.
Sophomore Shaquille Cragwall finished second in the triple jump, with a distance of 14.10 meters. The Flying Tigers received a second place finish out of Quamel Prince in the 800 meters, with a time of 1:55.43.
The Tigerbelles and Flying Tigers will now break for the winter holidays before returning to competition on Jan. 5, 2014 for the Ed Temple Classic, hosted by Tennessee State.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
MSU Bears overwhelm Howard in MEAC Opener, 87-58
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Justin Black scored 17 points and led five teammates in double-figures as Morgan State won its conference home opener against Howard University 87-58 on Saturday at Hill Field House. Howard (2-9, 0-1) and Morgan State opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play and also celebrated their 101st meeting. The Bears and the Bison have split the last two meetings.
Morgan State (2-7, 1-0), who was tabbed pre-season as a second-place finisher in the MEAC, led 37-29 at the break.
Black, the Bears leading scorer (17.8 ppg) accented a second half 48-32 lead with a steal and a two-handed slam at 16:59 and then scored on another dunk two minutes later to go up 53-35.
Black not only led the Bears in scoring, but he also finished with six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman spoke about his team's second half performance.
"I was proud of the guys, we picked it up the second half," Bozeman said. "Cedric Blossom in particular stepped up and brought it."
"Prince Okoroh had 21 points in the first half, so we wanted to make sure we focused on him. We put Ced on him and I thought he did a good job; he has good size and he can really defend. I thought that was key for us and I thought the play of Thair Heath was big for us; his physical presence inside."
Black not only led the Bears in scoring, but he also finished with six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman spoke about his team's second half performance.
"I was proud of the guys, we picked it up the second half," Bozeman said. "Cedric Blossom in particular stepped up and brought it."
"Prince Okoroh had 21 points in the first half, so we wanted to make sure we focused on him. We put Ced on him and I thought he did a good job; he has good size and he can really defend. I thought that was key for us and I thought the play of Thair Heath was big for us; his physical presence inside."
Howard, a loser of eight straight games could not match the pace set by Morgan State and trailed by as much as 29 leading up to the buzzer.
Okoroh paced the Bison with a game-high 25 points, while James Daniel had 17 and four assists.
The Bears held a commanding 38-25 advantage on the glass and outscored Howard in the paint by a 20 point margin (42-22).
Anthony Hubbard and Blake Bozeman had 13 points apiece, Thair Heath added 12 points in a reserve role, and Cedric Blossom added 10 as Morgan State shot a season-best 59 percent (33-56) from the field.
"I'll take a win," said Bozeman, "and a conference win and the first conference game is always important to get off to a good start."
Bear Notes
+ Thair Heath finished with a career-high 12 points (6-7 FG)+ Blake Bozeman connected on 3-of-5 3-pointers and finished with a season-high 13 points
+ MSU's bench outscored Howard 25-2
+ The Bears honored Nelson Mandela with raised fists during the playing of the national anthem.
Okoroh paced the Bison with a game-high 25 points, while James Daniel had 17 and four assists.
The Bears held a commanding 38-25 advantage on the glass and outscored Howard in the paint by a 20 point margin (42-22).
Anthony Hubbard and Blake Bozeman had 13 points apiece, Thair Heath added 12 points in a reserve role, and Cedric Blossom added 10 as Morgan State shot a season-best 59 percent (33-56) from the field.
"I'll take a win," said Bozeman, "and a conference win and the first conference game is always important to get off to a good start."
Bear Notes
+ Thair Heath finished with a career-high 12 points (6-7 FG)+ Blake Bozeman connected on 3-of-5 3-pointers and finished with a season-high 13 points
+ MSU's bench outscored Howard 25-2
+ The Bears honored Nelson Mandela with raised fists during the playing of the national anthem.
COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Michael Murray returns to Coppin State basketball, but coach Fang Mitchell says senior has work to do
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The Coppin State men’s basketball team dropped a pair of decisions to national powerhouses over Thanksgiving weekend, but there was at least one positive. Senior forward Michael Murray returned from a broken right (shooting) hand and made his season debut in Friday’s 87-45 loss to No. 22 Michigan. He scored four points on 1-for-8 shooting, including 0-for-5 from the 3-point arc, and grabbed four rebounds in 23 minutes.
Murray made his first start in Sunday’s 86-51 loss to then-No. 11 Gonzaga and had eight points on 4-for-13 shooting and three rebounds in 33 minutes.
Eagles head coach Fang Mitchell said Murray showed some rust from being unable to practice because of a cast on his hand that kept him out of the first four games of the year.
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Ex-B-CU football coach Wyatt to be named head coach at Edward Waters
JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Former Bethune-Cookman football coach Alvin Wyatt will be named the head coach at Edward Waters College next week, the Jacksonville school announced Thursday.
Wyatt, who had been the Tigers' defensive coordinator, was named interim coach on Oct. 22 after head coach Brad Bernard was fired. The Tigers, an NAIA team, finished 2-2 under Wyatt after losing their first seven games.
Wyatt, who won more games than any coach in B-CU history, will officially be announced the Edward Waters head coach at a press conference on Tuesday, the school announced. Wyatt will turn 66 on Dec. 13.
A Jacksonville native, Wyatt will become the Tigers' fourth head coach since they reinstated football in 2001. Wyatt was B-CU's head coach for 13 years, compiling a 90-54 record.
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Wyatt, who won more games than any coach in B-CU history, will officially be announced the Edward Waters head coach at a press conference on Tuesday, the school announced. Wyatt will turn 66 on Dec. 13.
A Jacksonville native, Wyatt will become the Tigers' fourth head coach since they reinstated football in 2001. Wyatt was B-CU's head coach for 13 years, compiling a 90-54 record.
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Hakeem Baxter not playing like a freshman for UMES men's basketball
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Hakeem Baxter is the leading scorer for the UMES men’s basketball team. That might not qualify as a revelation, until you learn that Baxter is a freshman. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound guard is averaging 17.2 points per game, is tied for second on the team in steals (five total) and ranks third in rebounds (4.8 per game) and fourth in assists (1.5 per game). Baxter’s debut has stunned even Hawks coach Frankie Allen.
“You don’t expect that kind of success so quickly from a freshman,” Allen said Tuesday afternoon.
“He’s off to a very good start. The thing about Hakeem is, he’s a competitor. I watched him play in high school [at Philadelphia Electric & Technology], and he’s just one of those guys that brings it every night.
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MVSU Delta Devils bounce Tougaloo to earn third win of the season
GREENWOOD, Mississippi -- Mississippi Valley State scored more than 70 points for the sixth time this season Saturday in a 89-81 win over Tougaloo College at the Leflore County Civic Center.
Jordan Washington made 10 of 11 free throws for the Delta Devils (3-6) and finished with a team-high 19 points while James Currington chipped in 16.
The Delta Devils shot 59.6 percent from the field.
As a team, MVSU took advantage of its free throw opportunities, converting 22 of 32 attempts.
Valley led 43-31 at halftime and withstood a Tougaloo comeback in the second half to get the victory.
MVSU will be off until Dec. 16 when they travel to face Northwestern.
As a team, MVSU took advantage of its free throw opportunities, converting 22 of 32 attempts.
Valley led 43-31 at halftime and withstood a Tougaloo comeback in the second half to get the victory.
MVSU will be off until Dec. 16 when they travel to face Northwestern.
COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Week 15: SWAC Football Championship & Playoff ScoreCard
Saturday, December 7, 2013
The Toyota SWAC Football Championship
Southern U. 34, Jackson State 27, 2 O.T., Houston, Texas
Highlights
» (9-4, 7-2 SWAC), (8-4, 8-1 SWAC)2nd Round FCS Playoffs (BOLD: Winners)
Fordham 28 (12-2, 0-0 Patriot) at Towson 48 (11-2, 6-2 CAA) Highlights
» Watch Replay 
Coastal Carolina 42 (12-2, 4-1 Big South) at Montana 35 (10-3, 6-2 Big Sky) Highlights
» Watch Replay New Hampshire 41 (9-4, 6-2 CAA) at Maine (10-3, 7-1 CAA) 27 Watch Replay
Tennessee State 10 (10-4, 6-2 OVC) at Eastern Illinois 51 (12-1, 8-0 OVC) Highlights
»Watch Replay Furman 7 (8-6, 6-2 Southern) at North Dakota State 38 (12-0, 8-0 MVC) Highlights
» Watch Replay South Dakota State 17 (9-5, 5-3 MVC) at Eastern Washington 41 (11-2, 8-0 Big Sky) Highlights
» Watch Replay Jacksonville State 31 (11-3, 5-3 OVC) at McNeese State 10 (10-3, 6-1 Southland) Watch Replay
Sam Houston State 29 (9-5, 4-3 Southland) at Southeastern Louisiana 30 (11-2, 7-0 Southland) Highlights
» Watch Replay NCAA Division II Football Championship Quarterfinals
West Chester 28 (13-1 PSAC) at Shepherd 7 (11-1 MEC)
North Alabama 39 (10-3 GSC) at Lenior-Rhyne 42 (12-1 SAC)
West Texas A&M 28 (11-3 LSC) at Grand Valley State 35 (12-2 GLIAC)
St. Cloud State 21 (12-2 NSIC) at Northwest Missouri State 59 (13-0 MIAA) Photos
Southern University wins SWAC title with senior Dray Joseph, Lee Doss leading the way
HOUSTON, Texas -- With a wink and a nod between two good friends, Southern University regained its spot atop SWAC football. And in doing so, quarterback Dray Joseph and wide receiver Lee Doss, both seniors, scripted the perfect ending to their careers as Jaguars.
Joseph passed 16 yards to Doss for a touchdown in the second overtime that turned out to be the game-winner in Southern’s 34-27 SWAC Championship victory against Jackson State at Reliant Stadium here Saturday afternoon before 38,985 fans.
They had to sweat the final result for a few minutes. But the Jaguars defense cemented the victory when Jackson State failed to score on fourth-and-goal at the Southern 5 on its second overtime possession.
The Jaguars (9-4), which hadn’t recorded a winning season since 2009 before this year and hadn’t won a SWAC title in 10 years, celebrated on the floor of Reliant Stadium with ...
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Saturday, December 7, 2013
Tennessee State Tigers' Season Ends at Eastern Illinois
CHARLESTON, Illinois -- Frigid temperatures and a relentless Panther attack ended the Tennessee State football team’s season on Saturday with a 51-10 loss at Eastern Illinois in the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Playoffs.
The Tigers could not overcome a 37-point halftime deficit and surrendered 553 yards, 313 of which came on the ground.
Eastern Illinois’s 51 points were the most by a TSU opponent since Murray State scored the same total on Nov. 9, 2002.
The Tigers mustered 287 yards of total offense and redshirt junior quarterback Michael German finished 25-of-38 for 242 yards with zero scores and zero interceptions.
EIU was led by senior quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who completed 17-of-26 passes for 240 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. Running back Shepard Little led the Panther rushing attack with 12 carries for 184 yards and two scores.
The Panthers received the ball to start the game and marched 81 yards down the field in 10 plays for a touchdown. Garoppolo was 5-of-5 for 68 yards, but it was running back Taylor Duncan who made into the end zone from three-yards out.
TSU was driving on its first possession, but German fumbled a snap at the EIU 44-yard line and the Panthers recovered. Eastern Illinois immediately went deep on the next play and Erik Lora caught a 49-yard pass. Four plays later, EIU kicked a 25-yard field goal and led, 10-0, with eight minutes left in the first period.
The Tennessee State offense sputtered on its next series, but EIU’s did not. Garoppolo found Lora on a crossing pattern and Lora did the rest for a 20-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt hit the upright, but EIU still led, 16-0, at the 4:41 mark in opening stanza.
EIU added a touchdown with 10 minutes to go before halftime, returned a blocked punt for another score with two minutes to play and ended the half with a 4-yard passing touchdown, making the score 37-0 at halftime.
TSU was out gained, 340 yards to 90 during the first 30 minutes and only averaged 1.1 yards per rush.
The Tigers fumbled four times in the first half, losing two, missed a field goal and had a punt blocked for the first time all season.
The Panthers scored a quick touchdown to start the third quarter before TSU finally got on the scoreboard with a seven-yard rushing touchdown by Tim Broughton on its second possession of the half.
Broughton’s run capped an 11-play, 63-yard drive in which German was 5-of-5 for 57 yards. The Big Blue touchdown made the score 44-7 with 7:28 to go in the third stanza.
Eastern Illinois was about to score another touchdown right before the end of the quarter, but the Tennessee State defense stopped the Panthers twice at the one-yard line to force a turnover on downs.
The stop proved to benefit the TSU offense, as German engineered a 74-yard drive that culminated in a 42-yard field goal by Jamin Godfrey. Ryan Mitchell had two 20-yard receptions to key the scoring series.
Mitchell finished the day with six grabs for 76 yards.
The Panthers struck right back with an 80-yard touchdown run by Little on their very next play to make the score, 51-10, with 9:46 to play.
Little’s touchdown proved to be the final points of the game, and Tennessee State fell to 10-4 on the season.
Andrew Taylor led the TSU defense with a career-high 11 tackles and recorded the team’s only sack of the game. De’Ante Saunders also had an interception in the second quarter, but TSU gave the ball back via a fumble two plays later.
Eastern Illinois will travel to Towson for an Elite Eight contest on Dec. 14 while TSU will resume team activities this spring.
Photo Gallery (by Sandy King) -- Courtesy EIU Athletics
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Southern, Jackson State set for title-game rematch
The Jaguars were congratulating Jackson State on a hard-fought 19-14 win that was typical of games between the rivals. But both sides were already thinking they might not have seen the last of the other in 2013.
“A lot of their coaches were shaking our hands, and a lot of their players were shaking our hands and saying it would be great if we could do this again,” Southern coach Dawson Odums said.
In the home locker room, Odums tried to boost his players’ spirits by telling them that if they stayed focus and kept improving, they could get a second chance.
“We’re blessed to be in position to do it again,” he said.
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Virginia Union dismisses AD/football coach Michael Bailey
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| Michael Bailey |
The school didn’t issue a formal announcement, but Bailey confirmed his departure in a brief afternoon conversation with the Times-Dispatch. He called the move “a decision the president (Dr. Claude G. Perkins) made.”
“That’s how people do business,” Bailey said. “You have to roll with it.”
Questions asked of Virginia Union’s sports information department were deflected to university relations. Calls to university relations reached only an answering machine.
Bailey, 22-28 in five seasons on Lombardy Street, said he is proud of his work teaching his players life lessons and helping them graduate. He said 18 football players graduated last year.
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NSU needs no motivation against Bethune-Cookman
NORFOLK, Virginia -- For all the great expectations and lofty postseason goals driving Norfolk State, it's unlikely that its players will be any more motivated all season than they will be today.A clear shot at revenge will do that.
The Spartans will have payback at the front of their minds when Bethune-Cookman visits Echols Hall at 6 p.m. It was the Wildcats, after all, who stunningly ended NSU's potential run to the NCAA tournament last season with a 70-68 overtime upset in the MEAC tournament quarterfinals.
The Spartans were relegated to an NIT loss at Virginia after going 16-0 in the MEAC during the regular season. And they were left stewing for another shot at Bethune-Cookman.
"I'm looking forward to it a lot," said senior guard Malcolm Hawkins, a Norview High product who leads NSU with 18.9 points per game. "As soon as we lost last year and the schedule came out, I circled that game."
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TSU Lady Tigers Ground Ospreys in, 67-51, Road Win
JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team bounced back to defeat the University of North Florida, 67-51, Friday night in UNF Arena.
Tennessee State (2-7) was led by Chelsea Hudson’s 24 points while Rachel Allen had 16 points and five assists. I’mani Davis recorded a team-best 10 rebounds to go with nine points, just shy of a double-double.
Amber Robinson led North Florida (2-7) with 11 points as Destinee Smith added 10.
In the first half, TSU jumped out to a 10-3 lead following back-to-back three-pointers from Chelsea Hudson and I’mani Davis. Over the next two minutes, UNF responded with a rally to pull within one.
With 13:50 on the clock, a bucket by Rachel Allen sparked a 10-0 run that put TSU on top, 20-9, halfway through the first frame. The Lady Tigers went without a score for over two minutes and allowed the Ospreys cut the deficit down to single digits.
Another spurt, capped by a steal and a break-away lay-up from Davis made the score, 28-18, in favor of TSU before Allen nailed her second triple of the contest to extend the advantage to, 33-20.
The Lady Tigers led 35-24 at halftime.
Allen had 10 first-half points while TSU only committed six turnovers in the stanza.
In the second half, UNF cut the deficit down to single digits before TSU extended its lead up to 45-30 following six straight points from Chelsea Hudson. Over the next several possessions, however, the Ospreys outscored TSU, 14-3, to shrink the Lady Tiger lead down to just four points, 48-44.
Hudson connected in the paint to end TSU’s scoring drought and made the score, 50-44.
Two free-throws by Davis and another bucket from Hudson put the Lady Tigers back on top, 54-44, with 7:18 remaining.
The Ospreys once again chopped the lead down to single digits but consecutive three-pointers from Rachel Allen gave TSU a, 62-49, lead and put the game out of reach with 2:17 remaining.
TSU shot 39.1 percent (25-of-64) from the field, including 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from three-point range. The Lady Tigers only committed 12 turnovers and held the advantage in rebounds, 44-37, assists, 13-7, and steals, 10-6.
Tennessee State will have a break before returning to action on Sunday, Dec. 15 at home against Martin Methodist College. Game time is slated for a 2:30 p.m. start in the Gentry Center.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Week 15: SWAC Football Championship and Second Round FCS Playoff Games
Saturday, December 7, 2013
The Toyota SWAC Football Championship
Jackson State (8-3) vs. Southern (8-4), Houston, Texas, Reliant Stadium, 2 p.m., TV: ESPNU
2nd Round FCS Playoffs
Fordham (12-1) at Towson (10-2) at Towson, Md., 1 p.m., TV: (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Coastal Carolina (11-2) at Montana (10-2) at Missoula, Mont., 2 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
New Hampshire (8-4) at Maine (10-2) at Orono, Maine, 2 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Tennessee State (10-3) at Eastern Illinois (11-1) at Charleston, Ill., 2 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Furman (8-5) at North Dakota State (11-0) at Fargo, N.D., 3:30 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
South Dakota State (9-4) at Eastern Washington (10-2) at Cheney, Wash., 4 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Jacksonville State (10-3) at McNeese State (10-2) at Lake Charles, La., 7 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Sam Houston State (9-4) at Southeastern Louisiana (10-2) at Hammond, La., 8 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
ALL GAME TIMES ARE STATED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
The Toyota SWAC Football Championship
Jackson State (8-3) vs. Southern (8-4), Houston, Texas, Reliant Stadium, 2 p.m., TV: ESPNU
2nd Round FCS Playoffs
Fordham (12-1) at Towson (10-2) at Towson, Md., 1 p.m., TV: (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Coastal Carolina (11-2) at Montana (10-2) at Missoula, Mont., 2 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
New Hampshire (8-4) at Maine (10-2) at Orono, Maine, 2 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Tennessee State (10-3) at Eastern Illinois (11-1) at Charleston, Ill., 2 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Furman (8-5) at North Dakota State (11-0) at Fargo, N.D., 3:30 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
South Dakota State (9-4) at Eastern Washington (10-2) at Cheney, Wash., 4 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Jacksonville State (10-3) at McNeese State (10-2) at Lake Charles, La., 7 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Sam Houston State (9-4) at Southeastern Louisiana (10-2) at Hammond, La., 8 p.m. (ESPN3/GamePlan)
ALL GAME TIMES ARE STATED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
SWAC Releases 2013 All Conference Football Teams
Dray Joseph (Southern), Arnold Walker (Alcorn State), Jer-ryan Harris (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Kourtney Berry (Alabama State) and Javancy Jones (Jackson State) lead the SWAC's 2013 postseason accoladesBIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Southern University, Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff received the four major 2013 Southwestern Athletic Conference postseason football awards in voting conducted by league head coaches and sports information directors. The conference made the announcement on Friday prior to the 2013 Toyota SWAC Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Southern senior quarterback Dray Joseph and Alcorn State senior running back Arnold Walker were named Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Arkansas-Pine Bluff senior linebacker Jer-ryan Harris was tabbed Defensive Player of the Year while Alabama State's redshirt freshman linebacker Kourtney Berry landed the Newcomer of the Year award. Rounding out the postseason accolades, Jackson State defensive lineman Javancy Jones was tagged Freshman of the Year.
Alcorn State and Alabama State led the way with 10 selections apiece with both landing five players on the first team. Jackson State was second with eight picks with four receiving first-team honors. The count includes Alabama A&M and Prairie View A&M with six apiece, Southern and Texas Southern each with three, and Mississippi Valley State posting both selections on the first team. Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State close out the list with a player on this year's postseason squad.
Joseph led Southern to an 8-4 overall record (7-2 SWAC) and its first Western Division title since 2004. He helped SU post its first winning season since 2009 becoming the school's all-time leader in passing yards on Nov. 16 vs. Clark Atlanta. Joseph finished out the season with a league best, 3,236 passing yards, becoming the second quarterback in school history to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a single season. He leads the SWAC in passing yards per game (269.7) and passing touchdowns (27). Joseph passed for over 200 or more yards in 10-of-12 games during the regular season.
Walker capped his collegiate career leading Alcorn State and the SWAC in rushing yards (1,191) and rushing touchdowns (16). He averaged 5.3 yards per carry and led the SWAC averaging 99.2 rushing yards per game. He finished second in the SWAC in scoring (96) and ranks fourth in the conference in all-purpose yards (1,368). Walker claimed Alcorn State’s 30-year old all-time career rushing record with 2,806 yards. He also claimed the record for most points scored in a season. For the year, he rushed for at least 100 yards in 7-of-12 games recording 100 or more yards in six straight contests. He helped power Alcorn State to a 9-3 record (7-2 SWAC), the Braves' first winning season since 2006 and nine-win campaign since 1984.
Harris anchored UAPB's defense finishing atop the SWAC in tackles with 107 (56 solo). He currently sits sixth in the FCS. To close out the season, he gathered three tackles for loss (7 yards), one quarterback hurry, and a fumble recovery returned for a 37-yard touchdown.
In his first season on the field for JSU, Jones recorded 48 tackles (21 solo) to go along with a team high, 12 tackles for loss. He captured five sacks, two pass deflections, a forced fumble, blocked kick and a defensive touchdown (punt block recovery). Early in the year, he was nominated for the Jerry Rice Award. (FCS Freshman of the Year).
In his first collegiate season after responding from an injury that applied a redshirt year, Berry posted a team-leading 107 total tackles (57 solo, 48 assists) in the 11 games. In addition, he complemented his stops with seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss. He also finished the year with an interception, two fumble recoveries, three pass break ups and two quarterback hurries. Berry was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week once, the league's Newcomer of the Week twice, while spotlighting a defense that finished second in the SWAC in points allowed (25.8). He was also selected as a nominee for the Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman of the Year.
Joseph, Walker, Harris, Berry and Jones join the 2013 All-SWAC Football First Team that includes: running back Isaiah Crowell (Alabama State), offensive linemen - Issac Sampson (Alcorn State), Dillon Bonnet (Prairie View A&M), Edmond Davis (Alabama State), Jordan Arthur (Jackson State), Johnathan Smith (Jackson State), wide receivers - Deandre Cooper (Prairie View A&M), Lee Doss (Southern) tight end Johnathan Dorsey (Alabama A&M), place kicker Haiden McCraney (Alcorn State), punter Bobby Wenzig (Alabama State) return specialist Tavoris Doss (Alcorn State), defensive lineman Derrick Billups (Alabama State), Amir Bloom (Texas Southern), Robert Simpson (Mississippi Valley State), linebacker Robert Nelson (Alabama A&M) and defensive backs Qua Cox (Jackson State), Avery Boykin (Mississippi Valley State), Brandon Thomas (Texas Southern) and C.J. Morgan (Alco
COURTESY SWAC.ORG
Friday, December 6, 2013
XU's Echebelem is a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete
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| Chinedu Echebelem |
Echebelem is one of 391 to receive the honor this season and the only one from the GCAC. Echebelem is the second XU volleyball player to receive the honor — Danielle Jones in 2010 was the first.
Student-athletes are nominated by their institution, must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved junior academic status to qualify for Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
Echebelem is a junior from Dallas and a graduate of Duncanville High School. The chemistry/pre-medical major was third on the Gold Nuggets this year with 271 kills and 299 digs and second in aces with 37. She has 702 kills, 718 digs, 86 blocks and 75 aces in three seasons and was MVP of the 2012 GCAC Tournament, first-team All-GCAC in 2011 and second-team All-GCAC in 2012. Xavier is 43-0 against GCAC opponents — 32-0 in the regular season, 11-0 in the tournament — during Echebelem's tenure.
Xavier was 26-8 in 2013, winning GCAC regular-season and tournament championships for the third consecutive year and qualifying for a third straight NAIA National Championship. The Gold Nuggets set school records for season victories and consecutive victories (20).
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS
Alcorn State under review for financial discrepancies
LORMAN, Mississippi — Alcorn State University’s chief financial officer has resigned amid an investigation of alleged financial problems at the school.Mississippi Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds tells The Natchez Democrat that (Dr.) Betty Roberts resigned Thursday.
Bounds says in a statement that his office has received reports of financial discrepancies and the College Boards staff is reviewing those reports.
Bounds declined to elaborate.
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Southern University QB Dray Joseph, WR Lee Doss named to All-SWAC squad
Houston, Texas -- Southern University senior quarterback Dray Joseph’s outstanding 2013 season was rewarded Friday when he was named the SWAC’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year along with Alcorn State running back Arnold Walker. Joseph is one of only two Southern players on the 2013 All-SWAC first team, including senior wide receiver Lee Doss.
The squad is selected by the league’s coaches.
The Jaguars had one player on the second team, offensive lineman Anthony Mosley.
Joseph, from West St. John, completed 244 of 391 passes this season for 3,236 yards and 27 touchdowns. He led the SWAC in passing yards. He completed 62 percent of his passes and threw 11 interceptions.
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The squad is selected by the league’s coaches.
The Jaguars had one player on the second team, offensive lineman Anthony Mosley.
Joseph, from West St. John, completed 244 of 391 passes this season for 3,236 yards and 27 touchdowns. He led the SWAC in passing yards. He completed 62 percent of his passes and threw 11 interceptions.
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JSU Lady Tigers Cruise to a 72-50 Victory Over New Orleans
JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State University Women's basketball team cruised to a 72-50 victory over the University of New Orleans Thursday evening at the Lee E. Williams Athletic & Assembly Center.With the win, the Lady Tigers improved to a 2-6 overall record.
JSU led from the opening tip and never looked back. The Lady Tigers shot 46 percent from the field; while shooting 60 percent from the line and 50 percent from behind the arch. Jackson State led by as much as 28 points at the 12 minute mark in the second half.
JSU had three Lady Tigers in double-digits on the evening. Junior guard Dominique Brothern led th way with 14 points; while junior forwards Kameron Jones and Ayanna Hardy-Fuller tallied 13 for the contest. Hardy-Fuller added nine boards to lead all-rebounders.
UNO was led by Jewel Angelo, who recorded 12 points in the contest.
The Lady Tigers return to action Sunday, December 15 when they travel to Bowling Green, Ky. to face Western Kentucky University at 2 p.m.
Follow the Lady Tigers on facebook @/JStateTigers, on twitter @/JStateTigers and on our official website at www.jsutigers.com.
vs. New OrleansCOURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
Grice and Sparkman lead FAMU Lady Rattlers In 83-62 Win
NORFOLK, Virginia – The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (6-3, 1-0 MEAC) opened MEAC play with an 83-62 win over the Norfolk State Spartans (2-5, 0-1 MEAC) in Norfolk. The game was highlighted by runs, where the Lady Rattlers would eventually overwhelm the Spartans in the second half.
Jasmine Grice poured in a season and game-high 30 points on 8-of-8 shooting from the field, while shooting a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. Kimberly Sparkman had her most productive outing of the season, scoring 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 from the three point line.
Taneka Rubin would also score in double figures, as she poured in 17 points, also going perfect from the free throw line making all six shots she attempted.
Jamie Foreman, again led the Lady Rattlers on the board with 10 rebounds. Grice grabbed nine, while Rubin nabbed seven.
NSU had a trio of Spartans to score exactly 16 points. Rae Corbo, Ebony Brown and Rachel Gordon each matched the other in a balanced scoring effort. Gordon would also grab 18 rebounds, for a double-double.
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
The effort from the Lady Rattlers, coming off a flat performance against Stetson, was a positive one for coach LeDawn Gibson. “I was happy with the way our team came back after a tough stretch.
Your goal every year is to make sure you are ready for conference play and starting off with a win is always a positive. We now have to prepare for Hampton on Saturday, and we will need this type of team effort to win on their home court,” Gibson said.
The Lady Rattlers never trailed the contest, and ended with their largest lead of 21 points, fueled by a 31-10 run coming down the stretch. FAMU got contributions deep into their bench as seven Lady Rattlers scored on the day and 10 grabbed at least one rebound. NSU tied the game as they came out on fire in the second half, but the Lady Rattlers used a scoring spurts to distance themselves from the Spartans.
FAMU shot 36.6 percent from the floor and 36.4 from behind the three-point line. They also made the most of their free throw opportunities shooting 88.5 percent from the charity stripe.
The Lady Rattlers will play the Hampton Lady Pirates on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Hampton University Convocation Center.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION RELEASE
Jasmine Grice poured in a season and game-high 30 points on 8-of-8 shooting from the field, while shooting a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. Kimberly Sparkman had her most productive outing of the season, scoring 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 from the three point line.
Taneka Rubin would also score in double figures, as she poured in 17 points, also going perfect from the free throw line making all six shots she attempted.
Jamie Foreman, again led the Lady Rattlers on the board with 10 rebounds. Grice grabbed nine, while Rubin nabbed seven.
NSU had a trio of Spartans to score exactly 16 points. Rae Corbo, Ebony Brown and Rachel Gordon each matched the other in a balanced scoring effort. Gordon would also grab 18 rebounds, for a double-double.
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
The effort from the Lady Rattlers, coming off a flat performance against Stetson, was a positive one for coach LeDawn Gibson. “I was happy with the way our team came back after a tough stretch.
Your goal every year is to make sure you are ready for conference play and starting off with a win is always a positive. We now have to prepare for Hampton on Saturday, and we will need this type of team effort to win on their home court,” Gibson said.
The Lady Rattlers never trailed the contest, and ended with their largest lead of 21 points, fueled by a 31-10 run coming down the stretch. FAMU got contributions deep into their bench as seven Lady Rattlers scored on the day and 10 grabbed at least one rebound. NSU tied the game as they came out on fire in the second half, but the Lady Rattlers used a scoring spurts to distance themselves from the Spartans.
FAMU shot 36.6 percent from the floor and 36.4 from behind the three-point line. They also made the most of their free throw opportunities shooting 88.5 percent from the charity stripe.
The Lady Rattlers will play the Hampton Lady Pirates on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Hampton University Convocation Center.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION RELEASE
from the EDITOR: MEAC Refs Can’t Escape Scandal
NORFOLK, Virginia -- When last did you see a basketball game where two teams shot a combined 100 free throws? Most of us who buy season tickets to watch the games certainly don’t expect to see a game where the referees have a starring role. On Thursday night the Norfolk State Spartans men’s team hosted the FAMU Rattlers. The Spartans won the game 91-87 and the game was closer than that. There are a number of stats that standout from the game, but what makes this game unusual is the 60 free throws shot by Norfolk State along with the 38 shot by FAMU.With all the fouls you would think that these are not well coached teams. Norfolk was the regular season MEAC conference champion last season and FAMU is much on the mend from recent history. For those watching you cannot say the quality of play was poor, but what you can say is that the whistles were numerous and in many instances uncalled for.
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Hawkins leads NSU to win over FAMU
Teams combine for 100 free throw attempts
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Malcolm Hawkins scored 20 points and made 13 of 14 free throws, helping seal the game as Norfolk State edged Florida A&M 91-87 on Thursday night in the conference opener for both teams.
Norfolk State (6-3, 1-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) led 80-72 with two minutes to play, but Florida A&M (2-6, 0-1) scored six straight points to cut it to 80-78 with 1:01 remaining.
Florida A&M later made two 3-pointers in the final 37 seconds, cutting the Spartans' lead to 2 each time. But during that span Norfolk State hit 7 of 8 free throws to close the game. The Spartans shot a school-record 62 free throws, 41 of which they made.
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Nuggets defeat William Carey, increase home streak to 9
NEW ORLEANS -- Vinnie Briggs and Whitney Gathright scored 10 points apiece Thursday to lead NAIA No. 15 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 60-47 women's basketball victory against William Carey.
The Gold Nuggets (6-5) won their second in a row and increased their home win streak to nine. They are 3-0 in the Convocation Center this season.
William Carey scored the first two points, but the Nuggets answered with an 8-0 run and never lost the lead thereafter. Xavier led 31-20 at halftime and held its largest advantage, 60-39, after Danielle Tucker's basket with 3:09 remaining.
Whitney Gaston-Loyd scored nine points in nine minutes for Xavier while missing one shot.
Jessica Hayes led William Carey (2-5) with nine points.
Xavier outshot William Carey 41.1 to 36.2 percent from the floor. The Gold Nuggets committed 20 turnovers and gained 29. William Carey had a 35-33 rebound advantage, but Xavier had the two leading individuals: Tucker with seven and Carmen Holcombe with six.
Paige Gauthier did not start but led the Nuggets with eight assists and four steals. She is the first XU player of the last 10 seasons to produce eight or more assists in consecutive games.
The teams will meet again Feb. 11 at William Carey.
It was Xavier's final game before fall semester final exams, which will begin Monday. The Nuggets' next game will be Dec. 16 against UPR-Bayamon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The next home game will start at 7 p.m. on Dec. 30 against Mobile in the Xavier Classic.
Box score
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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