Howard Lady Bison Fend Off DSU Hornets In MEAC Opener

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

WASHINGTON, DC --- The tough non-conference schedule and brutal road slate the Howard women's basketball team put itself to prepare for Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play paid immediate dividends Thursday evening at Burr Gymnasium.

Led by a trio of double-digit scorers, Howard (5-8, 1-0 MEAC) claimed a hard fought 70-64 victory over Delaware State (3-9, 0-2 MEAC) in the Lady Bison's conference opener. HU's first win of 2014 in their first home win since November 17 improved the team's record in Burr Gymnasium to 3-0.

Howard head coach Tennille Adams, who won her first conference game as a head coach said of today's game, "It was great to play at home again and take on a very tough Delaware State team. We've preached this all year, that each game in the MEAC is going to be a grind. This is a very good conference, a very athletic conference. We stayed composed, didn't panic and had some kids hit shots at critical points in the game. I'm proud of our effort today

Redshirt freshman guard Te'Shya Heslip scored a team-high 22 points - the eight time in 13 games that the Dumfries, VA native has paced HU in scoring - and added seven assists and three rebounds.

"Te'Shya has the ability to make everyone else on the floor better because she commands so much attention. That opens the game up for everyone else, which then opens things up more for her," Adams added. "I think she's one of the best guards in this league and she's only a freshman, so this is her first go-round. She has a bright future if she continues to be a student of the game."

Graduate student forward Shavonne Duckett contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds – her first double-double of the season, third for the team and second in three games – and junior forward Cheyenne Brown pitched in 10 first-half points. Reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week Sydni Johnson chipped in eight points including a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

Both teams opened the game with strong defense and extended scoring runs. Delaware State forced Howard into four turnovers as the Hornets took a 15-4 lead five minutes into the contest. The Lady Bison would settle in and strike back with an 18-2 run of their own – thanks in part to seven forced turnovers – and took a 22-17 lead with 5:54 to go in the first half. DSU would close out the half with a 10-4 run and led 27-26 heading into intermission.

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw both teams combine for six ties and four lead changes but Delaware State would emerge about a minute later with its largest lead of the half, 52-46 with 9:15 remaining in the game. Not to be denied, the Lady Bison used a 14-4 run to force three more ties before taking the lead for good with 3:07 to go.

Howard won the game by claiming four major stats – scoring 27 points off 27 DSU turnovers, scoring 13 second chance points and getting 11 points off the bench.

Delaware State had three players score in double digits, led by junior forward Tierra Hawkins' double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Howard will look to go 2-0 in conference on Saturday, January 4 when the Lady Bison head to Baltimore to take on the Morgan State Bears. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm.

Box Score

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON SPORTS INFORMATION   

Bulldogs Close Out Non-Conference Play With 10th Win

STARKVILLE, Mississippi -- Mississippi State closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule by posting a 77-63 win against Maryland Eastern Shore Thursday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

With the victory, MSU matched the overall win total from last season with 10. The Bulldogs (10-3) open Southeastern Conference play Wednesday at No. 15 Kentucky.

“It shows how far we have come as a team and how much growth we have had,” MSU senior forward Colin Borchert said. “Coach Ray is coaching us hard and putting us in a position. We have come out and been ready for the challenges. We are looking forward to getting started in conference play.”

Gavin Ware posted his fifth double-double this season and seventh overall with 21 points and a career-high 16 rebounds to pace the Bulldogs. Borchert led the offensive efforts with a career-high 22 points. Fred Thomas was also in double figures with 10 points.

Both teams struggled offensively early as UMES (2-9) held its only lead of the contest at 10-8 with more than eight minutes played. The Bulldogs answered with a 12-2 run to take a 20-12 lead on a layup by Ware with 5:50 left.

The Bulldogs stretched the first-half lead to as many as 10 and led 29-20 at the intermission.

“We really did a good job of getting the ball in the paint,” MSU freshman guard I.J. Ready said. ”With both Gavin and Roquez (Johnson), it was important that we use our size advantage.”

In the first half, MSU held a plus-eight rebounding advantage and only committed three fouls. MSU only shot 39.4 percent from the field but took advantage of its size and offensive productivity to build the lead.

In the second half, a 9-0 run by MSU stretched the lead to 45-27. A 3-point basket by Fred Thomas capped that run with 14:48 left in the contest.

The Bulldogs led by 19 a couple of minutes later. UMES cut the lead to 10 with seven straight points and later got within nine twice after a flurry of late 3-point baskets.

 “I thought this was a good win for us,” MSU coach Rick Ray said. “Last year, we won out 10^th game in March. To be able to do that in January is good for this team. Our emphasis was on the high-low and I thought we did a really good job of getting the ball inside.”

For the contest, the Bulldogs hit 29 of 62 shots from the field (46.8 percent), 6 of 15 shots from 3-point range (40.0 percent) and 13 of 18 shots from the foul line (72.2 percent). The Hawks hit 26 of 63 shots from the field (41.3 percent), 8 of 29 shots from 3-point range (27.6 percent) and 3 of 4 shots from the foul line (75.0 percent).

MSU held a 43-29 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs had 18 assists and 13 turnovers, while the Hawks had 15 assists and 11 turnovers.

UMES received 18 points from KyRee Jones, 15 points from Isaac Smith and 11 points from Devon Walker.

MSU and Kentucky meet at 7 p.m. CT Wednesday from Rupp Arena. The contest will be televised regionally on The SEC Network.

Official Statistics (PDF)



COURTESY MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

DSU Hornets Win Overtime Thriller 66-65, over GWU

DOVER, Delaware  -- Casey Walker hit two free throws with 24.3 seconds left in overtime to lift Delaware State to a 66-65 win over Gardner-Webb in Memorial Hall this evening.

Gardner-Webb had two shots on the final possession of the game, but came up empty. DSU's Kendall Gray blocked the first shot attempt out of bounds with 2.1 seconds left in the extra period. Naji Hibbert missed a three-point attempt from the left corner for the Runnin' Bulldogs as time expired.

The score was 61-61 at the end of regulation.

Gardner-Webb scored the first overtime points on two free throws by Tyrell Nelson with 3:12 left. The Hornets grabbed the lead, 64-63, on the three-point play by Gray with 2:50 remaining in the extra period.

The Running Rebels regained the lead, 65-64, on a jumper by Jerome Hill at the 1:52 mark in overtime.

After each team failed to score on their next possessions, Delaware State regained the ball with 55 seconds left to play.

DSU’s Tyshawn Bell missed a jumper with 29 seconds remaining, but the Hornets retained the ball when it was last touched by a Gardner-Webb player on the rebound before going out of bounds.

Delaware State inbounded the ball to Walker, who was fouled by Gardner-Webb’s Donta Harper while driving the baseline. He calmly knocked down the two free throws to give the Hornets the final lead of the game.

The Hornets used a strong second half performance to force the overtime.

Gardner-Webb led 33-23 at the half, and opened up a 48-33 lead on a dunk by Onzie Branch with 14:17 left in regulation.

The Hornets began their comeback on the next possession. A.J. Thomas hit a lay-up to jump start a 21-5 run over the next nine minutes. Kendal Williams capped off the rally with a three-point shot to give the Hornets a 54-53 lead with 4:59 remaining in the second half. Walker hit two three-point shots, while Thomas, Williams and Bell added four points each during the spurt.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs missed each of their four field goal attempts, committed six turnovers and was five-for-nine at the free throw line during the Hornets’ second half rally.   

Walker led all players with 21 points, the high for a Hornet this season. His performance was highlighted by four three-point field goals, tying his season high. Walker also led the Hornets with eight rebounds.

Gray and Bell added 10 points each for DSU. It marked the fourth straight double-figure scoring game for Gray, who also had a game-high four blocks. Bell returned to action after missing the previous game due to an ankle injury.

Hibbert led three Gardner-Webb players in double figures with 12 points.

Delaware State was 26-for-58 from the field (44.8%), including seven-of-18 from three-point territory (38.9%). The Hornets were seven-for-nine at the free throw line.

Gardner-Webb hit 24 of its 56 shots from the field (42.9%) and five- of-18 from beyond the arc (27.8%). The Runnin’ Bulldogs missed 10 free throws in the game, going 12-for-22 at the line.

The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Hornets, who improved to 3-10 this season. The win was also the 199th at Delaware State for head coach Greg Jackson. He needs two wins to tie the late Bennie George (1949-71) for the all-time high in DSU men's basketball victories.

Gardner-Webb fell to 7-8 on the season.

The Hornets return to action on Saturday (Jan. 4) at Campbell University. Game time is 7:00 p.m. in Buies Creek, N.C.

Delaware State will return home on Jan. 11 to face MEAC rival Hampton. Game time is 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The homestand will also include a visit by Norfolk State on Jan. 13 (7:30 p.m.).

DSU vs Gardner-Webb_stats_plays

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Sixth lawsuit filed against JSU, athletic director Vivian Fuller

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Jackson State and its athletic director Vivian Fuller are facing another lawsuit.

The suit, which is also against president Carolyn Myers, was filed Dec. 17 by former administrative assistant Georgina Felder. Felder claims she was fired in Nov. 2012 in retaliation for her participation in investigations against Fuller.

Fuller’s former secretary Lolita Ward filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fuller back in Aug. 2012.

According to the latest suit, Felder was ...

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TSU's Rod Reed Named "12th Titan"

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Prior to Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, the Tennessee Titans honored Tennessee State head football coach Rod Reed by naming him the “12^th Titan”.

Reed was introduced following the pro team’s starters, ran through the tunnel and stuck a sword down into midfield while getting a standing ovation.

 

The Titans gave the unique honor to Reed following the Tigers’ record-setting 2013 campaign in which they posted a 10-4 record and won a playoff game for the first time since 1986.

 

ROD REED 12TH TITAN VIDEO

 

Reed holds a 26-21 record over four years, including an 18-7 mark over the past two seasons and TSU has recorded at least two more wins in each of his previous three seasons.

 

Reed has coached 19 All-Americans, 15 in the past two seasons. Forty-two Tigers have made All-OVC teams in Reed’s tenure, including a school record 12 this past season.

 

In 2013, TSU won the Black College National Championship for the first time since 1982.

 

You can watch Reed being introduced as the “12^th Titan” by clicking, here.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Why Black College Football Players Fall Behind In Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- New research raises concerns about low graduations rates for black college football players. Host Michel Martin finds out more from education reporter Emily Richmond, and professor Shaun Harper of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education.

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. We're going to spend some time today talking about some important issues in the world of sports and entertainment. We'll talk about how and why it's becoming clearer that head injuries are not just a problem in football.

But first, we want to talk about college football. There are three new reports out now, which raise troubling new evidence about a wide achievement gap between white college football players and their African-American counterparts. We wanted to talk more about this so we've called on Emily Richmond. She wrote about these studies in a recent piece for The Atlantic. Welcome back, Emily Richmond. Thanks for joining us once again.

EMILY RICHMOND: Oh, it's my pleasure, Michel. Thank you.

MARTIN: Also joining us is Shaun Harper. He is an associate professor and executive director of the Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education. That's at University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education. That center published one of those reports that we're going to talk about titled "Black Male Student-Athletes and the 2014 Bowl Championship Series." Professor Harper, welcome to you. Thank you for joining us.

SHAUN HARPER: Thanks so much for having me.

TAKE A LISTEN TO THIS IMPORTANT PODCAST:



COURTESY NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (NPR.org)

How Colleges Fail Black Football Players

At least half of black football players on the top-10 teams won’t graduate within six years of enrolling.

ATLANTA, Georgia (Dec. 11, 2013)  -- As the nation’s top college football teams prepare to take the field for the elite bowl games, three new reports out this week raise similarly troubling concerns about dismal graduation rates for many of the black players constituting the bulk of the starting lineups.

While the formulas used in the three reports vary to some degree, the pictures painted are not dramatically different. First up: the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Study of Race and Equity’s report on football teams participating in the 2014 Bowl Championship Series.  Based on completion rates across four cohorts (rather than focusing on a single year) at least half of the black football players won’t graduate within six years of enrolling, the report concluded. That’s compared in the report with "a graduation rate of 67 percent for student-athletes overall in the seven major NCAA Division I sports conferences."

Take a look at the infographic for the 10 teams playing in the elite bowl games and national championship:

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Black Male Student-Athletes and the 2014 Bowl Championship Series

Will Black Bowl Players Be Academic Losers?

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania – Data released today (Dec. 9, 2013)  from the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education details the low graduation rates of Black male student-athletes on teams participating in the 2014 Bowl Championship Series (BCS). Based on six-year graduation rates at the 10 schools, at least half the Black players taking to the gridiron in a BCS game this year will not graduate. Teams playing in the five BCS Bowls were announced last night.

This year’s data (infographic available for download at www.gse.upenn.edu/equity/bcs) is focused on the top 25 BCS schools. The data also show that although Black men make up 60% of the top 25 BCS football teams, only 12% of coaches and athletic directors are Black.

“In some instances, at Florida State University, for example, Black men comprise nearly 70% of the football team, yet just over one-third of those Black male student-athletes will graduate,” said Dr. Shaun R. Harper, a professor in the Penn Graduate School of Education and the Center’s Executive Director. “These numbers are shameful. In my view, no team with rates this low for a population that comprises such a significant portion of the team should be allowed to play in any BCS Bowl. These schools and their athletic conferences must be held more accountable.”

This updated research on Black male student-athletes and racial inequities in college sports examines the poor performance of these colleges and universities in graduating their Black male athletes. Only 50% of Black male student-athletes graduate within six years from universities in the seven major NCAA Division I sports conferences, compared to 67% of student-athletes overall, 73% of undergraduate students overall, and 56% of Black undergraduate men overall.

To download the original Harper, Williams, and Blackman report on Black male student-athletes, please visit www.gse.upenn.edu/equity/sports.

Bowl Breakdown of Black Male Student-Athlete Graduation Rates:
National Championship

• Florida State: 37% [21% lower than student-athletes overall]
• Auburn: 51% [8% lower than student-athletes overall]

Sugar Bowl

• Alabama: 53% [15% lower than student-athletes overall]
• Oklahoma: 42% [13% lower than student-athletes overall]

Orange Bowl

• Clemson: 47% [20% lower than student-athletes overall]
• Ohio State: 50% [25% lower than student-athletes overall]

Fiesta Bowl

• Baylor: 50% [14% lower than student-athletes overall]
• Central Florida: 47% [13% lower than student-athletes overall]

Rose Bowl

• Michigan State: 49% [23% lower than student-athletes overall]
• Stanford: 82% [11% lower than student-athletes overall]

The Harper, Williams, and Blackman report notes that problems as pervasive as the underrepresentation of Black men in the undergraduate student population at predominantly white colleges and universities, their overrepresentation on revenue-generating NCAA Division I sports teams, and their comparatively lower six-year graduation rates warrant a multidimensional response from various stakeholders.  The report authors offer numerous concrete strategies and recommendations for five groups: the NCAA and Sports Conference commissioners; college and university leaders; coaches and athletic departments; journalists and sports media, and Black male student-athletes and their families.

---

About Penn GSE
Penn GSE is one of the nation’s premier research education schools. No other education school enjoys a university environment as supportive of practical knowledge building as the University of Pennsylvania. Penn GSE has long been known for excellence in qualitative research, language and literacy studies, practitioner inquiry, and teacher education. Over the past 15 years, Penn GSE has also developed remarkable strengths in quantitative research, policy studies, evaluation, higher education, and psychology and human development. The School is notably entrepreneurial, launching innovative degree programs for practicing professionals and unique partnerships with local educators, and the first-ever business plan competition devoted exclusively to educational products and programs. For further information about Penn GSE, please visit www.gse.upenn.edu. 

WSSU to start CIAA play

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The newcomers to the Winston-Salem State basketball program will get their first taste of the intensity of CIAA play tonight when Virginia Union visits the Gaines Center.

WSSU is 5-5; Virginia Union is 2-8 (1-0 CIAA).

“I’ve heard it’s a crazy atmosphere in every game,” said Preston Ross, a transfer from Western Carolina. “You have to ready to play and get up for the games. I’m looking forward to it.”

The Rams (5-5) will have three home games in the next five days, but the atmosphere will be rather tame with WSSU students still out on break. Coach Bobby Collins says he hopes fans will come out to help fill the void.

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Throwback: Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, Coach Archie "the Gunslinger" Cooley

COACH ARCHIE "THE GUNSLINGER" COOLEY
SWAC HALL OF FAME 2007

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Long before there was a gulf coast offense, the pistol, the west coast offense, the spread and the 2-minute drill, there was Archie Cooley -- a gunslinger of a football coach at Mississippi Valley State.  Some described his coaching style as gimmicky, suspect and unorthodox. 

That was the published opinion of the mainstream coaching establishment, but those that played black college football knew that Cooley's wide-open offense was light-years ahead of all others.  Knowledgeable football experts would later say, the gunslinger was an offensive genius who never received full credit for his offensive creations. 

Cooley was noted for designing the "Satellite Express" passing offense, which was a 60 minute no huddle offense, featuring five wide receivers and a playbook with over 200 plays. This was all before the invention of slow motion video, HD-TV, flat screen televisions, i-phones, tablets, ipads and laptop computers.

Cooley produced the greatest player in NFL history -- wide receiver, Jerry Lee Rice and a "Satellite" quarterback --Willie Totten, who set eighteen NCAA passing and offensive records. In the 1984 season, Totten threw for 5,043 yards and 58 touchdowns and then threw for 39 touchdowns in 1985, without Rice, averaging 51 points per game.

Legend has it that in 1984, Totten and the Delta Devils team of hard working country boys bused 21 hours from Itta Bena to Topeka, Kansas to play Washburn University. It was a no-contest with the Delta Devils demolishing the Ichabods 77-15.

 

Prior to arriving at MVSU in 1980 as the head coach, believe it or not, the gunslinger had been a defensive assistant at Alcorn State and Tennessee State. Within three years, Valley was the number one team in all of 1-AA (FCS) Football. 

 

One of our all-time favorite game was The Day The Godfather Did In The Gunslinger, i.e., Alcorn State vs. Mississippi Valley State before 63,808 at Mississippi Memorial Stadium in Jackson. The atmosphere was set--with two undefeated teams, ranked No. 4 and 5 in all of 1-AA football, offense vs. defense, and the Gunslinger vs. the Godfather.  Here is what Sports Illustrated (SI) had to say about this game and the Gunslinger.

We were very lucky to find a video of this 1984 contest that is described as one of the best SWAC football game ever, with commentary by JSU legendary coach W.C. Gorden. 

In 2007, Archie "the Gunslinger" Cooley was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame.



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TSU Mourns the Loss of Olympian Eleanor Montgomery

Eleanor Inez Montgomery
(November 13, 1946 - December 23, 2013)
Cleveland, Ohio
(Courtesy Greater Cleveland Hall of Fame)

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tigerbelles lost one of their greatest athletes as 2013 came to a close.

 

Tigerbelle Eleanor Inez Montgomery passed away on Dec. 23, 2013. Montgomery was a member of the legendary Tigerbelles that took the Olympic Games by storm as a member of Ed Temple’s team.

 

The Cleveland, Ohio native wasted little time making the national stage, as she took home her first national title at 14-years-old in the long jump. Montgomery qualified for the 1964 Toyko Olympics in the high jump, where she finished eighth, with a jump of 1.71 meters.

 

The Tigerbelle returned to the games in 1968, competing in the high jump at the Mexico City games, finishing tied for 19^th.

 

Overall Montgomery won 13 AAU indoor and outdoor titles during her career, as well as taking home the high jump crowns at the 1963 and 1967 Pan American Games. In the 1963 event she set the meet record in the event.

 

This past November Montgomery was elected to the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame becoming the 10^th member of the Tigerbelles to receive the honor. The high jumper was also inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 1976.

 

The viewing is this Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Calhoun Funeral Home in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Montgomery’s funeral service is set for following day at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, beginning at 10 a.m.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UC Irvine Hosts Morgan State Thursday Night

Tickets | Audio | Video | Live stats |

GAME #15
Morgan State (3-9) at UC Irvine (7-7)
Thursday, January 2, 2014 – 7:30 p.m.
Bren Events Center (5,000) – Irvine, California
Series Record:  First meeting
Radio:  KUCI/88.9 FM (Mark Roberts, 20^th Season, & Steve Henkle)

UC IRVINE LOOKS TO SETTLE IN AT HOME AS 2014 BEGINS
● UC Irvine, which has played six of its last seven games on the road, hosts Morgan State Thursday night to begin a stretch of five of the next seven contests at home.

● Fourth-year head coach Russell Turner's Anteaters host San Diego Christian Saturday evening in the last non-conference game before opening Big West play next Thursday at Long Beach State.

● Thursday night marks the first meeting between UCI and Morgan State.  The Bears, coached by Todd Bozeman, are coming off recent West Coast losses to Cal State Northridge, 86-80, last Friday and Oregon, 97-76, on Sunday.

● UCI, 7-7 on the season, lost 74-61 at Arizona State last Saturday in the Anteaters' fourth meeting against a Pac-12 school this season.

● Junior forward Will Davis II and 7-6 freshman center Mamadou Ndiaye each recorded a double-double at ASU.  Davis had 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting and added 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season and eighth of his career. Ndiaye registered his first double-double with 12 points (5-of-8 shooting) and 12 rebounds, plus he added four blocked shots, giving him 49 on the season.  Freshman guard Luke Nelson also scored 12 points and he had a game-high five assists.

● The 'Eaters, who trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half, cut the margin to six on two occasions within the last four minutes.

● UCI is 3-3 at home and 4-4 on the road this season.



UC IRVINE NOTES
● UCI is 127-51 (.713) in the Bren Center dating back to February 2000.  UCI is 208-148 all-time in the Bren and 3-3 this season.

● The Bren Center marks its 27^th anniversary in January. The center opened Jan. 8, 1987, when the 'Eaters defeated Utah State, 118-96, on the strength of 43 points by Scott Brooks, the current head coach of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.

● UCI is 6-0 this season when the opposition shoots under 40 percent from the field.

● UCI is 5-2 when shooting at least 50 percent from the field this season.  The Anteaters shot a season-best 61.5 percent in the Dec. 21 victory at Denver.

● UCI is 7-3 when outrebounding its opponent this season.

● Senior guard Chris McNealy has scored 987 points in his career as he closes in on becoming the 23^rd player in Anteater history to score 1,000 points.  He is averaging 11.9 points on the season.

● McNealy is tied with Stanislav Zuzak for 14^th in UCI history with 109 career threes and he is 15^th with 235 assists.

● Junior forward Will Davis II leads the Anteaters in scoring (12.1) and rebounding (7.2).  He is UCI's career leader in blocked shots with 160, including a school single-season record 88 last year.  He ranks first in the Big West Conference this season with a field-goal percentage of .609.

● Davis is 19 of 28 (.679) from the field in the last three games.

● Davis was named MVP of the 2K Sports Classic Irvine Subregional (Nov. 22-24) after averaging 11.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in three games.

● Davis earned last season's Big West Conference's "Best Defensive Player" Award and was named to the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Defensive All-America team.

● Freshman guard Luke Nelson is averaging 12.0 points and he leads UCI with 28 threes and 16 steals.  He has 47 assists for the season, including 15 in the last three games.

● Sophomore point guard Alex Young is averaging 9.4 points and he leads UCI with 57 assists.  Young broke UCI's freshman single-season record with 144 assists last season when he was named Big West Conference co-Freshman of the Year and also was selected to the Mid-Major Freshman All-America team.

● Freshman center Mamadou Ndiaye, the nation's tallest player at 7-6, leads UCI and the Big West with 49 rejections.  He ranks sixth in the nation as of Monday in total blocks (49) and is 11^th in blocked shots per game at 3.5.  He is shooting 72.9 percent on 51 of 70.

● Ndiaye is 18 of 22 (.818) from the field in the past four games.  After averaging 17 minutes of playing time in the first 10 games, he has averaged 26 in the last four contests.

● Ndiaye had a school and Big West-record 10 blocked shots in the 81-58 win over Eastern Washington Nov. 24.  He had nine blocks, along with 18 points and eight rebounds, in the 86-72 victory at Washington Nov. 14.

● Junior guard Travis Souza is shooting 45.2 percent (19/42) from three-point range to rank fourth in the Big West.

● UCI ranks first in the Big West in field-goal percentage defense (.405) and blocked shots (6.21 per game).

● The Anteaters are 18^th in the nation in assists per game (16.79) and 21^st in blocked shots per game (6.21).

ABOUT MORGAN STATE
● Morgan State, under eighth-year head coach Todd Bozeman, is located in Baltimore, Md.

● The Bears, 3-9 this season, competed in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Tournaments, and the 2008 NIT. The Bears have advanced to the championship game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament five times in the past seven seasons.

● Senior guard Justin Black leads the Bears in scoring at 19.0 points per game and he has 26 steals in 12 games.  Ian Chiles, a 7-2 senior center, is averaging 14.7 points and 5.3 rebounds.  He has 33 blocks on the season.

● Senior guard Anthony Hubbard is averaging 10.4 points and he leads Morgan State in rebounding at 5.5 boards per game.
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COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Mississippi State Back At Home Thursday To Face UMES Hawks

STARKVILLE, Mississippi  -- After having its four-game winning streak snapped in the finals of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic against UNLV last week, Mississippi State returns to Humphrey Coliseum to face Maryland Eastern Shore at 7 p.m. on Thursday.


It’s the first meeting between the two, while MSU is 6-0 all-time against foes from the MEAC. Early this year, the Bulldogs beat league member Florida A&M, 78-65.

Tickets can be purchased at a special price of $5.

The Bulldogs sport a 9-3 ledger and with a victory would match last year’s win total. The Hawks enter the contest 2-9 after losing at Virginia Tech on Dec. 31.

Craig Sword, who has scored in double-digits the last 11 games, leads MSU with 15.3 points and 1.8 steals. On the boards, Gavin Ware paces the Bulldogs with his 8.3 clip. The sophomore from Starkville is also second in scoring at 10.4.

Kyree Jones leads UMES in scoring at 16.2.

This game is also the final non-conference outing for the Bulldogs, who open SEC play on Jan. 8 at Kentucky. Tip is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.

MSU Game Notes

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Game Notes: Gardner-Webb Men Travel To Delaware State Thursday

THE GAME Gardner-Webb will return from a 12-day break to take on Delaware State at 7:00 pm in Dover, Delaware. The meeting is a return game for the Hornets visit to Boiling Springs for the now defunct ESPN BracketBusters series in 2012. Live stats for Thursday’s meeting will be available at DSUHornets.com.

SERIES NOTES
Gardner-Webb holds a 1-0 lead in the series by virtue of a 57-56 win on February 18, 2012 in Boiling Springs ... Donta Harper knocked down two free throws with 10 seconds left to complete a comeback win for the Runnin’ Bulldogs ... Tashan Newsome led the squad with 13 points in a low-scoring affair ... GWU’s last meeting with a school from the MEAC came in Cancun, Mexico in November 2012 – a 10-point win over Howard at Moon Palace Resort.

THE COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Tim Craft is in his first season with the program and is off to a 7-7 start. Delaware State head coach Greg Jackson is 198-211 in his time with the Hornets, and 361-289 overall for his career. 

  GAME NOTES (PDF)

 THE LOWS AND MIDS
In its six games against members of low-mid major conferences, Gardner-Webb has forged a solid 4-2 record that includes wins over IUPUI and Morehead State in Las Vegas. GWU is averaging 71.2 ppg in those six games, placing five men in double figures scoring. GWU is shooting 45.9 percent in those games from the floor and 71.1 percent from the free throw line. Naji Hibbert (13.6 ppg), Jerome Hill (12.5 ppg), Donta Harper (11.4 ppg), Tyrell Nelson (10.8 ppg) and Tyler Strange (10.5 ppg) are each averaging more than 10 points against low-mid major foes this season.

HIBBERT HAS HELPED
Transfer guard Naji Hibbert (6-5, 190, RSr.) has provided needed scoring punch in his first, and only, season with Gardner-Webb. A three-year performer at Texas A&M, Hibbert helped the Aggies to a pair of 24-win seasons and two NCAA Tournament appearances during his time in College Station. Hibbert is averaging a team-high 12.8 ppg for Gardner-Webb, and has topped the 20-point mark twice – both GWU wins.

OPPOSING TIDBITS
Delaware State has dropped five games in a row and is 2-10 so far this season against a brutally tough schedule ... The Hornets have played road games at Georgia Tech, Clemson, Dayton and Oklahoma State – and a total of seven games away from home ... DSU averages just 58.6 ppg as a team, but gets more than 10 ppg from center Kendall Gray (10.3 ppg), guard Kendal Williams (10.3 ppg), forward Casey Walker (10.3 ppg) and forward Tyshawn Bell (10.6 ppg).

DEFENDING THE ARC
Gardner-Webb ranks first in the Big South Conference and among the best in the nation (25th) in 3-point field goal defense through 14 games. GWU has allowed just 59 made 3-pointers in 209 attempts this season (28.2 percent), with its toughest defensive outing coming against one of the nation’s top shooting teams – 7th-ranked Duke (9-of-22 from 3-point range).

THAT’S STRANGE ...
Point guard Tyler Strange (5-10, 180, Jr.) has been exceptional for GWU this season, ranking 22nd nationally in assists per game (5.9 apg), 24th in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.19) and second in the Big South Conference with 2.1 steals per game. Strange ranks 13th nationally according to stats guru Kenneth Pomeroy in assist rate – currently assisting on 23.7 percent of Gardner-Webb’s made field goals so far in 2013-2014.

PRESEASON RESPECT
Gardner-Webb was picked second in the preseason South Division poll by the Big South Conference’s head coaches and select media members, falling just behind defending division and overall regular season champion Charleston Southern. GWU finished a game behind the Bucs last season, but picked up a pair of overtime wins over Charleston Southern during the regular season. GWU lost just twice against South Division teams last season, falling on the road at Winthrop and Presbyterian and finishing with a 8-2 mark against Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, UNC Asheville, Winthrop and Presbyterian.

HILL CLIMBING
South Georgia native Jerome Hill (6-5, 210, So.) performed at his best at #7 Duke, matching up nicely on the offensive end against projected NBA Lottery pick Jabari Parker. Despite giving up three inches and nearly 30 pounds, Hill went to work for a career-high 22 points (9-of-10 shooting) and pulled down nine rebounds. Hill had another strong performance against Hiwassee (Tenn.), going for 19 points and a career-high 17 boards in a blowout win.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Gardner-Webb will play its eight true road game of the season Thursday night, and has won just once in its first seven games this season. GWU is 2-0 in neutral court games (Las Vegas Invitational). Five of Gardner-Webb’s six road losses this season have come to “high major” conference teams.

BIG SOUTH PLAY BEGINS SOON
Gardner-Webb will get into the meat of its most important season segment next week, hosting UNC Asheville (Jan. 8) and Coastal Carolina (Jan. 11) to open Big South Conference play in Paul Porter Arena. Gardner-Webb is one of only two teames (Winthrop) with a record of .500 or better heading into Thursday night’s action in the South Division. Asheville has won three in a row, however, and sits just behind those two at 6-7 overall – tied with Coastal Carolina’s .462 winning percentage (6-7). Both games next week will air live on the Big South Network and WGWG-FM (88.3).




COURTESY GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

FIU at Florida A&M: Game Notes

Teams - FIU Panthers (8-6 overall, 2-2 away); Florida A&M Rattlers (3-10 overall, 2-0 home)
Date - Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014
Location - Tallahassee, Fla
Arena - Al Lawson Center (9,639)
Tickets - (850) 599-3141
Television - N/A
Twitter - @FIUMensBBall
Facebook - FIUMensBBall
Live Video Streaming - N/A
Live Stats - www.famuathletics.com
Records - FIU enters Thursday’s game with an overall record of 8-6 following a 92-57 loss at Georgetown on Saturday, Dec. 28. Florida A&M enters Thursday’s game with a 3-10 record following a 75-70 win over Sacred Heart on Monday, Dec. 23.
Rankings - FIU is not ranked in either poll. FAMU is not ranked in either poll.
FIU Head Coach Anthony Evans - Coach Evans (St. Thomas Aquinas ‘94) enters Thursday’s contest with a career record of 107-100 (.517 - seventh season overall) and 8-6 at FIU (.571 - first season).
FAMU Head Coach Clemon Johnson - Coach Johnson (FAMU ‘78) enters Thursday’s contest with a career record at FAMU of 15-30 (.333 - second season).
Series History - Thursday’s game between FIU and FAMU will mark the 11th meeting all-time between the two teams with the FAMU leading the series history, 5-4 (actual on-court record is 5-5 - FIU vacated one victory due to NCAA sanctions). The last meeting between the two squads resulted in an 88-72 win for FIU on Jan. 2, 2013 in Miami, Fla.
Officials - Announced on game day - See more at: http://www.fiusports.com/Sports/MensSports/MBasketball/Article/tabid/417/article/20665/FIU-at-Florida-A-M-Game-Notes.aspx#sthash.QmtEbTNb.dpuf

FIU Game Notes (PDF)

 

 

FIU Tips Off 2014 in Tallahassee to Face FAMU

 

Coming off back-to-back losses, the FIU men’s basketball team (8-6) will travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to take on the Florida A&M Rattlers on Thursday, Jan. 2. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

 

The Panthers are coming off a 92-57 loss at Georgetown on Saturday, Dec. 28. Redshirt junior Dennis Mavin led all Panthers with 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor, while draining a career-high four 3-pointers. Seniors Tymell Murphy and Rakeem Buckles added 15 points each. Buckles also grabbed a team-high six boards. Redshirt sophomore Cody Mann recorded a game-high six assists.

 

The Panthers struggled in the first half, shooting 25.0 percent (5-of-20) from the floor. A scoring drought of over 11 minutes resulted in a 24-0 run by the Hoyas. The Panthers trailed 6-4 with 17:16 left in the first half. However, GU’s run put FIU down 31-4 with 6:57 left in the half.

 

Sophomore Jerome Frink and Mavin led all Panthers in the first half with five points apiece.  

 

FIU came out in the second half outscoring the Hoyas, 23-12, including a 14-2 run through the first 12 minutes of the second half. The Panthers’ offense found its stroke in the final 20 minutes, shooting 55.6 percent (15-of-27) while holding a 43-42 edge over GU on the scoreboard.

 

FIU finished the afternoon shooting 41.3 percent (19-of-46) from the floor, including a 5-of-13 performance from beyond the arc (38.5 percent). The Panthers were out-rebounded by the Hoyas, 33-22, as GU out-scored FIU in the paint, 58-26. 

 

FIU comes into Thursday’s contest averaging 70.1 points-per-game, while shooting 44.9 percent from the floor and 32.7 percent from 3-point range. The Panthers are converting 68.1 percent of its attempts from the free-throw line. Defensively, FIU is allowing 69.3 points-per-game as the opposition is shooting 41.7 percent from the floor. The Panthers are out-rebounding their opponents 553-463, averaging 39.5 boards-per-contest. 

. 

FIU – Florida A&M Series History 

Thursday’s game between FIU and Florida A&M will mark the 11th meeting all-time between the two teams. 

- The series is tied, 5-5

- The last meeting between FIU and Florida A&M resulted in an 88-72 win for FIU 

on Dec. 2, 2013, in Miami, Fla.

- FIU is 12-9 all-time versus teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

- FIU has won three-straight versus the Rattlers.

- FIU is 1-4 all-time versus FAMU in Tallahassee.

- FIU will be looking for its second-straight win over FAMU in Tallahassee.

- See more at: http://www.fiusports.com/Sports/MensSports/MBasketball/Article/tabid/417/article/20665/FIU-at-Florida-A-M-Game-Notes.aspx#sthash.QmtEbTNb.dpuf

COURTESY FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern White Teams Just Didn’t Play Black Ones, but One Game Ended All That

FLORIDA A&M  COACH JAKE GAITHER
(Credit: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- On a Saturday night 40 football seasons ago, just before kickoff of the penultimate game in his career, Coach Jake Gaither of Florida A&M strode toward midfield of Tampa Stadium. There he extended his hand to the opposing coach, Fran Curci of the University of Tampa, and they strained to speak above the din of a capacity crowd.

“Jake, this is bigger than I thought it would be,” Coach Curci recently recalled saying. “Not me,” Coach Gaither responded.

Both men were trying to fathom the event they had set into motion, the first interracial football game in the South, a landmark in sports and civil rights that has gone relatively uncelebrated. It pit the Florida A&M Rattlers, long one of the dominant teams among black colleges, against the Tampa Spartans, a rising power that was overwhelmingly white.

What was at stake that night was twofold. The match-up would prove whether a black team with a black coach from a black school really could compete with a white one. And, in a city that suffered a race riot two years earlier, the stadium was divided racially into its Tampa and A&M rooting sections, and the spectators had to demonstrate that they could peaceably coexist.

CONTINUE READING 

Terps wide receivers coach Lee Hull a finalist for Morgan State coaching vacancy

Coach Lee Hull
University of Maryland - College Park
(Courtesy UMD Athletics)

BALTIMORE, Maryland (Dec. 31) -- Maryland wide receivers coach Lee Hull remains in the running for Morgan State’s vacant head coaching position, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who said Hull is a finalist.

Morgan State, which has not responded to requests for comment, is expected to hire a new coach early next month.

Maryland is already looking to replace defensive line coach Greg Gattuso, who became Albany’s head coach earlier this month, and offensive line coach Tom Brattan, whose contract was not renewed.

In six seasons on the Terps' staff, Hull has seen ...

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The FAMU Mystique: Coach Billy Joe's Gulf Coast Offense

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Delta Devils end non-conference slate with victory over Selma

CLARKSDALE, Miss. -- All season long, Missississippi Valley State has proved that it can put loads of points on the scoreboard.

And Tuesday was no different.

The Delta Devils shot over 50 percent from the field and came up one point short of eclipsing the 100-point mark in a 99-87 win over Selma University at The Pinnacle on the campus of Coahoma Community College.

It marked the final non-conference game of the season for the Delta Devils (4-9), who will open conference play Saturday when they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 5 p.m. at the Leflore County Civic Center.

On Tuesday, Jeffrey Simmons scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Delta Devils while Anthony McDonald chipped in 19, including a trio of 3-pointers.

In all, five Valley players scored in double-figures, incluidng James Currington who had a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds). Cameron Dobbs had 13 points and Blake Ralling chipped in 12 for a Delta Devil team that shot 52.9 percent from the field.

MVSU led 47-39 at halftime and outscored the Bulldogs 52-48 in the second half.

Jamie Washington led Selma with 24 points.

Box Score

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush defeat Belhaven 64-55 in overtime

JACKSON, Miss. — Morris Wright scored 20 points Monday, and Wesley Pluviose-Philip had career highs of 14 points and 11 rebounds in Xavier University of Louisiana's 64-55 overtime men's basketball victory against Belhaven.
    
The Gold Rush (10-4), ranked 25th in NAIA Division I, won for the fifth time in six games. Xavier has won both its overtime games this season.
    
Wright's layup with 54 seconds remaining in regulation tied the score at 54 and forced overtime. Xavier outscored the Blazers 10-1 in the extra period, with Wright and Lucas Martin-Julien collecting four points apiece. The Gold Rush scored the first eight points of overtime, and the Blazers scored their lone point on a free throw with 32 seconds remaining.
    
Wright scored in double figures for the 11th time this season and reached 20 points for the second time. The double-double was the first at Xavier for Pluviose-Philip, a redshirt freshman. It was the first time that Pluviose-Philip scored in double figures.
    
Sydney Coleman had 14 points and six rebounds for the Gold Rush. Coleman scored in double figures for a team-leading 12th time this season.
    
Jordan Bedford had 15 points and 10 points for Belhaven (4-7), and Datodrick Pinkston scored 12 points.
    
Xavier trailed 12-3 through 6½ minutes before rallying for a halftime tie at 25. Wright made 3-of-4 3-pointers in the first half.
    
Xavier will travel to Nashville, Tenn., for a 5 p.m. game Saturday at Fisk. It will be the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener for both. Xavier is the two-time defending GCAC regular-season champion.

Box score

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

Mobile defeats LSU-Shreveport in Xavier Classic

NEW ORLEANS — Raven Lyons scored 17 points Tuesday to lead Mobile to a 66-54 women's basketball victory against LSU-Shreveport in the Xavier Classic.

Both teams finished 1-1 in the four-team event. Faulkner played Xavier in the final game.

Molly Speed and Deonica McCormick scored 12 points apiece for the Lady Rams (8-3), and Jakela Johnson had 10 points and nine rebounds. Speed made four of Mobile's six 3-pointers.

Shanovia Gamblin had 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Lady Pilots (9-3), and Byroneshia Santiago had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Mobile never trailed. After a tie at 2, Johnson's basket at 16:59 put the Lady Rams ahead to stay. Mobile led 35-27 at halftime — Lyons scored 11 points in the first half — and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 12:42.

CONTINUE READING 

LSUS Lady Pilots beat Lady Eagles in Xavier Classic opener

NEW ORLEANS — Byroneshia Santiago scored 14 of her 20 points in the second half to help LSU-Shreveport earn a 75-65 women's basketball victory against Faulkner in the opening game of the Xavier Classic.

Xavier defeated Mobile 72-60 in the second game.

Jenna Diakos scored 18 points and Shanovia Gamblin 15 for the Lady Pilots (9-2).

Christina Hayes scored 14 points for Faulkner (4-6), and M.C. Bell and Nyla Johnson scored 10 apiece.

After a halftime tie at 32, LSUS took the lead for good, 56-55, on two Santiago free throws with 6:34 remaining. LSUS made 24-of-26 second-half free throws and finished 30-of-34.

CONTINUE READING 

Gold Nuggets rally in second half, extend win streak to 6

NEW ORLEANS -- Danielle Tucker, Paige Gauthier and Whitney Gathright sparked a decisive second-half run Tuesday in Xavier University of Louisiana's 65-51 women's basketball victory against Faulkner in the Xavier Classic.

The Gold Nuggets (10-5) won their sixth in a row, including both games in this four-team, two-day event.

Xavier trailed 42-36 with 14:22 remaining, then outscored Faulkner 18-1 during the next nine minutes. Tucker scored seven points, Gauthier five and Gathright four during the run.

Gathright finished with 15 points and a career-high seven rebounds. Tucker scored 14 points, and Gauthier had nine points, four assists and a career-high and Xavier Classic-record-tying seven steals. Emoni Harvey had career bests of eight points and five steals, and Whitney Gaston-Loyd scored eight points, all in the first half.

Christina Hayes had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Faulkner (4-7), and M.C. Bell scored 13. The Lady Eagles, who were 2-0 against Xavier this past season, lost both their games in the event.

Faulkner outshot Xavier 37.5 to 32.8 percent from the floor, but the Gold Nuggets dominated at the line, making 23-of-31 free throws to the Lady Eagles' 12-of-18. Xavier committed 21 turnovers and gained 32, nine during the second-half rally.

Faulkner led 32-31 at halftime.

It's the first time since the 1998-99 season that the Gold Nuggets won six in a row after losing their previous three games. Xavier has won 11 in a row at home, all by 12 or more points.

Mobile defeated LSU-Shreveport 66-54 in the other Tuesday game. Both teams finished 1-1 in the Xavier Classic.

Xavier, the three-time defending Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season champion, will play its GCAC opener at 3 p.m. Saturday against Fisk in Nashville, Tenn. The Gold Nuggets' next home game will start at 3 p.m. on Jan. 11 against GCAC and city rival SUNO.

Box score

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

WSSU Rams dismiss Holloway from the team

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Attrition is starting to take a toll on the Winston-Salem State men’s basketball team.

Coach Bobby Collins said Tuesday that center Victor Holloway, a 6-7 senior who was averaging 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds, has been kicked off the team for disciplinary reasons.

“We just decided it was in the best interest that he is no longer on our team,” Collins said before practice.

Holloway was averaging 15.6 minutes in eight games. He had his best game Nov. 9 in a 76-73 win against Concord at the Gaines Center, coming off the bench to score a career-high 17 points and grab 15 rebounds in 22 minutes.

CONTINUE READING

Terps basketball offers new hope for new year with 70-56 win over N.C. Central

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — In Maryland’s final nonconference game, on the last day of the calendar year, coach Mark Turgeon seemed to coax from his team the sort of relentless defense that had often eluded it.

Maryland’s 70-56 victory Tuesday before an announced 9,554 at Comcast Center did not come against a name opponent. But North Carolina Central had a 10-point win over an Atlantic Coast Conference team to its credit and features a top-notch scorer in senior guard Jeremy Ingram, who entered averaging 24.6 points per game.

Ingram was held to 11 points on 4-for-19 shooting from the floor by the Terps (9-5). The Eagles (7-4) shot 32.7 percent overall.

Junior guard Nick Faust (City), who entered shooting 35 percent, led Maryland with 19 points, matching his career high. He gave a fist pump to the crowd after converting his third 3-pointer to push Maryland’s lead to 68-45.

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