Ragin' Cajuns defeat Gold Rush 6-1, Nuggets 4-0

LAFAYETTE, La. -- Xavier University of Louisiana lost to Louisiana-Lafayette in men's and women's tennis Wednesday. The Gold Rush lost 6-0, and the Gold Nuggets lost 4-1.

Nour Abbes scored the lone victory for Xavier when her opponent at No. 1 singles, Nelo Phiri, retired because of illness after one game, which Abbes won.

Brandi Nelson split sets with Eleanor Bradshaw at No. 6 singles -- Nelson won the second set 6-3 -- but the match was not completed after the Ragin' Cajuns clinched the dual.

Kyle Montrel was the lone Gold Rush player to win a set. Montrel lost 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6) to Rick de Groot at No. 1 singles.

No doubles matches were played. The dual was scheduled for 6 p.m. but pushed up two hours because of unseasonably cold weather. Temperatures were in the upper 30s at the start of competition.

UL Lafayette's women are 3-2, and the men are 6-1.

Both XU teams will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play William Carey at 3 p.m. Friday. Both XU teams and both William Carey teams are ranked in the NAIA's top 15. It will be the first of three Mississippi matches in as many days for the Rush and Nuggets.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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12th-ranked Gold Rush lose to 4th-ranked Crusaders

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi -- Xavier University of Louisiana lost 81-58 to William Carey in a matchup of ranked NAIA Division I men's basketball teams Tuesday.

Daron Bell scored 26 points for the fourth-ranked Crusaders (18-2), who have a 12-game win streak. Sydney Coleman produced his seventh double-double of the season, 17 points and 12 rebounds, for the 12th-ranked Gold Rush (18-7).

Coleman scored eight points, and Morris Wright made four technical free throws to spark Xavier to a 14-7 lead through 6½ minutes. But William Carey scored the next 10 points, led 32-27 at halftime and never lost its lead in the second half.

Xavier trimmed a 13-point deficit to seven, 61-54, on Coleman's basket with 5:35 remaining, but the Crusaders ended the game on a 20-4 run.

Kelvin Nixon scored 19 points, Donovan Walker 13 and Jeremiah Dunnings 10 for the Crusaders, who earned a regular-season split with Xavier. The Gold Rush won 90-80 in overtime Dec. 3.

Anthony Goode scored 14 points for Xavier, and Lucas Martin-Julien and Xavier Rogers had eight points apiece. Goode and Martin-Julien each had four assists, and Martin-Julien had six rebounds and two steals.

William Carey outshot Xavier 43.6 to 36.2 percent from the floor and had the advantage in free throws, making 29-of-35 to XU's 14-of-24. In the second half, the Crusaders shot 54.2 percent from the floor and made 21-of-23 free throws.

Xavier's next game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. Monday at XU's Convocation Center against another ranked opponent, No. 24 Philander Smith. Xavier defeated the Panthers 83-78 on Feb. 3.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Shaw Announces Its 2014 Football Schedule

RALEIGH, North Carolina  -- Shaw University announced its 2014 football schedule Wednesday.  The slate features six away and four home games.

 

"This is a challenging schedule, but one that will be a good test for our team," said head coach Robert Massey.  "The nonconference schedule is one of the toughest we've had, but we'll need that to make sure we're ready for the CIAA season."

 

The Bears open with three straight games on the road, sending them as far north as Loretto, PA, to face Division I St. Francis on September 6, then as far south as Fairfield, AL, to take on perennial powerhouse Miles the next week.

 

The Cape Fear Classic will again feature a matchup between Shaw and UNC Pembroke in Wilmington, NC, on September 20.

 

Shaw opens CIAA play with a home contest against Lincoln (PA) the next week.  The schedule also features key division matchups against Fayetteville State and Winston-Salem State, both at home.  The Bears will also travel to Livingstone.

 

Shaw Homecoming celebrations will culminate in a game against Johnson C. Smith on October 25.  The Bears close out the season at cross-town rival Saint Augustine's.

 

Last season, the Bears went 6-4, 4-3 in the CIAA.

COURTESY SHAW UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

VUU Assistant Football Coaches Announced

RICHMOND, Virginia  --  Virginia Union University's head football coach Mark James has completed forming his inaugural support staff, it was announced on Wednesday, February 12.  James' assistant coaches include a former assistant coach from NCAA Division I Auburn University, a former assistant coach from Division I University of Wyoming, and a former assistant coach at Hampton University and Florida A&M University.

The assistant coaches are:

1. Mike Fanoga, Defensive Coordinator
2. Toriano J. Morgan, Passing Game Coordinator
3. Aaron Taylor,  Running Game Coordinator
4. Wes Murphy, Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
5.  Josef Harrison, Defensive Line
6.  Andre LeBlanc, Defensive Backs
7.  Trumaine Watson, Strength & Conditioning
8. Stephen  Velasquez, Kicking
9. Sam Davis, Equipment Manager
10. Bernard Rucker, Special Assistant

CONTINUE READING 

CIAA Banquet brawl: Who's to blame?

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Virginia  --  Donald Reaves’ message to Virginia State University was clear: Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying.

About 48 hours after VSU issued the findings of its investigation into a November incident that prompted the cancellation of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football championship game, Winston-Salem State University’s chancellor responded by scoffing at both the report’s conclusions and the methods used in its preparation.

“I cannot understand how the investigator could uncover the facts of the incident when his interviews were limited to people who study or work at VSU. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that they all tell the same story,” Reaves said in a statement last week.

Three months after a fight that broke out during a pregame banquet left Winston-Salem State quarterback Rudy Johnson with multiple injuries, both universities continue to ...

CONTINUE READING

North’s Coney signs with St. Aug’s

SPENCER, North Carolina — Kasaun Coney can drop beats, but secured the football every time it went his way at North Rowan.

Coney, who’s behind the mic in North’s ‘Green and Yellow’ celebration song you’ve probably heard a hundred times at Eagle Stadium, was a leader in the Cavaliers’ defensive backfield for the past two season and a fixture in the North football resurgence.

Coney signed to play at St. Augustine’s Tuesday alongside teammate Xavier Robinson.  It made sense that Robinson, a linebacker who wears No. 8, and Coney, No. 9, signed as a duo.

“It’s kind of crazy that I’m going to college as a Falcon when just a couple of months ago I didn’t want anything to do with Falcons,” Coney joked in referencing North rival West Rowan.

North was coming off a 4-8 season two years ago but has put together 21 wins since, the most in the county. The 13 wins in 2013 were a school record and North was ranked No. 1 for much of the season. Coney, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound free safety, was a vital part of ...


XAVIER ROBINSON @ 2:02 mark

CONTINUE READING

FAMU RELAYS CENTRAL: 63rd FAMU Relays - March 1

Meet Information

63^rd Annual FAMU Relays

Site: Florida A&M University, Pete Griffin Track Complex Tallahassee, FL

Date: Saturday, March 1, 2014

Time: 9:00am Saturday

Awards: Plaques will be given to first place relays. T-shirts will be given to the first place finisher in each individual event.  (ONLY COLLEGIATE ATHLETES ON A COLLEGE TEAM ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARDS)

Scoring: No individual points or team scores awarded.

Entries: All entries must be made online at www.directathletics.com

Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday February 25, 2014.  No entries will be accepted after this date.

Entry Limits: College/University teams may have 3 entries of athletes in each individual running event and HJ, PV, SP, D, and J. Teams may enter 2 entries in horizontal jumps; Long Jump and Triple Jump and may enter up to (2) teams in each relay event.

Entry Fees: Entry Fee Per Team: College Men: $300.00, College Women: $300.00, Or $30.00 per entry if there are less than 10 team members. Unattached entries should be emailed to darlene.moore@famu.edu. Make your check for the entry fee payable to: Florida A&M University Athletics Track & Field.  No Personal Checks will be accepted.

Packets: Packets will be ready Friday, February 28, 2014 between 9:00am and 5:00 pm in the Athletic Ticket Office at the Lawson Center (New Gym).

Hotels: There are plenty of hotel rooms available in Tallahassee. However, you should make your reservations as soon as possible.

Parking: Park across the street in Bragg Stadium Football parking lot.

Seating: Athletes must sit in the east stands only.

Any athlete on the track while not actively participating in an event will be disqualified from the meet.
Spikes:	Only 1/4" spikes may be used. (Spikes MUST be checked-in for Inspection)
Warm-up Area:	General warm-ups must be completed outside the fenced track area south of the track. The Gaither Gym will also be available to the athletes.
Coaches are not allowed in the fenced track and field areas.
Protests:	Protest should be made in writing immediately after the event or no later than 30 minutes after the official results have been posted. The protest should be delivered to the meet director in the press box.
Conduct of Field Events:	All horizontal jumps and throw events will be conducted as four jump/throw finals.
Field Venue Surfaces:	Cement platforms are provided for the weight events. Long jump, triple jump, and high jump runways have a rekortan surface.
Implement Weigh-in:	Field implements must be weighed before competition.  Saturday 8:00am-12:30pm
Opening Heights:	Women Men     Women Men High Jump 4’8” 6’0”     4’10” 6’0” Pole Vault 7’ 11’     7’ 11’
Cut-off Marks:	Women Men     Women Men LJ 17’0” 21’5”     16’ 22’ TJ 37’0” 44’0”     34’ 44’ SP 35’0” 42’0”     34’ 44’ DT 100’ 120’     90’0” 120’0”
Officials:	United Track and Field Officials Association will be the officials for the meet.
Timing and Judging:	Hy-Tek and the FinishLynx System will be used to determine the official time and order of finish for all races. Field event judges will measure, record and post all results on the performance indicator boards for coaches and spectator interest.
Sanctions:	FAMU Relays is sanctioned under the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Questions:	Wayne Angel- Phone: (850) 599-3835 Head Men Track & Field Coach Fax: (850) 599-3810 Darlene Moore- Phone: (850) 412-7957 Head Women Track & Field Coach Fax: (850) 599-3810

FAMU RELAYS ROLLING SCHEDULE

Session 1: Saturday, March 1, 2014 • Starts 9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m. Women’s 800 Meter Run University / College Finals

Men’s 800 Meter Run University / College Finals

Women’s 400 Meter Dash University / College Finals

Men’s 400 Meter Dash University / College Finals

Women 100m Meter High Hurdles University/ College Finals

Men 110 Meter Hurdles University/ College Finals

Women’s Distance Medley University / College Finals

Men’s Distance Medley University / College Finals


Session 2: Saturday, March 1, 2014 • Starts 12:00 p.m.

11:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies

Women’s 4x100 Meter Relay University / College Finals

Men’s 4x100 Meter Relay University / College Finals

Women’s 4x800 Meter Relay University / College Finals

Men’s 4x800 Meter Relay University / College Finals

Women’s 100 Meter Dash University / College Finals

Men’s 100 Meter Dash University /College Finals

Women’s 1500 Meter Run University /College Finals

Men’s 1500 Meter Run University /College Finals

Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles University /College Finals

Men 400 Meter Hurdles University / College Finals

Women’s 1600 Sprint Medley University/College Finals

Men’s 1600 Sprint Medley University / College Finals

Women’s 3000 Meter Run University/College Finals

Men’s 3000 Meter Run University / College Finals

Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay University College Finals

Men’s 4x400 Meter Relay University / College Finals

Field Events Schedule

9:00 a.m. Women’s Javelin Throw University / College Finals (4 Throw Final)

•Men’s Javelin Throw University / College Finals to follow Women’s

9:00 a.m. Men’s Long Jump University / College Finals (South Pit)

•Women’s Long Jump University / College Finals (North Pit)

12:00 p.m. Women’s Shot Put University / College Finals (4 Throw Final)

•Men’s Shot Put University / College Finals to follow Women’s

12:00 p.m. Men Discus University/ College Finals (4 Throw Final)

Women’s Discus University/ College Finals to follow Men’s

1:45 p.m. Women’s High Jump University /College Finals

•Men’s High Jump University /College Finals to follow Women’s

12:30 p.m. Women’s Triple Jump University / College Finals (South Pit)

•Men’s Triple Jump University / College Finals (North Pit)

3:00 p.m. Women’s Pole Vault University / College Finals

•Men’s Pole Vault University / College Finals to follow Women’s

 COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Moton stresses defense to MEAC-leading N.C. Central

DURHAM, North Carolina  — An NBA scout at McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium last month when N.C. Central beat N.C. A&T by 40 points said the blowout kept him from adequately assessing NCCU senior shooting guard Jeremy Ingram.

On Monday, NCCU handled Florida A&M by 43.

FAMU coach Clemon Johnson said he saw plenty not only from Ingram but also from NCCU’s fine point guard and some NCCU big men who make up for their lack of scoring by doing other things well.



“They’re focused. They’re like, ‘Hey, we’re on a mission,’” Johnson said about NCCU. “To be honest with you, at the beginning of the season when people asked me who the best team in the conference is, I told them this team was. Everybody was talking about Norfolk (State). No, Norfolk can’t touch these guys. These guys are on a mission.”

It’s a straight forward to-do list for NCCU: Finish first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Win the MEAC Tournament, which would send NCCU to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.

The Eagles are perched atop the MEAC with one league loss.

CONTINUE READING

William Carey gives Xavier its third consecutive defeat

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi -- Xavier University of Louisiana suffered its third consecutive defeat in women's basketball, 57-50 against William Carey on Tuesday.

Tiffany Sims scored 12 of her 16 points in the final 13 minutes to help the Lady Crusaders (7-11) pull away from the Gold Nuggets (17-9).

Whitney Gathright scored 14 points for Xavier, ranked 23rd in NAIA Division I. Vinnie Briggs scored nine points, and Danielle Tucker had eight points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Alesha Smith's basket with 16:29 remaining gave Xavier its final lead, 31-30. Ciera Sibley's basket after an offensive rebound put William Carey ahead to stay on the next possession and started a decisive 12-4 run.

The Gold Nuggets cut William Carey's lead to three twice in the final four minutes, but both times the Lady Crusaders scored on the ensuing possession.

Sibley had 13 points, 14 rebounds and three steals.

William Carey outshot the Gold Nuggets 35.7 to 26.7 from the floor -- 46.2 to 19.4 in the second half -- and outrebounded them 48-40. The Lady Crusaders had a 13-12 advantage in steals and produced 16 assists on 20 field goals.

Gathright and Paige Gauthier each made two of Xavier's five 3-pointers. The Gold Nuggets made 13-of-16 free throws; Gathright made all eight of her attempts.

Xavier led 5-0 in the opening minute and 14-7 after 7½ minutes, but William Carey rallied for a tie at 26 at halftime.

It was the fourth consecutive road game for Xavier, whose next game will start at 5:30 p.m. Monday against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponent Philander Smith.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Gold Rush 12th in NAIA; two ranked opponents are next

NEW ORLEANS — After five consecutive weeks of climbing, Xavier University of Louisiana dropped one place to 12th Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25. But the Gold Rush will have significant opportunities to climb again during the closing weeks of the regular season.
   
One opportunity was later Tuesday evening at fourth-ranked William Carey, which Xavier defeated in overtime in December. Then the Gold Rush (18-6, 7-2 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) will play a GCAC opponent, No. 24 Philander Smith, at 7:30 p.m. Monday at XU's Convocation Center.
   
Xavier is in the top 25 for the 32nd consecutive time — the longest active streak in the division — and the 45th time in the last 46 polls. Xavier is one of 10 schools in the top 25 in every poll this season.
   
The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's other top-25 team is Talladega, which remained seventh — this time in a tie with Emmanuel (Ga.) — and is in the top 10 for the sixth consecutive poll.
   
Cal State San Marcos received 9-of-10 first-place votes and is No. 1 for the third consecutive week.

The top 25:

1. Cal State San Marcos
2. Pikeville
3. Freed-Hardeman
4. William Carey
5. Southwestern Assemblies of God
6. Columbia (Mo.)
7. (tie) Talladega
7. (tie) Emmanuel (Ga.)
9. Vanguard
10. Culver-Stockton
11. Rocky Mountain
12. Xavier
13. Concordia (Calif.)
14. Mid-America Christian
15. Rio Grande
16. Benedictine (Kan.)
17. Evangel
18. LSU-Shreveport
19. Georgetown (Ky.)
20. Montana State-Northern
21. St. Gregory's
22. Biola
23. Wiley
24. Philander Smith
25. Martin Methodist


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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After 2 straight losses, Nuggets fall from 20th to 23rd

NEW ORLEANS — Two consecutive losses moved Xavier University of Louisiana down but not out of the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 on Tuesday.
   
The Gold Nuggets (17-8, 7-2 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) dropped from 20th to 23rd. It's the fourth consecutive week and the 49th time in the last 52 polls that Xavier is in the top 25.
   
The other GCAC team in the top 25 is Talladega, which climbed from 22nd to 20th.
   
Vanguard received 9-of-10 first-place votes and is No. 1 for the eighth time in as many polls this season. Vanguard and No. 2 Freed-Hardeman are the only unbeaten teams in the division. It's the fourth consecutive week that Vanguard, Freed-Hardeman and Westminster (Utah) rank 1-2-3.
   
New rankings will be announced February 18.
   
Xavier visited William Carey in a non-conference game Tuesday. The Gold Nuggets will play at home at 5:30 p.m. Monday against GCAC opponent Philander Smith at the Convocation Center.

The top 25:

1. Vanguard
2. Freed-Hardeman
3. Westminster (Utah)
4. Campbellsville
5. Oklahoma Baptist
6. Oklahoma City
7. The Master's
8. Georgetown (Ky.)
9. Our Lady of the Lake
10. Westmont
11. Wiley
12. Columbia (Mo.)
13. MidAmerica Nazarene
14. Baker
15. Hope International
16. (tie) Lewis-Clark State
16. (tie) John Brown
18. Bethel (Tenn.)
19. Montana State-Northern
20. Talladega
21. Cumberlands
22. Martin Methodist
23. Xavier
24. Central Methodist
25. LSU-Shreveport

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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MVSU Comegy adds five to football coaching staff

ITTA BENA, Mississippi  --  Mississippi Valley State head football coach Rick Comegy has started the process of building his staff.

Five assistant coaches have begun their duties for the Delta Devil program, including three who arrive in the Mississippi delta from Comegy's old stomping grounds, Jackson State.

The new additions include: Jack Bush (Recruiting Coordinator/Strength Coach), James "Jimmy" Joe (Wide Receivers), Jonathan Thompson (Defensive Line), Gregory Black (Offensive Line) and Darrin Hayes (Defensive Coordinator).

Hayes previously spent the last eight seasons as defensive coordinator at JSU under Comegy. Last season, the Tigers finished third in the SWAC in total defense, allowing 365.6 yards per game. In 2009 the "Dark Side Defense" was ranked first in the SWAC for the third consecutive season. The Tigers were ranked first in total defense, pass defense, and red zone defense. Before JSU, Hayes served at Tuskegee University as defensive coordinator and Lane College. He was the defensive coordinator from 2000-02 before being elevated to head coach at Lane in 2003. His career began as defensive backs coach at Knoxville College in 1994. The Cleveland, Ohio native is a 1993 graduate of Knoxville College where he received his bachelor's degree in business management before earning his master's in Sports Administration.

Black most recently served as the offensive line coach at JSU, where he worked for the past three seasons. Last season, the Tigers finished fourth in the SWAC in rushing offense and fifth in pass offense. Following the season, three JSU offensive linemen were tabbed All-SWAC, including two on the First Team. Prior to his time in Jackson, he spent five seasons as the offensive line coach at Tuskegee University. Black is a 1988 Central State graduate, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education.

Thompson previously spent the last six seasons as the defensive line coach at JSU. Last season, two JSU defensive linemen were named All-SWAC, including Javancy Jones who was named First Team and Freshman of the Year. Under Thompson's leadership, former JSU standout Marcus Benard set JSU's single season sack record in 2008. Thompson joined the JSU staff after spending one season as defensive line coach at Savannah State. Prior to his stint at Savannah State, he was the defensive line coach at Central State from 2004-05. From 2001-02, he served as the defensive line coach with the Dayton Skyhawks of the Indoor Arena Football League. The Miami native is a 2000 graduate of Central State where he earned a bachelor's degree in health and recreation.

Joe arrives at MVSU after spending three seasons as Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Miles College, where he introduced the Gulf Coast and No Huddle Offense. He, however, made a name for himself at Florida A&M, where he began as Recruiting Coordinator before working his way up to Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. In his 11-year tenure at FAMU from 1994-2005, Joe helped lead the Rattlers to four MEAC championships (1995-96, 1998, 2000), a Black National Championship (1998) and seven straight playoff appearances. During Joe's tenure at FAMU, he helped produce 11 All-Americans and 10 NFL players, including Earl Holmes. Prior to his time at FAMU, he served at Central State University from 1981-1993 as Assistant Head Coach and Associate Athletic Director. While at CSU, he helped produce two NAIA national championship teams (1990, 1992) and six Black College championships (1986-90, 1993). While at CSU, seven players were named All-Americans and 15 played in the NFL, including former Philadelphia Eagle defensive lineman Hugh Douglas. Joe earned his bachelor's degree in Recreation and Rehabilitation Theory from Morgan State University.

After serving as defensive backs coach at Avila University in Kansas City, Mo., Bush has agreed to become to the Recruiting Coordinator and Strength Coach for the Delta Devils. Bush also previously worked as the Director of Football Operations at Jackson State under Comegy in 2007. He served as the defensive line/special teams coach at JSU in 2006. In 1995, Bush served as Comegy's defensive coordinator at Central State University. His first collegiate stint was at Johnson C. Smith University, where he served as defensive coordinator from 1988-89 before working as defensive line coach at Central State from 1989-90, helping the Marauders to a No.1 finish in total defense and a Black College National Championship. He was the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Bowling Green State University, 1991-93; an NFL scout for the New England Patriots, East Coast Region, 1993-94; and head football coach and Physical Education Department Chair at Randallstown High School in Maryland from 1994-95. In 1995, Bush returned to Central State and served as defensive coordinator in 1995 and head coach in 1996. Central State went 10-1 and was named NAIA National Champions. From 1997-98, Bush worked as Assistant to the President for Football Development at Lincoln University (Mo.). Then, in 1998, he was appointed head football coach at Lincoln University (Mo.). He later accepted the position as tight ends coach at Alabama State University (2003-04). Bush is a 1971 Lincoln University alumni, with a bachelor's degree in physical education.  

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

SU tabbed to win SWAC West

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Southern’s baseball team was picked to win the Western Division of the Southwest Athletic Conference, while Alabama State was chosen to win the East in the league’s preseason voting.

Jackson State’s Charles Tillery was voted Preseason Player of the Year, while Alabama State’s T.J. Renda (Pitcher of the Year) and Emmanuel Marrero (Defensive Preseason Player of the Year) also earned preseason accolades.

The squads were voted by the league’s 10 head coaches and sports information directors. Head coaches and sports information directors were not allowed to vote for players from their respective teams.

Defending Western Division regular-season champion Southern was predicted to repeat with 74 points, including seven first-place votes. Prairie View A&M was tagged second with 72 points and eight first-place votes. Arkansas-Pine Bluff garnered 57 points for third along with five votes for first. Texas Southern (55) and Grambling (32) closed things out.

CONTINUE READING

ASU Baseball Hornets Picked To Win The Division; Renda, Marrero Lead Six All-SWAC Selections

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State baseball team was selected to finish first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division, while six players were named to preseason All-SWAC team.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason team was announced Monday, and was voted on by the league's 10 head coaches and sports information contacts.

"We're honored to be picked to finish first, but we all know there are some very good teams in our division," third-year Hornets' Head Coach Mervyl Melendez said. "The story will be told on field in between the lines throughout the season. It's nice to see that we have a quality team with talented players, but you just have to go play."

T.J. Renda was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year and Emmanuel Marrero was named Defensive Preseason Player of the Year.

Renda (6-0, 200, Jr., Orlando, Fla.), a preseason first-team All-SWAC selection, was a 2013 first-team All-SWAC, SWAC player of the year, and a first team American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) selection. He recorded a 9-1 record with a 2.19 ERA. He was a two-time SWAC Player of the Week and a Collegebaseballinsider.com Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week.  Last year's weekly awards followed Renda's season-opening no-hitter against Chicago State when he recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts. Renda led the SWAC in strikeouts (85), wins (nine) and ERA (2.38).

Marrero (6-0, 190, Jr.; Caguas, Puerto Rico), who also earned preseason second-team All-SWAC honors, finished last season with a .953 fielding percentage along with 63 putouts. He led ASU with 118 assists and was second on the team in fielding double plays with 14.

"We are happy for T.J. and Emmanuel for the honors that they have received, as well as their teammates that were selected," Melendez said. "Now the real work begins for them because they have to go out there and get it done."

Joining Renda on the All-SWAC first team are outfielders Waldyvan Estrada and Dillon Cooper, and catcher Richard Gonzalez.

Estrada (6-0, 205, Jr.; Loiza, Puerto Rico) was a 2013 second-team All-SWAC and second team ABCA selection. He finished first in the SWAC in RBI (51) and second in total bases (95), home runs (seven) and RBI (68).

Cooper (5-11, 220, Soph.; Orlando Fla.) was the 2013 SWAC Freshman of the Year a 2013 Louisville Slugger Division I Freshman All-American. Cooper hit .301 with three home runs, 26 RBIs and 59 hits.

Gonzalez (C, 5-10, 205, Jr.; Caguas, Puerto Rico) finished first in the SWAC in runners picked off with seven in 2013 and was second in on-base percentage (.472). Gonzalez led the Hornets in hitting with a .348 batting average.

Joining Marrero on the All-SWAC second team was third baseman Branden Castro.

Castro (6-2, 220, Soph., Orlando, Fla.) saw action in 46 games with 45 starts. He hit .251 with two HRs, 24 RBIs and 44 hits.

The Hornets open the 2014 season at home this Friday in a three-game series against Eastern Kentucky. First pitch Friday and Saturday is scheduled for 6 p.m., with Sunday's game set for a 1 p.m. start.


COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Jackson State filling out coaching staff

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State football is expected to name Destry Wright as its running back coach, a university source told The Clarion-Ledger.

The former standout for the Tigers holds the school’s record in single-season rushihng (1,644 yards) and career rushing (4,050). He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000 as an undrafted free agent. But in a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, he broke his right leg and dislocated his ankle, ending his football career without playing a single regular season game.

Wright has been working as a ...
 

CONTINUE READING

Grambling State earns first DI victory in over 700 days

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- Grambling State ended numerous losing streaks on Monday night as the Tigers knocked off Alcorn State 95-80 to earn a SWAC home win. Grambling State hadn’t won a game against a Division I opponent since March 4, 2012 when they knocked off Alabama A&M for a 75-72 overtime win.

The win for Grambling State snapped a 45-game Division I losing streak and 28-game losing streak in the SWAC for the Tigers. Grambling State defeated Central Baptist earlier in the year to snap a 32-game overall losing streak as the Tigers finished 0-28 during the 2012-13 season. Grambling State fans stormed the court after the win and it had to be a unique and relieving feeling for people that root for the Tigers.

Grambling State is now 2-18 on the season — 1-10 in the SWAC — but the pressure of ending that losing streak is probably a huge relief for everyone involved with the Grambling State men’s basketball program.

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Hampton Lady Pirates Win Offensive Struggle Over UMES

HAMPTON, Virginia – The Hampton University women's basketball team grinded its way to another 20-win season on Monday evening, holding off Maryland Eastern Shore 54-35 at the HU Convocation Center.

The Lady Pirates (20-4, 11-0 MEAC) have won 20 games for the fifth straight season.

Hampton, which is on a 10-game winning streak, has won 41 straight games against MEAC foes (including conference tournament games) and 17 straight home MEAC games. The Lady Pirates tied their season low for points allowed in a game.

Senior guard Nicole Hamilton (Hampton, Va.) was the only Lady Pirate in double figures, scoring a game-high 25 points – 18 in the first half – on eight field goals, three 3-pointers, and six free throws. Freshman guard Malia Tate-DeFreitas (Harrisburg, Pa.) added eight points.

Redshirt-freshman guard Sade King (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) scored seven points off the bench, and redshirt-sophomore forward Brielle Ward (Baltimore, Md.) grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds.

Sophomore forward Tyler Hobgood (Oxford, N.C.) blocked a season-high five shots.

UMES held an 8-7 lead at the 13:18 mark of the first half after Shawnee Sweeney hit a 3-pointer, before the Lady Pirates went on a 15-0 run to take a 22-8 lead with 7:08 left in the half after a pair of free throws from sophomore guard Ryan Jordan (Manassas, Va.).

The Lady Hawks didn't connect on a field goal until Mariah McCoy hit a trey with 6:01 left in the half to cut the lead to 22-11, before senior forward Alyssa Bennett (Hampton, Va.) hit a jumper to give Hampton a 24-11 lead with 5:46 left.

Hamilton hit two free throws at the 4:38 mark to put Hampton up 26-13, before adding a layup at the 3:46 mark to put the Lady Pirates up 28-15.

King's layup with 38 seconds left gave Hampton its largest lead of the half at 32-15.

Taryana Kelly hit a jumper with 15 seconds left, sending the Lady Pirates into the locker room with a 32-17 lead. UMES shot just 12.5 percent (4-for-32) from the floor in the first half and turned the ball over 12 times.

The Lady Pirates opened the second half by scoring 11 of the first 16 points, taking a 43-22 lead with 12:44 left to play after a layup from Tate-DeFreitas. UMES answered with a 9-2 run, cutting the lead to 45-31 with 8:28 left after a free throw from Sweeney.

Hamilton stopped the run with a jumper with 6:35 left, putting the Lady Pirates up 47-31 – then, after a Kelly layup cut the lead to 47-33, Hamilton hit a layup of her own to give Hampton a 49-33 lead with 4:10 remaining.

Kelly's layup, which came at the 5:39 mark, was UMES' last field goal of the game.

Hamilton hit a trey with 2:23 left to put Hampton up 52-35, then Hobgood added two free throws with 1:26 left to push the game to its final margin.

The Lady Pirates shot 26.3 percent (18-for-72) from the floor, but out-rebounded UMES 60-57 and turned 21 Hawks turnovers into 17 points.

UMES (5-16, 1-8 MEAC) shot just 12.5 percent (9-for-67) from the floor, managing just four field goals in the first half and five field goals in the second half. Six of the Lady Hawks' nine field goals came from behind the arc.

Sweeney led UMES with 15 points.

The Lady Pirates will cross the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel on Saturday to take on Norfolk State in Echols Hall at 4 p.m. For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Box Score

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A&T Downs Bethune-Cookman

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  -- They live by it and they played by it on Monday evening as the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team’s defense was in full effect in a dominating 66-35 victory over Bethune-Cookman.

The Aggies (18-4 overall) controlled the game on both sides of the court as they improved to 8-2 in the MEAC. The Wildcats (8-16) dropped to 5-7 in the league.

“We were a little disappointed that we let Florida A&M score over 70 points on us in our last game,” head coach Tarrell Robinson said. “We wanted to come out in this game and really focus on our defense. It was a great effort by the ladies and it was good to see how well they shared the ball.”

Bethune-Cookman cut A&T’s lead to 13-10 with a 3-pointer from Shakeyia Colyer with 13:03 in the first half. But the Aggie’s defense began to emerge, causing 14 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. The Aggies leaped on a 14-5 run to close out the half with a 27-15 advantage heading into the locker room. Senior forward Tracy King ignited A&T’s offense with 10 points in the opening half.

By the second half, A&T's pressure started to overwhelm the Wildcats. A&T used BCU's struggles on offense to spark its offense. The Aggies used a 23-12 rally to bust open the game, taking a 50-27 lead with nine minutes remaining in the game. The Aggies closed out the final minutes holding the Wildcats to just eight more points.

Debbie Smith led all players in scoring with 13 points. King added 12 points, five assists, and a game-high four steals. Ariel Bursey chipped in 10 points. Aprill McRae and Christina Carter added eight points each while Carter tabbed a game-leading eight assists. DeAndra Davis led the Aggies on the boards with eight rebounds.

Bethune-Cookman was led by Chastity Rene Taylor and Colyer who finished with 11 points each. The Wildcats shot just 23.8 percent from the field.

The Aggies scored 28 points off BCU’s 25 turnovers and took a 40-12 advantage in the paint, with 30 of those points coming in the second half alone.

A&T will visit Savannah State on Saturday, Feb. 15 and S.C. State on Mon. Feb. 17 for a pair of MEAC games.

A&T 66, BCU 35

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WSSU assistant Brown grieving loss of 'best friend'

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Jamal Brown, an assistant men’s coach at Winston-Salem State, has been involved in a lot of college basketball games, but next week’s game against Shaw will be more personal than most of the others.

The teams will meet on Feb. 17 at the Gaines Center in a game originally scheduled for Wednesday but moved to next week because of the forecast for a winter storm. The women’s game will start at 5:30 p.m., and the doubleheader will be part of the Play for Kay initiative started to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer.
 Brown, in his first season with the Rams, is still grieving for his wife, Lola, who lost her 10-year battle with breast cancer Oct. 22. She was 38, and Jamal Brown said it was a fight to the finish.

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Late Run Lifts Cold Hampton Pirates Over UMES

HAMPTON, Virginia – For nearly 33 minutes Monday night, the Hampton University men's basketball team couldn't buy a basket – or a free throw. But a late run propelled the Pirates past Maryland Eastern Shore 71-65 at the HU Convocation Center.

The Pirates (13-11, 8-3 MEAC) kept themselves in the thick of the MEAC race.

Senior forward Du'Vaughn Maxwell (Manhattan, N.Y.), the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, led the Pirates with 17 points and 14 rebounds, recording his fourth double-double of the season. Senior guard Ramon Mercado (Hollywood, Fla.) added 13 points behind three 3-pointers.

Sophomore guard Ke'Ron Brown (Savannah, Ga.) added 11 points.

Mercado hit two free throws with 7:22 left in the second half to cut UMES' lead to 53-50, then he tied the game at 54-54 with a corner trey at the 5:35 mark. Junior center Emmanuel Okoroba (Garland, Texas) then went 1-for-2 at the free throw line to put Hampton up 55-54 with 5:10 left.

Another Mercado trey with 4:45 left put the Pirates up 58-54, then sophomore guard Breon Key (Hampton, Va.) hit a breakaway layup with 4:00 left in the game to put Hampton up 61-54 and cap a 15-1 Pirates run.

UMES went from 10:41 to the 3:13 mark of the second half without a field goal.

The Hawks cut the lead to 61-57 with 3:13 left on a Hakeem Baxter layup, before Maxwell hit a floater at the 2:45 mark to give the Pirates a 63-57 lead.

Key added a jumper with 1:50 left to give Hampton a 65-59 lead, before Baxter cut into that gap with a trey on the next possession. Meikle answered with a dunk with a minute left to put the Pirates up 67-62, before Baxter hit another 3-pointer.

Sophomore guard Deron Powers (Williamsburg, Va.) answered with a strong drive to the lane, hitting the open layup with 16 seconds left to put the Pirates up 69-65.

Baxter drove into the lane, but was blocked by Meikle with 10 seconds left, before Brown hit two free throws to give the Pirates a 71-65 lead – and the win.

UMES had just four field goals in the final 10:41.

The Pirates led 11-9 after a layup from Pressley with 16:17 left in the first half, before UMES rattled off six straight points to take a 15-11 lead after a jumper from Francis Ezeiru at the 13:57 mark.

Maxwell tied the game at 19-19 with a tip-in with 7:35 left in the half, but the Hawks went on an 11-1 run, taking a 30-20 lead with 3:49 left in the half after a 3-pointer from Pina Guillaume. UMES held the Pirates off for the remainder of the half, but Meikle hit a jumper with 59 seconds left to cut UMES' edge to 34-27.

The Hawks took that lead into the half, thanks to 15 points from KyRee Jones.

UMES took a 43-32 lead with 15:26 left in the second half after Jones nailed a deep 3-pointer, before the Pirates scored the next six points to cut the lead to 43-38 after a breakaway layup from Brown with 13:11 left.

Hampton shot 43.8 percent (28-for-64) from the floor – buoyed by a 16-for-30 effort in the second half – despite going just 4-for-18  (22.2 percent) from behind the arc. The Pirates also held a 43-34 edge on the glass.

UMES (3-18, 1-8 MEAC) shot 33.3 percent (16-for-48) from the floor, but struggled to a 6-for-23 clip in the second half.

Jones led UMES with 27 points.

The Pirates will cross the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel on Saturday to take on rival Norfolk State in Echols Hall at 6 p.m. For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Box Score

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Grice is right as FAMU women best NCCU women

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DURHAM, North Carolina  -- Too much Jasmine Grice.

Grice scored 18 points in the first half against N.C. Central as Florida A&M built an 11-point halftime lead en route to a 70-63 win on Monday.

Grice left McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium with a game-high 34 points.

“You have to know where Grice is at all times,” NCCU coach Vanessa Taylor said. “She’s a high-powered offensive machine by herself.”

Another slow start clipped the Lady Eagles’ wings. NCCU outscored FAMU 35-31 in the second half, but the snail’s pace early on, plus 15 missed layups and 10 botched free throws, put NCCU in a bad way.

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TSU Lady Tigers Down Murray State in Play4Kay Game

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Despite getting off to a slow start, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team defeated Murray State, 72-65, to pick up its fifth straight home win Monday night in the Gentry Center.

Tennessee State (10-14, 7-4 OVC) led by as many as 18 points and had to hold off a late Murray State (8-14, 1-9 OVC) rally in the victory.

Chelsea Hudson led all TSU scorers with 16 points while Jayda Johnson scored 11. Briana Morrow and Jemilah Leonard each finished with 10 points.

Murray State was paced by Jessica Winfrey’s 17 points while Taylor Porter (14) and Janssen Starks (11) also posted double-figures.



Without its starting point guard the TSU offense was stagnant early on. Midway through the opening frame, the teams had played to an 11-11 tie.

Over the next six minutes there were three ties and four lead changes. TSU was trailing, 20-19, when the Lady Tigers used a 14-1 run, fueled by six points from Briana Morrow, to capture a 34-21 advantage.

With 34 seconds on the clock, Murray State scored after going five minutes without a bucket before TSU went into halftime with a, 36-24, led.

TSU opened up the second half with six unanswered points but MSU responded with a rally and cut the deficit down to 49-40.

On the next possession, Jemilah Leonard buried a triple to put the Lady Tigers back on top by double-digits. TSU went ahead, 63-47, when I’mani Davis scored on a break-away lay-up at the 6:21 mark but the visitors wouldn’t go away.

The Racers went on a 14-3 run to slice the Lady Tiger lead down to just, 66-61, with less than three minutes remaining.

TSU was leading, 68-63, when Murray State was forced to foul.

The Lady Tigers were able to make enough free-throws to keep the Racers at bay.

Tennessee State returns to action on Saturday, Feb.15 across town at Belmont. Game is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the Curb Event Center.

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TSU's Leonard, Edwards Invited to NFL Combine

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State football team will have a pair of former players competing in the NFL Combine which will take place in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium from February 22-25. 

 

A.C. Leonard and Kadeem Edwards will try to improve their draft stock by impressing scouts and coaches in the nationally televised event.

 

Leonard earned All-American honors from the Associated Press for the second-straight year despite battling injuries for most of the season. The junior caught 34 passes for 441 yards and five touchdowns for the Tigers who finished second in the OVC and earned an at-large berth to the FCS Playoffs (the team's first berth since 1999). He declared for the NFL Draft despite having one year of eligibility remaining.

Edwards, who was one of two OVC players to compete in the Senior Bowl this season (along with Garoppolo) was the top offensive lineman for the Tigers who finished the season 10-4 overall, 6-2 and second place in the OVC and earned an at-large berth to the FCS Playoffs (where they topped Butler in the first round). Edwards helped block for Tim Broughton who rushed for 1,146 yards (25th-most nationally) and six touchdowns and for a quarterback duo that combined for 26 passes touchdowns and also four interceptions in 14 games. He was named to four FCS All-American teams following the season.

 

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Doug Williams joins Redskins front office

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  The Washington Redskins have hired Doug Williams as a front office personnel executive.  The Redskins confirmed the move. The team’s former Super Bowl-winning quarterback rejoins the franchise to work for General Manager Bruce Allen.

Williams previously worked for Allen with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“It’s great to be home again,” Williams said in a written statement released by the team. “It also is great to be affiliated with a GM and coach who are so focused and dedicated to winning. I have only one mission: to help this team obtain the talent it needs so the fans can experience the Super Bowl they deserve.”

Williams and the Redskins had been discussing the job in recent weeks, and by last week the hiring appeared inevitable. It is not clear if Williams considered any other job offers.

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SU Jaguars look to extend winning streak at Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi — The Southern men’s basketball has won four consecutive games since suffering its only Southwestern Athletic Conference loss.

It had its easiest conference victory of the season when it rolled to a 104-54 victory at Grambling on Saturday night.

The Jaguars are showing signs of a strong finishing kick as the stretch run gets under way.

But after little more than a scrimmage against a team that has won two games in two seasons Saturday, the first-place Jaguars (13-10, 9-1) expect a stiffer challenge when they visit Jackson State (8-14, 4-6) Monday. Tip-off will be approximately 7:50 p.m.

“It’s all about being consistent this time of year,” Southern coach Roman Banks said.

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