LC's Mark Thomas Named CIAA Player of the Year

MARK THOMAS
Courtesy LC Athletics

 HAMPTON, Virginia  --  Livingstone College men's basketball standout Mark Thomas has been named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year as announced by the  CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Coaches Associations on Saturday.

Thomas has also been named to the 2014 All-CIAA Men's Basketball Backcourt Team, along with teammate Jody Hill.

 A 2013-14 All-CIAA Preseason Team selection, Thomas' performance this season has been enough for him to be named CIAA Player of the Week twice. Thomas helped lead the Blue Bears to their second consecutive CIAA Southern Division title, starting every game during the 2013-14 season and averaging 21.2 points per game to lead the conference.

 Playing three seasons as a Blue Bear, Thomas joined the 1,000-point club after aiding Livingstone in its 79-47 win over Lincoln (PA) University. This season, Thomas has recorded 22 double-figure games, including a career-high 42 points against Fayetteville State.

 Hill's presence has been felt throughout the entire season. Also a CIAA Preseason selection, Hill ranks fourth in points, averaging 19 per game. Hill has recorded 21 double-figure games. He scored a season-high 37 points against Chowan and has been named CIAA Player of the Week twice.

Omar Briggs of Virginia Union was recognized as the CIAA Defensive Player of the Year. The All-Conference honorees will be formally recognized at the Men's and Women's Tip-Off Awards Luncheon on Monday, Feb. 24 at the Charlotte Convention Center. 




COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Livingstone Blue Bears Claim 2nd CIAA Southern Division Title, Suffers 81-74 Loss to WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --  The Livingstone College men's basketball team suffered an 81-74 loss to the Winston-Salem State University Rams on Saturday evening. The Blue Bears claim their second CIAA Southern Division title for the second consecutive season.

Both teams kept the first half within close range. The score was tied seven times with the lead changing five times. The Blue Bears dominated in the paint, outscoring the Rams 24-16. From beyond the arc, the Blue Bears struggled only hitting 1-of-11 three pointers. Led by Emarri Bailey, Livingstone shot 50 percent within field goal range. He scored 12 points.

At the half the Blue Bears held on for a 39-37 lead over the Rams.

The Blue Bears began the second half leading by as much as eight points. With 12:09 left in the second half, the Rams scored a basket to pull within two points 52-50. The Rams tied the game 52-52 with 11:38 left to play.

Anthony Welch's 3-ponter at the 10:45 mark allowed the Blue Bears to regain the lead 55-52. The Rams, however quickly scored six points to regain the lead.

Livingstone pulled within five points with a put back by Daresse Johnson, 68-63. The Rams countered with a 5-3 run before the Blue Bears managed to score again. A pair of free throws by Jody Hill cut Livingstone's deficit to 74-68 with 2:04 left to play.

With 1:38 left to play Eric Mayo's layup pulled the Blue Bears with five points. With less than a minute to play Livingstone was forced to foul.

Mayo led the Blue Bears with a team high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Emarri Bailey and Jody Hill scored 16 points respectively.

The loss drops the Blue Bears to 18-7 overall and 11-5 in the conference.

Livingstone will receive a first and second round bye before beginning play on Thursday, Feb. 27 in the quarterfinals of the CIAA Tournament.

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

CIAA tournament could leave Charlotte next year

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -- The CIAA basketball tournament is free to leave Charlotte for another venue after this year, and tourism officials acknowledge it may cost more than the city’s current $1 million payment to keep the athletic association’s week-long spree of parties, shows and games.

The 2014 tournament opens Tuesday for the ninth consecutive year in Charlotte. This is the final year that it is contractually bound to the city.

Last year, the CIAA rebuffed the city’s request to exclusively negotiate a contract extension. Instead, the Hampton, Va.-based association has said it will issue a formal request that all interested cities submit proposals.

But the CIAA has not yet taken that step — causing growing concern for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.



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SWAC Indoor Track & Field Championship Recap

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference wrapped up Day one of the 2014 SWAC Indoor Track and Field Championships. This is the third year the event has taken place at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Finals for the three field events (shot put, long jump, high jump) were completed along with the finals of the 3,000 Meter Run and Distance Medley Relay, while preliminaries set the field for the finals on Sunday in the remaining events.

After Day 1 (5 Events)

1 - Alabama State - 38
2 - Prairie View - 32.50
2 – Grambling State - 32.50
4 – Arkansas Pine Bluff – 29
5 - Southern - 17
6 - Jackson State - 13
6 – Texas Southern - 13
8 – Mississippi Valley State - 9
9 - Alabama A&M – 6
10 – Alcorn State - 10

HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 1

Ninfa Barnard (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) broke the SWAC record that she set a season ago in the 3000 meter run, winning the race with a time of 10:00.34. The previous record was 10:05:59. Joyce Chumo of (Mississippi Valley State) came away with a second place finish clocking in at 10:04.64. Artrailia Lesane rounded out the top three with a time of 10:12.82. The trio finished in the exact some order a season ago.

In the Shot Put, Sireta Roach of UAPB repeated as the winner with a throw of 14.08m (46-02.50). Sharond Bryant of JSU was second with a distance of 13.15m (43-01.75), while Mia Mike from ASU came in third at 13.13 (43-01.00).

Camirey Jackson of JSU claimed the championship in the Long Jump, flying 5.61m (18-05.00) into the pit. GSU’s Morgan Simon came in second with a distance of 5.54m (18-02.25), while Robyn Hancock of Alabama A&M claimed third at 5.53m (18-01.75).

Alabama State came out on top in the Distance Medley Relay, breaking its own record from last season at 12.08.5. UAPB came in second 12.36.30 and Texas Southern placed third in the DMR with a time of 12.36.89.

In the last finals event of the day, Alicia Terrell of ASU took first place in the High Jump, clearing the bar at 5-05.75 which tied former Hornet Tyrisha Chamber’s mark last season. GSU’s Morgan Simon finished second at 5-04.25 with PVAMU’s Chantelle Hamilton placing third at 5-02.20.

 

COURTESY SWAC.ORG

Alcorn State 4, Louisiana-Monroe 3

MONROE, Louisiana -- Alcorn State University defeated host, Louisiana-Monroe 4-3 in day one of the Warhawk Classic. This was Alcorn’s first non-conference win against a Division I school in six years. 

The Lady Braves got off to a slow start and allowed the Warhawks to gain a run in the second inning. Alcorn State (2-5) plated three runs on a pair of homers in the top of the third. Hannah Vesper delivered the big blow of the inning with a two-run shot to straightaway center.

Devon Ryan’s solo shot in the top of the fifth proved to be the game winner for the Lady Braves.
Jessica Castillo (1-0) lifted the win for the Alcorn, she struck out seven in 4.2 innings.

After trailing 4-1, ULM (8-4) was unsuccessful keeping their starting lead falling in the bottom of the seventh. Jessica Colliver (2-2) received the loss giving up four hits on three runs in 2.1 innings.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY SWAC.ORG

2014 VSU Football Schedule Features Six Home Games

PETERSBURG, Virginia  --  Facing a very challenging non-conference schedule, 2^nd year Head Football Coach Latrell Scott and the Virginia State University Trojans will play two of their first three games on the road. VSU kicks off the 2014 campaign at Adamson Stadium against California University (PA) on Saturday, Sept. 6^th in the first ever meeting between the two teams. VSU will then come home to Rogers Stadium to face 2013 Division II runner up Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday, Sept. 13. In week three the Trojans will travel to Frankfort, KY to take on Kentucky State University.

Following the Kentucky State game VSU will play three consecutive home contests. The Trojans will take on Fayetteville State University, St. Augustine's University and Elizabeth City State University at Rogers Stadium.

On October 18^th VSU will visit Bowie State University for the Bulldogs homecoming.

VSU will welcome Trojan Alumni home for Homecoming 2014 on October 25^th with a game versus Lincoln University (PA). The final regular season home game and senior day will be on November 1^st versus Chowan University.

To conclude the regular season the Trojans will travel North on Interstate 95 to take on longtime rival Virginia Union University.



2014 Virginia State University Trojans Football Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME
September 6, 2014	California PA University	California, PA	1:00 p.m.
September 13, 2014	Lenoir-Rhyne University (Military Appreciation Day)	Ettrick, VA	2:00 p.m.
September 20, 2014	Kentucky State University	Frankfort, KY	4:00 p.m.
September 27, 2014	Fayetteville State University	Ettrick, VA	2:00 p.m.
October 4, 2014	St. Augustine's College	Ettrick, VA	2:00 p.m.
October 11, 2014	Elizabeth City State University	Ettrick, VA	2:00 p.m.
October 18, 2014	Bowie State University	Bowie, MD	TBA
October 25, 2014	Lincoln University (Homecoming)	Ettrick, VA	2:00 p.m.
November 1, 2014	Chowan University	Ettrick, VA	2:00 p.m.
November 8, 2014	Virginia Union University	Richmond, VA	TBA
November 15, 2014	CIAA Football Championships	TBD	TBA
November 22, 2014	NCAA Play-Offs	TBD	TBA

HOME GAMES ARE IN BOLD



COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Johnson C. Smith wins completion of suspended game

CHARLOTTE, N.C.  — Johnson C. Smith defeated Winston-Salem State 89-86 in overtime on Friday afternoon in the completion of the game that was suspended Wednesday night.     

Joshua Linson, who knocked out a light fixture Wednesday with a desperation shot after the buzzer, hit a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left that proved to be the difference.

The Rams trailed 89-86 and had the ball at the end, but Marquez Jones and Preston Ross III each missed 3-point shots to tie.

The game was completed about 42 hours after it started.

The Golden Bulls (15-10, 4-5 Southern Division) scored on six of their eight possessions in overtime, which started with the teams tied at 76.

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2014 SWAC Indoor Track & Field Preview

2014 SWAC Indoor Track and Field Championship Central

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Alabama State University men and women's track and field teams are set to compete in this weekend's 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Indoor Track and Field Championship.

The Hornets will travel to the Birmingham CrossPlex which will host to the championships held on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 22-23rd.

The Lady Hornets are looking to defend last year's championship as well as extend their consecutive win streak to six titles, spanning from 2009-13, and push their overall team Indoor crowns to ten. The men will be looking to better their seventh place finish from last season.

"We have worked hard this season," Head Coach Ritchie Beene said. "We have done everything we could do leading up to the championship, and now it's in the hands of our athletes to go out and perform to the best of their abilities this weekend."

We understand that our athletes compete every week with targets on their backs especially our ladies' as defending champions, so we're excited to go up there with a positive mindset and handle university business."

The Lady Hornets will need someone to step up this weekend as the they will be without top former student-athlete, now ASU graduate and coach, Tia Rolle who played a big part in last year's title run scoring 30 big points winning the 60m,200m and long jump events.

Several of the ladies will be looking to break SWAC records this weekend as the 4x400m relay team which has ran 3:42 earlier in the season will try and break Prairie View's old mark of 3:46.19 set at last year's championship. Artrailia Lesane will look to break the mile record of 5:02 set by Vasity Chemweno having run 4:58.47 already this season. Paige Rankine who has ran a 17:32.61 in the 5,000m run this season will look to break the old record set by Joyce Chumo of 18:27.47 back in 2012.

"Records are always hard to break," Beene said. "We are going up there with the mindset that we are going to put the fastest people on the track in our relays and any events they are going to be competing in and with that being said if records are broke that will be something exciting for the program that we can do again this year."

The men will need Lee Thrasher to continue his strong marks in the throws this season in order for the Hornets to contend for the championship. He placed second last season in both the weight throw and shotput events. Christopher Amisial the lone first place finisher from a season ago in the pole vault will look to defend his title in a packed field.

"I'm excited about where we're heading with our men's program," Beene said. "Our expectation for our men is to go to Birmingham and improve from where we finished off last year."

Saturday's events will begin at 9 a.m. with the men's and women's shot put and long jump. The running events are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. with the women's 3000 meter run.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

McNeese beats XU Nuggets; Abbes still unbeaten in singles

Nour Abbes

LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana  --  Xavier University of Louisiana's Nour Abbes remained unbeaten in singles, but McNeese State defeated the Gold Nuggets 6-1 in women's tennis Friday.
    
Abbes, a freshman, improved to 5-0 with her 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-3) victory against Klaudia Gawlik at the top flight.
    
The Gold Nuggets' next most competitive match was at No. 5 singles, where freshman Brandi Nelson lost 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-3) to Anastasia Surkova.
    
McNeese (3-3) won the doubles point with victories at the first and third flights. Playing together for the first time since October were Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers, who lost 8-1 to Gwalik and Sara Castellano. Howell and Flowers finished third in the NAIA division of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships during the fall and were ranked third entering the spring semester.
    
"Overall not a good day for the Nuggets," XU coach Alan Green said. "We struggled today at the positions we did well at last year with this team. We need more production throughout the lineup. We will get this thing figured out."
    
Xavier is 3-4 and ranked sixth in the NAIA. Three of the Nuggets' losses are to NCAA Division I opponents.
    
Green said the XU men's and women's home duals Saturday against Alabama State were canceled. Next for the Nuggets will be a 1 p.m. Sunday dual against Southeastern Louisiana at the XU Tennis Center. The next Gold Rush dual will start at 1 p.m. Friday at West Florida.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Morehead State Eagles Baseball Drop Game One of Grambling Series

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The Morehead State baseball team dropped a 5-2 decision to Grambling State on Friday night in the opening contest of a three-game weekend series at Ellis Field.

The Tigers improve to 1-4 this season, while the Eagles fall to 2-4. Each team registered eight hits i

"I told the guys we didn't deserve to win tonight, because we didn't do the little things right," Head Coach Mike McGuire said. "We hit too many weak ground balls, and had trouble finishing innings on the mound."

GSU senior righty Edvaradas Matusevicius (1-1), who picked up the win, allowed eight hits and only two runs in 6.2 innings. MSU junior right-hander Matt Anderson (0-2) was saddled with the loss, despite allowing only six hits in 6.1 innings.

Grambling State struck first, plating one in the bottom of the second on an RBI from junior catcher Roger Diaz.

Morehead State junior shortstop Robby Spencer evened things in the top of the fifth when he drove in junior first baseman Kane Sweeney on an RBI single. The Tigers plated two in the bottom half of the inning, on two hits and an MSU error, to retake the lead, 3-1.

The teams traded runs in the sixth, MSU's coming on a sacrifice fly from junior center fielder Clayton Meyer, before another in the eighth for GSU to put away the victory.

Senior designated hitter Bobby Burns and junior right fielder Brandon Rawe both went 2-for-4, and were the only Eagles to register multiple hits in the contest.

Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, with the start time of Sunday's finale moved up one hour to 1 p.m.

COURTESY MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

2014 Football Schedule will Feature a Long Road Trip for the Grambling State Tigers

HEAD COACH BRODERICK FOBBS
Courtesy GSU Athletics
 

Grambling, Louisiana – The Grambling State University 2014 football schedule will be a challenge for first year Head Coach Broderick Fobbs.  The Tigers will spend the first six weeks on the road before having a home game.

The Tigers will begin the 2014 season on the road against Lamar University August 30^th in Beaumont, Texas at 6 p.m.  The Tigers will spend the entire month of September on the road starting with the University of Houston on September 6^th at the all new Houston Football Stadium.  The following week the Tigers will make their first trip to Florida in over a decade as they will face Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach.  GSU will continue their road trip on September 20^th against Jackson State and they will finish out the month against Prairie View A&M University at the State Fair Classic in Dallas, Texas.

During the first weekend in October, the Tigers will conclude their six game road trip as they will face Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama.  The Tigers will come home to the confines of Robinson Stadium for two consecutive weekends as they will host Alcorn State University on October 11^th for High School Day at 2 p.m. and then Homecoming 2014 on Saturday, October 18^th at 2 p.m. against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

The Tigers will spend the first two weekends in November on the road.  They will face Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas on November 1^st and then the Tigers will travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi to face Mississippi Valley State on November 8th.  The Tigers will have Senior Day on November 15^th as they will host Alabama State University at 2 p.m.  The Tigers will conclude the regular season on November 29^th as they will face Southern University in the 41^st Annual Bayou Classic in New Orleans.

For season ticket information or information on any of the Tigers road games, contact the Grambling State University Ticket office at 318-274-2625.

2014 GSU Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Conference Game	Location	Time
8/30/2014	Lamar University		Beaumont, TX	6:00 P.M.
9/6/2014	University of Houston		Houston, TX	6:00 P.M.
9/13/2014	Bethune-Cookman University		Daytona Beach, FL	4:00 P.M.
9/20/2014	Jackson State University		Jackson, MS	6:00 P.M.
State Fair Classic
9/27/2014	Prairie View A&M University		Dallas, Texas	4:30 P.M.
10/4/2014	Alabama A&M University		Huntsville, AL	6:00 P.M.
High School Day
10/11/2014	Alcorn State University		Grambling, LA	2:00 P.M.
Homecoming
10/18/2014	University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff		Grambling, LA	2:00 P.M.
11/1/2014	Texas Southern University		Houston, TX	2:00 P.M.
11/8/2014	Mississippi Valley State		Itta Bena, MS	2:00 P.M.
Senior Day
11/15/2014	Alabama State University		Grambling, LA	2:00 P.M.
Bayou Classic
11/29/2014	Southern University		New Orleans, LA	1:00 P.M.

EMAIL OR PRINT 2014 GSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE



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UAPB Golden Lions Lose A Heartbreaker To Auburn Tigers, 2-1

Auburn, Alabama  -- Locked in a defensive chess match in the first game of the Tigers Invitational Tournament, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff missed out on offensive opportunities and fell to the Auburn Tigers, 2-1, Friday night (Feb. 21) at Samford Stadium - Hitchcock Field in a crowd of 3,667

The second game of the tournament began as a pitcher's duel, as neither team's offense could put up much of a threat for the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Auburn Anfernee Grier single up the middle and on the next batter, stole second, then Dan Glevenyak reached on an error by the short stop to put the first run on the board.



Auburn would put up a safety run in the bottom of the seventh inning with Glevenyak, leading off with a single, advanced to second when Ryan Tella grounded out to the pitcher, then on the next batter Glevenyak stole third base but there was a controversy call when one umpire called him out, but he was over rude by the umpire crew. Glevenyak would then increase the Tigers lead 2-0 with a single to right field from Keegan Thompson.

With Schwartz making a good performance, UAPB offense finally broke through in the top of the eighth inning. Senior Mike Wieland led off the rally with a single up the middle and then advanced to second off a fielding error by the center field. Kirby Campbell single to right field for an RBI, scoring Wieland making the score 2-1, with a runner on first, Rashawn Tillman would then single up the middle, moving Campbell to third with two outs. With a runner on first and third, Mitch Bruckshaw struck out looking to end the inning.

Kyle Schawtz, took a tough-luck loss on the mound, throwing a spectacular 7.1 innings, striking out six and giving up no earn runs.

Kirby Campbell led the Golden Lions at the plate going 3-for-1, with 1 RBI; Mike Wieland also went 3-for-1 with 1 run.

Ortman Dillon was the top pitcher for Auburn pitching eight innings, giving up four hits and striking out 11 players.

UAPB will face East Tennessee State Sat. (Feb 22) at 2:00 P.M. in the second round of the Auburn Tigers Invitational Tournament.

BOX SCORE

Cameo Stokes, UAPB Sports Information
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Tigers Ties School Record to Open the Spring Season

Kelly Merkel
Photo courtesy of Sam Jordan/TSU Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State women’s golf team began the spring the same as they closed out the fall. The Tigers fired a team 326 at McCabe Golf Course on Friday afternoon. The score ties a school record for lowest round, which they set at the Chyarles Braun Jr. Intercollegiate in Evansville, Ind., on the final day of the early season schedule.

 

The Tigers fell in today’s match with Lipscomb, 308-326

 

“Overall, I am pleased with the players sticking to our process to improve as individuals and as a team,” said head coach Parrish McGrath.

 

Kelly Merkel, Erica Edwards, Sarah Needleman and Natalie Spicer teamed up to close the gap on the Bison, who outscored TSU by 37 strokes in October.

 

Merkel led the way as she shot a 39 on the front side, before cutting a pair of strokes off the back nine for a 76. The sophomore hit nine fairways and nine greens, while picking up five up-and-downs on the day. Merkel closed out the day with a birdie, as she stuck the approach shot on the par-4, 18th about five feet from pin to setup a one-putt.

 

Edwards used a two-foot birdie on the 150-yard par-3, 14th, to pace her round of 77. Edwards completed play with 35 putts, 10 fairways and nine greens in regulation.

 

Needleman started the day par-par on her way to an 85. She used 36 putts and hit eight fairways and six greens. Spicer’s birdie on the par-4, 4th highlighted her round of 88. The freshman’s drive off the box found the middle of the fairway, setting up an 8-iron from 132-yards out to set up a 10-foot putt for the birdie. Spicer hit 11 fairways and found six greens.

 

Amelia Dap shot an 89 with seven fairways and eight greens, while Laura Bremer carded a 90 with 33 putts, six fairways, four greens and one birdie.

 

“Our ball striking was good and I saw some great progress on the adjustments we have been making to some of their swings,” McGrath commented.

 

The Tigers are off until March 3, when they travel to take part in the MSU Invitational in Murray, Ky. The two-day event will consist of 18-hole play on each day.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Tigers Not Able To Make Gamache's Performance Stand

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State softball returned home to host the Tiger Classic. In the fourth game of the day, the Tigers took the field, but came up short in a 1-0 loss at the hands of Youngstown State.
 

TSU (3-8) could not give starter Olivia Gamache the run support in a game where the senior was in control through most of the game. Gamache fell to 0-4 as she pitched 6.2 innings allowing a run on five hits and a walk.
 

The senior surrendered a hit in the second and two hits in each of the fourth and seventh. The final stanza was the one to derail Gamache as the Penguins picked up a leadoff double and a two-out double to make the score 1-0. Shea Morris entered the game to retire the last batter.
 

The Tigers went down in order in the seventh to give YSU (3-2) the win. Casey Crozier (2-1) held the Tigers to three hits and three walks, while striking out 11 batters.
 

TSU threatened in the first off a single and a stolen base by Courtney Gearlds, as well as a walk by Lindsey Burgess. Crozier would end the threat by striking out the side.
 

The Tigers attacked again in the third as Kiarra Freeman opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. Jayna Hanawahine sacrificed Freeman to third before Gearlds reached after being hit by a pitch. The freshman swiped her second base of the game giving the Tigers another great opportunity with one out and runners in scoring position. Once again, Crozier would avoid any damage by sitting down the next two Tigers.

 

TSU would get lead off runners on in the fourth and sixth, and picked up a one-out walk in the fifth, but again could not push a run across home plate. The Tigers would leave seven runners on over the course of the game.
 

Kate Morris notched a hit and finished 1-for-3.
 

On Saturday the Tigers will face Western Michigan at 1:00pm and will play Temple at 7:00pm in the final game of the day. Both games can be heard on TSUTigers.com.
 

Tiger Classic - Day One - Results

Game 1 - Dayton 3, Temple 2

Game 2 - Western Michigan 14, Dayton 2

Game 3 - Temple 11, Western Michigan 3 (5)

Game 4 - Youngstown State 1, Tennessee State 0

 

BOX SCORE

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Lincoln University Spring Men's & Women's Golf Preview

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri  -- Coach Frost previews the spring golf season and explains what the Lincoln men's golf team needs to do to win a second-straight PGA Minority Collegiate Championship as part of the MIAA's Virtual Media Day.  Head coach Cathy Carter recaps the Lincoln women's golf team's fall season and previews some of the upcoming spring tournaments as part of the MIAA's Golf Virtual Media Day.





 COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSIY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Loyola names Angela Franke Head Volleyball Coach



ANGELA FRANKE
(Photo Courtesy Mississippi Valley State Athletics)

NEW ORLEANS -- Loyola University New Orleans Director of Athletics and Wellness Dr. Michael Giorlando announced the hiring of Angela Franke as head coach of the women's volleyball team. Franke joins the Wolf Pack after spending two seasons at Mississippi Valley State University as the head women's volleyball coach. She is the fifth women's volleyball coach in Loyola history.

"Coach Franke has a wealth of experience leading programs at all levels including her latest stint as a NCAA Division I head coach. She impressed our search committee with her vision of the volleyball program, organization, and her emphasis on coaching student-athletes to develop the whole person. We look forward to her joining our team," said Dr. Giorlando.

As head coach at Mississippi Valley State, Franke planned, promoted and guided a Division I women's volleyball program. Highlights of Franke's tenure in Itta Bena included a third place SWAC Eastern Division finish and a first round SWAC tournament upset of top seeded Prairie View A&M in 2012. This past season MVSU defeated defending SWAC champions Jackson State in five thrilling sets in the conference tournament.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Loyola family. The Wolf Pack volleyball program has a history of being successful and I look forward to building on the tradition of the past. I'm excited to work with the talented student-athletes that are currently part of the program as well as recruiting student-athletes to such a fine institution in the future," said Franke.

In February 2011, Franke was hired as the head women's volleyball coach at St. Andrews University. Franke spent one season with the Knights, but made a lasting impact on the volleyball team, restarting a program that did not compete the previous year.

Franke accepted her first head coaching position as head women's volleyball coach at McCook Community College in 2009. For one season as head coach, Franke successfully fulfilled her coaching responsibilities in addition to serving as a housing director. Prior to her time at McCook, Franke was the volleyball graduate assistant at Alcorn State from 2007-2008.

As a student-athlete, Franke played volleyball on scholarship for two seasons at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Ariz., and completed her career at Jackson State University. Franke received a Master of Science in Guidance Education from Alcorn State University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Alcorn in 2007.

COURTESY LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

HorneTVision To Webcast Saturday Basketball, Baseball Doubleheaders

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State University fans will be able to watch and listen live to key Hornet basketball and baseball doubleheaders this Saturday live online at no charge.

It's the first basketball/baseball doubleheader webcasts on the same day on HorneTVision, the online channel of bamastatesports.com. The home Alabama State basketball doubleheaders against Alcorn State will be video streamed beginning with the women's game at 3 p.m., with the men's game to follow at 5 p.m.

Also starting at 3 p.m., Hornets' baseball will play the first of two Saturday games at the University of the Pacific. Game two of the doubleheader begins at 8 p.m. Fans can listen live online to both baseball games as well.

Since the Fall of 2011, more than 140 Hornet athletics contests and events have been video or audio streamed live on bamastatesports.com in a collaboration between the Athletics Department, the University's media center, the communications department, WVAS 90.7 FM, and University Administration. The combination of experienced professionals and talented, aspiring students work to produce and direct live athletics events, all while giving students real world, on-the-job training and preparation for exciting communications careers.

HorneTVision allows Alabama State alumni, parents, families, friends, and supporters to watch and/or listen to Hornet athletic contests and events – free on your computer or mobile devices.

Saturday's 'double-double' is just one of a full weekend of live events produced and directed by Alabama State University.

Date Sport Time (CT) Audio/Video

Friday, Feb. 21 Baseball at Pacific 8 p.m. Audio

Saturday, Feb. 22 Basketball DH vs. Alcorn 3 and 5 p.m. Audio and Video

Baseball DH at Pacific 3 and 8 p.m. Audio

Sunday, Feb. 23 Baseball at Pacific 3 p.m. Audio

Monday, Feb. 24 Basketball vs. Southern 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Audio and Video

Big games. Big moments. HorneTVision brings it right to you. Over the past three seasons, fans have been able to watch or listen to important games played by the ASU football, soccer, volleyball, women's and men's basketball, softball and baseball teams. Already in 2014, HorneTVision has video webcast the home basketball doubleheader sweep of Alabama A&M, as well as present an audio broadcast of baseball's historic win at Auburn.

This weekend, women's basketball looks to continue to strengthen its seeding for the upcoming SWAC Tournament, men's hoops is in second place and in the hunt for the regular season tournament title and postseason berth, and baseball looks to ride the momentum of its winning streak into an important road series on the West Coast.

The best way to support your ASU is in person, making your voice make a difference. However, if you just can't make it to the game in person, HorneTVision will take you there!

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Howard Bison Track & Field Gains Membership In ECAC

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Howard University Track and Field program has been officially granted membership into the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) and will be able to compete in ECAC events along with the programs' status as members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

In a letter submitted to Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Louis B. "Skip" Perkins, Jr, ECAC Commissioner Kevin McGinniss said, "We are excited to have Howard as a member of the ECAC and look forward to assisting your staff in providing championship, officiating, public relations, award recognition, legislative services, and ECAC Convention benefits for student-athletes, coaches and administrators."

Head Track and Field Coach Marc Harrison lauded the move, stating, "Howard's entry into the ECAC will greatly benefit the programs and the University, allowing our student-athletes to compete with other quality institutions.

The ECAC was founded in 1938 as the Central Office for Eastern Intercollegiate Athletics and is celebrating its 75th anniversary during the 2013-14 season. The conference currently boasts over 300 member schools in Divisions I, II and III, ranging in location from Maine to North Carolina.


COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU Tigers Welcome Five Teams for Tiger Classic

Live Audio | Tournament Central

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  – The Tigers return from a five day trip to the state of Arizona to host the Tiger Classic. Tennessee State welcomes five teams for the three day event. The first game of the Classic is set for 11:30am and pits Temple vs. Dayton. TSU will take the field on Friday at 6:15pm vs. Youngstown State.

On Saturday the Tigers will face Western Michigan at 1:00pm and Temple at 7:00pm. On the final day, TSU will play 1:30pm versus Dayton, before closing out the Classic with a 3:30pm against Indiana State.

LIVE action can be heard for all TSU games on TSUTigers.com.

Tennessee State finished 2-4 on their trip through Arizona and moved their record to 3-7 on the young season. TSU dropped a 10-3 contest to #5 Arizona State. The Tigers jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second inning. The three runs matched the total number of runs ASU allowed through their first six games.

At the Hillenbrand Classic, the Tigers split a pair of games with Grand Canyon. The Lopes are in their first year of D-I and came away with a 7-6, nine-inning, win on Friday. The Tigers evened up the series with GCU with a 3-2 win on Saturday.

Alabama, ranked 4th, and Arizona, ranked 22nd, would get the best of the Tigers. Jayna Hanawahine got Tennessee State on the scoreboard against the Wildcats with a solo-home run in the top of the fourth inning. The run was the lone run Arizona would surrender all weekend, including in two matchups with Alabama. The long ball by Hanawahine was also the first extra-base hit the Wildcats have allowed on the season.

TSU closed out the Invitational with a 6-4 win over New Mexico. The win is the first ever against a team from the Mountain West Conference.

Freshman Courtney Gearlds leads the offensive attack for the Tigers with 10 hits in 26 at bats for a .385 batting average. Gearlds is tops on the team with three swipes and has been hit by a pitch four times. Kate Morris (.280) is pacing the Tigers with four doubles and eight RBI. Hanawahine has hit two bombs on the season and has crossed home plate a team high six times.

Shea Morris has been the pitcher of record for all three Tiger wins and sits at 3-3, while Olivia Gamache has been tagged with a 0-3 record. Morris has a 4.32 ERA and has fanned 34 batters in 35.2 innings of work. Gamache has toed the slab for 21.2 innings and has sat down 18, while compiling a 5.17 ERA.

Youngstown State (2-2)
2013 Record: 19-27
Conference: Horizon
2013 Finish: 9-13/6th
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Time Played: N/A
Last Win: N/A

Youngstown State played in the Upstate Classic during the opening weekend where they won their last two games after starting the season 0-2. The Penguins batted .316 as a team scoring 23 runs with five doubles and a pair of home runs. Haley Knight has team highs in average (.500), RBI (5) and on-base-percentage (.600). Knight is tied with Katie Smallcomb and Darcella Blakely with two walks. Miranda Castiglione (.417) joins Knight and Smallcomb (.444) as the three players hitting above .400. In the circle, the YSU staff has amassed a 5.25 ERA with 14 walks and 16 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. Kayla Haslett (1-0, 1.50) has appeared in three games, while Casey Crozier (1-1, 4.90) has started two games; the duo has worked 19 innings.

Western Michigan (3-3)
2013 Record: 16-33
Conference: Mid-American
2013 Finish: 7-13/5th West
Series Record: 1-1
Last Time Played: 2/27/09, W, 8-2
Last Win: 2/27/09, 8-2

The Broncos opened two weeks ago at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State. WMU is batting .260 and is led by Melissa Palmer and Jenny Rohn. Palmer is 9-for-18 (.500) with five runs scored, a double, two RBI and two walks. Rohn is batting .316 (6-19) with four doubles and has crossed home plate three times and has driven in four. Allyson Kus has started four games and has appeared in five throwing 23.1 of the teams 34 innings pitched. Kus is 2-2 with one save and a 5.40 ERA.

Temple (0-0)
2013 Record: 32-26
Conference: American
2013 Finish: 15-7/3rd
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Time Played: N/A
Last Win: N/A

The Owls step on the playing field for the first time since 2013. Last season Temple powered 94 long balls and returns the owners of 81 from a year ago. Stephanie Pasquale and Sarah Prezioso lead the way of five Owls who hit double-digit bombs with 15 apiece. Pasquale led Temple with a .465 average, 21 doubles, and 80 RBI, while fellow senior Prezioso topped the Owls with 65 runs, two doubles and 32 stolen bases. In the circle, Kelsey Dominik and Jessica Mahoney totaled for 263.2 of the 368 innings pitched. Dominik finished 15-8 with a 4.03 ERA, while Mahoney was 9-10 with a save and a 5.39 ERA.

Dayton (0-5)
2013 Record: 22-24
Conference: Atlantic 10
2013 Finish: 12-9/6th
Series Record: 1-2
Last Time Played: 2/24/08, L 1-8
Last Win: 2/23/08, 6-5

Dayton opened 0-5 two weeks ago at the UC Santa Barbara Gaucho Classic where they fell to the host squad before dropping a pair of games to each, #11 Texas A&M and CSU Bakersfield. Gabrielle Snyder led the Flyers at the plate and in the circle. The freshman was 7-for-15 at the plate for a .467 batting average and finished the weekend 0-1 with a 2.10 ERA in 13.1 innings of work. Jordan Jennings batted .438 with three doubles to add to Dayton’s offensive production. Tiffany Ricks picked up four RBI off two doubles and a home run, while batting .389.

Indiana State (1-3)
2013 Record: 16-34
Conference: Missouri Valley
2013 Finish: 5-19/10th
Series Record: 1-5
Last Time Played: 2/17/12, L, 6-9
Last Win: 2/24/01, 2-0

The Sycamores opened the season at the Cyclone Invitational during the first week of the season and won their opener over South Dakota State. ISU lost the final three games of the tournament by a combined five runs. Despite the 1-3 record, Indiana State is averaging 5.6 runs per game is batting .336 as a team. Erika Crissman is leading a group of eight Sycamores who are batting .300 or better. Crissman is hitting .571 in three games and is followed by Morgan Allee (.500) who is 6-fo-12 with three doubles and four runs scored. Yvette Alvarez picked up the lone win and is 1-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 18.0 innings in the circle.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Defeats SIUE on Senior Night, 66-61

NAHSVILLE, Tennessee -- Neither the weather or SIUE could stop Tennessee State from sending off its seniors with a, 66-61, victory on Thursday night in the Gentry Center.

In a game that was delayed for 30 minutes at halftime because of a tornado warning, senior Patrick Miller led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting. The contest marked the 40^th straight game that the Chicago native has scored at least 10 points.

Fellow senior Chaed Wellian had a career-night, pouring in a new personal best 12 points and junior M.J. Rhett had his 14^th double-double of the season, notching 16 points and 11 rebounds.

 

Senior Jacquan Nobles scored three points and grabbed four boards in his final home game.

Each of TSU’s three seniors hit triples to start the game and Wellian’s put the Tigers in front, 9-3, with only a minute-and-a-half gone.

SIUE (11-17, 7-7 OVC) responded with a 9-2 run to take the lead at 12-11, but Rhett finally got the Tigers back on track with a strong dunk off of a nice assist from Miller.

The two sides went back-and-forth for the next six minutes, but a third-straight great play from Miller --this time finding Rhett again for an easy layup—prompted SIUE head coach Lennox Forrester to call timeout with his team trailing, 25-24, with 7:53 to go in the first half.

The Cougars used the pep-talk to score six straight points and re-take the lead and head into the break up, 33-30.

The Tigers outshot SIUE in the first half (46 to 39 percent) and had more rebounds (19 versus 14), but turned the ball over seven times, leading to 10 Cougar points.

A mammoth one-handed dunk by Miller at the 15:58 mark put TSU back in control, 41-39, but the Tigers couldn’t put together consecutive field goals.

Tennessee State (4-24, 2-11 OVC) eventually gained a little ground when Miller hit threes on back-to-back trips down the court to move ahead by four, 58-54, with 5:18 to go.

An assist from Miller led to another Rhett layup from in close, allowing the Tigers to take a five-point advantage with just over one minute left in the game.

Miller hit a pair of free throws down the stretch, and TSU walked away with a 66-61 victory in the last home game of the 2013-14 season.

Tennessee State had just three turnovers in the second half and forced 10.

SIUE was paced by Kris Davis’s 14 points while Keaton Jackson added 12.

TSU will next travel to Morehead State on Feb. 27 for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off with the Eagles.

BOX SCORE
 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Rush, Nuggets will compete 4 times in home state

NEW ORLEANS -- Four in-state meets are included on the 2014 Xavier University of Louisiana men's and women's outdoor track and field schedule.

Coach Joseph Moses announced the schedule Thursday. This is the fifth season in XU's most recent revival of the sport.

The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will compete in Louisiana at the McNeese Cowboys Relays in Lake Charles on March 15, the Tulane Team Challenge at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans on March 29, the Pelican Relays in Baton Rouge on April 4 and the Southeastern Invitational in Hammond on April 18.

Xavier will begin the season March 1 in the Mississippi College Opener at Clinton, Miss., a suburb of Jackson.

The Rush and Nuggets will compete April 12 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships. In 2013, Xavier won the GCAC women's team championship for the second time in three years.

After four years in Marion, Ind., the NAIA Outdoor Championships will move to the Deep South for the first time since 1999. Gulf Shores, Ala., will be the meet site May 22-24.

Xavier returns 15 All-GCAC performers -- 13 women and two men -- from 2013.

The schedule:

March 1 (Sat): Mississippi College Opener at James E. Parkman Track, Clinton, Miss.

March 15 (Sat.): McNeese Cowboy Relays at McNeese Cameron Communications Track and Field Complex, Lake Charles, La.

March 29 (Sat.): Tulane Team Challenge at Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans

April 4 (Fri.): Pelican Relays at Roscoe Moore Track at A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, La.

April 12 (Sat.): Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships, site TBA

April 18 (Fri.): Southeastern Invitational at Southeastern Track Complex, Hammond, La.

May 9 (Fri.): Seminole Twilight Invitational at Mike Long Track, Tallahassee, Fla.

May 22-24 (Thu.-Sat.): NAIA Outdoor Championships at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium, Gulf Shores, Ala.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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XU's Montrel, Abbes selected GCAC Players of the Week

(l) Kyle Montrel and (r) Nour Abbes

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Kyle Montrel and Nour Abbes are the first recipients of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week tennis awards in 2014. The awards were based on performances from Feb. 10-16.
   
Montrel, a sophomore from Atlanta and a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, won the men's honor after going 2-2 in singles and 3-0 in doubles. He won in singles and doubles Friday in a 6-3 victory at then-NAIA No. 15 William Carey. Montrel teamed with Nikita Soifer for a 9-7 victory against the Crusaders' Jody Claassen and Philipp Mueller, the NAIA's ninth-ranked doubles team.
   
Montrel set a GCAC record by winning the men's weekly award four times in 2013.

Abbes, a freshman from Tunis, Tunisia, and a graduate of Lycée Sportif d'El Menzah, was 3-0 in singles and 2-1 in doubles. Abbes won in doubles with Kourtney Howell and in singles on Friday to help the Gold Nuggets win 9-0 at then-No. 2 William Carey.
   
Beginning Friday, the Gold Nuggets will play four duals in four days. They'll visit McNeese State at 2 p.m. Friday, then play at the XU Tennis Center against Alabama State at 3 p.m. Saturday and Southeastern Louisiana at 1 p.m. Sunday. On Monday the Nuggets will travel to Mobile, Ala., for a 4 p.m. neutral-site match against NAIA No. 5 Brenau at the University of Mobile. Xavier's men will play just once during that time — 3 p.m. Saturday at home against Alabama State.
   
Xavier's men are 2-4 and ranked eighth in the NAIA, and the women are 3-3 and ranked sixth. The Gold Rush and the Gold Nuggets have been in the top 10 simultaneously since March 5, 2013 — a streak of nine polls.
   
SCHEDULE NOTES:  The Nuggets' dual against Brenau was pushed back one hour . . . Both XU teams will play Coastal Georgia at 9 a.m. on March 7 in the opening round of the AUM Invitational at Montgomery, Ala. Pikeville's men are entered; so are the men's and women's teams of Auburn Montgomery, Belhaven, Campbellsville, Cumberland and Martin Methodist. Eleven of the competing teams have top-25 rankings this week.


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