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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

LU Women No. 2 in the Country, Men Are No. 13 Following MIAA Championships

The Lincoln Women Are Less Than Nine Points Behind Adams State In The USTFCCCA Rankings

Yanique Ellington was the Women's High Point
Scorer at the MIAA Indoor Championships

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri -- Following its fourth-consecutive MIAA indoor title, the Lincoln women's track & field team moved up to No. 2 in the country while the LU men are now No. 13. Both Blue Tiger teams moved up in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division II national rankings, which were released Monday evening (March 3).

The LU women, who were No. 3 in the past two ranking releases, moved up to No. 2 after winning five events en route to claiming the 2014 MIAA Indoor Championship. Yanique Ellington played a big role in Lincoln's move up the rankings, as the MIAA Championships' High-Point Scorer improved her times in both the 60m and 200m while winning both events at last weekend's league title meet (Feb. 28-March 2). The Blue Tigers are well within striking distance of No. 1 Adams State, as Lincoln (195.66) is less than nine points behind ASU (204.56) in this week's rankings. Rounding out the top five are No. 3 Grand Valley State (179.95), No. 4 Ashland (126.88) and No. 5 Johnson C. Smith (110.37).

Four MIAA programs earned a mention in this week's women's rankings, tying the conference for the second-most teams in the poll. Central Missouri made one of the biggest leaps in the poll, climbing from No. 15 to No. 7 after receiving 73.11 points. A pair of MIAA squads round out this week's poll, with No. 24 Nebraska-Kearney collecting 34.94 points and No. 25 Southwest Baptist garnering 34.50 points.

In the men's poll, Lincoln is one of six ranked MIAA programs, giving the conference the most teams listed in the weekly poll of any Division II league. The Blue Tigers, who were No. 17 last week, received 52.97 points this week to climb up to No. 13. Pittsburg State, which won the MIAA men's championship by 1.5 points, is the league's highest-ranked program, checking in at No. 7 with 79.66 points. Missouri Southern, the squad that PSU edged out for the league title, is right behind the Gorillas in the national rankings, coming in at No. 8 with 76.52 points. Also ranked from the MIAA are No. 11 Nebraska-Kearney (62.95), No. 16 Southwest Baptist (48.73) and No. 25 Central Missouri (28.54).

Adams State is also No. 1 in the men's poll, with ASU (283.66) holding a commanding lead over No. 2 Saint Augustine's (206.37). Ashland is No. 3 after earning 189.87 points while Grand Valley State is No. 4 with 133.52 points. Minnesota State rounds out the top five after collecting 119.46 points.

According to the USTFCCA website, the organization compiles its national team rankings by "mathematical formulae based on national descending order lists and data taken from previous seasons. For the preseason ranking and early-season rankings, data will be taken from previous seasons as well as the current season. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the national-team race."

Both Blue Tiger track & field teams, which are led by head coach Victor Thomas and assistant coach Ailene Smith, will have athletes competing in the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships from March 14-15 in Winston-Salem, N.C. Lincoln's women's team, which was the national runner-up a year ago, will be seeking its fifth all-time indoor title and its first since 2011.

For the fourth-straight year, Lincoln head coach Victor Thomas has been named the MIAA's Women's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year. The MIAA announced the honor on Tuesday (March 4).

Victor Thomas Named 2014 MIAA Women's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year

COACH VICTOR THOMAS

Thomas led Lincoln to its seventh-consecutive league championship, and its fourth-straight indoor title, last weekend, as the Blue Tiger women won the 2014 MIAA Women's Indoor Track & Field Championship last Sunday (March 2).

Since Lincoln rejoined the MIAA in 2010-11, the LU women have gone undefeated in league title meets, winning three-straight outdoor championships and four-consecutive indoor titles. With Lincoln's victory on Sunday, the Blue Tiger women became the first MIAA women's program in history to win four-straight league championships.

The four titles also tie Pittsburg State and Truman State for the second-most by an MIAA program in league history.

Under Thomas' direction, the Blue Tigers scored 153 points, won five events and set meet and building records at the MIAA Championships. 13 members of the Lincoln women's track & field team combined to qualify 17 individual entries and one relay team entry to the 2014 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships, which will be held in Winston-Salem, N.C. from March 14-15.

Lincoln athletes own the MIAA's best marks in seven events, and Blue Tigers have been honored as MIAA Athletes of the Week nine times this season.

The Blue Tiger women are currently ranked No. 2 in the country according to the most recent United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's Division II National Poll, putting Lincoln in great shape heading into the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. The Blue Tigers, who were the pre-season No. 1 team in the country, are less than nine points behind No. 1 Adams State in the latest USTFCCCA poll.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

FOUR-PEAT!!!! Lincoln University Blue Tigers Win Fourth-Straight MIAA Indoor Title

2014 Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Women's
Indoor Track and Field Champions
Lincoln University Blue Tigers

JOPLIN, Missouri -- For the fourth year in a row, the Lincoln women's indoor track & field team is the MIAA champion.

The Blue Tigers racked up 153 points to win their fourth-straight MIAA indoor title on Sunday (March 2). Yanique Ellington was named the meet's High-Point Scorer after scoring 22.50 points at the three-day event, which was hosted by Missouri Southern State University.

Ellington won two individual events and was a part of Lincoln's winning distance medley relay team, which broke the MIAA Indoor Championship record after clocking in at 12:06.01. Both of Ellington's individual victories came in record-breaking fashion, as she took the crown in both the 60m (7.42) and the 200m (24.01). Both times are automatic qualifiers for the NCAA Division II National Championships, and both also broke building records at Missouri Southern's Leggett & Platt Center.

Lincoln swept the top-three in the 200m, with Janae Johnson taking second (24.99) and Tamara Keane finishing third (25.12). Donna-Lee Hylton also scored in that event, taking eighth with a time of 25.52. In the 60m, Johnson placed third (7.61) and Kimberly Bailey finished fourth (7.65) while Juneille Barker took seventh (7.71).

The Blue Tigers also swept the top-three of the 60m hurdles, with Ladonna Richards winning the race in 8.42. That time also broke the MIAA Indoor Championship meet record. Barker was the runner-up in the hurdles, finishing in 8.46, while Shakeisha Miller took third in 8.55. Miller was also an individual winner at the meet, taking first place in the long jump at 5.87. Nickeisha Beaumont, meanwhile, finished second in the long jump (5.82m).

Twishana Williams scored points for Lincoln in four events, including the distance medley, where she teamed with Willomena Williams, Ellington and Jhevere Hall to break the meet record. Individually, Twishana Williams placed third in both the 3,000m (10:11.73) and 5,000m (17:53.53) and finished fourth in the mile (5:03.98).

Monique Thompson had the next-best finish for LU in the track events, taking second in the 800m at 2:11.74. Hall placed seventh in that event, clocking in at 2:17.29. In the 400m, Hylton took third (56.07) and Keane placed fourth (56.47) while in the 600-yard, Marcia Harrison finished eighth (1:27.88). Lincoln also had two other impressive finishes in the triple jump, where Jonelle Campbell took second (12.12m) and Daniele Newman finished third (11.93m).

Lincoln beat second-place Missouri Southern (123.50 points) by 29.50 points while Central Missouri earned 82 points to round out the top-three. Pittsburg State finished fourth (59 points), Southwest Baptist came in fifth (56) and Nebraska-Kearney took sixth (55) while Emporia State placed seventh (41) and Fort Hays State checked in at eighth (36.50). Northwest Missouri (34), Central Oklahoma (33) and Lindenwood (29) rounded out the 11-team field.

The Blue Tigers, who also won the league indoor title in 2011, 2012 and 2013, became the first team to win four consecutive MIAA Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships. The four titles also tie Lincoln with Truman State and Pittsburg State for the second-most by one MIAA program.

With the league title meet completed, Lincoln will now wait to see how many entries it qualified into the 2014 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championship meet, which will be held in Winston-Salem, N.C. from March 14-15.

FINAL RESULTS

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

SIAC Tournament: Lane College can't make opening round game due to inclement weather, forfeits

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- This is other side of college athletics, away from the glitz and glamour of big-time Division I football and basketball where chartered flights are the norm.

This is where something such as an unexpected cold front can bring a team's season,and for three Lane College seniors, Tony Payne, Sha'Mar Nolen and Georgio Alexander,a career to a end prematurely.

The Dragons, seeded No. 6 in the western half of the SIAC men's basketball tournament, won't be participating in March Madness this season. Inclement weather, prevented the team from traveling from Jackson, Tenn. to Birmingham for its scheduled ...

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LU Blue Tigers Set Two Records, Take Fifth At MIAA Indoor Championships

Jermaine Blake celebrates after breaking the
meet record in the 800m.

JOPLIN, Missouri -- The Lincoln men's track & field team broke two records en route to finishing in fifth place at the 2014 MIAA Indoor Championships on Sunday (March 2). Jermaine Blake helped set both of those record-breaking times at the three-day meet, which was hosted by Missouri Southern State University.

Blake broke the MIAA Indoor Track & Field Championship record in the 800m, winning the race in 1:52.12. He later teamed with Winston Edwards, Michael Ashley and Roger Blake for Lincoln's other victory of the meet, as the foursome broke the Leggett & Platt Center record in the 4x400m relay with a winning time of 3:18.42.

Ashley also had a busy meet, taking second in the 400m (48.61) and third in the 200m (22.14). In the 400m, Roger Blake finished sixth (50.66) while Edwards took eighth (54.18). In the 200m, Romone Hill also scored for Lincoln, finishing seventh with a time of 22.37.

The Blue Tigers tallied a pair of other third-place results. Hill rounded out the top-three in the 60m in 6.86 while Stallone Watson finished in the same place in the 60m hurdles (8.27). Edwards, meanwhile, came in fourth in the 600-yard (1:14.26).

Orneldo Thomas was the only Blue Tiger to score a point in the field events, taking eighth in the long jump with a distance of 6.95m. Watson also represented LU in that event, finishing 10th in 6.78m. Owen Smith also turned in a 10th-place result for Lincoln, finishing the triple jump with a mark of 13.87m. Hampton Mayson came in 20th in the shot put (12.82m) while Darran Hunter competed in both the heptathlon (10th, 4,460 points) and the high jump (13th, 1.93m).

As a team, the Blue Tigers accumulated 58 points to hold off Emporia State (50 points) for fifth place. Pittsburg State won the 2014 MIAA Indoor Track & Field Championship, scoring 130.50 points to hold off second-place Missouri Southern (129). Nebraska-Kearney finished third (115.20) while Central Missouri took fourth (77.20). Southwest Baptist (49), Lindenwood (38.20), Northwest Missouri (30.20) and Fort Hays State (24.70) rounded out the 10-team field.

Lincoln will now wait to see which of its athletes earned invitations to the 2014 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships, which will be held in Winston-Salem, N.C. from March 14-15.

Complete Results

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

SIAC Tournament: Miles College, Benedict survive in a pair of tight opening round games

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- March Madness is upon us.

Both Miles College and Benedict College advanced in down-to-the wire games to begin the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament at Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham Crossplex Monday.

The Golden Bears, seeded No. 5 in the western half of the bracket, came into the tourney with 23 losses but came back from down 15 to down No. 4E Clark-Atlanta 76-74 on a layup by Shelby County High product guard Ty Lollar with 1.9 seconds to go.

Lollar finished with 21 points as did ...

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Sounds of Mardi Gras 2014 -- Talladega College Tornadoes Marching Band vs. Southen University Human Jukebox

NEW ORLEANS -- Watch as Talladega College "Dega Sound" Marching Band gives Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band a lesson in musicianship at the 2014 Mardi Gras and band showdown.

The "Dega Sound" was formed in April 2012 and has become a first class performing group, with great marching and musicianship and will perform with the best in HBCU circles, including the SWAC finest -- Southern University. Did I mention that Talladega College, a member of the NAIA Division I, Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) does not field a football team?

The Human Jukebox needs no introduction as their sound speaks volume of their capabilities. They are the real deal, but the new kids on the block, TC --didn't back down in this band brawl.

Note that Talladega College was the lead band in the Bacchus Parade. Wow!

Watch this HBCU band brawl in 1080p HD, Wide Screen for best enjoyment.

COURTESY: VIDEOGRAPHER

NCCU Eagles earn first-ever conference championship at NCAA Division I Level

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Senior point guard Emanuel Chapman's (Raleigh, N.C.) five clutch points in the extra session gave North Carolina Central University the push it needed to beat Savannah State 64-57 in overtime and clinch the school's first conference title at the NCAA Division I level on Monday night inside McDougald-McLendon Gym.

The win clinches the No. 1 seed for the Eagles and automatically qualifies the maroon and gray for the NIT (National Invitational Tournament).

This contest paralleled a heavyweight boxing match with both teams throwing haymakers as both teams went back-and-forth through the first half with three ties and six lead changes.

NCCU broke open a 13-13 with 7:33 left to go on a 10-to-5 run that was highlighted by a Jordan Parks (Queens, N.Y.) dunk with 54 seconds left to see the Eagles take a 23-18 advantage into the locker room.

Both team's boast solid defenses and it showed through the first 20 minutes with neither team shot better than 33 percent, which includes the maroon and gray starting the game 0-for-8 from beyond-the-arc. The Eagles did however, force 11 Tiger turnovers, while NCCU coughed-it-up just four times.

The final half saw the Eagles score the first 10 points of the frame stretch the lead to 15 points at 33-18 with 16:49 to go, sending the lively crowd of 2,732 to their feet.

Savannah State took four minutes to score its first field goal in the second stanza, but never backed down. The Tigers went on a 23-7 run over a ten minute span, tying the game at 41-41 with 5:26 left on two Jyles Smith free throws.

With 3:59 left a Parks dunk and layup just a minute later gave NCCU a three-point cushion at 46-43 with 2:57 left, but SSU's Deven Williams drilled one of his four second half threes to tie the game up with 2:43 remaining.

Redshirt senior Ebuka Anyaorah drilled two free throws to put NCCU up 48-46 with 2:16 remaining and added one more free throw by Jeremy Ingram (Charlotte, N.C.) to make it 49-46 with 1:15 to go.

With the score 49-48 with 59 seconds left, Parks was fouled with 10 seconds left. After hitting one of two, Savannah State's Terel Hall scored on a runner in the lane to send the game to overtime tied at 50.

In the extra frame, trailing 52-50, the Eagles scored the next five points in the contest including Chapman's huge three-pointer to put the maroon and gray up 55-52 with 3:58 to go.

With the score 55-54, Chapman's jumper put NCCU up 57-54 and the Eagle defense clamped down from there in the 64-57 victory as the maroon and gray faithful in attendance charged the court in celebration of the school's first regular season conference title at the NCAA Division I level.

Savannah State (11-18, 9-6 MEAC) had three Tigers in double-figures led by Williams' 14 points on 4-for-4 shooting from deep, while Keierre Richards (12 points) and Jyles Smith (10 points) contributed in the loss. Smith recorded a double-double with 11 boards as well.

NCCU (24-5, 14-1 MEAC) also had three student-athletes in double figures as both Ingram and Parks had 17 points. Ingram shot 5-for-19 from the field, 1-for-9 from three-point range. Chapman's final line was 14 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals in the win.

Next up, for the MEAC's No. 1 seed the Spartans of Norfolk State University in the regular season finale for both teams. That contest is slated for 8:00 p.m. inside Joseph Echols Hall in Norfolk, Va.

Visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Sports Network app available in the App Store, Google Play and Amazon for the latest on NCCU Athletics.

Box Score

Chris Hooks, Assistant Sports Information Director/Broadcast Media Coordinator
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Men's Tennis Battles FAMU

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Tennessee State men’s tennis team dropped to 0-2 on the season with a 7-0 loss to Florida A&M.

Doubles team one of Kyle Burton and Joseph Daniels fell 8-3 and team two of Daniel Bernal and Branden McClain also lost by the same score.

In the singles portion of the match, Bernal won set one, 7-5, but dropped the second set, 3-6, and the tiebreaker, 18-16.

TSU’s No. 2 player Kyle Burton lost both of his sets, 6-2, and Joseph Daniels won four games total, but came up short, 6-1, 6-3.

Jared Asher closed the day by losing in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.

The Tigers will next play host to Stillman on Friday, March 7 at 4 p.m.

Doubles

Men's #1 Doubles: Winner FAMU 3-8

(TSU) Kyle Burton and Joseph Daniels vs Rodney Carey and Adire Mushonga

Men's #2 Doubles: Winner FAMU 3-8

(TSU) Daniel Bernal and Branden McClain vs Jalen Evans and Courage Okungbowa

Singles

Men's #1 Singles: Winner FAMU 7-5, 3-6, Tiebraker (16-18)

(TSU) Daniel Bernal vs Rodney Carey

Men's #2 Singles: Winner FAMU 2-6, 2-6

(TSU) Kyle Burton vs Zack Evenden

Men's #3 Singles: Winner FAMU 0-6, (retired due to injury)

(TSU) Branden McClain vs Adire Mushonga

Men's #4 Singles: Winner FAMU 1-6, 3-6

(TSU) Joseph Daniels vs Agustin Waitman

Men's #5 Singles: Winner FAMU 0-6, 0-6

(TSU) Jared Asher vs Courage Okungbowa

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SWAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week - March 4

Antwan Scott
Grambling State University
6’1" Guard, Dallas, Texas

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Southwestern Athletic Conference has selected Grambling State University guard Antwan Scott as its SWAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week for March 4.

Scott helped lead GSU past Mississippi Valley State in a 72-70 victory on Monday night. The Dallas, Texas native scored 21 points and nailed a three pointer with 32 seconds left to secure the win for the Tigers.

Saturday he poured in his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds against Arkansas Pine-Bluff. He shot 50 percent from three point range while also tallying a pair of assists and steals.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Rush await Fisk-Dillard winner in GCAC Tournament

NEW ORLEANS -- For the second consecutive year, Xavier University of Louisiana's men's basketball team is the No. 1 seed in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

The tournament will begin Thursday in New Orleans. No. 8 seed Fisk will play No. 9 Dillard in the men's first round at 7 p.m. that day at Dillard's Dent Hall. Xavier -- winner of the GCAC regular-season championship for a school-record third consecutive year -- will play the Fisk-Dillard winner at 7 p.m. Friday at Xavier's Convocation Center.

The Convocation Center will be the site of the men's quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game, along with the women's semifinals and championship. The women's first round and quarterfinals will be played at Dillard. It's the first time since 2005 that New Orleans is the site of the men's and women's tournaments.

Xavier (22-7) won 75-46 at Fisk on Jan. 4 in the teams' only regular-season meeting. The Gold Rush won 62-54 at home against Dillard on Jan. 25 and 61-54 at Dillard on Saturday. The second victory against Dillard gave the Gold Rush the regular-season title by a half-game over Talladega.

If Xavier reaches the semifinals, it would play fourth-seeded Philander Smith or fifth-seeded SUNO at 7 p.m. Saturday. The men's championship game will start at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Xavier seeks its first appearance in the championship game since 2011 and its first tournament championship since 1996. Dillard eliminated Xavier 59-56 in last year's quarterfinals at Little Rock, Ark.

The tournament winner will receive the GCAC's automatic bid to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship, which will begin March 19 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. Xavier qualified for the national tournament seven times in the past nine seasons, including 2011, 2012 and 2013 as an at-large selection. Xavier is ranked 13th nationally, and a new top 25 will be announced late Tuesday afternoon.

The tournament schedule:

First Round -- Thursday, March 6
At Dillard's Dent Hall
#8 Fisk vs. #9 Dillard, 7 p.m.

Quarterfinals -- Friday, March 7
At Xavier's Convocation Center
#3 Edward Waters vs. #6 Tougaloo, noon
#2 Talladega vs. #7 Voorhees, 2 p.m.
#4 Philander Smith vs. #5 SUNO, 5 p.m.
#1 Xavier vs. Fisk-Dillard winner, 7 p.m.

Semifinals -- Saturday, March 8
At Xavier's Convocation Center
Edward Waters-Tougaloo winner vs. Talladega-Voorhees winner, 5 p.m.
Philander Smith-SUNO winner vs. Xavier-Fisk-Dillard winner, 7 p.m.

Championship -- Sunday, March 9
At Xavier's Convocation Center
Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold

Alabama State Hornets Begin Spring Practice; Host Pro Day

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY HORNET STADIUM
Courtesy: ASU Hornets Athletics

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Coming off a season which saw the Alabama State University football team win eight games, the Hornets are set to begin preparing for the 2014 season when they open spring practice Tuesday, March 4 at 11 a.m.

The Hornets will get in 15 practices dates with spring drills to conclude with the Annual Black and Gold Game at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Practice sessions will be held on Tuesday's and Thursday's at 11 a.m. with the Friday sessions beginning at 3 p.m. Two short scrimmages (March 15 and April 5) will be held prior to the Black and Gold Game and they will begin at 9 a.m.

"We're excited about getting started with spring, it is starting a little earlier for us this year," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "Obviously I want to see our quarterbacks take more of a leadership role. I think part of being a great quarterback and a leader is getting people to follow you so we're expecting our quarterbacks to take that next step this spring and be the leaders we need them to be."

Barlow added, "On defense we have some guys that didn't finish the season the way we had expected them to. We want to see some of these players come back and pl

ASU will also host Pro Day on the same day spring drills start; Tuesday March 4. Pro Day will be held at New ASU Stadium and is set to begin at 3 p.m. The public can attend, but will be required to stay off the field and sit in the stands.

The ASU coaching staff has seen Pro Day at Alabama State grow over the past several years and has seen more scouts and college players wanting to be involved in it.

"It started with Tarvaris Jackson, he had a big time pro day here and then after that you talk about guys like Nigel Carr," Barlow said. "Last year we had a great turn out and the coaches have done a good job of bringing kids in here that have an opportunity. Transfer guys have helped that, but now with Isaiah (Crowell) being here and being at the combine a lot of those scouts want to be here because it is not just this set of drills you had to run at the combine. It is other specific stuff they may want to see, that they will get him (Crowell) to do as well as some of the other guys."

"I imagine there is going to be a good turnout. We have had a lot of people call about Jamel (Johnson), because of his size. I've had several calls from people at Faulkner and Huntingdon as well as a lot of other colleges. If a scout calls me and says I would like to see so-and-so, typically we will let someone run. We don't want to take away from our guys. We want them to have an opportunity to be seen."

Tentative Spring Schedule
NFL Pro Day: March 4
March Practice Days: 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20
April Practice Days: 1, 3, 8, 10
Scrimmages: March 15, April 5
Black and Gold Game: April 12

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament Bracket Format

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Basketball Tournament bracket has been set and it will include all 10 conference schools.

The bracket is being released after the NCAA announced the approval of the amended automatic qualification policy, allowing four SWAC schools to participate in postseason play that had previously been ineligible due to APR issues. The ruling immediately allows Grambling State, Mississippi Valley State, Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff to compete at the end of the regular season in its respective competition, including the 2014 SWAC Basketball Tournament scheduled for March 11-15 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

With the introduction of the 10 team bracket, the 2014 tournament tip off begins on Tuesday, March 11 with four games: 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. The tournament concludes with the championship game on Saturday, March 15.

The eligible winner of the SWAC Tournament automatically advances to the NCAA Tournament, which begins on March 18. Should an ineligible team win the tournament; alternative qualification scenarios have already been established.

The tournament features both men and women’s teams from member institutions.

For more information and other event inquirires, please visit www.swachoops.org.

2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament

When: March 11-15, 2014

Where: Toyota Center

1510 Polk Street

Houston, TX 77002

(713) 758-7200

Session Times / All Times Central

Tuesday, March 11
Session 1

10:00 a.m. Game #1 Women’s Opening Round (#7 Seed vs. #10 Seed)

12:30 p.m. Game #2 Men’s Opening Round (#7 Seed vs. #10 Seed)

5:30 p.m. Game #3 Women’s Opening Round (#8 Seed vs. #9 Seed)

8:00 p.m. Game #4 Men’s Opening Round (#8 Seed vs. #9 Seed)

Wednesday, March 12

Session 2

10:00 a.m. Game #5 Women’s Quarterfinal (#2 Seed vs. winner of game #1)

12:30 p.m. Game #6 Men’s Quarterfinal (#2 Seed vs. winner of game #2)

5:30 p.m. Game #7 Women’s Quarterfinal (#1 Seed vs. winner of game 3)

8:00 p.m. Game #8 Men’s Quarterfinal (#1 Seed vs. winner of game #4)

Thursday, March 13

Session 3

10:00 a.m. Game #9 Women’s Quarterfinal (#3 Seed vs. #6 Seed)

12:30 p.m. Game #10 Men’s Quarterfinal (#3 Seed vs. #6 Seed)

Session 4

5:30 p.m. Game #11 Women’s Quarterfinal (#4 Seed vs. #5 Seed)

8:00 p.m. Game #12 Men’s Quarterfinal (#4 Seed vs. #5 Seed)

Friday, March 14

Session 512:00 p.m. Game #13 Women’s Semifinal (winner of game #5 vs. winner of game #9)

2:30 p.m. Game #14 Men’s Semifinal (winner of game #6 vs. winner of game #10)

Session 6

6:00 p.m. Game #15 Women’s Semifinal (winner of game #7 vs. winner of game #11)

8:30 p.m. Game #16 Men’s Semifinal (winner of game #8 vs. winner of game #12)

Saturday, March 15 / CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Session 7

12:00 p.m. Game #17 Women’s Final – Live on ESPN3 (Tape Delay – ESPNU

Sunday, March 16 4:00 p.m. CST)

3:30 p.m. Game #18 Men’s Final – Televised on Live ESPN2

*Awards ceremonies for men and women tournament winners will take place immediately following the men’s final.

COURTESY THE SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Gold Nuggets' Gathright, Gauthier selected All-GCAC

WHITNEY GATHRIGHT

PAIGE GAUTHIER

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's backcourt tandem of Whitney Gathright and Paige Gauthier have been selected All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in women's basketball for the 2013-14 season.

The GCAC announced Monday the all-conference team and its special awards, all selected by the league's head coaches. It's the fifth consecutive year and the 13th time in 14 seasons that Xavier has two or more All-GCAC players.

The GCAC Tournament for women men will begin Thursday in New Orleans. The Gold Nuggets will play Dillard in the quarterfinals at 5 p.m. Friday at Dillard's Dent Hall.

Gathright, a 5-foot-4 sophomore from New Orleans and a graduate of John Curtis Christian School, leads the Gold Nuggets with 11.8 points per game, 103 assists, 106 made free throws and 39 made 3-pointers. Her 27 points in a Dec. 3 victory at Loyola are the most in a game by a Gold Nugget since January 2010, and her 11 assists in a home victory against SUNO on Jan. 11 are the most for Xavier since the start of the 2003-04 season.

Gauthier, a 5-6 senior from Lake Charles, La., and a graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, averages 8.3 points, leads the Nuggets with 66 steals and is second on the team with 25 made 3-pointers, 93 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. Gauthier is one of five in the program's history to reach 600 points, 400 rebounds, 200 assists and 200 steals in a career.

Both Gathright and Gauthier rank among the top 35 in NAIA Division I in steals per game.

Tougaloo senior Portia Craft was voted Player of the Year. Talladega senior Jamie Robinson was chosen Newcomer of the Year, and Jamila Burgos of Voorhees is Freshman of the Year. Philander Smith's Brandon Greenwood was voted Coach of the Year, which ended the four-year streak of Xavier's Bo Browder.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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2014 SIAC All-Conference Team Announced

ATLANTA, Georgia -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference today announced its 2014 SIAC Men's and Women's Basketball All-Conference Teams, as voted by the SIAC Basketball Coaches Association.

The men's team is led by 2014 SIAC Player of the Year Brandon Davey of Fort Valley State University. Davey ranked second in the conference in scoring (18.9), rebounds (8.7) and three-point field goals per game (2.6) for the Eastern Division Champion Wildcats.

Leading the women's squad is 2014 SIAC Player of the Year Ashley Watts of Paine College. Watts, the 2013 SIAC Newcomer of the Year, led the conference in scoring (26.7) and three-point field goals per game (3.5) while ranking second in assists (4.4) for the Lady Lions. Watts, a junior guard from Augusta, Georgia, led all of NCAA Division II in scoring and ranked second in three-point field goals per game (3.5).

Men's Newcomer of the Year is Jamorris Gaines of Albany State University. Gaines, a 6-7 senior from Slyvester, Georgia, ranked seventh in the conference in scoring (16.4) and eighth in rebounds (6.9) for the Rams, who come into today's tournament as the second seed in the Eastern Division.

Women's Newcomer of the Year is Keidra Green of Albany State University. Green averaged 13.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest for the Lady Rams, who posted a 13-3 conference record en route to capturing the Eastern Division title.

Men's Freshman of the Year is Demba Konate of Lemoyne-Owen College. Konate, a 6-9, center from Bamako, Mali, averaged 7.6 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Magicians.

Women's Freshman of the Year is Artisha Holston of Albany State University. Holston, a 6-1, forward from Butler, Georgia, averaged a double-double, scoring 14.0 points per game while ranking second in the conference in rebounds (10.3) for the Lady Rams.

Men's Defensive Player of the Year was awarded to Josh Davis of Fort Valley State University, while Artisha Holston of Albany State University was the recipient of the Women's Defensive Player of the Year award.

Men's Coach of the Year is Sammie Jackson of Fort Valley State University. Jackson coached a Wildcats team that led the conference in total rebounds (43.1), offensive (14.7) and defensive (28.4), while ranking second in total defense (70.9). The Wildcats finished the 2013-14 regular season with a 19-8 record and the Eastern Division title after posting an 8-18 record last season.

Women's Coach of the Year is Robert Skinner of Albany State University. Skinner coached a Lady Rams club that ranked second in scoring defense (58.6), while placing sixth in scoring offense (66.1), en route to posting a 19-5 regular season record and earning the Eastern Division title.

2014 SIAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Team & Superlatives

Name	#	School	Hgt.	Cl.	Pos.	Hometown
Jamorris Gaines	15	Albany State	6-7	Sr.	F	Slyvester, Ga.
Lamar Adkins	34	Benedict	6-8	Sr.	F	Portsmouth, Va.
Jarrel Joye	11	Clark Atlanta	6-2	Sr.	G	Harlem, NY
Brandon Davey	32	Fort Valley State	6-6	Sr.	G/F	Warner Robins, Ga.
Josh Davis	33	Fort Valley State	6-2	Sr.	G	Augusta, Ga.
Nigel Domineck	0	Fort Valley State	6-5	Sr.	F	Stone Mountain, Ga.
Jerry Hampton	33	LeMoyne-Owen	6-8	So.	C	Memphis, Tenn.
Terrance Noel	3	Miles	6-2	So.	G	Albany, Ga.
Darrius Williams	1	Morehouse	6-3	Sr.	G	Detroit, MI
Kenny Fluellen	12	Paine	6-3	Sr.	G	Warner Robins, Ga.
Kendric Taylor	1	Paine	6-0	Jr.	G	Orlando, Fla.
Duanaway Barnes	1	Stillman	6-1	Sr.	G	Marked Tree, Ark.
Markeith Madison	34	Stillman	6-3	Sr.	F	Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Richard Dixon	11	Tuskegee	6-5	Sr.	F	Baton Rouge, La.
Javier McKinney	1	Tuskegee	6-2	Sr.	G	Birmingham, Ala.

Player of the Year: Brandon Davey, Fort Valley State
Newcomer of the Year: Jamorris Gaines, Albany State
Freshman of the Year: Demba Konate, Lemoyne-Owen
Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Davis, Fort Valley State
Coach of the Year: Sammie Jackson, Fort Valley State

2014 SIAC Women's Basketball All-Conference Team & Superlatives

Name	#	School	Hgt.	Cl.	Pos.	Hometown
Kourtney Alexander	10	Albany State	5-8	Sr.	G	Hinesville, Ga.
Artisha Holston	32	Albany State	6-1	Fr.	F	Butler, Ga.
Santera Grooms	23	Benedict	5-9	Sr.	G	Columbia, SC
Uniqua Mitchell	24	Claflin	5-9	Jr.	G	Detroit, MI
Conisha Hicks	1	Clark Atlanta	5-4	Sr.	G	Lithonia, Ga.
Erika Sumpter	42	Clark Atlanta	6-1	Sr.	C	Orangeburg, SC
Shytina Harley	34	Fort Valley State	5-11	Sr.	F	Tampa, Fla.
Crystal Rayford	10	Lane	5-10	Jr.	F	Byhalia, MS
Shayla Moore	22	Kentucky State	5-11	Jr.	G/F	Detroit, MI
Brieona Warner	21	Kentucky State	5-10	Jr.	F	Decatur, Ga.
Ariel Brown	10	Paine	5-10	Sr.	G	Savannah, Ga.
Ashley Watts	11	Paine	5-6	Jr.	G	Augusta, Ga.
Angel Mitchell	3	Stillman	5-7	Jr.	G	Fort Meade, Fla.
Marie McAbee	33	Tuskegee	5-9	Sr.	F	Talladega, Ala.
Kajuanna Rivers	1	Tuskegee	5-4	Sr.	G	Decatur, Ga.

Player of the Year: Ashley Watts, Paine
Newcomer of the Year: Keidra Green, Albany State
Freshman of the Year: Artisha Holston, Albany State
Defensive Player of the Year: Artisha Holston, Albany State
Coach of the Year: Robert Skinner, Albany State

2014 SIAC Men's All-Academic Team

Name	School	Cl.	Hometown	GPA	Major
Derrick Harper	Clark Atlanta	Fr.	Lithonia, Ga.	4.0	Business Administration
Kenneth Green	Clark Atlanta	So.	Atlanta, Ga.	3.75	Education
Troy Robinson	Tuskegee	Jr.	Boston, Mass.	3.74	Accounting
Julius Taylor	Tuskegee	Sr.	Montgomery, Ala.	3.59	Chemical Engineering
Elliott Dean	Tuskegee	Sr.	Mansfield, Tex.	3.58	Finance
Janko Popovic	LeMoyne-Owen	Sr.	Belgrade, Serbia	3.55	Information Technology
Arnis Libazs	Paine	Jr.	Riga, Latvia	3.53	International Business
Graham Olatunji	Tuskegee	Sr.	Chicago, Ill.	3.50	Occupational Therapy
Quentin Henderson	Kentucky State	So.	Columbus, OH	3.41	Physical Education
Auntrell Holloway	Benedict	Fr.	Dalzell, SC	3.44	Business Administration

2014 SIAC Women's All-Academic Team

Name	School	Cl.	Hometown	GPA	Major
Niya Royal	Lane	Fr.	Ripley, OH	4.0	Business Administration
D'Ambria Thomas	Fort Valley State	Jr.	Pelham, Ga.	3.82	Business Administration
Ciara Ingram	Lane	Sr.	Marion, Ark.	3.61	Mass Communications
Shytina Harley	Fort Valley State	Sr.	Tampa, Fla.	3.52	Business Administration
Camenonique Dawson	Fort Valley State	Jr.	Thomasville, Ga.	3.47	Infant & Child Dev.
Destani Burton	Paine	So.	Charlotte, NC	3.44	Psychology
Jordan Cain	Lane	Fr.	Atlanta, Ga.	3.43	Mathematics
Jamesha Watkins	Stillman	Sr.	York, Ala.	3.40	Health & Phys. Ed.
Kedeemya Cooper	Albany State	Jr.	Thomasville, Ga.	3.40	Health, Phys. Ed & Rec.
Crystal Rayford	Lane	Jr.	Byhalia, MS	3.38	Business Administration

Men's All-Academic Team Champions: Tuskegee
Women's All-Academic Team Champions: Lane

COURTESY THE SIAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Grice Drops 40 On Morgan State: Rattlers Win 79-61

BALTIMORE, Maryland – FAMU’s Jasmine Grice continued to finish her collegiate career with a flourish here Monday night at Hill Fieldhouse, scoring 25 of her game-high 40 points to lead a furious second half rally which vaulted the Lady Rattlers to a 79-61 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win over homestanding Morgan State.

Grice’s 40 point performance boosted her MEAC-leading point total to 707 in 28 games, and was complemented by nine rebounds and six steals. Taneka Rubin added 16 points, including four of nine from three-point range, while Kimberly Sparkman added 10 points.

The Lady Rattlers (15-13, 9-6 in MEAC) actually trailed, 37-31 at the half to the last place Lady Bears (4-24, 2-13 in MEAC), but turned up the heat defensively, forcing Morgan into 14 second half turnovers, while holding them to 28.6 percent floor shooting in the final 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, FAMU went from 32.5 percent floor shooting in the opening stanza to a torrid 64.5 percent showing, hitting 20 of their 31 shots in the final stanza, including a 45.5 percent shooting effort (5 of 11) from downtown.

Morgan extended their halftime lead to as much as 10 points, 47-37 on a layup by Simone Sampson with 14:59 left in the game, before FAMU went on a 12-2 run capped by a Kimberly Sparkman three-pointer with 11:49 left, to tie the game 49-49.

A Jasmine Grice jumper with 4:41 left capped a 16-5 FAMU run that extended the Lady Rattler lead to double digits, 65-54. FAMU then closed out the Lady Bears with a 14-7 flurry for the 18-point winning margin.

Danielle Robinson and Tracey Carrington led Morgan State with 18 points each, while Simone Sampson added a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

GRICE INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Jasmine Grice’s 40-point performance was the second 40-point game of her career, and came just one night and two points shy of her career high. She scored 42 points against Norfolk State on March 4, 2013…. She now stands at 707 points on the season, boosting her MEAC leading scoring average to 25.5 points per game…. It also made her the only FAMU Women’s player to score 700 points, and just the second FAMU basketball player to shatter the 700-point plateau, joining Rattler cage great Willie Collier, who scored 709 points in 21 games for FAMU in 1964-65…. The NCAA Division One leader in steals, Grice now has 107 picks, moving her up to 8^th on the FAMU Single Season Steals charts, ahead of Shelly Boston’s 104 in 1989.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Lady Rattlers will close the regular season Thursday night in the Al Lawson Center against archrival Bethune-Cookman on Senior Night at 6 p.m.

Official Basketball Box Score
Florida A&M vs Morgan State
3/3/2014 5:30 p.m. at HILL FIELD HOUSE, BALTIMORE, MD


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISITORS: Florida A&M 15-13, 9-6 MEAC
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
03 HINES,Alicia........ g  0-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  1  1  0  1   9
05 GRICE,Jasmine....... g 17-29   0-4    6-7    2  7  9   1  40  0  2  0  6  40
12 KIMBERLY,Sparkman... g  4-12   2-7    0-0    0  0  0   2  10  5  2  0  3  36
23 PROTHRO,Tiera....... g  1-3    0-0    0-0    0  4  4   3   2  0  2  0  0  20
32 RUBIN,Taneka........ g  6-13   4-9    0-1    1  4  5   4  16  2  1  0  2  34
01 DAWODU,Adenike......    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   2   0  0  0  0  0   4
11 LACY,Andreya........    0-1    0-1    0-0    0  0  0   3   0  1  0  0  0   4
15 MCCRAY,Alicia.......    3-6    1-2    0-0    0  2  2   4   7  2  3  0  4  23
22 HARRIS,Ann Marie....    1-2    0-0    0-0    0  3  3   1   2  1  0  0  0  15
30 FOREMAN,Jamie.......    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   1   0  0  0  0  0   6
33 COLLIE,Patrice......    1-2    0-0    0-0    1  1  2   1   2  1  0  0  0   9
   TEAM................                         4  6 10
   Totals..............   33-71   7-23   6-8    8 28 36  22  79 13 11  0 16 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 13-40 32.5%   2nd Half: 20-31 64.5%   Game: 46.5%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  2-12 16.7%   2nd Half:  5-11 45.5%   Game: 30.4%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  3-5  60.0%   2nd Half:  3-3  100 %   Game: 75.0%    0


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: Morgan State 4-24, 2-13 MEAC
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
12 JONES,Dinah......... f  1-5    0-0    2-2    1  5  6   3   4  1  4  0  0  36
22 SAMPSON,Simone...... f  2-10   0-0    6-8    6  4 10   1  10  3  4  0  0  38
10 CARRINGTON,Tracey... g  7-15   0-1    4-8    2  6  8   4  18  1  7  1  0  36
14 FORREST,Danielle.... g  5-13   3-10   5-7    0  7  7   1  18  1  4  2  2  38
23 ROBINSON,Danielle... g  2-3    2-3    0-0    0  2  2   3   6  2  5  1  0  23
15 ADAMS,La'Quacious...    0-1    0-1    0-2    0  0  0   1   0  0  0  0  0   6
21 HARRINGTON,Ivy......    2-5    0-0    1-2    0  2  2   0   5  3  0  0  1  19
33 BURNS,Britashia.....    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   0  0  0  1  0   4
   TEAM................                         2  6  8
   Totals..............   19-52   5-15  18-29  11 32 43  14  61 11 24  5  3 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 11-24 45.8%   2nd Half:  8-28 28.6%   Game: 36.5%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  4-8  50.0%   2nd Half:  1-7  14.3%   Game: 33.3%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 11-20 55.0%   2nd Half:  7-9  77.8%   Game: 62.1%    5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: Norma Jones, Kevin Sparrock, Leon Haskins
Technical fouls: Florida A&M-TEAM. Morgan State-None.
Attendance: 409
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
Florida A&M...................   31   48  -   79
Morgan State..................   37   24  -   61

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

CIAA Official Statement: CIAA® MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT TO STAY IN CHARLOTTE

Third Most Attended NCAA Tournament Selects Charlotte for Six Years Beginning in 2015 and Moves CIAA Conference Headquarters to Queen City

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the City of Charlotte have agreed to exclusively negotiate a broadened partnership to include the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, N.C. The decision comes on the heels of the 69^th Annual Men’s Tournament and 39^th Annual Women’s Tournament, which was held Feb. 25 – March 1, 2014 and was the ninth subsequent year the event has been held in the Queen City.

The new agreement would commit the tournaments to be held in Charlotte for at least the next six years beginning in 2015. In turn, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) will provide various benefits, including $1.4 million in funding annually, proceeds from which will be distributed among the 12 conference colleges and universities. In addition, the CIAA will move its conference headquarters to Charlotte in the near future, with specific timing and location to be determined. The relocation will enable the conference, the CRVA and other Charlotte entities to more effectively partner in the community, providing increased visibility for the CIAA and helping to secure enhanced sponsorships benefitting the 12 member-institutions.

“We look forward to forging an even more enhanced, collaborative and positive partnership with the City of Charlotte,” says CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter. “It’s been a home that has truly embraced the tournament and we look forward to growing the momentum we’ve experienced in these last nine years with renewed vision and energy that will help to shape the next generation of this event.”

Last year, the tournament generated a substantial economic impact for the region with $29.86 million in direct spending and $47.17 million in economic impact. The study was conducted by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) based on widely used best practices from leading economists and the hospitality and tourism industry. A 2014 study will begin soon and will be released upon completion.

“On the heels of such a tremendous tournament, this news couldn’t have come at a better time,” says Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon. “I still remember helping to recruit this event to the Queen City more than a decade ago as Mayor Pro Tem so being able to keep it here for six more years is a testament to the depth of our relationship with the CIAA. This economic generator, that attracts tens of thousands of visitors here and infuses millions of dollars into our local economy, will pay dividends for years to come.”

Touted as the third most attended basketball tournament among all NCAA divisions, the CIAA Tournament has become an integral event that the Charlotte community rallies around year after year. Most importantly, it has fostered an important legacy for the future through the funding it has provided in scholarships for the 12 member institutions, enabling students to attend CIAA schools. CIAA has consistently ranked as one of Charlotte’s largest events, only second behind the 2012 Democratic National Convention to date.

The conference and CRVA intend to formalize details of the partnership over the coming months. The conference also announced that new ticket, hotel and event details are already in the planning stages for the 2015 Tournament. Fans can go to TheCIAA.com to register to receive more details as soon as they are available – planned for early June.

2014 marked the ninth year that the Tournament has been hosted in Charlotte, utilizing Time Warner Cable Arena, the Charlotte Convention Center, thousands of hotel rooms across the region and restaurant, special event and nightlife venues. With Charlotte’s compact and accessible Center City footprint serving as one of the distinct advantages for the tournament, the week-long event drew fans for a succession of fan-friendly events that complemented regular tournament play including live media broadcasts like “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” programming at Fan Experience presented by Toyota, exhibitions, performances and more.

About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the oldest African-American athletic conference and one of the largest Division II conferences in the country. The CIAA conducts 16 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Hampton, Va., the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Time Warner Cable Arena, Bojangles’ Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand, ‘Charlotte’s got a lot.’ For more information about Charlotte, visit charlottesgotalot.com.

COURTESY CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS

Fort Valley State, Claflin win openers at SIAC Women's Basketball Tournament

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Fort Valley State held on for a 71-69 victory over Miles in the first round of the SIAC Women's Basketball Tournament in Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Fort Valley led 36-32 at the half. The Wildcats several times pushed the lead to seven points only to see the Golden Bears pull close again.

Carmenonique Dawson led a balanced Fort Valley (13-14) attack with 11 points; Shytina Harley, Markisha Washington and Brittnee Hazel each added 10 points.

Miles (10-17) got 24 points and 12 rebounds from Javonne Brown , 16 points from Enria Samuals and 12 from Tiffany Stephens.

Claflin outlasted Lemoyne-Owen 71-65 in the first...

CONTINUE READING

Paine College Ashley Watts Named 2014 SIAC Player of the Year

2013-14 PAINE COLLEGE LADY LIONS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

#	Full Name	Pos.	Ht.	Academic Year	Hometown
3	Lasharon Salahuddin	Guard	5-2	Jr.	Fontana, Calif.
4	Tannasia Rhodes	Guard	5-9	So.	Hephzibah, Ga.
5	Kayla Lewis	Guard	5-7	Fr.	Birmingham, Ala.
10	Ariel Brown	Guard	5-9	Sr.	Savannah, Ga.
11	Ashley Watts	Guard	5-6	Jr.	Augusta, Ga.
12	Lashonda Canty	Forward	5-11	Jr.	Blythewood, S.C.
20	BreAsia Burns	Forward	6-0	Jr.	Augusta, Ga.
22	Imani Parr	Guard/Forward	5-9	Fr.	Charlotte, N.C.
23	Aalyiha Wright	Forward	6-0	Fr.	Palmdale, Calif.
24	Jasper Lewis	Forward	6-1	Fr.	Houston, Texas
25	Jemetria Fletcher	Guard	5-10	Jr.	Okinawa, Japan
32	Arielle Thomas	Guard	5-6	Jr.	Riverdale, Ga.
40	Destani Burton	Forward	6-0	So.	Charlotte, N.C.

AUGUSTA, Georgia -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced the 2014 All-Conference Teams on Monday as voted on by the SIAC Basketball Coaches Association. Ashley Watts was named the 2014 SIAC Player of the Year. Paine's Ariel Brown, Destani Burton, Kenny Fluellen, Kedric Taylor and Arnis Libazs also received SIAC postseason honors.

Watts receives the coveted honor after leading the SIAC and Division II women's basketball for the entire season in points per game. Watts is averaging 26.7 points per game. The junior guard currently ranks second in Division II and first in the SIAC in three-pointers per game (3.32). She is shooting 34.2 percent from behind the arc which ranks second in the SIAC. That percentage also plays a major role in Paine's being ranked first in the SIAC in three-point field-goal shooting percentage (30.4).

ASHLEY WATTS
2014 SIAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
5'-6" Guard, Junior
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Courtesy: Paine College Athletics

Watts also produces from the free throw line. She is No. 1 in the SIAC in free-throw percentage as she is shooting 81.3 percent from the line. Although Watts is an outstanding shooter, she also has an innate ability to help her teammates get to the basket. Watts is second in the SIAC and 52nd in Division II in assists per game after dishing out an average of 4.4 assists per game. The 2013 Newcomer of the Year has improved her performance on and off the court since last season. Just last month, the mathematics major received the Paine College Student-Athlete Academic Success Award for her performance in the classroom during the Fall 2013 semester.

Senior Brown joins Watts on the 2014 All-Conference Team. The Savannah, Ga., native has earned ten double-doubles this season and is averaging 13.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. She is shooting 46 percent from the field, 39 percent from behind the arc and 62 percent from the line. Brown is ranked seventh in the SIAC and 77th in Division II in rebounds per game. She is also a force on defense averaging 2.63 steals per game which places her eighth in the SIAC and 28th in Division II in that category. Burton is representing the Purple and White on the SIAC's All-Academic Team. The sophomore forward from Charlotte, N.C., is majoring in psychology at Paine and boasts a 3.44 GPA.

Taylor and Fluellen were both named to the All-Conference Team for the Lions. Taylor leads the SIAC in total assists (144) and assists per game (5.5). He is ranked 32nd and 29th in Division II in those areas, respectively. The Orlando, Fla., native is shooting 46 percent from the field and 72 percent from the line. He also averages 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Fluellen ranks fifth in the SIAC in attempts from behind the arc. The Warner Robbins, Ga., native hits an average of 2.29 threes a game which places him third in the SIAC. He averages 12.7 points per game and is shooting 44 percent from the field, 40 percent from behind the arc and 79 percent from the line. Taylor and Fluellen are two of Paine's major factors. The duo has also helped Paine to lead the SIAC in field-goal percentage (49.5) and place second in three-point field-goal percentage (36.6). Libazs is majoring in international business at Paine. The Riga, Latvia native makes his way onto the All-Academic team for the Purple and White with a 3.53 GPA.

Up Next

The Lions will play Lane College in the 2014 SIAC Basketball Tournament on March 4. The game will begin at noon CST in Birmingham, Ala. The Lady Lions first round opponent will be Stillman College. Their game will begin at 6:45 p.m. CST in Birmingham.

COURTESY PAINE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION