SIAC Tournament: Albany State, Kentucky State advance to quarterfinals

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- Albany State advanced to the quarterfinals of the SIAC men's basketball tournament with a 55-54 opening round win against Morehouse College at Bill Harris Arena Tuesday night.

Morehouse, which was playing without regulars, David and Buchannon and Joshua Simmons, had its chance at the of the game but botched a possession with less than 10 seconds to go as ASU walked away victorious.
 

Morehouse's Darrin Williams, the league's two-time leading scorer, had an abysmal shooting game, going 1-for-15 from the floor in the loss.
 

No one scored in double-figures for ASU but the Rams got balanced scoring throughout its lineup in the victory. 

Kentucky State blew out Claflin (S.C.) 76-55.




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Florida Citrus Bowl Renovations Are In Full Swing for 2014 Florida Classic (B-CU vs. FAMU)

NEW STADIUM RENDERINGS
Courtesy Florida Citrus Sports
Live Construction Cameras of Construction (Click Link)

ORLANDO, Florida -- Big things are in the works for the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, as demolition started at the end of January. The estimated $207 million project's demolition is expected to be done by April of 2014.

Although demolition is expected to be completed by April, the project will not interrupt the annual events held at the stadium such as the Capital One Bowl, Russell Athletic Bowl, Monster Jam and the Florida Classic.

Ninety five percent of the construction should be completed by mid-November of 2014, just in enough time for the Florida Classic.

One of the first improvements to be finished in the stadium was the field which cost $10 million. The field has Game Day Grass 3D, which is considered to be the most advanced product according to Patrick Maguire, designer of the field.

The new features include vibrant open-air facade, wide 360-degree main concourses, lower bowl seating with six more inches for leg room, unique club experiences with over 6,000 seats, 1,000 suite seats, 20 midfield loge boxes and multiple video displays just to name a few.

The expectations for the new renovations at the stadium is that it will allow new-high profile events to take place, like NFL preseason match-ups, neutral site for college football games and also to have concerts.

COURTESY FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Five from Xavier receive GCAC's weekly player awards

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana collected five Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Athlete/Performer of the week awards for Feb. 24-March 2: Angelica Alexander in women's outdoor field, Catherine Fakler in women's outdoor track, Brent Kitto in men's outdoor track, Simone-Alyse Ewell in women's tennis and Viktor Svoboda in men's tennis.

Alexander, a senior from Shreveport, La., and a graduate of Byrd High School, cleared 5 feet, 6 inches in the high jump at the Mississippi College Opener to meet the A-qualifying standard for the NAIA Outdoor National Championship. Alexander finished second in that event and was third in the triple jump (32-3 3/4) and fourth in the long jump (16-7 1/4).

Fakler, a junior from Phoenix, Ariz., and a graduate of Xavier College Preparatory Roman Catholic High School, won the 1,500-meter run (4 minutes, 47.69 seconds) and the 5,000 (18:43.25) at the Mississippi College meet. Her 1,500 time is the best outdoors in the NAIA this season.

Kitto, a sophomore from Chalmette, La., and a graduate of Holy Cross High School, ran the men's 1,500 in 4:06.60 to finish second out of 30 runners at Mississippi College. It was Kitto's XU track debut, and he was 12 seconds faster than the Gold Rush's best 2013 time in this event.

Ewell, a sophomore from Detroit and a graduate of The Roeper School, won in singles and doubles to help Xavier earn a 5-4 victory against Brenau in a matchup of top-10 NAIA teams. She teamed with Amber Brown for an 8-6 victory against Valeria Savina and Kelley Cohron at No. 3 doubles, then rallied from deficits of 5-2 in the second set and 4-1 in the third to defeat Savina 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 at No. 5 singles and clinch XU's first-ever dual victory against Brenau.

Svoboda, a senior from Kamenice, Czech Republic, and a graduate of Vitezna Plan, earned his first singles victory of the season, 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 1-0 (12-10) against Douglas Boe of West Florida, the third-ranked team in NCAA Division II.

The GCAC weekly awards are the first for Alexander, Kitto and Ewell. Fakler is a nine-time winner (two in track, seven in cross country), and Svoboda has won five times.

Xavier's men's and women's track and field teams will compete next in the McNeese Cowboy Relays at Lake Charles, La., on March 15. Next for the XU tennis teams will be 9 a.m. Friday duals against Coastal Georgia in the opening round of the AUM Invitational at Montgomery, Ala.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Alabama State football: Hornets go high-tempo in first spring practice

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The substitutions were quick, the pace even quicker.

It certainly didn’t look like the first day of spring practice for the Alabama State football team.

“That’s one of the things we’re trying to emphasize this spring,” quarterback Daniel Duhart said. “I think we did a great job today — for it being our first practice — of going fast. We’re going to continue to pick up the tempo.”

“We’re hoping to be able to go fast, if they don’t change the rule,” ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. “I thought the guys were (going fast).”

The first of 15 spring practices took less than 90 minutes, with third-year offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss and second-year defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey seamlessly inserting players into a fast-paced practice of helmets and sweat pants that was over almost before it started.

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NCCU Eagles Take Flight

DURHAM, North Carolina -- N.C. Central’s McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium holds 3,116 people.

It wasn’t at capacity Monday night when 2,732 watched the Eagles clinch the regular-season championship in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, but a whole bunch of folks were watching on ESPNU when a good number of those fans rushed the court after NCCU beat Savannah State 64-57 in overtime.

What a difference four years makes.

NCCU point guard Emanuel Chapman was a freshman during the 2010-11 season.

Nobody was rushing the court back then — not that anyone would have noticed.

“My first game playing in this gym had about nine or 10 people in there — counting my mom,” Chapman said.

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Rainy weather limits former Georgia, Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell's activity at Pro Day

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Most in attendance at Alabama State's Pro Day Wednesday wanted to see former running back Isaiah Crowell.

They did but the Columbus, Ga. native and former SEC Freshman of the Year while at Georgia, didn't do much due to rainy weather.

Crowell, who measured in at 5-foot-11, 224-pounds at the NFL Combine last month skipped the early session that included the bench press and vertical leap tests.

He participated in cone drills, which test lateral movement but didn't try to improve upon the 4.50 40-yard dash time he clocked at the combine due to rainy conditions in Montgomery Tuesday.

"I really just have to stay focused and dedicated on what I am ...

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HU's Maxwell steady and spectacular for MEAC contenders

HAMPTON, Virginia — Du'Vaughn Maxwell sprints and soars, often leaving his mark on games with vocal and spectacular force. As he and his game developed and matured, however, he learned that sometimes less is more, that silence and calm can be as effective as highlight video and mega-watt energy.

As the college career of Hampton University's senior forward winds down to a precious few games, he is grateful for the opportunity to play with, to bond with, to lead a young team that he is certain will succeed long after he departs.

"It's been a learning process," Maxwell said. "It's understanding people. High energy was all I knew, but as I've stayed in the gym more and developed skills, I understood there's different ways for me to affect the game."

The Pirates (17-11, 12-3 MEAC) are peaking as they play their final regular-season game Thursday at home versus North Carolina A&T at the HU Convocation Center, the back end of a men's and women's doubleheader that begins at 6 p.m.

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A Saturday now 'Turkey Day' for ASU

Head Coach Reggie Barlow and ASU Hornets
provided the opportunity to compete in FCS Playoffs
(Courtesy ASU Athletics)

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- A year after losing Tuskegee as its Turkey Day Classic opponent, the Hornets have made another huge change to its Turkey Day tradition by moving the Classic to Saturday.

The university released its 2014 football schedule Tuesday but the attention of playing national powerhouses Sam Houston State and Tennessee State was overshadowed by the university’s decision to move its annual Thanksgiving homecoming date to the weekend prior to the holiday.

The move was made to allow Hornet fans who live out of town to have time to drive in for the game and still spend Thanksgiving with their families, and to give the Hornets an opportunity to compete in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, which start the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Alabama State president Gwendolyn Boyd said in a statement released late Tuesday afternoon.

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

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference voted Alabama State's Nakiya Smith as their SWAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week on March 4th. Smith earned the first Player of the Week award for ASU on the year.

NAKIYA SMITH
Courtesy: Alabama State Athletics

Player of the Week

Nakiya Smith

Alabama State

5’8", Guard,

Hometown: Brewton. Alabama

The senior guard from Brewton, Ala., averaged 25.5 points per game, shot 48 percent from floor and 82 percent at the free throw line while helping ASU capture a two game road sweep over Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M last week.

Smith notched back-to-back 20 plus point efforts in both victories. Her points came from shooting 9-of-19 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the line. She also added two rebounds, a pair of assists and a game high five steals in the win. In the 81-78 victory at Prairie View A&M on Monday, Smith nailed 11-of-14 shots from the line and shot 50 percent from the field (7-14) to tally 25 points in just 27 minutes of action.

In their last three wins, Smith has led the Lady Hornets to victories over the top ranked teams in the conference, including Southern, Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M.

Smith has scored 20 points or more five times this season and posted a career high and season high 29 points this year.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern begins spring practice Wednesday

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern football team will be an early riser for the start of spring practice.

The Jaguars will hit the practice field at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday for their first workout of the 3½-week spring period.

“That’s when we normally do our weightlifting,” coach Dawson Odums said. “So it’s nothing new for them.”

The reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference champions will take their first steps toward trying to build another championship contender throughout March.

“These guys will be ready to go,” Odums said. “It’ll be a great start to practice, and I’m sure their energy level will be high.”

Southern set the tone for spring practice when the players took part in Marine Day nearly two weeks ago. Area Marines put the players through a series of drills designed to challenge them physically and mentally as well as strengthen team unity.

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ASU Hornets to compete in NCAA FCS Division I Playoffs, Important Homecoming Announcement

Release Date: Mar 04, 2014

Alabama State University is releasing the Hornets 2014 football schedule, along with an important announcement from President Gwendolyn E. Boyd regarding the Turkey Day Classic.

Alabama State Hornets Announce 2014 Football Schedule

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  Alabama State University announced its 2014 football schedule today, with six home games on the 12-game slate.

Stillman returns to the Turkey Day Classic for the second straight year, and will be played on Saturday, November 22, one of three non-conference opponents on the Alabama State schedule.

The Hornets will open the season with a pair of new opponents, first taking on Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas on August 30.

Alabama State will spend September at home, beginning with the Inaugural Classic on September 6 against Tennessee State, the game part of a week of festivities in the inauguration of new Alabama State University President Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd.

The Hornets will play the first of nine consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference games against Mississippi Valley State September 13 on Faith and Family Night.  Alabama State will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff September 20 on Connection Day. The Hornets will then host Texas Southern on September 27 on Health and Awareness Day.

Alabama State will then play four straight games away from home, beginning at Alcorn St. (Oct. 4) and  at Prairie View (Oct. 11), in Birmingham against Alabama A&M in the 73^rd State Farm Magic City Classic (Oct. 25) and at Southern (Nov. 1).

The Hornets will then return home to host Jackson State November 8 on Military Appreciation Day before ending SWAC play at Grambling (Nov. 15). The Toyota SWAC Football Championship is Saturday, Dec. 6 in Houston, Texas.  

 

2014 Alabama State University Football Schedule 

　
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
Sat., Aug. 30 at Sam Houston State Huntsville, Texas
Sat., Sept. 6 TENNESSEE STATE Montgomery, Ala. Inaugural Classic
Sat., Sept. 13 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE* Montgomery, Ala. Faith and Family Night
Sat., Sept. 20 ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF* Montgomery, Ala. Connection Day
Sat., Sept. 27 TEXAS SOUTHERN* Montgomery, Ala. Health and Awareness Day
Sat., Oct. 4  at Alcorn State* Lorman, Miss.
Sat., Oct. 11at Prairie View A&M* Prairie View, Texas
Sat., Oct. 18 OPEN
Sat., Oct. 25 at Alabama A&M* Birmingham, Ala. 73rd State Farm Magic City Classic
Sat., Nov. 1 at Southern* Baton Rouge, La.
Sat., Nov. 8 JACKSON STATE* Montgomery, Ala. Military Appreciation Day
Sat., Nov. 15 at Grambling State* Grambling, La.
Sat., Nov. 22 STILLMAN Montgomery, Ala. 91st TURKEY DAY CLASSIC Homecoming and Senior Day
Sat., Dec. 6 SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP Houston, Texas

*denotes SWAC games Home games in CAPS
Game times to be released at a later date.


COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Football 5th Annual Golf Tournament Set For May 2

Courtesy TSU Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Tennessee State University football team will host the fifth annual "Tee Off With The Tigers" Golf Tournament on Friday, May 2 at the Ted Rhodes Golf Course in Nashville.

 

The golf tournament helps raise money for the TSU Tiger Paw Foundation, which helps maintain expenses for the Big Blue Football program.

 

There are plenty of opportunities to take part in the golf tournament ranging from a title sponsor to individual contributions. Organizations can also contribute prizes for Hole-In One, Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive.

 

For more information about the costs of sponsorship or to register, click here for the brochure. For more information, call the TSU Football Office at 615-963-7562.

 

5th Annual TSU Tiger Football Golf Tournament Sponsorship InformationTitle Sponsor - $2,500
Hole Sponsor - $400
Contest Sponsor - $200
Individual - $125

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Victory over Brenau returns Gold Nuggets to NAIA's top 5

Nour Abbes

NEW ORLEANS -- A 5-4 victory over Brenau last week moved Xavier University of Louisiana up to fifth Tuesday in the NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Gold Nuggets (4-4) climbed one place and traded positions with Brenau in the rankings. Xavier is in the top 25 for the 15th consecutive poll, the top 10 for the 10 consecutive time and the top five for sixth time in the last seven polls. Since the start of the 2005 season, Xavier has appeared in the top 25 in 60 of 70 polls.

Two-time defending national champion Auburn Montgomery is a unanimous No. 1 for the third time in as many polls this season.

Xavier and AUM will be among the five ranked women's teams in the AUM Invitational, a three-day event which will begin Friday. Also competing will be No. 14 Coastal Georgia, No. 18 Cumberland and No. 23 Campbellsville. The Gold Nuggets will play Coastal Georgia at 9 a.m. Friday at Lagoon Park Tennis Center. It will be the Nuggets' fourth dual of the season against a ranked NAIA opponent.

The next rankings will be announced March 18.

The top 25:

1. Auburn Montgomery
2. Georgia Gwinnett
3. (tie) Lindsey Wilson
3. (tie) SCAD Savannah
5. Xavier
6. Brenau
7. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
8. Northwood (Fla.)
9. Vanguard
10. Lewis-Clark State
11. Oklahoma Baptist
12. Westmont
13. Concordia (Calif.)
14. (tie) SCAD Atlanta
14. (tie) Coastal Georgia
16. Indiana Wesleyan
17. William Carey
18. Cumberland
19. Milligan
20. Cardinal Stritch
21. Marian (Ind.)
22. Northwestern Ohio
23. Campbellsville
24. Olivet Nazarene
25. Davenport

 

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
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Gold Nuggets move up to 24th in NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS -- For the first time in four weeks, Xavier University of Louisiana climbed in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Gold Nuggets are 24th, up one place from a week ago.

Xavier (20-9) is in the top 25 for the seventh consecutive week and the 52nd time in the last 55 polls. The Gold Nuggets won 63-56 at Dillard in their regular-season finale on Saturday and will return to Dillard to play the Lady Bleu Devils at 5 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. Xavier is seeded second in the nine-team event, which will begin Thursday.

Talladega, seeded first in the GCAC Tournament, climbed two places to 16th in the national poll. It's the first time in five weeks that the Lady Tornadoes climbed, and it's their highest ranking since Jan. 28, when they were 11th.

Vanguard, the lone unbeaten team in the division, is No. 1 for the 11th time in as many polls this season. Vanguard received all 10 first-place votes for the third consecutive week.

New rankings will be announced March 12. They'll be the final rankings before the national tournament, which will begin March 19 in Frankfort, Ky.

The top 25:

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

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Rush fall to 9th but in top 10 for 23rd consecutive poll

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana has yet to gain any ground in this season's NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 polls -- the Gold Rush dropped from eighth to ninth Tuesday -- but will have a chance later this week to improve its standing.

The Gold Rush (2-5) will be one of seven ranked teams in the AUM Invitational, which will begin Friday in Montgomery, Ala. Also competing will be No. 2 Auburn Montgomery, No. 7 Cumberland, No. 8 Belhaven, No. 20 Pikeville, No. 24 Campbellsville and No. 25 Coastal Georgia. The only unranked men's team at AUM will be Martin Methodist.

Xavier will play Coastal Georgia at 9 a.m. Friday at Lagoon Park Tennis Center. It will be fifth consecutive Gold Rush dual against a ranked opponent. Most recently, Xavier lost 6-3 Friday at West Florida, No. 3 in NCAA Division II.

The Gold Rush are in the top 10 for the 23rd consecutive poll and the 26th time in the last 27 polls. The XU men's top-25 streak, which began on April 4, 2007, is 53 polls.

Defending national champion Embry-Riddle (Fla.) is a unanimous No. 1 for the third time in as many polls this season.

The next rankings will be announced March 18.

The top 25:

1. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
2. Auburn Montgomery
3. Vanguard
4. Georgia Gwinnett
5. Westmont
6. Lindsey Wilson
7. Cumberland
8. Belhaven
9. Xavier
10. Aquinas
11. Concordia (Calif.)
12. William Carey
13. Graceland
14. Bethel (Tenn.)
15. Bethany
16. Northwestern Ohio
17. Warner
18. Lewis-Clark State
19. Northwood (Fla.)
20. Pikeville
21. Davenport
22. Oklahoma Baptist
23. Olivet Nazarene
24. Campbellsville
25. Coastal Georgia

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Gold Rush climb to 12th, extend NAIA top-25 streak to 35

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana climbed one spot to 12th Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Gold Rush (22-7) are in the top 25 for the 35th consecutive time -- the longest active streak in the division -- and the 48th time in the last 49 polls.

Xavier closed the regular season with four consecutive victories, including a 61-54 decision at Dillard on Saturday to clinch a school-record third consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship. Although Xavier still trails Talladega in the national rankings, the Gold Rush will be seeded first in the GCAC Tournament, which will start Thursday in New Orleans, by virtue of highest winning percentage in conference games.

Xavier will play in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday at XU's Convocation Center. The Gold Rush will play the winner of a first-round game between Fisk and Dillard.

Talladega is No. 7 nationally -- its ninth consecutive appearance in the top 10 -- and will be the first top-10 team in the GCAC Tournament since 2010. The Tornadoes are seeded second and will play Voorhees at 2 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center.

Cal State San Marcos is No. 1 for the sixth consecutive week. Pikeville is No. 2 for the fifth straight week, and William Carey -- a team Xavier defeated in overtime in December -- is No. 3 for the third consecutive week.

New rankings will be announced March 12. They'll be the final rankings before the national tournament, which will begin March 19 in Kansas City, Mo.

The top 25:

1. Cal State San Marcos
2. Pikeville
3. William Carey
4. Columbia (Mo.)
5. Southwestern Assemblies of God
6. Emmanuel (Ga.)
7. Talladega
8. Freed-Hardeman
9. Vanguard
10. Benedictine (Kan.)
11. Rocky Mountain
12. Xavier
13. LSU-Shreveport
14. Culver-Stockton
15. Arizona Christian
16. Georgetown (Ky.)
17. St. Gregory's
18. Wiley
19. (tie) Westminster (Utah)
19. (tie) Montana State-Northern
21. Lindenwood-Belleville
22. Wayland Baptist
23. Hope International
24. Evangel
25. MidAmerica Nazarene

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Bankston Tallies Back-To-Back MEAC Player of the Week Recognition, Third Overall

RAVEN BANKSTON
MEAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK, MARCH 3
COURTESY DSU HORNETS ATHLETICS

DOVER, Delaware  --  Guard Raven Bankston was named MEAC Player of the Week for the second week in a row Monday afternoon, third overall, headlined by a 38-point (14-of-32), six-rebound and two-assist performance in DSU’s overtime 64-61 win over Howard in its home finale on Saturday.   Additionally, Bankston’s point total against the Bison was not only a career-high, but it was the third most in DSU single-game history.

Earlier in the week, despite the Lady Hornets falling 65-54 to Morgan State at home, the Detroit, Mich. native, tallied a team-high 20 points (8-of-19), along with four rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

With this honor, Bankston has earned eight conference weekly awards, as she’s been named MEAC Rookie of the Week five times throughout her first season in a Hornet uniform.

Coming up, Bankston and the rest of the Lady Hornets will close out the regular season this Thursday evening (5:30 p.m.) at UMES.  On Feb. 22, Delaware State took down the Hawks at home, 79-68, behind Bankston’s 36 points (12-of-24).

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

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 Garrett Edgerson

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