DURHAM, North Carolina -- This summer was a busy one for North Carolina Central head coach LeVelle Moton, and all things considered it’s understandable as to why.
In 2013-14, Moton led his alma mater to 28 wins and the MEAC’s regular season and tournament titles, earning the program’s first Division I NCAA tournament appearance. Among the things on Moton’s plate this summer were his receiving the key to the city of Durham, where he grew up, and releasing a book entitled “The Worst Times are the Best Times.”
Yet the task of getting Moton to write the book was a difficult one for former Raleigh News and Observer sportswriter Edward G. Robinson III. Robinson worked hard to convince Moton, who, over the years, has spoken at a number of events around the Triangle area [Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill], to write a book about his life. It took some convincing, but ultimately Robinson’s persistence paid off and the two worked together on the project.
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Sunday, October 12, 2014
Homecoming 2014: Miles College Golden Bears
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Miles dominates first half on way to 22-12 win over Central State
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FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- The Miles Golden Bearstook control early with two touchdown passes by quarterback Demetric Price and never looked back in a 22-12 over Central State at home Saturday afternoon.
Price finished the game with 150 yards on 26 attempts, connecting with his go-to receiver Antonio Pitts for 111 yards.
The game improved Miles to 3-3 overall and to 2-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings. An announced 10,045 was in attendance at Sloan-Alumni Stadium.
Prince connected with Pitts for two touchdown passes in the first quarter -- a 59-yarder at the 14:14 mark and a 16-yarder at 6:58.
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Stillman wins, remains perfect SIAC play
COLUMBIA, South Carolina | The Stillman football team remained undefeated in SIAC play as it defeated the Benedict Tigers 48-36 at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia, S.C.Stillman (4-2, 3-0) opened the game quickly, building an early 14-0 lead. Tiger signal caller Josh Straughan found junior receiver Devonta Gilmore for a 44-yard touchdown play before connecting with junior tight end Devon Mackey for a 44-yard score.
In the second quarter, Straughan connected with senior receiver Reese Sturgis for an 8-yard scoring play, giving Stillman a 20-0 lead. Benedict answered with 14 points in the second quarter — seven coming on the ground and seven coming through the air.
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TSU rally falls short vs. Jacksonville State
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State's offense has improved recently but not enough to overcome the flurry of turnovers the No. 25 Tigers committed in Saturday's 27-20 loss to No. 8 Jacksonville State.
Even after committing a school record six turnovers, TSU still had a chance to tie the score with 16 seconds left.
But quarterback Mike German threw his fourth interception, which was caught by cornerback Jermaine Hough in the Jacksonville State end zone.
"We had gotten down and knew we had to throw the ball, and we were trying to make something happen," German said.
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Division II champ gives XU's Abbes her first singles loss
SUMTER, South Carolina -- Nour Abbes finally lost a singles match for Xavier University of Louisiana. Not surprisingly, it happened against an opponent with a longer win streak.
NCAA Division II champion Valentine Confalonieri of Lynn University used a first-set service break and three more in the second to defeat NAIA champion Abbes 6-4, 6-2 in the "Super Bowl" women's final of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships at Palmetto Tennis Center.
Abbes, a sophomore, entered the match with a 30-0 career record. Confalonieri, a junior, earned her 36th consecutive singles victory, repeated as "Super Bowl' champion and, as a result of Sunday's victory, earned a wild card into next month's USTA/ITA Intercollegiate Indoor Championships.
Abbes served first, and the players were on serve until Confalonieri broke Abbes in the seventh game. The players exchanged service breaks in the first two games of the second set, but Abbes collected no more.
"She was a good player -- one of the best I have faced at Xavier -- and she deserved the win," Abbes said of Confalonieri, "but I didn't make it harder on her to claim the title. I made a lot of mistakes."
Coach Alan Green had praise for both.
"Nour lost to a great player," Green said. "Confalonieri was just too steady and never let Nour get comfortable. Nour had some good moments, but not enough of them. Confalonieri had an impressive forehand and showed why she's put together a long win streak.
"But -- that takes nothing away from what Nour accomplished here in four days. She was Xavier's first NAIA singles champion in this tournament. Nour has had a great run and is still a formidable player. I'm looking forward to her continued improvement and more great tennis."
Abbes and teammates will compete next Oct. 24-25 in the Big Easy Classic at the University of New Orleans, then begin dual-match play in late January or early February.
"It was a very good week overall, and I'm very happy with what I accomplished," Abbes said. "When I got here, I just took it one match at a time, and I'm happy I got this far. Now I just have to focus on what's coming next and try to enjoy the NAIA title."
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
NCAA Division II champion Valentine Confalonieri of Lynn University used a first-set service break and three more in the second to defeat NAIA champion Abbes 6-4, 6-2 in the "Super Bowl" women's final of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships at Palmetto Tennis Center.
Abbes, a sophomore, entered the match with a 30-0 career record. Confalonieri, a junior, earned her 36th consecutive singles victory, repeated as "Super Bowl' champion and, as a result of Sunday's victory, earned a wild card into next month's USTA/ITA Intercollegiate Indoor Championships.
Abbes served first, and the players were on serve until Confalonieri broke Abbes in the seventh game. The players exchanged service breaks in the first two games of the second set, but Abbes collected no more.
"She was a good player -- one of the best I have faced at Xavier -- and she deserved the win," Abbes said of Confalonieri, "but I didn't make it harder on her to claim the title. I made a lot of mistakes."
Coach Alan Green had praise for both.
"Nour lost to a great player," Green said. "Confalonieri was just too steady and never let Nour get comfortable. Nour had some good moments, but not enough of them. Confalonieri had an impressive forehand and showed why she's put together a long win streak.
"But -- that takes nothing away from what Nour accomplished here in four days. She was Xavier's first NAIA singles champion in this tournament. Nour has had a great run and is still a formidable player. I'm looking forward to her continued improvement and more great tennis."
Abbes and teammates will compete next Oct. 24-25 in the Big Easy Classic at the University of New Orleans, then begin dual-match play in late January or early February.
"It was a very good week overall, and I'm very happy with what I accomplished," Abbes said. "When I got here, I just took it one match at a time, and I'm happy I got this far. Now I just have to focus on what's coming next and try to enjoy the NAIA title."
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
Fayetteville State women's basketball team predicted to win CIAA division
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- The Fayetteville State men and women's basketball teams were picked Thursday to occupy exactly the same spots where they finished last season in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's preseason poll.
The FSU women, who finished tied for first with Shaw in the CIAA Southern Division a year ago, were projected to win the title this season over the Bears. The pick was based in large part on six returning players, including preseason All-CIAA pick Deja Middleton, who helped the Broncos reach the tournament finals.
"Everybody brings their best every night in the (Southern) division, because they want to get to Saturday night (for CIAA Tournament finals),'' FSU coach Eva Patterson-Heath said. "It's very, very competitive. It's difficult to maintain (success) simply because everyone's goals are the same. Everyone wants to win.''
Middleton, a senior center, is a two-time CIAA Defensive Player of the Year who averaged 13.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.8 block shots last season.
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The FSU women, who finished tied for first with Shaw in the CIAA Southern Division a year ago, were projected to win the title this season over the Bears. The pick was based in large part on six returning players, including preseason All-CIAA pick Deja Middleton, who helped the Broncos reach the tournament finals.
"Everybody brings their best every night in the (Southern) division, because they want to get to Saturday night (for CIAA Tournament finals),'' FSU coach Eva Patterson-Heath said. "It's very, very competitive. It's difficult to maintain (success) simply because everyone's goals are the same. Everyone wants to win.''
Middleton, a senior center, is a two-time CIAA Defensive Player of the Year who averaged 13.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.8 block shots last season.
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Virginia State beats ECSU to stay unbeaten in CIAA
ETTRICK, Virginia -- Sophomore running back Kavon Bellamy records a career-high 139 yards rushing; including a game-high three rushing touchdowns to help lift the Virginia State University football team past Elizabeth City State University on Saturday afternoon, 41-14. VSU is on a four-game win streak.
With the victory, the Trojans improve to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association; while the Vikings drop to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the CIAA.
Virginia State opened the game taking the ball 62 yards in 10 plays to record its first score off a nine-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Tarian Ayres to junior wide out Javion Smallwood, taking the 6-0 lead. The Trojans defense held the ECSU offense to only six plays on its first drive.
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With the victory, the Trojans improve to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association; while the Vikings drop to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the CIAA.
Virginia State opened the game taking the ball 62 yards in 10 plays to record its first score off a nine-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Tarian Ayres to junior wide out Javion Smallwood, taking the 6-0 lead. The Trojans defense held the ECSU offense to only six plays on its first drive.
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Lulu Perry enrolls at Langston University
RUSTON, Louisiana -- Former Benton and Lady Techsters standout Lulu Perry was searching for a place to continue her collegiate career when she recently received a call from Tech’s former director of basketball operations Ronnie Barney.
Now at Langston University, located in tiny Langston, Oklahoma, Barney offered the former Louisiana Miss Basketball a place to land. It didn’t hurt that former USC head coach, U.S. Olympian, WNBA head coach and collegiate superstar Cheryl Miller was the Lady Lions’ incoming coach.
“When (Barney) mentioned that Cheryl Miller was the coach, I was shocked,” Perry said. “I follow women’s basketball and when that name was mentioned, I automatically knew who it was. She and I talk every day.”
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Now at Langston University, located in tiny Langston, Oklahoma, Barney offered the former Louisiana Miss Basketball a place to land. It didn’t hurt that former USC head coach, U.S. Olympian, WNBA head coach and collegiate superstar Cheryl Miller was the Lady Lions’ incoming coach.
“When (Barney) mentioned that Cheryl Miller was the coach, I was shocked,” Perry said. “I follow women’s basketball and when that name was mentioned, I automatically knew who it was. She and I talk every day.”
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Quick hits from Grambling's win over Alcorn State
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling earned its fourth-straight win Saturday with a 28-21 victory over No. 24 Alcorn State. The Tigers did it with a mix of early offense and late defense that helped maintain a perfect record in the SWAC.Grambling is now the lone undefeated team left in the SWAC. The day began with two before Alcorn took its first conference loss of the season.
Here are some quick hits from the win.
Game ball goes to: Quarterback Johnathan Williams ran for two touchdowns and added a 26-yard score through the air to lead the Tigers' offense. Making his second straight start, Williams kept Alcorn State off balance with the zone-read as he produced several long gains. When the Braves brought extra defenders to slow down Williams on the ground, he dissected the secondary with his arm.
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In the FCS Huddle: It's changed quickly
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (SportsNetwork.com) -- The witching hour has come early for too many of the teams in last year's FCS playoff field.And Halloween is still two and a half weeks away.
At the midway point of the season for many teams, one-third of last year's first-ever 24-team playoff field already lacks strong-enough resumes for at- large bids, and the early conference results suggest a lot must change - too much probably - for the teams to secure an automatic bid.
In mid-October, the chances of last year's teams returning to the 2014 field appear to be:
Likely qualifiers: Bethune-Cookman, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Washington, Fordham, Jacksonville State, McNeese State, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota State and Southeastern Louisiana
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WSSU routs J.C. Smith
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Winston-Salem State ran roughshod over another CIAA opponent with another convincing victory Saturday afternoon.
WSSU rolled over Johnson C. Smith 37-0 at soggy Memorial Stadium. The Rams led 30-0 at halftime and after the rain hit in the second half cruised to their 27th straight win against a CIAA team.
The Rams, ranked No. 15 in the AFCA Division II coaches’ poll, improved to 5-1 and 3-0 in the CIAA heading into next weekend’s homecoming game against St. Augustine’s.
“It’s not for me, it’s for the kids,” Kienus Boulware said of his first shutout as a head coach.
Not even an one-hour weather delay between the ...
PHOTO GALLERY
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WSSU rolled over Johnson C. Smith 37-0 at soggy Memorial Stadium. The Rams led 30-0 at halftime and after the rain hit in the second half cruised to their 27th straight win against a CIAA team.
The Rams, ranked No. 15 in the AFCA Division II coaches’ poll, improved to 5-1 and 3-0 in the CIAA heading into next weekend’s homecoming game against St. Augustine’s.
“It’s not for me, it’s for the kids,” Kienus Boulware said of his first shutout as a head coach.
Not even an one-hour weather delay between the ...
PHOTO GALLERY
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Fleming leads Florida A&M Rattlers to first victory, 24-14
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Coach Earl Holmes pinned his hopes for ending a two-year-long home losing streak on two quarterbacks, but starter Damien Fleming made it his personal showcase by leading the Rattlers victory over Savannah State on Saturday night.
A collective sigh of relieve seemed to over Bragg Stadium from the 9,868 fans as the Rattlers snapped their losing streak to pick up their first win of the season.
Fleming started the day rotating with back-up Carson Royal, but his day was done after he threw a second-quarter interception.
The Tigers had a better day with their back up Tino Smith, who engineered a 12-play drive to cut it to a 21-14 game with just over 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
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A collective sigh of relieve seemed to over Bragg Stadium from the 9,868 fans as the Rattlers snapped their losing streak to pick up their first win of the season.
Fleming started the day rotating with back-up Carson Royal, but his day was done after he threw a second-quarter interception.
The Tigers had a better day with their back up Tino Smith, who engineered a 12-play drive to cut it to a 21-14 game with just over 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
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FAMU remembers 'Bullet Bob' Hayes
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Fans attending Saturday's game between FAMU and Savannah State were reminded of the greatest Rattler ever during halftime ceremonies that highlighted the achievements of Bob Hayes on the tracks and football field.
The recognition hailed Hayes on the 50th anniversary of his winning two gold medals in the 1964 Olympics at Tokyo and became the fastest man on the planet at the time. Hayes was such a dominant force in track and field that he was better known as "Bullet Bob" throughout his career.
VIDEO: Bob Hayes, 1964 Olympics
VIDEO: The Complete Tokyo 1964 Olympics Film | Olympic History
Bob Hayes won two Gold Medals in Olympic and World Record fashion: 100m (starting at 24:46) and 400m Relay (starting at 54:30)).
Hayes took his speed to the NFL as a receiver and had such an impact on the game that he made the man-to-man defense obsolete, forcing teams to adopt the now popular zone defense.
Hayes was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2009 ...
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The recognition hailed Hayes on the 50th anniversary of his winning two gold medals in the 1964 Olympics at Tokyo and became the fastest man on the planet at the time. Hayes was such a dominant force in track and field that he was better known as "Bullet Bob" throughout his career.
VIDEO: Bob Hayes, 1964 Olympics
VIDEO: The Complete Tokyo 1964 Olympics Film | Olympic History
Bob Hayes won two Gold Medals in Olympic and World Record fashion: 100m (starting at 24:46) and 400m Relay (starting at 54:30)).
Hayes took his speed to the NFL as a receiver and had such an impact on the game that he made the man-to-man defense obsolete, forcing teams to adopt the now popular zone defense.
Hayes was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2009 ...
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Jordan, Brihm lead Bethune-Cookman to 49-12 rout of Howard
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — The third quarter has been a thorn in Bethune-Cookman’s side this season.Coming into Saturday’s homecoming game, the Wildcats had been outscored 41-8 in the third period. And when Howard’s Robert Mercer returned the second-half kickoff 74 yards to set up a touchdown, it appeared the pattern would continue.
But Anthony Jordan followed up with a 79-yard touchdown run on first down, and the Wildcats went on to crush Howard 49-12 before a near-capacity crowd of 10,247 at Municipal Stadium.
“We got punched in the mouth there,” B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. “They came out with a big return off of our guys’ lackadaisical play. Then, they got it in the end zone a couple of plays later. But I tell our guys it’s not that you get punched in the mouth, it’s how you respond. And they responded.”
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Week 7: HBCU Football ScoreCard & Feature Bands
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Football Saturday, October 11, 2014
OVC
Jacksonville State 27, Tennessee State 20 Watch Replay
SWAC
Southern 35, Alabama A&M 34
Mississippi Valley State 27, Jackson State 23
Grambling State 28, Alcorn State 21
Prairie View A&M 34, Alabama State 24
MEAC
North Carolina Central 48, South Carolina State 35
Delaware State 13, Norfolk State 10 OT
Bethune-Cookman 49, Howard 12
Florida A&M 24, Savannah State 14
North Carolina A&T 31, Hampton 14 (Thursday) Highlights
» Watch Replay SIAC
Clark Atlanta 41, College of Faith 0
Limestone 47, Paine 30
Stillman 48, Benedict 36
Fort Valley State 36, Kentucky State 21
Miles 22, Central State (Ohio) 12
Tuskegee 49, Morehouse 0
Albany State 33, Lane 0
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CIAA
Fayetteville State 27, Shaw 26
Virginia Union 78, Lincoln (Pa.) 13
Saint Augustine's 31, Livingstone 30
Virginia State 41, Elizabeth City State 14
Winston-Salem State 37, Johnson C. Smith 0
Bowie State 39, Chowan 11
OTHER CONFERENCES
Wesley 54, Concordia-Selma 0
Atlanta Sports Academy at Virginia University Lynchburg (Cancelled)
West Virginia Wesleyan 25, West Virginia State 22
Webber International 70, Edward Waters 14
Saint Joseph's (IN) 28, Lincoln (MO) 20
Bacone 47, Texas College 6
Langston 28, Oklahoma Baptist 21
East Stroudsburg 49, Cheyney 21
Saturday, October 11, 2014
NCCU flips the script on S.C. State
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The deck stacked against them, the N.C. Central Eagles dealt last year’s co-champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference a taste of their own medicine during a 48-35 road win at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Saturday.S.C. State had been getting low-scoring wins by running for 210 yards a game and doing an even better job of keep other teams from gaining much ground, limiting the opposition to 138 rushing yards per game.
The Eagles didn’t care about any of that.
“I felt as a rushing offense, we had to make a statement,” NCCU running back Andre Clarke said.
The 290 rushing yards NCCU generated against ...
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Delaware State squeezes past NSU 13-10
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Delaware State has one of the least productive FCS offenses.On Saturday, the Hornets barely needed it.
Mitchell Ward kicked a 43-yard field goal in overtime to lift Delaware State to a strange 13-10 MEAC win over hapless Norfolk State at Dick Price Stadium.
The Hornets (2-5, 2-1), who entered the game 120th out of 121 FCS schools in total offense, won despite being outgained 240 yards to 114 and not scoring an offensive touchdown.
"We should've won the football game," Spartans coach Pete Adrian said. "There's no question about that. I mean, we found a way to lose it."
Ward's game-winner came after NSU quarterback Tyler Clark threw an interception in the end zone on first possession of overtime.
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MVSU upsets Jackson State in Comegy's return, 27-23
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Rick Comegy and his new Mississippi Valley State team spoiled Jackson State's homecoming game.The former JSU coach, who was fired by the program last December, guided his MVSU squad to a comeback 27-23 victory at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
It was the first time since 1994 that the Delta Devils defeated the Tigers.
And it was another painful loss for JSU (3-4, 1-3 SWAC), which dropped its third game to a team seeking its first conference win.
The Tigers held the 14-6 lead. But it all changed when the Delta Devils switched quarterbacks from Patrick Ivy (the older brother of JSU quarterback LaMontiez Ivy) to Quantavius Peterson.
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Prairie View earns SWAC victory over Alabama State
PRARIE VIEW, Texas -- A slow start led to a conference loss for Alabama State.Prairie View A&M built a 20-7 first-half lead, scored a touchdown on its opening possession of the second half and held on for a 34-24 victory over the Hornets (4-3 overall, 3-2 in SWAC).
"We got off to a slow start we were a little flat in the first half and just didn't make it happen," Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. "We fought back and I was proud of them at the end. We just didn't have enough to finish it."
Alabama State's Malcolm Cyrus ran for 125 yards, Daniel Duhart threw for 225 yards and Quinterris Toppings scored a rushing touchdown.
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Southern University scores in final minute for 35-34 win over Alabama A&M
HUNTSVILLE – Southern University's Malcolm Crockett scored with just 51 seconds remaining in a 35-34 victory over Alabama A&M in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game Saturday.Alabama A&M took a 34-14 lead with 6:08 left in the third quarter when Jonathan Dorsey scored on a 44-yard pass from Jaymason Lee for the Bulldogs.
It was the third straight score for the Bulldogs who turned a 17-14 lead into the 34-14 advantage. Brandon Eldemire scored on a 2-yard-run with 8:18 left in the first half. Then Cesar Ramon-Diaz kicked a 40-yard field goal just 1:19 into the third quarter for a 27-14 lead.
After Dorsey's score, it was all Southern University as they scored the next three touchdowns for the win.
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2014-15 SWAC Preview: Alabama State, Texas Southern lead the way
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- To say the least, the 2013-14 season was a difficult one for the SWAC. While the league had a clear regular season champion in Southern, the Jaguars were ineligible for postseason play thanks to low APR scores. That would be the case for three other SWAC programs as well, with those teams allowed to participate in the conference tournament. Ultimately Mike Davis’ Texas Southern Tigers, who were picked by some to win the regular season title, earned the NCAA tournament bid with well-traveled big man Aaric Murray leading the way.Leading scorers Murray and D’Aris Scarver have moved on, which means that Davis has some significant holes to fill in order to lead Texas Southern back to the NCAA tournament. Davis welcomes back senior forward Jose Rodriguez while reloading with transfers. Nick Shepard (Long Beach State) and Nevin Johnson (Creighton) are ready to go while point guard Deverell Biggs (Nebraska)will be eligible at end of the fall semester. Will the “second chance” route once again work for Texas Southern? If it does, the Tigers will have the talent needed to win the SWAC automatic bid.
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Grambling stands alone atop SWAC with win over Alcorn
GRAMBLING, Louisiana – Grambling proved its rise to the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference West division is real.In fact, make that the entire SWAC.
Grambling shut down No. 24 Alcorn State, the SWAC's top-ranked team, Saturday, 28-21, with a mix of stingy defensive play and a fast-paced offense in the Tigers' home opener at Eddie Robinson Stadium.
Quarterback Johnathan Williams accounted for three touchdowns — two on the ground and one through the air — to lead Grambling in a battled of SWAC unbeatens.
"I think it sends a message that ...
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Abbes, 30-0 at XU in singles, reaches "Super Bowl" final
SUMTER, South Carolina -- Xavier University of Louisiana's unflappable and unbeaten Nour Abbes survived an early deficit Saturday afternoon to earn a women's singles semifinal victory in the "Super Bowl" of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.
After dropping three of the first four games, the XU sophomore won 11 of the final 12 games to produce a 6-3, 6-1 victory against NCAA Division III champion Ashnaa Rao of Johns Hopkins.
In the morning, Abbes won the NAIA championship -- the first for XU in this event -- by defeating Oklahoma Baptist's Anastasiya Baranova 6-1, 6-4. That title qualified Abbes for the "Super Bowl."
Abbes is 30-0 in her XU singles career, 13-0 this season.
"In the beginning I was trying to find the right tactics because I didn't know my opponent," Abbes said. "I just had to hang in there and not let (Rao) gain too much confidence because she's a good player.
"As soon as she started making mistakes, I used the momentum to take control of the match. And coach (Alan) Green was very encouraging and kept me focused, so I'm grateful for that."
Abbes will play NCAA Division II champion Valentine Confalonieri of Lynn for the overall championship. Confaloneri, seeded first in her division, defeated Joanna Savva of Tyler Junior College 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in the other semifinal.
All the "Super Bowl" champions in singles and doubles will earn wild cards into the USTA/ ITA Intercollegiate Indoor Championships next month in Flushing, N.Y.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
After dropping three of the first four games, the XU sophomore won 11 of the final 12 games to produce a 6-3, 6-1 victory against NCAA Division III champion Ashnaa Rao of Johns Hopkins.
In the morning, Abbes won the NAIA championship -- the first for XU in this event -- by defeating Oklahoma Baptist's Anastasiya Baranova 6-1, 6-4. That title qualified Abbes for the "Super Bowl."
Abbes is 30-0 in her XU singles career, 13-0 this season.
 |
| NOUR ABBES NAIA Women's Singles Champion of the 2014 USTA/ ITA National Small College Championships |
"As soon as she started making mistakes, I used the momentum to take control of the match. And coach (Alan) Green was very encouraging and kept me focused, so I'm grateful for that."
Abbes will play NCAA Division II champion Valentine Confalonieri of Lynn for the overall championship. Confaloneri, seeded first in her division, defeated Joanna Savva of Tyler Junior College 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in the other semifinal.
All the "Super Bowl" champions in singles and doubles will earn wild cards into the USTA/ ITA Intercollegiate Indoor Championships next month in Flushing, N.Y.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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