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XU sweeps SUNO for 4th straight GCAC tourney title

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana remains entrenched as the ruler of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball.

The Gold Nuggets won their fourth consecutive GCAC Tournament championship Saturday, beating SUNO 25-9, 25-19, 25-17 at XU's Convocation Center in a matchup of city rivals and the top two seeds.

Xavier (20-5) earned an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship and will learn Monday afternoon where it will play in the opening round next weekend.

Tournament MVP CeCe Williams' second career double-double, 12 kills and 16 digs, led the Gold Nuggets to their 59th consecutive victory against GCAC opponents. Williams, a junior outside hitter, also had two assists and a block.

"This award would not have been possible without my teammates," Williams said. "Everyone played a part in this championship, and it feels amazing."

After encountering little resistance in the first set, the Nuggets took command in the second when Williams had five kills to turn a 9-6 deficit into a 15-10 XU lead. A 9-1 run early in the third set helped Xavier reach the sweep.

"CeCe has been consistent all season," second-year XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "Her stats aren't as spectacular as other outside hitters in the conference or NAIA, but she is very much an important component of our team, especially with her ball control."

2014 GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA GOLD NUGGETS
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Joining Williams on the seven-member all-tournament team were teammates Claudia Haywood, Franziska Pirkl and Jodi Hill.

Haywood had nine kills and four blocks. Pirkl produced her second straight double-double, 25 assists and 14 digs, and had a block and three kills. Hill had eight kills, three blocks and hit .438.

GCAC Player of the Year Chinedu Echebelem had eight kills and 19 digs for the Gold Nuggets, who clinched their fourth consecutive regular-season championship two weeks ago.

"SUNO gave us a good fight and didn't make it easy for us," Lawing said. "But we found the open spots on the floor and took care of our serve and pass.

"Staying unified was one of our biggest goals. It was all about staying together, playing as a team and finishing as a team. We were unified, smart and efficient, and it was powerful."

Christal Hollins and Milica Golubovic had seven kills apiece for SUNO (25-10), which lost to Xavier for the third time this season. The Lady Knights are 0-6 against Xavier and 26-0 against the rest of the GCAC during the last two seasons.

It was the third time in four years that Xavier beat SUNO in the final. SUNO finished second in the tournament for the fourth time in five years.

Xavier outhit the Lady Knights .248 to .009 and had advantages of 41-24 in kills, 3-1 in aces, 65-50 in digs and 8-1 in blocks. Xavier committed 18 errors, and SUNO made 32.

SUNO entered the match with a .241 hitting percentage which ranked 14th in the NAIA. But the Lady Knights hit .119 against Xavier this season.

"I am so proud of our effort and our success as a cohesive unit throughout the tournament," Williams said.

Xavier has more victories against SUNO, 12, than against any other GCAC team during its winning streak. The Gold Nuggets have not lost in conference since a five-set decision to SUNO in the 2010 tournament semifinals.

Xavier has won all 45 sets it has played against GCAC opponents in the Convocation Center, which became the Nuggets' home in 2013.

Box Score

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Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

Gold Rush pull away in second half, beat Wiley 84-70

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA vs. WILEY WILDCATS
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NEW ORLEANS -- Morris Wright scored a season-high 24 points Friday, and NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana pulled away in the second half for an 84-70 men's basketball victory against Wiley.

The Gold Rush (6-1) have won three straight.

Wright, a junior guard, made four 3-pointers, the most in a game by an XU player this season. Wright's trey with 18:18 remaining put Xavier ahead to stay, 43-40.

RJ Daniels and Anthony Goode scored 13 points apiece for Xavier, and Sydney Coleman had 12. Daniels grabbed 12 rebounds in his team-leading third double-double of the season.

Phillip Miller scored 30 points, 18 in the first half, for Wiley (1-2), the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament champion last season. Miller was the Wildcats' only double-figure scorer.

Xavier won for the second consecutive game after trailing at halftime. Wiley led 40-38 at the break, but the Rush produced a decisive 17-4 second-half run which lasted slightly more than six minutes. Coleman's two free throws with 6:24 remaining ended the burst and gave Xavier a 73-54 lead. The Gold Rush led by double digits for the final 9:42.

"Our second-half turnaround started with our defense, holding Wiley to 33 percent from the field," XU coach Dannton Jackson said. "Wiley did a good job kicking our butts in the first half, but then we started playing with some toughness, responded well and made plays."

Wiley finished at 40.7 percent from the floor and made 1-of-7 second-half 3-pointers after making four in the first half.

The Gold Rush shot a season-best 55.2 percent from the floor, had a season-high plus-16 rebound margin (41-25) and tied a season high with 20 assists. Xavier has outrebounded every opponent this season, five by double digits.

Xavier has beaten Wiley 15 straight times at home since 1986. The Gold Rush will visit Wiley on Nov. 25.

Xavier will play Mobile at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Convocation Center.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

TU Golden Tigers Clinch 2014 SIAC Football Championship

COURTESY: THE SIAC

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --- The Tuskegee University Golden Tigers earned the 2014 SIAC Football Championship in a 47-41 nail-biter victory over the Golden Rams of Albany State University in Montgomery, Alabama.

The game started with Albany State's Adrian Alexander returning the opening kickoff 98-yards for a touchdown. Zachary Gayden's point after attempt was good. Down 7-0, Tuskegee rallied back with an 18-yard rush by Hoderick Lowe on 3^rd and 16. Trevor Wylie's point after was good to tie the game 7-7. On the next possession, Albany State was forced to punt after they were unable to convert on a 3^rd and 8 situation.

On this possession, Lowe rushed for a 56-yard touchdown, Wylie landed the PAT to take Tuskegee up 14-7. The Golden Rams went three and out on their next drive and were forced to punt. After a fair catch by Devozea Gaines, the Golden Tigers took over on their own 48-yardline. Larry Cobb was in perfect position for a 58-yard pass from Kevin Lacey to enter the end zone. Wylie once again landed the point after, taking the score to 21-7.

Albany State unsuccessfully attempted a 47-yard field goal on their next drive. The first quarter ended during the Golden Tigers' next possession.

Unable to convert on a 3^rd and 5, Tuskegee was forced to punt. Albany State faced with a third and long and were unable to reach the first down marker was forced to punt on their possession. Progress was suspended, as Tuskegee had to punt on their next drive. On their next drive, the Golden Rams' Frank Rivers connected with Quadrey Simmons for a 14-yard touchdown and Gayden's PAT was good. The score was 21-14 with 5:57 remaining in the first half.

The remainder of the half saw failed attempts on behalf of both teams. Going into the locker rooms at halftime, the score remained 21-14.

The second half saw Tuskegee with the opening kickoff, however Lacey was sacked for a loss of nine yards, fumbled in the end zone, the fumble was recovered by ASU's Tavarius Washington to score. The two-point conversion attempt by Devonta Osborne failed; the Golden Tigers' held a narrow 21-20 lead with 13:04 remaining in the third. Lacey threw an interception on the next Tuskegee drive.

On their next drive, the Golden Rams' Jarvis Small rushed for a two-yard touchdown to take the lead. Gayden's kick was good for the point after, taking Albany State to a 27-21 lead. Tuskegee's Wylie nailed a 48-yard field goal on the next TU possession with 6:11 remaining in the third to bring the score to 27-24. Albany State couldn't make any progress with their drive and were forced to punt.

Justin Nared entered the game as the play caller for the Golden Tigers and connected with Marquel Gardner for an 84-yard touchdown; Wylie's PAT was good. With a 31-27 lead, the Tuskegee defense reentered the contest with 0:52 remaining in the quarter. The third ended with the Golden Rams in possession on their own 41-yardline.

With a close contest, the fourth quarter began and 15:00 separated the champions from the runner-ups. ASU was unable to score; therefore they were forced to punt. The Golden Tigers were unable to score and were forced to punt as well. It all came down to the final eight minutes of the contest. The Golden Rams' Rivers completed a five-yard stinger to Leonard Walker for a touchdown and Gayden's point after was successful.

Down 34-31 the Tuskegee offense entered the contest to shift the momentum of the game. Kaleep Williams made a brilliant 42-yard catch from Nared to add points in the Tuskegee column. Wylie made the point after to place the Golden Tigers up 38-34. Undeterred Albany State's Rivers once again connected with Simmons on a ten-yard touchdown. Gayden pushed ASU up further by landing the point after. TU was down 41-38 with 1:42 remaining in the game.

With a final chance to clinch the contest, the Golden Tigers started on their own 36-yardline after an 18-yard kickoff return by Lowe. Tuskegee marched the ball down the field and Michael J. Thornton scored on a two-yard dash and Wylie added the point after. The next kickoff saw the Golden Rams give up a safety. With 32 clicks remaining the Golden Tigers were in possession of the ball. With a quarterback knell the time ran down and Tuskegee earned the 2014 SIAC Championship.

The season does not end here for the Golden Tigers. With their fate in the air Tuskegee awaits their destiny for the 2014 Division II Football Playoffs. The selection show is scheduled for Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 5:00 PM EST. It can be viewed at: http://www.ncaa.com/live/player?vid=2014/1829&date=2014/11/16).

BOX SCORE

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Howard's McGhee sets record in win over Central Connecticut St.

New Britain, Connecticut– Greg McGhee rushed for 80 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to lead Howard University to a 28-25 come-from behind win over Central Connecticut State University in a non-conference game at Arute Field.

In the process, McGhee became the all-time career leader in total offense for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The senior from Pittsburgh, PA now has 9,913 yards. The old mark was 9,846 held by former Howard quarterback Ted White from 1994-98.

"It feels good; I am definitely blessed to be in this position I am in. We still have one game, so we will celebrate today and get back to work tomorrow," said McGhee.

With his team trailing, 25-7 early in the third quarter, McGhee began to take over the game. First he capped off a 40-yard drive with a two-yard run with 4:03 in the third quarter.

"We came out slow in the first half and I think we left a lot of points on the table," said Howard Head Coach Gary Harrell. "Twice we were on the goal line in a position to go in for the score and we came up with nothing. We had two field goal opportunities and didn't capitalize on them. So we came into halftime, regrouped, set the score at zero to zero, declared it a new game and made a commitment to come out and win the second half."

After the Bison defense stopped the Blue Devils, McGhee capitalized by capping off a short drive with a 12-yard sprint that cut the deficit to 25-20 to start the fourth quarter. The conversion failed.

The Bison defense, which surrendered big plays all day, again made a key stop on fourth down and paved the way for McGhee to put together the game-winning drive. The senior capped off the 50-yard drive with a seven-yard weaving run that made it, 26-25 with 10:27 still left. McGhee connected with William Parker on the two-point conversion to make it 28-25. But Central Connecticut State, which amassed almost 500 yards of offense, still had time.

"As far as adjustments, we said we had to eliminate the big plays that happened in the first half," said Howard linebacker Devin Rollins, who had 11 tackles. "That's what killed us, those big plays. We made a conscious effort to get off the field on third and fourth downs and that was the key to the second half. We have a number of people playing positions that they don't usually play but they stepped up and hung in there."

The Blue Devils were able to move the ball, it when it mattered, the Bison defense came up big when cornerback Kenneth Russ broke up a pass intended for Tyrell Holmes that turned the ball over on downs to the bison.

From there, McGhee displayed the poise and leadership that has been his trademark during his four-year career. Mixing up plays with Parker (93 yards on 18 carries), Howard was able to pick up three first downs and run out the clock to its third straight game.

"Greg came out and made some key plays in the second half," noted Harrell. "I think he trusted his teammates a little too much in the first half and wanted them to make more plays. In the second half he came out got more aggressive and made the plays when we needed them."

McGhee rushed for 119 yards and three TDs and was 15 of 33 passing for 216 yards and a TD.

Defensively, Ghafona Iduwe (11 tackles), Devin Rollins (11 tackles), Khari Brown (8 tackles) and Kenneth Russ (6 tackles) all came up big in the second half during the comeback.

Central Connecticut State received a game-high 124 yards rushing yards and 1909 yards receiving and a TD from Rob Holloway and 20 of 28 passing for 279 yards and three TDs from Nick Sangiacomo in a losing effort.

The Bison close out the season next Saturday when they host rival Hampton University at 12:30 pm in Greene Stadium. It will be senior day for McGhee, Malcolm Rutledge, Richard Aiyegoro, Khari Brown and Stewart Hartman will be playing their last home game in a Bison uniform.

"Hampton is a tough team; they have a good solid quarterback who we have to contain," explained Harrell. "You can throw out the records and the prior wins. This game is all about pride and the reputation of both universities. WE want to come out and represent the university well. We've been successful three straight years; we want to keep that winning streak going and continue to give our alumni the bragging rights for another 365 days."

"We got one more week, then it's our senior game. Like I said, we will celebrate toGreg McGhee.
day and we're back to business tomorrow," said

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Fleming powers FAMU Rattlers to big win over DSU Hornets

DOVER, Delaware -- Sometimes all it takes is one extremely well-played half of football.

Senior quarterback Damien Fleming put together one of his best games of the season — even though he did most of his damage in the first half — and led the Rattlers to a decisive 41-7 victory over the Delaware State Hornets.

Fleming's first half pretty much sealed the victory for the Rattlers. The senior quarterback completed 13 of 16 passes for 261 yards with three touchdowns to three different receivers. He also had a touchdown run and an interception while the Rattlers took a 31-0 lead into halftime.

"We've got the best quarterback in FCS when it comes down to it, in my opinion," said interim head coach Corey Fuller.

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Alabama State Hornets Win At Grambling

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Malcolm Cyrus rushed for 180 yards and one touchdown while Daniel Duhart threw three touchdown passes as the Alabama State football team rallied from a 13-point first quarter deficit to win at Grambling 37-23.

Alabama State (6-5 overall, 5-4 SWAC) gained 266 of its 495 yards on the ground to defeat the SWAC Western Division leading Tigers (7-4, 7-1).

"I couldn't be prouder of these guys," Alabama State head football coach Reggie Barlow said. "We had great energy level as a team, the coaches did a great job of preparing them, and we just played with the type of energy and effort you need to win."

A blocked extra point after Grambling's second touchdown sparked the Hornets. A seven-play, 56-yard drive ended with the first of two Ephraim Henderson touchdown receptions to cut the Alabama State deficit to 13-7 late in the first quarter.

The Hornets took the lead for good in the second quarter. Cyrus' eight-yard touchdown run capped a five-play, 70-yard drive that gave the Hornets a 14-13 advantage with 5:23 to play until halftime.

The defense got on the board when Kourtney Berry recovered a fumble and scored with less than two minutes to play to give Alabama State a 21-13 lead. Grambling converted a field goal on the final play of the half as the Hornets led 21-16 at halftime.

"There were some run plays we've had in the past that have worked well for us, but we changed some things up," Barlow said. "It was positive to see us moving the ball. Once you know you can move the ball, every once in a while things happen (in regards to three turnovers). But, the guys kept fighting, kept working hard, the O-line kept blocking, and it worked out in our favor. The defense stood up, forced three turnovers and played well. It was a good team win for us."

In the third quarter, defensive end Edward Mosley caught an 18-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama State a 28-16 led it would take to the fourth quarter.

After Grambling scored to cut the Hornet lead to 28-23 less than a minute into the fourth quarter, the Hornets answered less than a minute later. Henderson got behind the GSU defense on a 40-yard touchdown reception to push the lead to 34-23.

"I'm so proud of E.J.," Barlow said. "All he does is come to work every day for the last few years and work hard. He's been our holder on field goals and extra points, and playing as the fourth or fifth receiver. He's just one of those guys that doesn't complain and works all the time. When his number was called, he made the plays."

Preston Clark's 44-yard field goal with 6:25 remaining in the game capped a 12-play, 50-yard drive that consumed nearly six minutes off the clock for the final margin.

The win by the Hornets in the final SWAC game of the season is the fourth consecutive over Grambling in the series. The Hornets conclude the regular season in the 91^st Turkey Day Classic against Stillman at 1 p.m. next Saturday.

"It's one of the things we talked to the team about," Barlow said. "There are not a lot of teams anywhere that can say they've won against Grambling four years in a row. It's big for us. I commend our players and coaches. The guys bought into the plan. We had a great week of practice and great energy, and we brought it here."

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Freshman QB helps VSU Trojans end WSSU Rams’ CIAA reign

DURHAM, North Carolina — There have been quarterbacks of all makes and models who have tried to beat Winston-Salem State over the last five seasons. Few people anticipated it would be a freshman making his first college start that would derail the Rams Express.

Freshman Niko Johnson, starting in the place of suspended Tarrian Ayers, guided Virginia State to an improbable 21-17 victory over 10th-ranked WSSU on Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans (9-2) won their first CIAA championship since 1996, and they also halted the Rams (9-2) 31-game conference win streak. The Rams, the two-time defending champions, could never get into the rhythm thanks to a Trojans’ defense that was up to the task.

“It was a hard-fought football game —

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Week 12, HBCU Football ScoreCard

CIAA Championship Game
Virginia State 21, Winston-Salem State 17

SIAC Championship Game
Tuskegee 47, Albany State 41

SWAC
Prairie View A&M 38, Alabama A&M 35
Alabama State 37, Grambling State 23
Alcorn State 56, Arkansas Pine Bluff 6
Southern 44, Mississippi Valley 13
Jackson State 15, Texas Southern 10

MEAC
Hampton 40, Bethune-Cookman 35 (Thur.) Watch Replay

North Carolina A&T 34, Savannah State 0
Morgan State 24, South Carolina State 21
North Carolina Central 19, Norfolk State 14
Howard 28, Central Connecticut State 25
Florida A&M 41, Delaware State 7

OTHER CONFERENCES
#17 Langston 27, Bacone 14
Glenville State 30, West Virginia State 7
Missouri S&T 14, Lincoln (Mo.) 9
Seton Hill 56, Cheyney 18
Southwest Assemblies of God 48, Texas College 0

UMES Mascot Named Nation's No. 1 College Basketball Mascot

HARRY THE HAWK
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETICS

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Harry The Hawk, the 9-foot tall air-filled mascot of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has been selected by College Court Report as the nation's number one college basketball mascot.

College Court Report, who on their website states they are, "providing you with unique perspectives on anything and everything College Basketball," created a Mascot Mayhem contest. Its objective was to try to predict who has the best mascot in all of NCAA Basketball.

UMES says Harry T. won the online bracket-style competition styled after the NCAA's tournament, March Madness. Collectively, UMES says Harry T. tallied 76.3 percent of votes in defeating six opponents head-to-head.

On College Court Report's website they stated the contest rules, "We selected our Top 64 mascots and used computer software to generate a tournament bracket for all 64 mascots. Via Twitter, using the hashtags designed specifically for each mascot, or the polls on this page, individuals are able to vote for their favorite mascot!" Harry's hashtag was #CCRHarry.

UMES says Harry bested ...

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FAMU women's X-country captures third consecutive MEAC title

SMYRNA, Delaware -- When Judith Kibii crossed the finish line at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's Cross Country championship in after battling sleet, shifting terrain and 40-degree temperatures, she didn't even bother to check what place she finished in.

She placed second, but that really didn't matter. Kibii, in her first year running cross country for Florida A&M, turned around an looked for her teammates. Where they finished, she said, would determine whether or not the team won the championship.

The team's collective finish is what really counted, she said.

"I was not thinking of myself," the Eldoret, Kenya, native said.

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Friday, November 14, 2014

XU hits .419, rolls to another GCAC Tournament final

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana hit .419 Friday and got seven kills apiece from Claudia Haywood, Jodi Hill and CeCe Williams in a 25-14, 25-11, 25-8 women's volleyball victory against Talladega in the semifinals of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Gold Nuggets (19-5), seeded first in the tournament, will play second-seeded SUNO (25-9) for the championship at noon Saturday at the Convocation Center. It's the second consecutive year and the third time in four years that Xavier and the Lady Knights will meet in the final.

Xavier seeks its fourth consecutive GCAC Tournament title. The champion will earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin Nov. 22.

The Gold Nuggets committed four attack errors, their fewest in a match since the program restarted in 2010, and had 10 kills in each set. They hit .526 in a third set in which they built a 24-3 lead.

"It was the first time this season that every time I went into a huddle, I didn't have anything to say," second-year XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "There were no adjustments to make or any feedback to give them because they did everything we've been telling them to do all season."

Neither Haywood nor Hill, the Nuggets' best middle blockers, committed an attack error. Haywood hit .875 in eight attempts, and Hill hit .467 in 15 swings. Williams hit .400 and had six kills in the final set.

Darian Harris and Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova served three aces apiece for Xavier. Franziska Pirkl had 26 assists and 11 digs in her eighth double-double of the season but her first in more than a month.

"Fran Pirkl played like an aggressive setter who wanted to play defense," Lawing said. "She was offensive and she was defensive. That's what any coach wants from the setter."

GCAC Player of the Year Chinedu Echebelem had nine digs, and Harris had eight.

Talladega -- the No. 5 seed and the tournament's lone upset winner with a quarterfinal sweep of No. 4 Philander Smith -- had more attack errors than kills in every set and finished at minus-.124 for the match. Carla Novaes and Tanaria Rounds had nine kills apiece for the Lady Tornadoes (13-17).

At SUNO, the Lady Knights beat Edward Waters 25-20, 25-10, 25-11 in the quarterfinals, then rallied for a 25-27, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22, 15-13 semifinal victory against third-seeded Dillard. Xavier had a quarterfinal bye because eighth-seeded Voorhees withdrew from the tournament Wednesday.

Tickets for the championship match will cost $5 for ages 13 and older. There will be free admission for ages 12 and younger and for GCAC-member students with valid school identification cards.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

Xavier's Echebelem, Lawing capture GCAC's top awards

Chinedu Echebelem

Hannah Lawing

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana picked up two more Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball awards when Chinedu Echebelem was named Player of the Year and Hannah Lawing received Coach of the Year.

The awards, voted on by the league's head coaches, were announced Thursday at a banquet on the eve of the GCAC Tournament. Xavier, the regular-season champion and tournament's No. 1 seed, will play at 3 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at its Convocation Center against the winner of a noon match between Philander Smith and Talladega.

Echebelem, a 5-foot-6 senior outside hitter from Dallas and a graduate of Duncanville High School, will enter the tournament with 187 kills, a .208 hitting percentage, 217 digs and 14 blocks. She has seven kill-dig double-doubles this season.

"I am very thankful and grateful for this award," said Echebelem, who on Wednesday was named All-GCAC for the third time. "Behind every great player is a great team. I could not have won this award without them. I dedicate this award to my teammates and both my coaches."

Last week Echebelem was named to the Capital One Academic All-District 2 college division team.

"Nay (Echebelem) earned Player of the Year," Lawing said. "She deserved it. I'm happiest for her."

Lawing, in her third year at Xavier and second as head coach, led the Gold Nuggets to a 14-0 GCAC record and 18-5 overall. The regular-season championship is Xavier's fourth in a row.

"I could not have received this award without the people surrounding me," Lawing said. "My team, my assistant coach, Hilary Lobenstein, our trainer, Allie Wood, our staff and fellow coaches at Xavier and my boss, Jason Horn. I owe it all to them."

Lawing, 25, is 44-13 as the Nuggets' coach. Lobenstein joined the staff this summer.

"I want to emphasize how important Hilary is to me and the girls," Lawing said. "She is a blessing to everyone in our program, and I'm so grateful she is with us."

Xavier won Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons and Coach of the Year for the third time in four years. Taylor Reuther, who is redshirting this season, was the 2012 Player of the Year. Christabell Hamilton won Coach of the Year in her only seasons at Xavier, 2011 and 2012.

Xavier will enter the tournament with a 57-match win streak against GCAC opponents -- including 11 consecutive tournament victories the past three seasons -- and a 55-match win streak against HBCUs.

The championship match will start at noon Saturday at Xavier.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS