MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAIN STREET&#8482;

Coleman's last-minute scoring helps Rush defeat Mobile

XU men's basketball vs. Mobile (22 photos)

photos by Yamlak Tsega — at Xavier University Convocation Center

NEW ORLEANS -- Sydney Coleman scored six points in the final minute to lift NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 62-60 men's basketball victory against Mobile.

The Gold Rush (7-1) rallied from a 38-22 halftime deficit to extend its win streak to four.

Coleman's two free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining put Xavier ahead to stay, 61-60. Mobile's Lawrence Pierce committed a turnover on the ensuing possession when he stepped over the baseline trying to inbound the ball, then XU's Morris Wright made 1-of-2 free throws for the final points.

Wright did not miss a shot the first 39 minutes, including five 3-pointers, and scored 22 points. Jacques Johnson scored 10, and Coleman had nine.

Pierce scored 11 points, Will Hornsby 10 and James Davis nine for the Rams (3-2).

Xavier rallied after CJ McGill's steal and basket gave Mobile a 53-48 lead with 5:26 remaining.

Coleman's field goal -- his only one of the game -- gave Xavier a 57-56 lead with 59 seconds remaining, and his two free throws with 34 seconds to play gave the Rush a 59-58 lead.

Daouda Soumaoro scored eight points and Kenny Davison seven to spark Mobile to its commanding halftime advantage, but neither scored in the second half. Xavier got back into contention by outscoring the Rams 19-3 in the first 10 minutes of the second half and took its biggest lead, 46-41, on an RJ Daniels basket at 10:16. From that point until the final minute, there were three ties and three lead changes.

It was the sixth time in three seasons that Xavier won in its Convocation Center after trailing by double digits.

Xavier outshot the Rams 45.9 to 34.1 percent from the floor, 57.9 to 28.6 in the second half. Mobile made 27-of-32 free throws, and the Gold Rush made 22-of-34. Three Mobile players and one from Xavier fouled out.

Mobile outrebounded Xavier 28-25 to become the first Gold Rush opponent this season to win the boards.

Xavier beat Mobile for the 10th consecutive time -- the longest streak in the series -- and leads 35-26 overall. They'll meet again at 3 p.m. December 13 at Mobile.

Xavier will play LeMoyne-Owen College of Memphis, Tenn., at noon Saturday for homecoming at the Convocation Center. That will be followed by a 2 p.m. matchup between Xavier's women and Warner.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

TU Golden Tigers to Host NCAA Division II Playoff Game

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- For the second consecutive year the Golden Tigers' are back in the NCAA Division II football playoffs. Saturday's contest marks the first time, Tuskegee University will host a playoff football game. This weekend, TU will host the Wolves of the University of West Georgia; kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CST in Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.

Tickets are $10 per person, and student/children's tickets are $5 with a valid student ID. Tickets will be available for purchase on Thursday, November 20th at the Tuskegee University cashier window, however prepayment orders are being accepted now. To prepay please call: (334) 727-8594.

In addressing the team following the selection show, Head Coach Willie Slater said, "Let's get ready, we have work to do."

The Golden Tigers defeated seventh-ranked Albany State 47-41 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship to clinch the third seed and home field advantage. The Wolves defeated Shorter 31-17 to punch their playoff ticket.

The Tuskegee/West Georgia winner will travel to Cleveland, Mississippi, to take on second-seeded Delta State University on November 29th.

Last season, the Golden Tigers advanced to the playoffs for the first time in the program's lengthy history. They suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of North Alabama, 30-27 to end their post-season run.

Please follow us @MyTUAthletics on twitter and facebook.com/GoldenTigerSports for playoff information. Remember goldentigersports.com is always a source for updates on Tuskegee Athletics.

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

VSU Set To Host NCAA DII First Round Playoff Game

ETTRICK, Virginia -- On Sunday, November 16 the NCAA Division II Football Committee announced Virginia State University Trojans as the number 3 seed in Super Region One. The Trojans will play host to the number 6 seed the Pioneers of Long Island University-Post of Brookville, N.Y. Kick-off is slated for noon on Saturday, November 22 at Rogers Stadium on the VSU campus.

Head football coach Latrell Scott had the playoffs in mind when selecting a strong 2014 schedule. Going up against California University of Pennsylvania and Lenior-Rhyne University early in the season along with winning the CIAA championship helped propel the Trojans to securing the number three seed in Super Region One.

It is the first trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs in program history for the Trojans. LIU-Post is 8-3 on the season and competes in the North East-10 Conference. It will be the first meeting between the two programs and the fourth NCAA playoff appearance for the Pioneers.

Tickets can be purchased from the VSU Athletic Department between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. beginning Wednesday, November 19. General admission tickets are $15 and students with a valid school I.D. are $10. Event parking will be $10.

For more information contact the VSU Athletic Department at 804-524-5031.

NCAA Division II
Super Region I Ranking

Concord (11-00
Bloomsburg (10-1)
Virginia State (9-2)
West Chester (10-1)
Slippery Rock (9-2)
LIU- Post (8-3)

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Silence is Morgan St. football's approach to MEAC title possibility

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- As one of four teams trailing Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leader North Carolina A&T by one game for the league championship, Morgan State knows it has a chance to gain a share of the title.

That opportunity depends on a few scenarios, two of which include the Bears (6-5 overall and 5-2 in the conference) defeating Delaware State (2-9, 2-5) on Saturday and the No. 24 Aggies (9-2, 6-1) losing to North Carolina Central (6-5, 5-2). But those possibilities are not part of the conversation in the Morgan State locker room, according to coach Lee Hull.

“We’re not discussing that,” he said Tuesday morning during his weekly conference call organized by the MEAC. “All we’re worried about is winning the game and playing Delaware State. There has to be some other things to happen for us to share the title. So we’re just really concerned about our gamen and then we’ll see what happens.”

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Saturday's B-CU game with FAMU could be another classic

ORLANDO, Florida -- Some Classics are more classic than others.

It's about storylines. And surprises. And drama.

The best Florida Classics toy with your emotions. They contain shocking twists and astonishing turns, heroics and crash-and-burn failures, championship celebrations and bitter disappointments.

Saturday's game between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman at a refurbished Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando has a chance to be remembered among the best of the 35 Florida Classics since the game was renamed in 1978 and moved permanently to a neutral site (the teams didn't play each other in 1984-85).

Florida A&M quarterback Damien Fleming will be playing in his final game as a Rattler. After struggling early this season, Fleming moved into second place on the school's all-time passing list last week with 6,868 yards.

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PVAMU To Break Ground for Multi-Million Dollar Football Stadium and Athletic Field House

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- In what can only be described as an historic moment at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), the $60 million dollar Football Stadium & Athletic Field House project scope and budget were approved by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents.

The 2-year project, slated to begin in December, includes the demolition of the existing Blackshear Field and the construction of a new state-of-the-art facility in the same location. The complex will feature a 15,000-seat stadium, with the capability of expansion to 30,000-seats.

Planned stadium amenities include:

· West side (home) grandstand capacity of 9,000 and east side grandstand capacity of 6,000
· Artificial turf playing surface
· Press level
· Covered concourse including concessions and merchandising space
· Premium seating and luxury seats
· The Athletic Field House immediately adjacent to the stadium will house a strength and conditioning area, sports medicine suite, team meeting rooms, academic support space and locker rooms.

"Indeed this is truly a momentous occasion for the entire Prairie View A&M University community," said Dr. George C. Wright, President, Prairie View A&M University. "Alumni, students, faculty and staff wanted a state of the art, first class facility that was worthy of our beloved Panthers and we all worked together make the dream come to fruition. We are excited to be moving forward from the initial planning to the approval stage and we will be breaking ground in the coming month."

About Blackshear Stadium

For 66 years, Blackshear Stadium, formally known as Blackshear Field, served as the home field for the Prairie View A&M University Panther football team as well as the track & field teams. The stadium is named after Edward L. Blackshear, a former principal of the university who served from 1897 to 1915. The 1948 Football team were the first team to play in Blackshear stadium and since then the team has brought home 11 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) titles and 5 national championships.

The new complex is scheduled to open for the 2016 football season.

For a look at the sports complex visit http://www.panther-stadium.com.

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

PVAMU Announces Football Coaching Staff Changes; National Search for New Head Coach Begins Immediately

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M University Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson has announced that the contract of head football coach Heishma Northern will not be renewed. The decision is effective immediately.

Northern completed his fourth season as head coach of the Prairie View A&M Panthers. The 2014 team finished with a record of 5-5. His four-year record stands at 19-25.

"I wish to thank Coach Northern for his contributions to Prairie View A&M both on and off the field," said Robinson. "This was a difficult decision but after careful review and consideration, I have decided to take the program in a different direction."

Northern served as the 31st head football coach in Prairie View A&M history. Before accepting the position of head coach in 2011, Northern spent six seasons as the team's defensive coordinator. During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Northern produced several All-Americans and fielded a nationally ranked defensive unit.

"We are grateful for the progress Coach Northern made both as head football coach and as defensive coordinator. His leadership and dedication to the students helped to create exceptional student athletes. It is important as we prepare to break ground on our new multi-million dollar stadium and athletic facility, that Coach Northern's successor shapes the program into a championship level team," stated Robinson.

Defensive backs coach Bubba McDowell will serve as interim head football coach. A national search for Northern's replacement will begin immediately.

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU trustees OK no-confidence vote in Winslow

PHOTO COURTESY: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Embattled Florida A&M University athletic director Kellen Winslow, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, issued a public apology last week for the way he has behaved since being hired six months ago.

That apology didn't carry much weight with the FAMU Board of Trustees, who approved a vote of no confidence in Winslow on Monday night by a 6-3 margin.

The vote has no impact on Winslow's tenure at FAMU, but it sends a message to President Elmira Mangum that FAMU's governing body expects significant changes from the head of its athletic department., her first hire since becoming the university's 11th president April 1.

Mangum did not address board members during Monday's conference call.

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West St. John High School community to honor fallen football coach at Friday's playoff game

His younger brother, Dray Joseph, was named the most valuable player for 2013's SWAC championship-winning Southern University Jaguars.

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- West St. John High School's football team will begin its first playoff game of the season on a somber note, but with one main focus, "do it for Juan."

Friends, family, co-workers and students of Juan Joseph, 27, who was fatally shot outside a nightclub during the early morning hours of Nov. 16, will honor his memory during a 27-balloon release and moment of silence before Friday's game.

Joseph, a quarterback coach at West St. John High School, was walking toward a car in the parking lot outside Allure nightclub at 4700 Bennington Ave. with two men around 2 a.m. when at least one of the three got into an argument with two men in a vehicle. One of the men in the vehicle fired shots, striking Joseph in the upper torso. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died of his injuries. No one else was injured, police said.

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Monday, November 17, 2014

Gathright, Hopkins rally Gold Nuggets past LSUS, 80-69

The 2014-15 Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team.

Roster

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana -- Whitney Gathright scored 21 points and Trana Hopkins 17, both season highs, to rally NAIA No. 18 Xavier University of Louisiana to an 80-69 women's basketball victory Sunday against LSU-Shreveport in the final game of the LSUS Classic.

The Gold Nuggets (2-3) gained a split of their two games in the four-team event and earned their first road victory of the season.

Gathright and Hopkins both went 2-for-2 from 3-point range during a decisive second-half run. Xavier trailed 48-44 with 16:38 remaining, then outscored the Lady Pilots 30-7 during the next 11 1/2 minutes to take a 74-55 lead. Gathright scored eight points, Hopkins seven and Eliqua Brooks five during the comeback.

Brooks finished with 13 points and a season-high-tying four steals, and Vinnie Briggs scored 12 points for Xavier. Kourtney Pennywell had 22 points, 12 rebounds and three steals for LSUS (1-1), Myeisha Williams scored 19, and Alexandra Miller had 11.

Xavier led 42-36 at halftime. There were nine ties and nine lead changes before a Brooks 3-pointer with 14:40 remaining put the Gold Nuggets ahead to stay, 52-49.

Xavier reached 80 points for the first time this season. The Gold Nuggets shot a season-best 46.2 percent from the floor and limited LSUS to 36.8 percent. Xavier made a season-high seven 3-pointers, and Gathright and Hopkins both finished 3-of-4 from long range.

"We shot pretty well on the road and had some new players step up," XU coach Bo Browder said. "We did a much better job making free throws (76.5 percent) than we did yesterday. We're getting a little better each game."

Xavier blocked six shots, two apiece by Amara Person-Hampton and Kelsee Singleton.

Xavier beat LSUS for the third consecutive time and the eighth time in their last nine meetings. They'll meet again Dec. 29 in the Xavier Holiday Classic.

The Gold Nuggets will visit NCAA Division I's Louisiana-Lafayette at 7 p.m. Tuesday, then play Warner at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center during homecoming.

NOTES: NAIA No. 11 Our Lady of the Lake, a one-point winner Saturday against Xavier, defeated Lindenwood-Belleville 112-69 in Sunday's first game . . . Gathright reached 20 points for the fifth time at Xavier . . . It was the third straight game that the Gold Nuggets reached 70 points -- first time that's happened in five years . . . Brooks, Briggs and Gathright have scored in double figures four times apiece in five games . . . Brooks has made 11-of-22 3-pointers this season.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XU to visit No. 12 Lindsey Wilson at 6:30 p.m. Saturday

NEW ORLEANS -- For the second time in three years, Xavier University of Louisiana will travel to Kentucky for the NAIA Volleyball National Championship Opening Round.

The Gold Nuggets (20-5) will play 12th-ranked Lindsey Wilson (32-3) at 6:30 p.m. CST Saturday at Biggers Sports Center in Columbia. It'll be one of 12 first-round matches nationwide, and winners will advance to the NAIA National Championship, presented by J&L Enterprises, in Sioux City, Iowa, from Dec. 2-6.

Xavier qualified for nationals for the fourth consecutive year by defeating SUNO 25-9, 25-19, 25-17 at home Saturday in the championship match of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. Lindsey Wilson earned an at-large bid after losing 25-18, 25-18, 25-19 to Georgetown (Ky.) in the Mid-South Conference tournament final. The loss ended the Blue Raiders' 28-match win streak.

"It's exciting," XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "We like playing challenging teams, and I know that Lindsey Wilson is an extremely competitive team.

"I know their coach (Andy Cavins) really well, and he's looking forward to hosting us. He's a fantastic coach who will be prepared for us -- and we will be as well-prepared as possible for them. We'll need to stay focused and not let our surroundings affect our performance."

Thirty-six teams qualified for nationals, 12 with opening-round byes. Twenty-two qualifiers were in last year's tournament, but only six have a longer active streak of tournament appearances than Xavier.

The Gold Nuggets never have won in the opening round. They were three points from advancing in four sets at Spring Hill a year ago, but the Badgers rallied and defeated Xavier 15-6 in the fifth.

In the 2012 opening round, Xavier won the first set before losing at 13th-ranked Georgetown (Ky.) 23-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-20. Xavier's other opening-round loss was 25-13, 25-11, 25-21 at Spring Hill in 2011.

Lindsey Wilson will be Xavier's first top-25 opponent since No. 23 Spring Hill last season. It will be the second meeting between the Gold Nuggets and Blue Raiders. Xavier opened its 2012 season with a 25-16, 25-23, 25-7 loss to Lindsey Wilson in the Lee Invitational at Cleveland, Tenn.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS