New VSU coach Byron Thweatt Inherits A Win-Now Team

ETTRICK, Virginia — Byron Thweatt wasted little time in reaching out to Virginia State athletic director Peggy Davis to indicate his interest in the vacant head coaching position three weeks ago. The position was a dream job for the former Richmond University assistant football coach who grew up in Ettrick, remembered getting haircuts at the university barber shop and graduated from Matoaca High School.

After passing on an opportunity to join the Trojans' coaching staff two years ago, Thweatt was not going to let another chance slip away. When he walked out of his interview Tuesday morning, the one-time NFL linebacker thought he had exceeded all expectations during the interview process. However, he did not want to be overly confident after comparing it to feeling good about a test as a child, only to not have done as great as once thought.

But those concerns were unwarranted as only two days later, Thweatt stepped up to the podium to be introduced as Virginia State University's 24th head football coach in team history. And in the minutes which followed, Thweatt addressed alumni in attendance, media and Trojans players with an opening statement which seemed to solidify he was right hire.


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Southern University Releases 2015 Football Schedule; Georgia, Louisiana Tech Included

SOUTHERN 2015 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 5: at Louisiana Tech, Ruston, LA

Sept. 12: at Mississippi Valley State*, Itta Bena, MS

Sept. 19: Jackson State*  HOME

Sept. 26: at Georgia, Athens, GA

Oct 3: OPEN

Oct. 10: at Alabama State*, Montgomery, AL

Oct. 17: Prairie View*   HOME

Oct. 24: at Texas Southern*, Houston, TX

Oct. 31: Alcorn State*   HOMECOMING

Nov. 7: at Arkansas-Pine Bluff*, Pine Bluff, AR

Nov. 14: Alabama A&M*    HOME
Nov. 21: OPEN 
Nov. 28: vs. Grambling State,* Bayou Classic, New Orleans, LA  

All home games played at A.W. Mumford Stadium
* Southwestern Athletic Conference game

Southern 2015 football schedule will include Georgia, Louisiana Tech

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern football team will open the season with an in-state road game for the second consecutive season in 2015.

The Jaguars, who finished 9-4 overall and won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division last season, will begin the season against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 5 in Ruston.

Last year, Southern opened the season with a 45-6 loss at Louisiana-Lafayette.

The other nonconference game has the Jaguars playing at Southeastern Conference power Georgia on Sept. 26.

The two nonconference games will generate $1 million in revenue for Southern. The game at Georgia comes with a $650,000 guarantee and the game at Louisiana Tech comes with a $350,000 guarantee.

The Jaguars have just four games in A.W. Mumford Stadium...

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Former CSCC teammates aid North Carolina A & T win

Bryan Akinbugbe
Hometown: Bowie, MD

Arturs Bremers
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

COLUMBIA, Tennessee -- A pair of former Columbia State teammates are
back on the court again together, this season for North Carolina A & T.

Bryan Akinbugbe, a member of the 2012 Columbia State team that went to the nationals, and Arturs Bremers, who was on the 2014 team that advance to the nationals, are playing for their former junior college coaches.

Jay Joyner, who was the coach at Columbia State, is the associate head coach under Cy Alexander at A & T. Alexander is a former coach both at Tennessee State and South Carolina State. Alexander also assisted Joyner at Columbia State.

In their most recent game, A & T defeated Cal State-Bakersfield 83-70 as Bremers made all four of his 3-point attempts and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.

In addition to his team-high 18 points, the 6-foot-3 Bremers had six rebounds, one assist and one steal. He is second on the team in scoring with 7.8 points per game and is shooting 86.7 percent from the foul line.

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Depth provides pleasant challenge for HU basketball staff

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton University's Convocation Center has been as much laboratory as gym for the past couple of weeks, as professor Ed Joyner Jr. and his merry band of scientists worked with all of the ingredients in their chemistry set.

There were some successes, as well as a few spills and clean-ups. As the Pirates completed non-conference play and dive into their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule, Joyner believes he finally has a handle — albeit a loose one — on the deepest team he has ever coached.

"It has been difficult to figure out how to piece everybody together," Joyner said. "The last 4-5 days, we've been able to get in the gym and just practice. We've been able to get everybody in there and try to figure out roles and get everybody's roles properly addressed. We think we've been able to do that."

Hampton (6-8, 2-0 MEAC) heads to Florida this weekend for games at...

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Coaches, sports information director react to interim AD's death

Nelson Townsend's funeral will take place at noon Wednesday in Gaither Gymnasium on Florida A&M's campus. There will be a viewing starting at 10 a.m. The family has told the Democrat that the funeral's time and place are subject to change.  (Photo Courtesy Florida A&M University Athletics)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Many on Florida A&M's campus believed Nelson Townsend had the university's athletic department on the right track.

He maintained open communication, kept coaches in the know and created a dialogue with fans who were disgruntled but hopeful for the future.

Townsend himself delivered a passionate message of hope to the 220 Quarterback Club Wednesday afternoon at New Times Country Buffet. He confidently raised his voice and announced a 10,000 season ticket goal and gave the group of FAMU enthusiasts a sneak preview at the 2015 football schedule.

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Saint Augustine's University Names Court After Legendary Athletic Director and Coach Harvey D. Heartley Sr

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Saint Augustine's University named the basketball and volleyball court at Emery Gymnasium after legendary Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach Harvey D. Heartley, Sr. in an unveiling ceremony on Thursday, January 8, 2015. The event was held prior to the men's and women's basketball doubleheader between Saint Augustine's University and Bowie State University.

The speakers at the ceremony included Saint Augustine's University Interim President Dr. Everett B. Ward, current Athletic Director and Legendary Track & Field Head Coach George Williams, Heartley's Sr.'s widow Maria Heartley and Heartley Sr.'s son Harvey Heartley, Jr. The Heartley family and many former Falcons' players were among those in attendance.

Coach Heartley is the all-time winningest men's basketball coach at Saint Augustine's University with 371 victories. He guided the Falcons to the 1977 and 1980 NAIA District 26 Tournament crowns and the 1984 NCAA Division II Championship game. He led the Falcons to the CIAA Championship contest four times.

As athletic director, Heartley played a huge role in changing the by-law to allow every team to qualify for the CIAA Tournament instead of eight teams. Under his leadership, the Falcons' athletic department grew from three to 13 sports under his tenure.

Heartley is in numerous hall of fames including the CIAA Hall of Fame, the Saint Augustine's University Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Central University Hall of Fame. After building a legacy at Saint Augustine's University, Heartley passed away on June 23, 2014.

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES planning to use 'unfamiliar territory' of non-conference success for MEAC play

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland  -- The new year for UMES began with a loss, but Wednesday night’s 69-60 defeat at NJIT won’t diminish the program’s accomplishment thus far.

The Hawks (8-9) recorded seven non-conference wins, which are the most since the team competed as an independent in 1980-81. They missed out on resuming their play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a winning record, but coach Bobby Collins said the game against NJIT should mirror upcoming league games.

“Last night, I told our guys that this team is going to be similar to what our games are going to be and we’ve got to learn how to respond to that,” Collins said. Thursday morning. “This team is obviously in unfamiliar territory as far as the success we’ve had thus far. So this has been very exciting coaching these young men. We’ve just got to stay focused and keep doing what we’re doing.”

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North Carolina A&T Aggies Football to Play at Elon in 2015

ELON, North Carolina -- — Elon University football head coach Rich Skrosky released the program's upcoming 2015 schedule today.

The 11-game slate features five games at home in Rhodes Stadium. Game times will be announced this summer, according to a news release from the university.

Season ticket prices will be released in the coming weeks and will be available for purchase beginning Feb. 4, the release states.

The Phoenix will open its 2015 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Wake Forest.

Sept. 19 — vs. North Carolina A&T (Hall of Fame): Elon and the Aggies will be meeting for the 11th time on the gridiron and at Rhodes Stadium for the second straight season. A&T defeated Elon 17-12 in 2014 to claim a 6-4 edge in the series that dates to 2006. The Aggies went 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the MEAC last year.

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Tech finalizes 2015 non-conference slate with Southern

RUSTON, Louisiana -- Louisiana Tech finalized its 2015 non-conference schedule Thursday with the addition of Southern.

The 2014 Conference USA West Division champs will open the season Sept. 5 against 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division champion Southern, whose rival Grambling is a couple minute drive down I-20 from Ruston.

The game will be the first in the newly renovated Joe Aillet Stadium, which is currently undergoing a $20-plus million addition to the south end zone.

Southern went 9-4 and knocked off Grambling in the Bayou Classic to clinch a berth in the SWAC title game. The Jaguars ended up falling to Alcorn State, 38-24.

With Southern coming to Ruston, Tech will hope to avoid another FCS disaster like 2014 when Northwestern State kicked a game-winning field goal to pull off a 30-27 upset.

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VSU names Byron Thweatt Head Football Coach

ETTRICK, Virginia -- Virginia State University (VSU) has named Byron Thweatt as the University's Head Football Coach. Thweatt comes to VSU from the University of Richmond (UR), where he coached linebackers and served as Director of High School Relations under head coach Danny Rocco. Thweatt joined the UR staff in the spring of 2007 following a year as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Virginia.

"My goal is to compete and to win CIAA championships," Thweatt said upon being introduced as VSU's 24th Head Football Coach. "I am putting together a committed staff that will help propel VSU's program to national prominence."

PHOTO GALLERY

Thweatt is a Chesterfield County native, having attended Matoaca High School, where he was a high school All-American as a running back and defensive end. "This is my community; this is my family," Thweatt said, referencing his close local ties.

In both 2012 and 2013, two UR linebackers were named All-CAA under Thweatt. Thweatt was also recruiting coordinator for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, before returning to the defensive side to coach the linebackers -- the position he played as an All-ACC pick at UVA.

Thweatt was a two-year, UVA captain and started 47 games in his collegiate career, a school record for starts by a linebacker. He was named All-ACC and Honorable Mention All-America by Football News following his senior year. As a senior, Thweatt recorded 125 tackles -- tied for the sixth-highest total in school history. His 387 career tackles was third in school history.

After college, Thweatt spent time with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans and played in NFL Europe.

VSU Athletic Director Peggy Davis said Thweat impressed the school's search committee with more than his football knowledge. "He's part of VSU," she said. "We chose Byron because of his character and his leadership skills."

Thweatt and his wife Mieya have three daughters: Brianna, Bryce and Bralynn.

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Noon Update: FAMU interim AD Nelson Townsend has died

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M interim athletic director Nelson Townsend has died. He was 73.

University President Elmira Mangum said Townsend was a compassionate human being.

"The university lost a dear friend, excellent leader and administrator," she said in a statement. "We will miss Nelson Townsend. We join his wife and family in mourning this great loss."

The Rev. R.B. Holmes, Townsend's pastor at Bethel Missionary Baptist church, said he is currently with Townsend's family. Townsend collapsed earlier this morning before an 8:30 a.m. meeting, said FAMU spokesman Jimmy Miller.

"He was a great man," Holmes said.

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Interim FAMU Athletic Director Nelson Townsend Has Died

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University's interim athletics director has died.

Early Thursday morning, Nelson Townsend, 73, was taken to a local hospital. Shortly before noon, Townsend passed away.

FAMU President Elmira Mangum tapped Townsend in December to take over as the school's Interim Athletic Director following the abrupt resignation of Kellen Winslow. Townsend was no stranger to FAMU—he served twice previously as the university's athletic director.

At the time of his appointment, Townsend was leading the search for a new football coach.

FAMU Issues Statement Regarding the Passing of Interim Athletic Director Nelson Townsend

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) was shaken this morning by the sudden death of Interim Athletic Director Nelson Townsend. President Elmira Mangum said, “The University lost a dear friend, excellent leader, and administrator.” She applauded Nelson Townsend as a fine man of God and compassionate human being.

“We will miss Nelson Townsend. We join his wife and family in mourning this great loss,” Mangum said.

Unbeaten Loyola wins for first time at Xavier, 68-55

PHOTO GALLERY:  XU women's basketball vs. Loyola

NEW ORLEANS -- Janeicia Neely scored 21 points, 15 in the first half, to lead unbeaten Loyola to a 68-55 women's basketball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Wolf Pack (13-0), ranked seventh in NAIA Division I, led wire-to-wire and defeated the Gold Nuggets (8-9) for the first time ever at Xavier.

Neely did not miss a first-half shot -- she was 7-of-7 from the floor -- to lead Loyola to a 35-28 halftime advantage. Loyola led by 17 points twice in the second half and by double digits for the final 10:21.

Neely's 3-point play gave Loyola a 16-5 lead at 11:09 of the first half.

Megan Whittaker made five 3-pointers and scored 17 points for the Wolf Pack, and Meghan Temple had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Whitney Gathright made four 3-pointers and led Xavier with 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Vinnie Briggs had 13 points and six rebounds, and Alesha Smith scored 10 points.

Loyola outshot Xavier 41.1 to 29.5 percent from the floor. The Wolf Pack made 16-of-18 free throws, and Xavier made 14-of-25.

Xavier has lost five of its last six games and has its first three-game home losing streak since the 2009-10 season. The home skid follows a 24-game win streak at the Convocation Center, which opened in November 2012.

Xavier leads the series with its city rival 30-7 overall and 16-1 at Xavier.

Xavier's next game will start at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponent Philander Smith.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold

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Obituary: Dallas Cowboys legend Jethro Pugh (ECSU) dies

A native of Windsor, North Carolina, Pugh entered Elizabeth City State University at the age of 16 and by the time he turned 20 he was already a member of the Dallas Cowboys (with a college degree). 

IRVING, Texas -- Jethro Pugh, an original member of the Dallas Cowboys’ famed Doomsday Defense who played on two Super Bowl title teams, died Wednesday.

Relatives said he died of natural causes. He was 70.

Mr. Pugh was also on the Cowboys team that played in the famed Ice Bowl, the 1967 NFL Championship Game against Green Bay. The Cowboys will play a playoff game at Green Bay on Sunday for the first time since the Ice Bowl, and owner Jerry Jones said Mr. Pugh’s spirit will be with the team , with a Bachelor's Degree.

PHOTO GALLERY:  Photos: A look back at former Cowboys defensive tackle Jethro Pugh



“This is a sad day for Cowboys fans, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Jethro’s family,” Jones said in a statement. “He was loved and appreciated by his teammates and Cowboys fans for decades, and his spirit will be felt when our team travels to Green Bay this weekend.”

Mr. Pugh, a native of Windsor, N.C., was picked in the 11th round of the 1965 NFL Draft out of tiny Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, N.C. He went on to play 14 years with the Cowboys, the fourth-longest tenure in franchise history.

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Townsend: FAMU athletics not 'broken'

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Since being named Florida A&M’s interim athletic director, Nelson Townsend has frequently said he wants to maintain open communication between the university’s athletic department and Rattler Nation.

He delivered on that promise in a big way Wednesday afternoon.

In front of a crowd of about 50 members of the 220 Quarterback Club, a group of FAMU sports enthusiasts, Townsend unflinchingly tackled questions on a variety of subjects.

From the the school’s athletic department, to it’s under-performing sports teams and future plans for the football team, which may not include trips to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Townsend also announced FAMU’s 2015 football schedule during the 60-minute question-and-answer session.

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Virginia State will name Richmond assistant Byron Thweatt head football coach

COACH BYRON THWEATT
Courtesy: University of Richmond Athletics

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia State University will introduce University of Richmond assistant Byron Thweatt as its head football coach Thursday.

Thweatt, 36, is a graduate of Matoaca High School and the University of Virginia. He has been a member of the Spiders’ staff for eight years. Thweatt coached inside linebackers and was UR’s director of high school relations in 2014. He has also coached other positions for Richmond and was the program’s recruiting coordinator.

“There’s a lot of buzz at Virginia State, so I’m very pleased with the opportunity,”said Thweatt, an All-ACC linebacker as a U.Va. senior. “That’s a community I grew up in and it’s a great opportunity for me to give back to the community and continue a tradition that has really taken off.”

Thweatt succeeds Latrell Scott, a Lee-Davis High grad who left Division II VSU to become ,,,

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UVA Quarterback David Watford will finish his college career at Hampton University

HAMPTON, Virginia -- After nearly a month of searching for the right place to get back on the field, David Watford is continuing his football career where it began.

Watford, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound quarterback who graduated from Hampton High and spent the past four seasons at Virginia, has transferred to Hampton University. He told the Daily Press he'll begin graduate classes Monday in sports administration at HU, where he'll compete next season as a redshirt senior quarterback.



"I'm definitely excited for the opportunity, and a fresh start at the end of the day," said Watford, a former U.Va. starting quarterback who graduated from the school with an undergraduate degree in African-American studies. "I want to have fun and play up to my capabilities.

"(HU's coaches) told me I'll have to work for my spot to earn it. It's my job to go out there and earn my spot and keep it."

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FAMU Athletics Announces 2015 Football Schedule

11-game slate features rugged opening act in September

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University Interim Director of Athletics Nelson E. Townsend Wednesday afternoon announced the 2015 Rattler Football Schedule.

New Head coach Alex Wood, appointed to take the helm of the storied Rattler program on December 23, will lead his charges through a challenging gauntlet of games that features three non-conference matches and eight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference bouts.

September will be a strong opening act for the Rattler squad, as they face three straight road games to open the season, beginning with the Sept. 5 lid lifter in Tampa against the University of South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.

The Rattlers will then head to Birmingham, Ala., Sept. 12 to face the Samford University Bulldogs , followed by their Sept. 19 MEAC opener sgainst the South Carolina State Bulldogs in Orangeburg. They wind down the month at home, Sept. 26 against the Big Blue Tigers of Tennessee State.

Conference games will dominate the October and November play dates, beginning Oct. 3 with the road test against the Savannah State Tigers in Savannah, Ga.

Home in Bragg Stadium will be the theme for the remainder of October, as the Rattlers will host three home games in four weeks: Oct. 10 against the Eagles of North Carolina Central; Oct. 17 against theDelaware State Hornets, and following an open date on Oct. 24, against the North Carolina A&T
Aggies, on Oct. 31.

In November, FAMU closes the regular season as they began the campaign with three straight on the road: Nov. 7 against the Hampton Pirates at Hampton, Va.; Nov. 14 against the Bears of Morgan State in Baltimore,Md., and Nov. 21 against archrival Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Blue Florida Classic in the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Season ticket packages are being finalized for the 2015 FAMU Home Schedule, and will go on sale beginning Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the Rattler Box Office in The Al Lawson Center.

Call (850) 599-3141 for ticket reservations or for more information.

2015 FAMU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 at University of South Florida+                Tampa, Fla.

Sept. 12 at Samford University**                          Birmingham, Ala.

Sept. 19 at South Carolina State* Orangeburg, S.C.

SEPT. 26 TENNESSEE STATE++     HOME

Oct. 3 at Savannah State* Savannah, Ga.

OCT. 10 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL*     HOME

OCT. 17 DELAWARE STATE *      HOME

OCT. 31 NORTH CAROLINA A&T*       HOME

Nov. 7 at Hampton University* Hampton, Va.

Nov. 14 at Morgan State University* Baltimore, Md.

Nov. 21 Bethune-Cookman * Orlando, Fla. (Florida Blue/Florida Classic)

*Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Games
+ American Athletic Conference

 **Southern Conference
++Ohio Valley Conference



COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M's Townsend announces 2015 football schedule, reveals potential bowl game

NELSON TOWNSEND
INTERIM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M interim athletic director Nelson Townsend announced Florida A&M's 2015 football schedule during a nearly hourlong question and answer session with the 220 Quarterback Club Wednesday afternoon.

During the meeting, Townsend also revealed plans for a potential end-of-season bowl game between the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwest Athletic Conference. The bowl would take the champions from both conferences, removing them from the Football Championship Subdivision playoff picture.

Townsend said teams from both conferences would still be eligible to receive at-large bids, though typically only the champions from each conference earns a spot in the FCS playoffs. He added FAMU voted against the potential bowl game, and that the SWAC still needs to vote before plans for the game are finalized.

"That is the plan but it has not ...

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Bryan Henry column: Time to get back to work

Jamey Shouppe
Head Coach
FAMU Baseball

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- It feels great to get back in the office here at Florida A&M.

We have had meetings each morning to make sure we are all on the same page and ready for our first baseball team meeting today. I have seen a handful of players coming in and out of the athletic building, and all of us are sharing the same excitement. We are ready to get this train rolling. Our first meeting will map out the spring so the guys know exactly what to expect in preparation for the start of the season next month.

The new year started on a pretty good note for us as a staff. We may have found a volunteer coach for the season.

Head coach Jamey Shouppe called asistant coach Brett Richardson and I in and said I want you to ...

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Report: Bethune-Cookman’s second-leading scorer, reserve guard to transfer

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman took a big hit to its roster on Tuesday afternoon as second-leading scorer Clemmye Owens and reserve guard Tony Kynard will transfer. The news of the duo’s transfer was reported by Corey Albertson of Prep Hoops Ohio.

Both Owens and Kynard are sophomore guards and come from Rogers High School in Toledo, Ohio. The 6-foot-1 Owens was a MEAC All-Rookie selection last season and during the 2014-15 season is averaging 15.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in 32.9 minutes per contest. Kynard is playing 18.5 minutes a game and averaging 3.6 points, 2.7 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game in a reserve role.

The writing was on the wall for this transfer in the last few games as Kynard has not played in the last four games for the Wildcats while Owens missed the last three. With Bethune-Cookman already struggling to a 4-11 record on the season, the loss of their second-leading scorer is likely only to make matters worse.

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Karl Morgan turns down Jackson State DC offer

KARL MORGAN
Head Football Coach
Coahoma Community College

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Karl Morgan found himself in a similar situation about five years ago.

And he took a similar action.

Morgan turned down Jackson State's offer to become its next defensive coordinator, deciding to stay for Year 2 as Coahoma's head football coach.

"It was enticing, in the sense that the results from last year they were close in a lot of games," Morgan said. "But I thought about the staff here. I got five guys on the staff here. If I were to leave right now, they would be in a situation where they would be looking for work. ... And I think the fact that we didn't do very well last year was also a factor to come back and improve."

He said he told JSU coach Harold Jackson that he'd think about the offer over Christmas break and gave Jackson his decision on Sunday.

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Gaels Finish Non-Conference On High Note, Beat Morgan State

MORAGA, California -- Strong defense and an efficient night on the offensive end spelled victory for the Saint Mary's men's basketball team as the Gaels turned back visiting Morgan State and closed the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 78-52 victory at McKeon Pavilion.

Garrett Jackson scored in double figures for the fifth-straight game, posting a career-high 24 points on 10 of 11 shooting for Saint Mary's (12-3). Jackson also grabbed a season-high nine rebounds. Kerry Carter added 15 points, Brad Waldow added 14 and Aaron Bright chipped in with nine points and 10 assists. Blake Bozeman led Morgan State (2-14) with 22.

Good early defense helped Saint Mary’s build a lead Tuesday, and the Gaels took an 11-point lead to halftime as a result. An 8-2 start came courtesy of two 3-pointers by Carter and a bucket by Waldow, giving some early fire to the Gaels on a cold night in Moraga.

Morgan State stayed close for the next few minutes, but Saint Mary’s tightened its grip on defense and began to pull away. The Gaels forced the Bears into a scoreless stretch that lasted over five minutes, taking a 14-6 lead and building a little steam. A 3-pointer by Kyle Thomas ended the cold spell, but back to back baskets capped by a layup by Dane Pineau pushed SMC’s advantage back to nine at 18-9.

Bozeman put the Bears on his back for a few minutes, and his back to back 3s cut Saint Mary’s lead to 18-14. By the final media time out of the half, Saint Mary’s had re-established a 10-point lead and a pair of free throws by Aaron Bright gave the Gaels their 11-point advantage heading into the locker room.

Saint Mary’s wasted no time asserting itself to begin the second half, scoring the first six points out of intermission on 3-pointers by Bright and Jackson. Morgan State countered with a layup but two buckets inside from Jackson and a layup by Carter moved the Gaels’ lead north of 20 and gave the home five complete control.

"I like the way it's headed. We've definitely improved the last month and I think that's what you want to do. We still have a lot of room to improve," Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett said. "Garrett is coming on, Des (Simmons) is coming on and Aaron's come on. We had to get them in a comfort zone, so to speak, so they could play with confidence. I think we have them there."

Morgan State never got untracked offensively, shooting just 35 percent for the night. Saint Mary's was able to empty its bench at the end of the game, giving valuable rest to several starters who rank at or near the top of the WCC in minutes played. Center Jock Landale played a solid all-around game in a career-high 13 minutes.

The Gaels continued their dominance on the boards, outrebounding Morgan State 42-21 led by 12 from Simmons. Saint Mary's has outrebounded its opponent in every game this season, and the Gaels lead the WCC in rebounding margin. SMC also dominated the paint, outscoring the Bears 48-22 down low.

"We've worked on it a lot in practice. Coach preaches it and I think we have a really good rebounding group," Simmons said. "I like to rebound, Garrett likes to rebound, Brad rebounds great. Kerry is a great rebounding guard, (Aaron) and Emmett (Naar) are starting to pick it up with the rebounding part. I think collectively we have a group that likes to rebound."

Saint Mary's returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Stockton for an 8 p.m. tip vs. Pacific. That game will be televised live by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and live audio/statistics will be available through SMCGaels.com. The Gaels come back to Moraga on Jan. 15 to take on San Diego and BYU visits McKeon Pavilion on Jan. 17. Tickets for those games, as well as all home games, are available by clicking the Tickets link at SMCGaels.com or by calling the SMC Athletic Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Nuggets out of top 25, host No. 7 Loyola Wednesday

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana fell out of the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 on Tuesday. The Gold Nuggets, however, will have two chances this week to restore their luster.

Xavier will play No. 7 Loyola at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Philander Smith — the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's leading vote-getter this week — at 3 p.m. Saturday. XU's Convocation Center will be the site of both games.

In the first national ranking since Dec. 9, the Gold Nuggets dropped from 19th after four straight losses, two at home, by a total of 12 points during the second half of December. Xavier (8-8) ended its skid with a 67-60 victory Monday at Talladega in its GCAC opener, but that game did not figure in this week's voting.

Loyola (12-0) is the first XU home opponent of the last 11 seasons which is unbeaten and possesses double-digit victories. The Gold Nuggets are 16-0 all-time at home against Loyola, so one team's winning streak will end Wednesday.

Xavier will try to avoid its first three-game home losing streak since the 2009-10 season.

Philander Smith (11-2), 30th in this week's national voting with 14 points, will visit this weekend with the GCAC's best overall winning percentage. The Lady Panthers are 22-6 since losing their GCAC opener last season.

Xavier received three points and tied for 35th place. Freed-Hardeman collected 9-of-10 first-place votes to remain No. 1 for the second consecutive poll. Defending national champion Oklahoma City is second.

The next poll will be announced Jan. 13.

The top 25:

1. Freed-Hardeman
2. Oklahoma City
3. Campbellsville
4. Westminster (Utah)
5. Oklahoma Baptist
6. Wiley
7. Loyola
8. Bethel (Tenn.)
9. Langston
10. (tie) Vanguard
10. (tie) Concordia (Calif.)
12. Lewis-Clark State
13. Cumberland
14. MidAmerica Nazarene
15. Montana State-Northern
16. Westmont
17. (tie) The Master's
17. (tie) Shawnee State
19. Our Lady of the Lake
20. Lyon
21. Baker
22. Lindsey Wilson
23. Columbia (Mo.)
24. Carroll (Mont.)
25. Georgetown (Ky.)

Also receiving votes, in order of points received:

Auburn Montgomery, Great Falls, Martin Methodist, Cumberlands, Philander Smith, Texas Wesleyan, Benedictine (Kan.), William Woods, Pikeville, Xavier, Biola, Wayland Baptist

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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