Tuesday, December 6, 2016
North Carolina A&T's Cohen Wins Third MEAC Offensive POTY Honor
NEW YORK CITY -- Senior Tarik Cohen (5-foot-6, 179, Bunn, N.C.) added to his legacy on Tuesday, becoming the first player in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference history to win offensive football player of the year three times.
The conference made the announcement at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in partnership with the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame during the 59th NFF Annual Awards Dinner. South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard was named defensive player of the year.
Cohen closed out his career at N.C. A&T with an exclamation point as his final rushing tally was 5,619 yards. In addition, he finished fifth in the national voting for the Walter Payton Award given to the top FCS offensive player in the country. The top three vote getters are invited to the awards banquet and presentation in Frisco, Texas on Jan. 6.
The star back ran for a single-season school record 1,588 yards, breaking his own record from the previous season when he ran for 1,543 yards. He did not stop there, however, when it came to shattering records in 2016. In a nationally-televised game against Norfolk State on Oct. 6, Cohen broke the all-time MEAC rushing record on a 62-yard touchdown dart down the middle of the field to give him not only the record but 200 yards rushing for the game. Two hundred yards rushing would be a theme for Cohen in 2016. He ran for 200-plus yards in four games this season including three weeks in a row from Sept. 29-Oct. 15. Three consecutive 200-yard games are a school record.
There was also a period during the season where Cohen had a consecutive offensive player of the week streak going. He won the honor five weeks in a row from Oct. 3-Oct. 31 and won it two other times including on Sept. 12 following the Aggies historic win over Division I-FBS Kent State when Cohen had 133 yards rushing and 125 yards receiving. In the 46 weeks Cohen played for the Aggies, he won offensive player of the week 16 times. In two additional weeks, he was named rookie of the week by the MEAC.
“With all the talk about what a great player he is, and he is a tremendous player. But he has also been a great representative for this university, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” said N.C. A&T coach Rod Broadway. “Our great university has received so much publicity because of Tarik Cohen, and he handled it with grace, humility and dignity and made the university proud. It’s what you expect out of him because he is a great person.”
Cohen has been the subject of several SportsCenter highlights on ESPN. He also visited the ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn., to do three different live segments on a Saturday morning SportsCenter in May of 2015. He earned the opportunity after a video of him catching footballs while coming out of a backflip went viral. Cohen was also featured in national video post by The Undefeated, ESPN’s newest website.
But it is his many records that will have a lasting legacy for the running back who had only one scholarship offer (N.C. A&T) coming out of Bunn High School. Cohen broke the single-season touchdown record this season with 19. He tied Stoney Polite for the single-season rushing touchdowns record (18). There are a two other touchdown records he holds. His 56 rushing and 59 total TD’s are both school records.
With two touchdown passes, Cohen was responsible for 61 touchdowns which ranks him second behind Alan Hooker with 66. His 339 points scored is also tops in N.C. A&T history. Cohen also took over the school’s career all-purpose yards record with 6,564 (5,619 rushing, 945 receiving). His 868 carries are also a record. His 98 receptions tie him for 10th all-time in school history.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Monday, December 5, 2016
Grambling State University Punches Ticket to Second Annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl
Tigers to Face North Carolina Central Eagles on December 17
ATLANTA, Georgia -- The last invitation to the second annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl – to be played on Saturday, Dec. 17, at noon ET from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta – has been extended to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) college football champion, Grambling State University. The FCS No. 14 Tigers have now won 10 games in a row after defeating Alcorn State University, 27-20. Executive Director of the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, John Grant, was on-site at the SWAC Championship in Houston last Saturday, Dec. 3, and presented Grambling State Coach Broderick Fobbs with the official invitation.
"Congratulations to SWAC champion Grambling State for punching their ticket to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl," said Grant. "We are excited for the Tigers to join us in this historic match-up against the North Carolina Central Eagles."
The bowl will feature a Top 20 matchup, as North Carolina Central rose to No. 18 in the final FCS Coaches Poll behind a nine game win streak. They defeated rival and then No. 9 North Carolina A&T on Nov. 19 to win the MEAC title outright. Eagles Coach Jerry Mack and Fobbs have both been nominated for the Eddie Robinson Award, which is awarded annually to the top head coach in FCS.
Establishing itself as the first bowl game of the season, the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl is a postseason football game owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN. It is a championship-style game between the MEAC and SWAC champions and will be televised on ABC. ESPN Events collaborates with 100 Black Men of Atlanta to organize the game's ancillary events which include a youth symposium, robotics showcase, gospel night, fan experience and more. North Carolina A&T defeated Alcorn State 41-34 in the inaugural game last year in front of over 35,000 fans.
Fans can purchase tickets to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl online at ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or in person at the Georgia Dome box office. Prices range from $15 to $60, plus applicable taxes and fees. A full list of events surrounding the game are available on the event's website. For more information, visit www.TheCelebrationBowl.com, and follow the event on Twitter and Facebook.
For MEAC fans, a special rate of $104/night is being offered at the Marriott Marquis, and is available for December 17-19. Please visit the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl website for more details.
For SWAC fans, a special rate of $95/night is being offered at the Hilton Atlanta, and is available for December 17-19. Please visit the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl website for more details.
How AAMU's Anthony Lanier II went from an undrafted free agent to a potential premier player with the Washington Redskins
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For months now, Anthony Lanier II has been staring a lot. He knows it, too. And he has tried to stop. Oh, man, has he tried. But he can’t. At the Washington Redskins’ team complex, something invariably catches his eye. Even late into his first NFL season, the defensive end is still blown away by the weight room. All of that state-of-the-art equipment to use whenever he pleases. Shoot. Nothing’s better to help him stay on the grind. The food at Redskins Park is also legit. A brother can maintain his playing weight on that dope spread. The locker room, though, gets Lanier the most. Often, he catches himself gazing at the nameplates above the dressing stalls. His is there, too. His. He shares his work space with millionaires. Maybe he’ll never get over that.
“There was a time when I never thought I would be here. I could have been working a regular nine-to-five [job],” Lanier said. “All of a sudden, I’m here?”
The Redskins will tell you Lanier is where he belongs.
The undrafted rookie free agent from Alabama A&M, one of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), was once considered a long shot to make the roster. Of course, that proves again there’s no telling how far a nonstop motor and gobs of raw talent will take you. Lanier has gotten some run recently in the defensive-line rotation and made every moment count. A fumble recovery here, an eye-opening quarterback pressure there. It all adds up. Talk to Lanier’s teammates on Washington’s defense, and you’ll learn he’s the only one who’s surprised. The young fella needs to be on the field. Ballers know ballers.
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“There was a time when I never thought I would be here. I could have been working a regular nine-to-five [job],” Lanier said. “All of a sudden, I’m here?”
The Redskins will tell you Lanier is where he belongs.
The undrafted rookie free agent from Alabama A&M, one of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), was once considered a long shot to make the roster. Of course, that proves again there’s no telling how far a nonstop motor and gobs of raw talent will take you. Lanier has gotten some run recently in the defensive-line rotation and made every moment count. A fumble recovery here, an eye-opening quarterback pressure there. It all adds up. Talk to Lanier’s teammates on Washington’s defense, and you’ll learn he’s the only one who’s surprised. The young fella needs to be on the field. Ballers know ballers.
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Jackson State Specks' 27 Points Leads Tigers Past Southern Miss
JACKSON, Mississippi – Yettra Specks scored a career high 27 points to lead the Jackson State men’s basketball team to a 75-64 victory over in-state opponent Southern Miss Sunday evening at the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center.
With the win JSU (2-6) snapped a six game losing streak and improved to 2-1 on its home court this season. Southern Miss fell to a 3-3 mark with the loss.
Specks, whose previous career high was 23 points was recorded at Prairie View A&M last season, made timely baskets for the Tigers for the entire game. He was an efficient 8-13 from the floor, including going 3-6 from three point range and 8-9 from the free throw line. He also had a game-high six assists and was one of three Tigers to finish with four steals.
Edric Dennis, who finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals in 25 minutes of action, was the only other double-digit scorer for the Tigers. JSU did have a balanced scoring effort as seven other Tigers put points in the score book. Paris Collins scored eight points to go along with a game-high seven rounds, three assists and four steals. Maurice Rivers also added eight points and six rebounds and Janarius Middleton chipped in seven points on 3-8 shooting from the field.
Quinton Campbell led USM with 22 points on 7-11 shooting from the field.
JSU led 43-30 at halftime, but the Eagles opened the second half with a 10-1 run to cut the Tigers’ lead to 44-40. By the 15:09 mark USM had cut JSU’s lead down to three points. On the next possession Specks knocked down a three to give the Tigers a little breathing room at 46-40. USM would trim JSU’s lead down to four points but would get no closer.
The Tigers went on to increase the lead to 13 points with 1:18 minutes left in the game. JSU had one of its better shooting games as the Tigers connected on 44.8% of its shot attempts (26-58). JSU connected on 35.3% of its threes (6-17). USM connected on 52.5% of its shot attempts (21-40) and 40.0% of its threes (16-27). Both teams struggled from the line with JSU going 17-26 (65.4%) and USM going 16-27 (59.3%).
JSU also led in points in the paint (30-22) and points off turnovers (21-10). The Tigers forced 17 USM turnovers and recorded 14 steals.
Up Next for JSU: The Tigers travel to Des Moines, IA to face Drake on Dec. 10, before returning to the AAC to face Blue Mountain College on Dec. 15. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. Call the JSU Athletics Ticket Office at 601-979-2420 to purchase tickets or for more information.
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With the win JSU (2-6) snapped a six game losing streak and improved to 2-1 on its home court this season. Southern Miss fell to a 3-3 mark with the loss.
Specks, whose previous career high was 23 points was recorded at Prairie View A&M last season, made timely baskets for the Tigers for the entire game. He was an efficient 8-13 from the floor, including going 3-6 from three point range and 8-9 from the free throw line. He also had a game-high six assists and was one of three Tigers to finish with four steals.
Edric Dennis, who finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals in 25 minutes of action, was the only other double-digit scorer for the Tigers. JSU did have a balanced scoring effort as seven other Tigers put points in the score book. Paris Collins scored eight points to go along with a game-high seven rounds, three assists and four steals. Maurice Rivers also added eight points and six rebounds and Janarius Middleton chipped in seven points on 3-8 shooting from the field.
JSU led 43-30 at halftime, but the Eagles opened the second half with a 10-1 run to cut the Tigers’ lead to 44-40. By the 15:09 mark USM had cut JSU’s lead down to three points. On the next possession Specks knocked down a three to give the Tigers a little breathing room at 46-40. USM would trim JSU’s lead down to four points but would get no closer.
The Tigers went on to increase the lead to 13 points with 1:18 minutes left in the game. JSU had one of its better shooting games as the Tigers connected on 44.8% of its shot attempts (26-58). JSU connected on 35.3% of its threes (6-17). USM connected on 52.5% of its shot attempts (21-40) and 40.0% of its threes (16-27). Both teams struggled from the line with JSU going 17-26 (65.4%) and USM going 16-27 (59.3%).
JSU also led in points in the paint (30-22) and points off turnovers (21-10). The Tigers forced 17 USM turnovers and recorded 14 steals.
Up Next for JSU: The Tigers travel to Des Moines, IA to face Drake on Dec. 10, before returning to the AAC to face Blue Mountain College on Dec. 15. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. Call the JSU Athletics Ticket Office at 601-979-2420 to purchase tickets or for more information.
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Maryland Eastern Shore Baseball Announces 2017 Schedule
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- First-year head coach Charlie Goens will face plenty of challenges over the 2017 season, as the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks play 52 contests, starting in February and ending in May. The Shore will host 19 of these games at Hawks Stadium in Princess Anne."We are excited about our 2017 schedule." Goens said. "We embrace the opportunity for our student-athletes to play against great competition. I feel this schedule is going to challenge our young men and help prepare us for a run at a MEAC championship."
The season begins on Feb. 17 with a trip to Macon, Georgia to face the Mercer Bears in a three-game series--the first meeting between the two teams. Highlights in the early part of the season beyond the opening series includes two trips to Greensboro and the Hawks' home opener March 11 and 12 against Iona.
Conference play begins the following Friday in Baltimore, when the Hawks face the Eagles of Coppin State for three games beginning March 18. Following a spring break trip to North Carolina, Maryland Eastern Shore returns home for the next three MEAC weekends. Norfolk State comes to The Shore on March 25-26 and Delaware State faces the Hawks April 1-2. Another three games with Coppin will take place April 8-9.
After the three MEAC weekends at home, the Hawks host one more midweek matchup on April 12 against Navy before playing 13 of the next 14 contests on the road. Beginning in Norfolk and ending in Pittsburgh, The Shore will also make stops in Dover and Baltimore. The Hawks finally return home May 6 to wrap up MEAC play against Norfolk State.
For the third straight year, Maryland Eastern Shore will host the 2016 MEAC Baseball Championship. The four-day tournament begins May 18 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland.
The Hawks finished out the 2015-16 campaign with a 16-32 mark to earn the most victories over a two year span since the 1994 and 1995 seasons.
2017 Baseball Schedule
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl: North Carolina Central Eagles vs. Grambling State Tigers
WATCH IN 1080p60 HD, WIDE SCREEN
Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl: North Carolina Central Eagles vs. Grambling State Tigers
Date: Dec. 17, Noon ET
TV: ABC Network
Location: Georgia Dome | Atlanta, Georgia
North Carolina Central
Best moment: The Eagles beat then-No. 9 North Carolina A&T 42-21 to win the MEAC title outright. It is the third consecutive season that North Carolina Central has won at least a share of the MEAC, but this is the first such season in that span that it has the title to itself. The Eagles were dominant, taking a 35-7 lead early in the fourth quarter, and it was their 15th consecutive victory over a MEAC opponent.
Lowest moment: North Carolina Central’s only two losses came to FBS teams at the beginning of the year: a 49-6 loss to Duke followed by a 70-21 loss to unbeaten Western Michigan.
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Wiley Wildcats Rally in Final Minutes to Top Concordia-Austin
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| George Page scored 33 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Courtesy: Wiley College Sports Information |
The Wildcats (8-1) led by eight at halftime but allowed it to slip away in less than five minutes. Wiley College trailed by as many as 10 with 3:12 left in the game. Ricardo Artis (SR/Austin, Texas) took advantage of a second chance opportunity and hit a 3-pointer. A minute later, Kevondric Davis (JR/Shreveport, LA) hit a three-pointer to cut the lead in half. Cory Jones (SR/Houston, Texas) stole the in-bounds pass and dished it to Artis, who easily converted a layup and cut Concordia's lead to 94-93.
"Davis is a starter, and he has the ability to spark a run and defend practically anyone with his athleticism," head coach Jameus Hartsfield said. "I'm just happy he played through the foul trouble and hit a clutch 3-pointer."
After the Tornados converted a layup, Jones found George Page (SR/Winnfield, LA), who put up a layup. Jones took advantage of a Concordia-Austin turnover and gave the Wildcats a 97-96 lead on a layup with 25 seconds remaining. Davis got a steal and converted a layup to expand Wiley College's lead. The Tornados' 3-point attempt was off the mark and Page grabbed the rebound with four seconds left. He was immediately fouled and converted both free throws.
"Our guys were determined to get the job done," Hartsfield said. "I'm proud of how hard they fought to get a win."
The Wildcats went on an 11-0 run to take a 46-34 lead with 2:56 left in the first half. Artis scored nine points during the run. Wiley College took a 54-46 lead into the halftime locker room. The Wildcats made 36 of 61 field goal attempts for a 59 shooting percentage. Wiley made 26 of 34 free throw attempts.
Page led all scorers with 33 points – hitting 12 of his 14 field goal attempts. He was the Wildcats' top rebounder with eight. Artis contributed 14 points, three rebounds and two steals. Jones was also in double figures with 12 points, three steals and two assists.
Wiley College will begin Red River Athletic Conference play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Jarvis Christian College.
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Show Me State Classic: Rally Comes Up Short as Lincoln Falls to Harris Stowe Hornets
ST. CHARLES, Missouri -- The Lincoln women's basketball team out-scored Harris Stowe 36-29, in the second half, but the Hornets held off a later Blue Tiger comeback as HSSU beat LU, 68-64, in the Show Me State Classic on Saturday (Dec. 3).
Lincoln faced a 39-28 deficit at halftime, but shot .412 from the floor over the final two quarters and forced 11 turnovers to get back in the game. The Blue Tigers came within one point of the Hornets, 48-47, with 2:47 remaining in the third, but Harris Stowe used a quick 5-0 run to keep Lincoln from taking the lead.
In the fourth quarter, Harris Stowe (5-4) took a 10-point lead on a pair of free throws with 1:20 remaining in the game, but Lincoln (1-5) was not ready to call it a night. Azaria Nave made a pair of shots at the line, then caused a steal and passed the ball to Hunter Yoakum, who hit a layup to pull LU to within 66-60. Harris Stowe then attempted a quick layup on its ensuing possession, but missed the shot, which led to a Tempary Gunter layup on the other end of the court.
With just eight seconds remaining, Yoakum created another turnover and made a layup to pull the Blue Tigers to within 66-64. Lincoln then quickly fouled, but Harris Stowe made both of its free throws. LU tried a three-pointer on the following possession, but Harris Stowe grabbed the rebound and held onto the ball to run out the clock.
Erica Gibbons had a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to go with four steals, three blocks and an assist. Nave led all scorers with 20 points and dropped four dimes while tallying four boards and a pair of steals. Yoakum scored 17 points and finished with six rebounds.
Lopez added five points, three boards, a pair of assists and two steals while Tyler Brown-Henderson scored four points and Gunter chipped in three. Brown-Henderson additionally had six rebounds while Gunter pulled down five. Kailey Foster contributed an assist and Shamirah Johnson recorded three rebounds.
The Blue Tigers will open MIAA play at home on Thursday (Dec. 8), as Lincoln hosts Missouri Southern at 5:30 p.m. CST. It will be Parochial Schools and Heroes Night, and all kids, EMT workers, firefighters, police officers, current and veteran members of the military, and all faculty and staff members at Jefferson City's parochial schools will receive free admission.
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Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Lincoln faced a 39-28 deficit at halftime, but shot .412 from the floor over the final two quarters and forced 11 turnovers to get back in the game. The Blue Tigers came within one point of the Hornets, 48-47, with 2:47 remaining in the third, but Harris Stowe used a quick 5-0 run to keep Lincoln from taking the lead.
In the fourth quarter, Harris Stowe (5-4) took a 10-point lead on a pair of free throws with 1:20 remaining in the game, but Lincoln (1-5) was not ready to call it a night. Azaria Nave made a pair of shots at the line, then caused a steal and passed the ball to Hunter Yoakum, who hit a layup to pull LU to within 66-60. Harris Stowe then attempted a quick layup on its ensuing possession, but missed the shot, which led to a Tempary Gunter layup on the other end of the court.
With just eight seconds remaining, Yoakum created another turnover and made a layup to pull the Blue Tigers to within 66-64. Lincoln then quickly fouled, but Harris Stowe made both of its free throws. LU tried a three-pointer on the following possession, but Harris Stowe grabbed the rebound and held onto the ball to run out the clock.
Erica Gibbons had a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to go with four steals, three blocks and an assist. Nave led all scorers with 20 points and dropped four dimes while tallying four boards and a pair of steals. Yoakum scored 17 points and finished with six rebounds.
Lopez added five points, three boards, a pair of assists and two steals while Tyler Brown-Henderson scored four points and Gunter chipped in three. Brown-Henderson additionally had six rebounds while Gunter pulled down five. Kailey Foster contributed an assist and Shamirah Johnson recorded three rebounds.
The Blue Tigers will open MIAA play at home on Thursday (Dec. 8), as Lincoln hosts Missouri Southern at 5:30 p.m. CST. It will be Parochial Schools and Heroes Night, and all kids, EMT workers, firefighters, police officers, current and veteran members of the military, and all faculty and staff members at Jefferson City's parochial schools will receive free admission.
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Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Smith Scores 34 as Lincoln Wins Show Me State Classic
ST. CHARLES, Missouri -- Jaylon Smith scored 34 points and Tacourrus Mattox pulled down 11 rebounds as the Lincoln men's basketball team defeated Harris Stowe, 80-57, to win the Show Me State Classic on Saturday (Dec. 3).
Lincoln (6-2) out-scored the Hornets 46-22 in the first half after shooting .457 from the floor and .786 at the free throw line. The Blue Tigers ended up shooting .443 for the game and finished with a 44-32 edge in rebounding and a 14-24 advantage in turnovers. Harris Stowe (2-6) was held to .240 shooting in the first half and .321 for the game.
Smith, who finished just one point shy of his career-high total of 35, had 24 points by the end of the first half. Smith, who also grabbed seven rebounds and had a pair of steals, was 12-for-25 from the floor and a perfect 7-for-7 at the line. Mattox, meanwhile, added six points and a pair of blocks.
Anthony Virdure and O'Shai Clark each also had six points apiece, with Virdure also tallying three boards, a pair of assists, two steals and a block. Clark provided three assists to the winning effort. Chase Morfeld also had three assists and made a pair of free throws to go with two rebounds.
The two teams opened the game by trading shots, but Lincoln broke a 4-4 tie with a 23-0 run, capped off by back-to-back dunks by Darrius Spencer. The closest Harris Stowe came to a comeback afterwards was a 63-47 deficit with 6:04 left in the game, as Lincoln which led by 27 at one point, held a 20-point advantage for most of the afternoon. Four-straight points by Smith put Lincoln back up by 22, and Maurice Mason hit a trey to stifle the Hornet rally.
Mason scored nine points, pulled down six rebounds and had a pair of steals while Spencer finished with four points, three boards and an assist. Kevin Bolen also scored four while Richie Lewis added four points, five rebounds, two three steals, a pair of assists and a block. Rod Ollison provided three points and five boards while Alexander Nailes closed out the scoring with two points. Deionte Wilson also represented Lincoln on the court with a rebound.
The Blue Tigers will return to Jason Gym on Thursday (Dec. 8) to open MIAA play against Missouri Southern at 7:30 p.m. CST. That will be Parochial Schools and Heroes Night, and all kids, EMT workers, fire fighters, police officers, current and veteran members of the military and all Jefferson City parochial school staff and faculty members will receive free admission.
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Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Lincoln (6-2) out-scored the Hornets 46-22 in the first half after shooting .457 from the floor and .786 at the free throw line. The Blue Tigers ended up shooting .443 for the game and finished with a 44-32 edge in rebounding and a 14-24 advantage in turnovers. Harris Stowe (2-6) was held to .240 shooting in the first half and .321 for the game.
Smith, who finished just one point shy of his career-high total of 35, had 24 points by the end of the first half. Smith, who also grabbed seven rebounds and had a pair of steals, was 12-for-25 from the floor and a perfect 7-for-7 at the line. Mattox, meanwhile, added six points and a pair of blocks.
Anthony Virdure and O'Shai Clark each also had six points apiece, with Virdure also tallying three boards, a pair of assists, two steals and a block. Clark provided three assists to the winning effort. Chase Morfeld also had three assists and made a pair of free throws to go with two rebounds.
The two teams opened the game by trading shots, but Lincoln broke a 4-4 tie with a 23-0 run, capped off by back-to-back dunks by Darrius Spencer. The closest Harris Stowe came to a comeback afterwards was a 63-47 deficit with 6:04 left in the game, as Lincoln which led by 27 at one point, held a 20-point advantage for most of the afternoon. Four-straight points by Smith put Lincoln back up by 22, and Maurice Mason hit a trey to stifle the Hornet rally.
Mason scored nine points, pulled down six rebounds and had a pair of steals while Spencer finished with four points, three boards and an assist. Kevin Bolen also scored four while Richie Lewis added four points, five rebounds, two three steals, a pair of assists and a block. Rod Ollison provided three points and five boards while Alexander Nailes closed out the scoring with two points. Deionte Wilson also represented Lincoln on the court with a rebound.
The Blue Tigers will return to Jason Gym on Thursday (Dec. 8) to open MIAA play against Missouri Southern at 7:30 p.m. CST. That will be Parochial Schools and Heroes Night, and all kids, EMT workers, fire fighters, police officers, current and veteran members of the military and all Jefferson City parochial school staff and faculty members will receive free admission.
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Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
from THE EDITOR Dwight Floyd: FAMU Men Need Strong Second Half
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| DWIGHT FLOYD GAME REPORT |
For the past two years a win, any win, was important. With a team of walk-ons and players under development, Coach Samuels’ Rattlers dared to be competitive, but could not hold weight against most other teams. They just didn’t have the talent. Playing against former SWAC Conference Champion Southern University on Saturday afternoon, the Rattlers weren’t just competitive, they almost won the game. They were right there in the first half and even gained the lead in the first minutes of the second half. With a foul here, a forced play there, and a financial drought, excuse me, poor shooting down the stretch, the Rattlers couldn’t maintain. That has been the case through the last four games this season.
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Claflin Lady Panthers Remain Unbeaten in SIAC
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| Senior NaBresha Hughes scored 12 points in the win |
This is the second straight season Claflin has opened conference play with three straight wins.
The Lady Panthers improved to 7-2 overall.
Jhontay Giles led Claflin with 13 points and nine rebounds. NaBresha Hughes chipped in 12 points, while Joclyn Ramos had nine points in the win.
Dionna Marcus and Briana Chisolm came off the bench to contributed eight points apiece.
Lane, now 1-7 overall and 0-1 in the conference, was led by Tashara Jones with a game-high 18 points.
A defensive change at the beginning of the second quarter jump started the Lady Panthers on both ends of the court. Tied at 17-all at the end of the first, Claflin Coach Deont'a McChester made the defensive adjustment which proved to be what the Lady Panthers needed.
McChester decided to apply pressure on the defensive end. The move saw the Lady Panthers hold the Lane offense to just six points in the second quarter.
On the offensive end, Claflin opened the second quarter with a 10-2 run for a 27-19 lead at the 4:12 mark. During that period, the Lady Panthers forced eight turnovers and six missed shots.
Brittany McWaine halted the run for Claflin with a layup with 3:19 showing on the clock.
Claflin would outscore Lane 6-2 the rest of the way for a 33-23 halftime lead.
"It's was our defense," McChester said. "The defensive pressure got us going on both ends of the court. We played very well defensively, especially in the second quarter. Our defense pressure forced turnovers that we were able to capitalize on offensively.
"Our defense has really been a big weapon for us this season."
The Lady Panthers defensive unit forced 14 of their season high 26 turnovers in the first half. Claflin previous best this season was 23 against North Alabama (11/12/16).
The Lady Panthers had four players that scored six points each in the opening half.
The second half was pretty much the story as Claflin outscored Lane 23-18 in the third quarter to increase its lead 56-41. Hughes' three-pointer at the 1:39 mark of the quarter provided the Lady Panther with their biggest lead at 56-36.
Claflin racked up 16 points in the fourth quarter to 13 for Lane.
The Lay Panthers will return to the hardwood Saturday, Dec. 12, playing host to Virginia Union in a 5:30 p.m. contest. The Lady Panthers will remain at home for two more games, Livingstone College (Dec. 15) and Limestone (Dec. 17) before hitting the road Dec. 19 to close out the calendar season at Florida Southern.
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CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION
WSSU rolls past Virginia Union
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- If coach James Wilhelmi can convince his Winston-Salem State team that every day is his birthday, it might never lose again.The Rams, behind the inspired play of Willie Crandell, cruised to an 87-73 win over Virginia Union on Saturday night at the Gaines Center. It was Wilhelmi’s 46th birthday and he broke out his trademark bow tie, and his Rams broke out a can of defensive pressure that was fun to watch.
“I think it had more to do with getting T.J. Wilson back and Willie Crandell’s play than it had to do with it being my birthday,” Wilhelmi said about picking up the nonconference victory. “I’m just really proud of how the guys responded tonight, especially after the game the other night.”
While the Rams did get Wilson back after he missed two games because of an ankle injury, they did not have the services of Jamel McAllister, who suffered a groin injury in Wednesday night’s blowout loss to UNC Pembroke.
Picking up the slack was Crandell, who scored a career-high 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting. He added eight rebounds and two steals in the best overall performance of his two-year career.
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Future appears bright for McNair, Alcorn
ALCORN STATE, Mississippi -- The Alcorn State Braves may have come up short, but the 19.5-point underdogs gave the Grambling State Tigers all they wanted in Saturday’s 27-20 loss in the SWAC Championship.The Braves were beating the Tigers 17-0 and had held FCS Offensive Player of the Year candidate Devante Kincade to minus-2 total yards at one point in the first half.
They came into the game not minding the underdog role. Coach Fred McNair’s team had become accustomed to the practice of overcoming adversity.
The first-year head coach took some time to reminisce over the game and his squad’s 5-5 regular season.
“We played a heck of a game,” McNair said. “I just can’t say enough about this group of young men who came out and fought hard all season, not just in football but as young men. … I just have to thank them for what they’ve done.”
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Kincade’s journey continues as former Ole Miss QB leads Grambling to SWAC Championship
HOUSTON, Texas — Quarterback DeVante Kincade’s journey from Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas to Grambling State University was not a direct route down Interstate 20 like one might assume. Instead, Kincade made a stop along the way in Oxford, Mississippi at Ole Miss, where he had visions of doing whatever he could to help lead the Rebels to both SEC and national championship glory.But as sometimes happens, life has a way of sending one down a road less traveled. In DeVante’s case, he went down a path that would eventually lead to championship glory—just not at Ole Miss as he originally planned. The key to this story, however, is that Kincade is a unique young man who has never met a stranger in his life.
Wherever he stops, he makes friends. Let me rephrase; he quickly makes friends.
SWAC Champion
In front of 24,917 at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday, Kincade helped lead his Grambling State University Tigers to a 27-20 win over Alcorn State University in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship game.
The win marked the 25th conference title for SWAC-powerhouse Grambling, ending Alcorn’s improbable bid for three consecutive conference titles.
CONTINUE READING
ESPN3: Notre Dame vs. North Carolina A&T Aggies Preview - Five Things To Know (Sunday, 5 PM ET)
WHO: Notre Dame vs. North Carolina A&T
WHEN: Sunday, December 4, 2016 | 5:00 p.m. ET
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WHERE: Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center
TICKETS: und.com/buytickets
VIDEO BROADCAST INFORMATION: ESPN3/ACC Network Extra with Tony Simeone (play-by-play) and A.J. Burgett (analyst).
AUDIO BROADCAST INFORMATION: Notre Dame Basketball Radio Network, with Jack Nolan (play-by-play) and Zach Hillesland (analyst).
How To Listen/Watch The IrishHere are the Five Things To Know about the Notre Dame - North Carolina A&T matchup on Sunday:
WHEN: Sunday, December 4, 2016 | 5:00 p.m. ET
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WHERE: Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center
TICKETS: und.com/buytickets
VIDEO BROADCAST INFORMATION: ESPN3/ACC Network Extra with Tony Simeone (play-by-play) and A.J. Burgett (analyst).
AUDIO BROADCAST INFORMATION: Notre Dame Basketball Radio Network, with Jack Nolan (play-by-play) and Zach Hillesland (analyst).
How To Listen/Watch The IrishHere are the Five Things To Know about the Notre Dame - North Carolina A&T matchup on Sunday:
NORTH CAROLINA A&T AT A GLANCE:
North Carolina A&T is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Aggies have made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and earned the program’s first NCAA victory in 2013, defeating Liberty 73-72 in a First Four game before falling to number-one seeded Louisville.
North Carolina A&T finished the 2015-16 season with a 10-21 record and 7-9 in the MEAC. In 2016-17, the Aggies are 1-5, defeating Greensboro College in their home opener and will face North Dakota State on Friday, Dec. 2.
North Carolina A&T finished the 2015-16 season with a 10-21 record and 7-9 in the MEAC. In 2016-17, the Aggies are 1-5, defeating Greensboro College in their home opener and will face North Dakota State on Friday, Dec. 2.
Sunday will mark the first-ever meeting between Notre Dame and North Carolina A&T in men’s basketball.
THE ‘DICE’ MAN RETURNS:
Ray ‘Dice’ Martin returns to Notre Dame this weekend as an assistant coach with North Carolina A&T. Martin, whose coaching career has ranged over five decades after earning his degree from Notre Dame in 1977, played four years under Digger Phelps, was a team captain and a member of the team that ended UCLA’s 88-game win streak on Jan. 19, 1974.
In that legendary contest Martin, then a freshman, was inserted into the lineup late in the game as the Irish made a stunning comeback over the Bruins. Martin took a charge from Keith Wilkes in the game’s final minute to set up the final game-winning field goal from Dwight Clay.
Martin’s coaching career has seen him criss-cross the country. Early in his career he was a member of Jim Valvano’s 1983 NC State coaching staff that shocked Houston in the NCAA Championship game. Martin was the head coach at Long Island, while also making coaching stops at SMU, Tennessee, Shaw, Florida Atlantic, Miami (Ohio), South Carolina State, UMBC, North Carolina Central and Grambling.
“I would really call him an educator,” Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey says of Martin. “There’s a lot of young people in the college game, through his different coaching stops, who have benefited from his relationship. He’s one of the good guys in the business. He’s a class act. I think every young person who comes in touch with him feels good about himself.
“Ray Martin was a heck of a basketball player for us and a great guard coming out of New York City. I was younger, but I knew the name Dice Martin, growing up in D.C.”
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TIMES FOUR FOR COLSON:
Junior Bonzie Colson has made the most of a significant increase in playing time this season as Notre Dame’s top option in the post to compile a great start to his third season in an Irish uniform.
In the Legends Classic semifinal victory over Colorado, Colson led the Irish with 22 points and 12 rebounds - while also shooting 9-of-9 at the free throw line and collecting two steals.
He followed up with 13 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game victory over Northwestern while playing a team-high 38 minutes.
The double-double streak continued against Chicago State, as Colson logged 10 points and 11 rebounds.
In the ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup against Iowa, Colson played perhaps his finest game yet this season, scoring 24 points with a career-high 17 rebounds for his fourth double-double this season and eighth of
his career.
THE ULTIMATE WEAPON - THE FREE THROW LINE:
THE ULTIMATE WEAPON - THE FREE THROW LINE:
Notre Dame is second in the country (as of Dec. 2) in free throw percentage, shooting 84.5 percent (125-148) from the charity stripe this season.
Here are some of the superlatives for the team from its free throw shooting -
Here are some of the superlatives for the team from its free throw shooting -
- Junior Matt Farell is tied with five other players in the country with a perfect 1.000 shooting percentage from the free throw line (19-19).
- Dating back to the 2015-16 season, Farrell has connected on 23 consecutive free throws.
- Farrell is the first Notre Dame player in the Brey era to begin the season connecting on their first 19 free throw attempts.
- Farrell combines with Steve Vasturia (ninth, 20-21, .952) to give Notre Dame the only team in the country with two players in the national top 10 for free throw shooting.
- Farrell and Vasturia combine with Bonzie Colson (39th, 40-44, .909) to give Notre Dame the only team in the country with three players in the top 40 for free throw shooting.
- Colson’s 12-for-12 effort at the free throw line against Iowa tied four other ND players for fourth-best in school history.
IRISH MATCH SECOND-BEST START OF THE BREY ERA:
Notre Dame enters the game against North Carolina A&T with a 7-0 record, the third time in the Mike Brey era (since 2000-01) the Irish have started the year with seven consecutive wins.
The 2010-11 team won its first eight games (also the most recent season the Irish won an in-season tournament - the 2010 Old Spice Classic), while the 2001-02 team won its first seven games.
ESPN3: Troy to Host Alabama State on Sunday, 6:15 p.m. ET
Watch | Listen | Troy Game Notes
TROY, Alabama – Troy men's basketball will play on Sunday for the only time this season with a 5:15 matchup against Alabama State in Trojan Arena. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 with Ali Forbes and Barry McKnight on the call.
The Trojans (3-4) are coming off a 80-74 home loss to USF on Thursday. The Bulls led for 38:48 of game play, yet after being down as much as 21, Troy cut the lead to five with roughly two minutes left before eventually falling.
The home loss came after a four-game stretch on the road. Troy dropped the first three contests against UAB, Eastern Illinois and San Francisco before earning a 65-63 win at Hawai'i.
Jordon Varnado and Wesley Person have again been the stalwarts for the Trojans this season. Both are averaging 13.9 points per game on the season. They've been aided by the scoring of newcomers Kevin Baker and Juan Davis, Jr. who are averaging 8.6 and 8.0 points per game, respectively.
Against USF, Jeremy Hollimon had a team-high 15 points, which marked the first time this season the senior led the team in points. DeVon Walker had 12 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double as a Trojan.
On the other side, Alabama State has had to play six-of-seven games on the road en route to a 1-6 record to start the season. The first home game was the Hornets' last, a 72-69 loss to Jacksonville State.
SERIES HISTORY
ALABAMA STATE (1-6)
Overall Series: 11-10, ALABAMA STATE
Streak: TROY W1
Last: Troy 85-69, Dec. 7, 2013. Troy, Ala.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
TROY
Jordon Varnado: 13.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 13 blocks
Wesley Person: 13.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 15 3-pointers
ALABAMA STATE
Rodney Simeon: 13.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 10 steals
Tony Armstrong: 11.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 20 offensive rebounds
NOTEWORTHY
• The Trojans have two players ranked in the top-10 in rebounding in the Sun Belt Conference. DeVon Walker is fifth with 7.3 rebounds per game and Jordon Varnado is seventh with 7.1 rebounds per game.
• Troy is first in the Sun Belt in blocked shots. The Trojans lead the conference with 33 blocks, seven more than any other team.
• USF's 43 first-half points were the most points Troy allowed in a half this season.
For more information on Troy men's baVsketball, visit TroyTrojans.com or follow the team on social media at @.
TROY UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATION
ESPN3: SMU Mustangs Host Delaware State Sunday at 2 p.m.ET
| SMU (5-3, 0-0 American) vs. Delaware State (2-6, 0-0 MEAC) | |
| Date / Tip-off | Sun., Dec. 4 / 2 p.m. CT |
| Location | Moody Coliseum -- Map |
| Tickets | Tickets |
| TV | Spectrum Sports / ESPN3 (ESPN3 is subject to blackout in DFW) |
| Radio | KAAM 770 AM | TuneIn App - Search SMU |
| Game Notes | SMU | Delaware State | American |
| Live Stats | SIDEARM |
| /SMUBasketball | SMU Mustangs | |
| @SMUBasketball | @SMUMustangs | |
| @SMUBasketball | @SMU.Mustangs | |
SMU (5-3) hosts Delaware State (2-6) on Sunday at 2 p.m. This is the second contest in a six-game homestand. The Mustangs are 4-0 at home this season after a 49-43 victory against CSU Bakersfield on Friday. SMU is 36-3 at home since the start of the 2014-15 season and has 18 straight home wins against non-conference opponents.
Junior Semi Ojeleye leads SMU in scoring (17.5, 5th AAC) and rebounding (7.9, 10th). Shake Milton is second on the team in scoring (11.4, T-25th AAC) while leading in assists (4.4, 7th AAC), steals (1.9, 5th AAC) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2, 7th AAC). Four Mustangs average double digits in scoring with Ben Moore (11.0) and Sterling Brown (10.8) joining Ojeleye and Milton. SMU has outrebounded 7 of 8 opponents so far with a +11.3 rebound margin (2nd AAC, 9th NCAA). Six Mustangs average 3.0 or more rebounds with Ojeleye, Moore (7.5, 11th AAC) and Brown (5.9, 17th AAC) leading the way.
LAST GAME (W, 49-43 vs. CSU Bakersfield on Dec. 2): DALLAS (AP) -- Shake Milton scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half and SMU rallied in the final five minutes Friday night to beat Cal State Bakersfield 49-43. The Mustangs (5-3) went on a 12-0 run starting with Jarrey Foster's free throw at 5:28 and ending on Semi Ojeleye's free throw to make it 48-40 with 13 seconds left. Milton's 3-pointer with 3:36 left gave SMU the lead for good at 43-40. Sterling Brown added 10 points, Ojeleye had nine points and eight rebounds, and Ben Moore grabbed 12 boards to go with five points. Cal State Bakersfield (5-4) trailed 29-24 early in the second half before taking the lead with an 8-0 run. The Roadrunners still led 40-36 on Jaylin Airington's 3-pointer with 5:49 left but missed their next 10 shots from the field. Damiyne Durham led the Roadrunners with 14 points.
UP NEXT: SMU continues its six-game homestand against rival TCU on Wednesday at 7 p.m. THe homestand continues against McNeese State (Wednesday, Dec. 14), Stanford (Monday, Dec. 19) and Albany (Tuesday, Dec. 20). The Mustangs then start American Athletic Conference at Memphis on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
THE SERIES VS. DELAWARE STATE (0-0): This is the first meeting.
HEAD COACH TIM JANKOVICH... is in his first season at the helm at SMU after four seasons as the associate head coach. He is in his 34th season as a collegiate coach, and his 12th as a head coach. In 2015-16, the Mustangs finished 25-5, finishing the season ranked No. 24 after reaching a high of No. 8. SMU was the last unbeaten team in the country, starting 18-0, winning the Las Vegas Classic title during the season-opening streak. In 2014-15, the Mustangs claimed the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships en route to the NCAA Tournament. SMU was the top seed in the 2014 NIT, reaching the title game. This is his 10th season as the leader of a Division I program, including five as head coach at Illinois State (2007-12) and four at North Texas (1993-97). As a head coach, he is 171-124 (.580) [14-3 at SMU]. That includes a 104-64 mark at ISU where his teams recorded four top-three finishes in the Missouri Valley, reached the conference tournament final three times and earned four NIT bids. As an assistant or head coach, his teams are 628-375 (.626) with six regular season conference championships, four league tournament titles, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and eight NIT bids.
- 6 Conference Titles (Colorado State - WAC '89, '90; Kansas - Big 12 '05, '06, '07; SMU - AAC '15)
- 4 Conference Tournament Titles (Illinois - Big Ten '03; Kansas - Big 12 '05, '06; SMU - AAC '15)
- 9 NCAAs (CSU '89, '90; Oklahoma State '93; Illinois '03; Kansas '04 RF, '05, '06, '07 RF; SMU '15)
- 8 NITs (CSU '88, Vanderbilt '00, '02; Illinois State '08, '09, '10, '12; SMU '14 Final)
ATTENDANCE: SMU has surpassed 100,000 in attendance the past three seasons. In 2014-15, SMU set a season attendance record of 124,986 total and 6,944 average. The New Moody single-game attendance record of 7,395 was set against Connecticut (Feb. 14, 2015). SMU has sold out 41 of 52 games in Moody Coliseum since the renovated facility opened Jan. 4, 2014.
SMU Season Home Attendance Total
Total Season
124,986 2014-15 AAC Champions (15 sellouts in 18 games)
117,420 2015-16 (13 sellouts in 17 games)
107,412 2013-14 (9 sellouts in 19 games - 13 games in Moody Coliseum)
101,296 1984-85
---
27,408 2016-17 (4 sellouts in 3 games)
SMU MUSTANGS ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
ESPN3: Clemson Tigers Face Coppin State Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
 |
| WATCH GAME: ESPN3 |
MATCHUP
CLEMSON (4-2) vs. COPPIN STATE (0-9)\
Date: Sunday, Dec. 4
Tipoff: 2 p.m. ET
Arena: Littlejohn Coliseum (9,000)
Radio: CTSN (Tony Castricone-pbp; Philip Sikes-color)
Web: ACC Network Extra (Pete Yanity-pbp; Bob Mihalic-color)
• Clemson collected its first win since 2011 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge last time out, a 60-58 triumph over Nebraska. The Tigers overcame a nine-point first half deficit to claim the victory.
• The win over the Cornhuskers was Clemson's first at home in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge since 2007, when the Tigers beat Purdue 61-58.
• The Tigers face Coppin State for the first time since the 2005-06 season, when Clemson scored 102 points in a lopsided victory.
• Clemson is 33-1 all time versus MEAC competition.
SERIES HISTORY
CU Series W-L record: Clemson leads 2-0
Streak: Clemson has won both previous meetings
TIGER TRACKS
• Clemson has faced the nation's second-toughest schedule, according to the RPI figures available at WarrenNolan.com. The Tigers were 12 in Friday's RPI.
• Avry Holmes will appear in his 100th career game Sunday. He played in 62 games for the University of San Francisco before transferring to Clemson, where he has appeared in 37 straight contests.
• Holmes needs just 12 points to reach 1,000 for his career.
• Jaron Blossomgame has scored at least 13 points in all six games this season, and leads the Tigers in scoring at 17.8 per contest.
• Blossomgame needs 53 points to become the 10th player in Clemson history to rank among the Tigers' top 20 in both points and rebounds. He is already 17th in Clemson history with 653 rebounds.
• Sidy Djitte is third in the NCAA with 5.0 offensive rebounds per game, and has collected 19 over Clemson's last three outings alone.
• Shelton Mitchell played 27 minutes against Nebraska, his second game back after sitting the first four contests following knee surgery.
CU Series W-L record: Clemson leads 2-0
Streak: Clemson has won both previous meetings
TIGER TRACKS
• Clemson has faced the nation's second-toughest schedule, according to the RPI figures available at WarrenNolan.com. The Tigers were 12 in Friday's RPI.
• Avry Holmes will appear in his 100th career game Sunday. He played in 62 games for the University of San Francisco before transferring to Clemson, where he has appeared in 37 straight contests.
• Holmes needs just 12 points to reach 1,000 for his career.
• Jaron Blossomgame has scored at least 13 points in all six games this season, and leads the Tigers in scoring at 17.8 per contest.
• Blossomgame needs 53 points to become the 10th player in Clemson history to rank among the Tigers' top 20 in both points and rebounds. He is already 17th in Clemson history with 653 rebounds.
• Sidy Djitte is third in the NCAA with 5.0 offensive rebounds per game, and has collected 19 over Clemson's last three outings alone.
• Shelton Mitchell played 27 minutes against Nebraska, his second game back after sitting the first four contests following knee surgery.
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Johnson C. Smith University Coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. Earns 100th Career Win
 |
| STEPHEN JOYNER, Jr. HEAD COACH WOMEN'S BASKETBALL JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY |
Joyner, in his fifth season at the helm of the JCSU program, currently has a career record of 65-51 at the helm of the Gold and Blue. A 2001 JCSU graduate and guard on the JCSU men's team that won the 2001 CIAA Title, Joyner started his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Livingstone men's program in the 2001-02 season. He then landed an assistant coaching position with the women's program at N.C. Central and served the Eagles from 2002-2006. Other assistant coaching stops for Joyner include Johnson C. Smith (2006-2008), and
Florida A&M (2008-2010).
Joyner left Florida A&M after the conclusion of the 2009-2010 season to accept the head coaching position at Winston-Salem State. While with the Rams, accumulating a 35-21 record, including a 22-10 conference record.
He came to JCSU in 2012 and after posting an 8-18 record in his first season, has guided the Golden Bulls to three consecutive winning seasons, including a 20-8 mark in the 2014-2015 campaign.
Currently, JCSU holds a 6-1 record, having won six-straight games, and is tied for ninth in the latest Atlantic Region Women's Basketball Poll.
Stephen Joyner, Jr.
Notable Wins
Stephen Joyner, Jr.
Career Record
| No. | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 1 | Nov. 12, 2010 | WSSU at Lenoir-Rhyne | 58-51 |
| 25 | Jan. 9, 2012 | WSSU vs. Bowie State | 59-52 |
| 50 | Jan. 4, 2014 | JCSU vs. Bowie State | 64-59 |
| 75 | Feb. 11, 2015 | JCSU vs. St. Augustine's | 97-73 |
| 100 | Dec. 1, 2016 | JCSU at USC Aiken | 75-64 |
Stephen Joyner, Jr.
Career Record
| Year | School | Record |
| 2010-11 | Winston-Salem State | 17-11 |
| 2011-12 | Winston-Salem State | 18-10 |
| 2012-13 | JCSU | 8-18 |
| 2013-14 | JCSU | 14-13 |
| 2014-15 | JCSU | 20-8 |
| 2015-16 | JCSU | 17-12 |
| 2016-17 | JCSU | 6-1 |
| 7th Season | 100-73 |
JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION
Shaw University Volleyball Concludes Season at NCAA Tournament
WHEELING, West Virginia – After one of the best seasons in program history, the No. 8 Shaw University women's volleyball team came up short on Friday night in a 3-0 (25-9, 25-11 and 25-10) loss to No. 1 and defending NCAA Division II National Champion Wheeling Jesuit University in the 2016 NCAA Tournament First Round at the McDonough Center.
Despite the loss, the Lady Bears had a tremendous record-setting season to look back on.
Sophomore Kelly Murphy (Mukwonago, WI) and freshman Aisja Jones (Red Oak, TX) tallied six and five kills in the match for the Lady Bears (22-8), who advanced to the NCAA advanced to the NCAA Tournament after winning the 2016 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship for the first time in 21 years.
Sophomore Michelle Olmeda-Gonzalez (San Juan, PR) dished out 16 assists while Jones and Murphy tallied seven and six digs in the loss.
After trading the first couple of points in the opening set, the Cardinals scored 10-straight points to lead 12-2 over the Lady Bears. A kill by freshman Tapanga Moten (New Orleans, LA) led to Shaw embarking on a 5-1 run before WJU extended its lead 21-9 on an attack error by the Lady Bears. The Cardinals scored the last four points to take the 25-9 set win.
Five miscues by Shaw gave the Cardinals a 5-1 lead in the second frame. The Lady Bears snapped a scoring drought on a kill by freshman Amari Fletcher (Phoenix, AZ) as the score showed 11-2 in favor of WJU. Shaw cut the deficit to 11 points before the Cardinals controlled a 6-3 push with a kill by Maddy Smyth giving WJU the 25-11 set win.
With three ties and one lead change, the Lady Bears hung close with the Cardinals in the third set. WJU used a 7-1 push to expand its lead 13-7 over Shaw before a kill by Morghan Robinson (Anaheim, CA) cut the deficit to five points. The Lady Bears got within five points one more time but WJU punched in an 11-1 spurt which proved to be too much for Shaw as the Lady Bears fell 25-10, falling 3-0 for the contest
Kayce Krucki led the charge for Wheeling Jesuit on 10 kills and eight digs. Andrea Thobe tallied a match-high 31 assists while Breanna Kramer and Sam Obringer collected 12 digs apiece.
The Cardinals advance to Saturday night's Atlantic Region Semifinals. The Cardinals will face the Lady Cats of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, which defeated California (Pa.) 3-1 in the day's third match, in a 7:30 p.m. match.
For more information on Shaw women's volleyball and its 11 varsity sports, visit www.shawbears.com.
BOX SCORE
SHAW UNIVERSITY BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION
Despite the loss, the Lady Bears had a tremendous record-setting season to look back on.
Sophomore Kelly Murphy (Mukwonago, WI) and freshman Aisja Jones (Red Oak, TX) tallied six and five kills in the match for the Lady Bears (22-8), who advanced to the NCAA advanced to the NCAA Tournament after winning the 2016 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship for the first time in 21 years.
Sophomore Michelle Olmeda-Gonzalez (San Juan, PR) dished out 16 assists while Jones and Murphy tallied seven and six digs in the loss.
After trading the first couple of points in the opening set, the Cardinals scored 10-straight points to lead 12-2 over the Lady Bears. A kill by freshman Tapanga Moten (New Orleans, LA) led to Shaw embarking on a 5-1 run before WJU extended its lead 21-9 on an attack error by the Lady Bears. The Cardinals scored the last four points to take the 25-9 set win.
Five miscues by Shaw gave the Cardinals a 5-1 lead in the second frame. The Lady Bears snapped a scoring drought on a kill by freshman Amari Fletcher (Phoenix, AZ) as the score showed 11-2 in favor of WJU. Shaw cut the deficit to 11 points before the Cardinals controlled a 6-3 push with a kill by Maddy Smyth giving WJU the 25-11 set win.
With three ties and one lead change, the Lady Bears hung close with the Cardinals in the third set. WJU used a 7-1 push to expand its lead 13-7 over Shaw before a kill by Morghan Robinson (Anaheim, CA) cut the deficit to five points. The Lady Bears got within five points one more time but WJU punched in an 11-1 spurt which proved to be too much for Shaw as the Lady Bears fell 25-10, falling 3-0 for the contest
Kayce Krucki led the charge for Wheeling Jesuit on 10 kills and eight digs. Andrea Thobe tallied a match-high 31 assists while Breanna Kramer and Sam Obringer collected 12 digs apiece.
The Cardinals advance to Saturday night's Atlantic Region Semifinals. The Cardinals will face the Lady Cats of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, which defeated California (Pa.) 3-1 in the day's third match, in a 7:30 p.m. match.
For more information on Shaw women's volleyball and its 11 varsity sports, visit www.shawbears.com.
BOX SCORE
SHAW UNIVERSITY BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION
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