2018 Preseason All-SWAC Baseball Honors Announced

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Alabama State was predicted to win the east division and Texas Southern was predicted to win the west division as the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2018 preseason baseball honors on Thursday. The honors were voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Alabama State totaled 67 points in the east division predicted order of finish and received 10 first place votes. Jackson State totaled the second most points with 57 (1 first place vote). Alcorn State had the third most points with 49 (2 first place votes), Alabama A&M (27 points) and Mississippi Valley State (23 points; 1 first place vote) were picked to finish fourth and fifth in the east respectively.

In the west division, Texas Southern earned the most points with 64 (7 first place votes), Grambling State had the second most with 58 and six first place votes. Prairie View A&M earned the third most points in the west division with 38 (1 first place vote). Arkansas Pine Bluff also earned 38 points (0 first place votes) and Southern (26 points) rounded out the predicted order of finish for the west.

Marshawn Taylor of Grambling State was named the Preseason Player of the Year. Taylor was selected as the SWAC Player, Hitter and Newcomer of the year last season. Taylor ranked near the top of the league in multiple offensive categories lin 2017, including first in batting average (.402), second in on base percentage (.477), tied for third in runs scored (50), and first in hits (82).

Texas Southern’s Michael Vilianueva was voted the SWAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Villanueva had a 5.66 ERA, totaled 63 strikeouts, and had eight wins for Texas Southern in 2017.

Gaudencio Lucca, also of Texas Southern was voted the league’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Lucca had a .986 fielding percentage on 352 chances. Lucca also led TSU with 290 putouts, fielded 39 double plays, and totaled 57 assists in 2017.

Texas Southern had the most players earn preseason honors with eight, Alabama State had the second most with seven players, Jackson State, Alcorn State, Prairie View A&M and Grambling State each had two players earn recognition, while Southern had one player selected.

The 2018 preseason teams and awards are below.

Individual Honors

Preseason Player of the Year

Marshawn Taylor (Grambling State)

Preseason Pitcher of the Year

Michael Vilianueva (Texas Southern)

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Gaudencio Lucca (Texas Southern)

Preseason First Team All-SWAC

C – Blake Hicks (Texas Southern)

1B – Gustavo Rios (Alabama State)

2B – Wallace Rios Jimenez (Alcorn State)

3B – Jesus Santana (Jackson State)

SS – Marshawn Taylor (Grambling State)

DH – Cage Cox (Alabama State)

OF – Joseph Estrada (Alabama State)

OF – Lamar Briggs (Jackson State)

OF – Olajide Oloruntimilehin (Texas Southern)

SP – Seth Oliver (Texas Southern)

SP – Darrien Williams (Prairie View A&M

RP – Michael Villanueva (Texas Southern)

Preseason Second Team All-SWAC

C - Hunter Allen (Alabama State)

1B – Christian Sanchez (Texas Southern)

2B – Gaudencio Lucca (Texas Southern)

3B – Ray Hernandez (Alabama State)

SS – Horace LeBlanc (Texas Southern)

DH – John Pope (Southern)

OF – Yamil Pagan (Alabama State)

OF – Kamren Dukes (Texas Southern)

OF – Avery Williams (Prairie View A&M)

SP – Elijah Saunders (Grambling State)

SP – Carlos Lopez (Alcorn State)

RP – Chase Laney (Alabama State)

East Division Predicted Order of Finish (First Place Votes)

1. Alabama State (10)
2. Jackson State (1)
3. Alcorn State (2)
4. Alabama A&M (1)
5. Mississippi Valley State (1)

West Division Predicted Order of Finish (First Place Votes)

1. Texas Southern (7)
2. Grambling State (6)
3. Prairie View A&M (1)
4. Arkansas Pine Bluff (0)
5. Southern (1)

SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Green nets 200th career victory as Gold Rush coach

NEW ORLEANS — Alan Green earned his 200th career victory as men's head coach at Xavier University of Louisiana when the Gold Rush defeated city rival Loyola 6-3 Sunday at XULA Tennis Center.
    
Green, in his 15th season at XULA, is 200-137 with the Gold Rush. He led the XULA men to NAIA national runner-up finishes each of the last two years. The Gold Rush are ranked second in the NAIA this season.
     
It was a bittersweet day for Green, whose 10th-ranked women lost 5-4 to unranked Loyola. It was the Wolf Pack's first-ever tennis victory against the Gold Nuggets. Green still needs two victories to reach 200 as coach of the XULA women.
    
 Chris Anders clinched for the Gold Rush with his 7-5, 6-1 victory at No. 4 singles against Ernesto de Diego.
    
"I didn't realize I was this close to 200," Green said. "It feels good. It just makes me think about all the teams that I've had — all the guys who put in the work to help reach this number. I can only think about them because they made it happen."
     
It was the home opener for both XULA teams. The Gold Rush are 1-3, and the Gold Nuggets are 0-2. It was the opener for both Loyola teams.
     
Samir Chikhaoui and Pierre Andrieu were double winners for the Gold Rush. They won 8-4 in doubles against Sean Presti and Tiger Cheung. In singles Chikhaoui beat Presti 6-4, 6-2, and Andrieu defeated Cheung 6-2, 6-1.
    
 The other Gold Rush singles winners were Catalin Fifea against Galileo Cabrales and Gabriel Niculescu against Alexander DePascual. Both scores were 6-0, 6-1.
     
Charlene Goreau and Manon Bonada won in doubles and singles for the Gold Nuggets. They teamed for an 8-3 victory against Koral Martinez and Nadja Ochsner. In singles Goreau beat Martinez 6-3, 6-1, and Bonada led 6-3, 4-1 when Arianna Pepper retired. Yi Chen Pao scored the other Gold Nuggets point with her 6-1, 6-0 victory against Ochsner.
     
"We competed as best we could today, but it didn't work out," Green said of his Nuggets.
     
Next for both XULA teams will be NCAA Division I opponents. Jacksonville State's men will visit at 2 p.m. Friday, and the Gold Nuggets will play twice Saturday at Louisiana-Lafayette — 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
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XULA snares 3 GCAC Player of Week awards

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Players of the Week for Jan. 22-28, the GCAC announced Tuesday.
     
XULA recipients are Jalen David in men's basketball, Charlene Goreau in women's tennis and Samir Chikhaoui in men's tennis. David and Chikhaoui are first-time honorees; Goreau won for the first time this season and the ninth time in her career.
     
David — a senior guard/forward from Mount Vernon, N.Y., and a former Mount Vernon High School and Moberly Community College standout — averaged 16.7 points and six rebounds and shot 54.1 percent from the floor in three games and scored a season-high-tying 21 points in consecutive games against Philander Smith and Loyola. David scored 15 points in the final 10 minutes during a 38-13 rally that gave XULA an 82-72 home victory against Loyola and the first season sweep of its city rival in seven years.
     
Goreau, a junior from Toulouse, France, won in doubles and singles Sunday at home against Loyola. Goreau teamed with Manon Bonada for an 8-3 victory against Koral Martinez and Nadja Ochsner, then beat Martinez 6-3, 6-1. Goreau's career total of GCAC awards is one fewer than the league record held by Nour Abbes, now a XULA graduate assistant.
     
Chikhaoui, a sophomore from Lille, France, and a former Eastern Florida State College standout, won in doubles and singles against Loyola and helped Alan Green earn his 200th career victory as coach of the Gold Rush. Chikhaoui and Pierre Andrieu beat Sean Presti and Tiger Cheung 8-4, then Chikhaoui defeated Presti 6-4, 6-2. Chikhaoui had three unfinished matches Friday against NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette, and he led at No. 2 singles in the second dual match of that evening.

     Next competition for each team:
     •  Men's tennis: 2 p.m. Friday at home vs. Jacksonville State.
     •  Women's tennis: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Louisiana-Lafayette.
     •  Men's basketball: 7:30 p.m. Monday at home vs. Edward Waters.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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WNBA champ, Gold Glove winner will keynote #WISFNOLA

NEW ORLEANS — Barbara Farris, a champion coach and player in basketball, and outfielder A.J. Andrews, the first woman to receive a Rawlings Gold Glove for fielding excellence in softball, will be the keynote speakers Friday at the second annual Women in Sports Forum at Xavier University of Louisiana.
     
The event — a dynamic program of keynotes, panel and roundtable discussions designed to empower young girls and women who are interested in pursuing a career in the sports industry — is sold out. More than 100 people have registered. XULA's Convocation Center Annex (7800 Washington Ave., New Orleans LA 70125) is the forum venue.
     
Farris was a standout center at St. Martin's Episcopal School (Metairie, La.) and Tulane before launching a 10-year career in the WNBA and winning a WNBA championship with the Detroit Shock in 2003. A 2017 inductee to the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, Farris is in her eighth season as girls coach at John Curtis Christian School, where her teams have won two LHSAA state championships. This season the Lady Patriots are 23-1 and have the No. 1 overall power rating in the state through Tuesday according to the LHSAA's unofficial rankings.
     
Andrews won the Gold Glove in 2016 as a member of a National Pro Fastpitch team, the Akron Racers. In 2017 she became the first softball player featured in ESPN The Magazine's annual Body Issue. She was a standout at Countryside High School (Clearwater, Fla.) and LSU. Andrews was first-team All-Louisiana in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and she was third-team All-America and first-team All-SEC in 2013. Twice she was second-team All-SEC.
     
"A.J. and Barbara have made a tremendous impact on women in sports," said XULA Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Dr. Ashley Baker, the forum founder. "They are role models for young women to look up to. It is an honor to have them both speaking at this year's Women in Sports Forum."

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Lincoln Announces the Hiring of Josh Dean as the Lions' Head Football Coach

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- The Lincoln University Athletic Department and Athletic Director Harry Stinson III is proud to announce the hiring of Joshua Dean as the institution's next Head Football Coach.

Coach Dean brings nine years of collegiate coaching experience. Before his coaching career started, Dean played linebacker in the NFL from 2005 to 2006 where he was a free agent signee for the Chicago Bears under head coach Lovie Smith. He becomes the fifth Lincoln Head Football Coach since the program's revival in 2008 and the 24th head coach in the program's 123-year history.

"We are excited to welcome Josh Dean to the Lincoln Lion family," said Lincoln Athletic Director, Harry Stinson III. "He is a proven winner who shares in our core values and vision and will help direct us to where we would like our football program to be. His commitment to academic and athletic excellence, his defensive background, ability to lead and recruiting approach will have an immediate impact on our football program and I'm excited to see where he will lead our athletic teams.

Dean joins the Lincoln staff following a successful stint as the Defensive Line Coach at Campbellsville University in Kentucky. The Tigers finished 2017 with an 8-2 overall record and were ranked 20th nationally in the NAIA Top 25 poll. In addition the Tigers won the 2017 Victory Bowl. Following a 2-8 mark in 2016, Dean orchestrated a complete defensive turnaround in 2017 with the team giving up nearly 40% fewer points per game (26.6) and allowing only 96 yards rushing per game (6th best mark in NAIA Division I).

"I would like to thank President Dr. Brenda A. Allen, Athletic Director Mr. Harry Stinson, and the selection committee for giving me the opportunity to join Lincoln University as the new Head Coach of the Lions football program, "said Dean. "Our mission as a program is to create a "Culture of Success". This culture will be built on the foundation of Trust, Commitment, Caring, Accountability, and Discipline. I am extremely motivated to create a winning environment for student-athletes, as we strive for success on and off the field."

Prior to Campbellsville, Dean was the head football coach at NCAA DII Kentucky State University for three years. Dean led the Thoroughbreds to an 11-19 record in his three seasons as head coach. In 2015, Kentucky State had four players named to the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Team. The Thoroughbreds ranked No. 1 in DII in blocked punts, No. 3 in blocked field goals and No. 5 in total defense.

In two of his three seasons as Head Coach, Kentucky State won the Circle City Classic played in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dean also coached, Deshon Floyd, who in 2014 was a Rhodes Scholar finalist. Before his tenure as head football coach, Dean was the defensive line coach for the 2012 season.

Prior to Kentucky State, Dean was the safeties coach at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia, for three seasons. During that time, he helped mold First-Team All-SIAC Team members Ricardo Lockette, who would go on to help the Seattle Seahawks to a NFL Super Bowl victory; Marquette King, punter for the Oakland Raiders; and Ricky Johnson who went on to play in the Arena Football League (AFL) and Indoor Football League (IFL).

Stinson added "Anytime you get someone who has coached a Rhodes Scholar Finalist, has a father who played in the NFL, has coached athletes who were drafted and/or played at the professional level, being someone who played in the NFL, along with having head coach experience at the DII level; you know you have someone special who will be a great asset not only to our football program but to our athletic department and university. I have no doubt Coach Dean will bring an excellent brand of football, will teach our young men the true values of being a scholar athlete and will position us to be a force within the CIAA and Division II."

Dean began his collegiate playing career at San Diego State University where he was a defensive back from 2000 to 2004. After his time at SDSU, Dean went on to play professionally for the Bears during the 2005-06 seasons. After his time with the Bears, Dean continued his professional experience with the CFL Cologne Centurions during the 2006 season.

Dean graduated from Fort Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He later went on to earn his Masters of Sports Science degree in Sports Management at the United States Sports Academy.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

UPDATE: HBCU Football New Coaches, NCAA Probation and Conference Changes

2017/18 HEAD COACH CHANGES

Alabama State                   Donald Hill-Eley        Brian Jenkins
Alabama A&M                  Connell Maynor        James SpaRody
Arkansas - Pine Bluff       Cedric Thomas             Monte Coleman  
Florida A&M                    Willie Simmons*       Alex Wood
Delaware State                  Rod Milstead             Kenny Carter                
Hampton                             Robert Prunty            Connell Maynor
Mississippi Valley State     Vincent Dancy           Rick Comegy

Morgan State                    Ernest T. Jones$          Fred T. Farrier

North Carolina A&T      Sam Washington     Rod Broadway (Retired)

North Carolina Central    Granville Eastman$   Jerry Mack

Prairie View A&M             Eric Dooley              Willie Simmons
Lincoln (Pa.)                   Joshua Dean              Reginald Byarse Jr. 
Edward Waters                 Greg Ruffin                 Alvin Wyatt
Virginia Union                  Dr. Alvin Parker         Mark James
Va. U. of Lynchburg         Bobby Rome              Jimmy Joe

 $ Interim for 2018
 *Interim                                                                

TERMINATION OF FOOTBALL PROGRAM
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)

2017/18 ATHLETICS DIRECTOR CHANGES
COLLEGE                          NEW AD                    OLD AD     
1. Florida A&M                   John Eason                   Milton Overton
2. Delaware State                 Mary Hill*                   Louis 'Skip' Perkins                   

HBCU ATHLETIC PROGRAMS ON NCAA PROBATION FOR LACK OF INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL and/or FAILURE TO MONITOR ITS ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION PROCESS:

1. Morgan State University, Probation Period End Dec. 18, 2021
2. Southern University and A&M College, Probation End Nov. 15, 2021
3. Howard University, Probation End May 19, 2018
4. Grambling State University, Probation End July 27, 2019
5. Morehouse College, Entire Program, Probation End July 14, 2018
6. Norfolk State University, Probation End June 15, 2018
7. Prairie View A&M University Men's Basketball, Probation End Nov. 20, 2019
8. Fayetteville State University Women's Basketball, Probation End Nov. 13, 2019
9. Mississippi Valley State University, Probation End March 23, 2019
10. Alabama State University Softball, Probation End Oct. 19, 2018
11. Alcorn State University, Probation End Oct. 18, 2018
12. Florida A&M University, Probation End Nov. 19, 2019
13. Central State University (Ohio), Probation End March 3, 2019 
14. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Probation End Aug. 20, 2019                                                  

CONFERENCE CHANGES - 2018/19
COLLEGES                NEW CONFERENCE         OLD CONF.

Hampton                       Big South                                 MEAC
Savannah State             SIAC                                        MEAC
Langston                        SAC                                         RRAC
Texas College                SAC                                         RRAC

DSU Hornets Football Great Rod Milstead Named Head Coach

DOVER, Delaware -- One of the most decorated players in the history of the Delaware State University football program was appointed as head coach at his alma mater on Jan. 30. 2018.  Milstead was a standout offensive lineman for the Hornets from 1988 to ’91 before an eight-year career in the National Football League.

During his tenure with the Hornets, Milstead was a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection (1989, ’90, 91); and a 1991 Associated Press, Walter Camp and Sheridan Black College All-America First Team pick.

He helped lead Delaware State to the 1989 MEAC championship and a share of the conference title in 1988 and ’91.

In addition, he helped pave the way to the Hornets’ No. 1 ranking among all Division I-AA (now FCS) teams in rushing at 300.2 yards per game in 1990.

Delaware State named Milstead as its Male Athlete-of-the-Year and Senior Male Athlete-of-the-Year in 1992. He was inducted into the Hornets’ Athletic Hall-of-Fame in 2003.

Milstead earned a bachelor’s in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Delaware State in 1992.

Following his collegiate career, Milstead was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 1992 National Football League draft. After several weeks in the Cowboys’ training camp, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he played two seasons.

In 1994, Milstead signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he joined former Hornet star wide receiver John Taylor.

Milstead was a member of San Francisco’s 1995 Super Bowl champion squad. The Niners captured the title with a 49-26 win over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX in Miami, Fla.

In four seasons with the 49ers (1994-97), Milstead competed in 36 games, including 12 starts.

He completed his professional playing career after two seasons with the Washington Redskins (1998-99), during which he appeared in 20 games, starting 11.

In 2013, Milstead was offensive line coach at Delaware State’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival North Carolina Central University.

From 2000 to ’06, Milstead was the assistant head coach/offensive line coach at his high school alma mater, Lackey High in Indian Head, Md.

He was head football coach at La Plata High School in Maryland from 2015 to 2018.

Interim DSU Athletics Director Mary Hill said Coach Milstead understands the Hornet athletics culture as only an alum could. “Equally critical, he understands exactly how driven our players, our campus, and our alumni are to field a competitive, winning team,” she added.

Coach Milstead credits his own career as a Del State student-athlete with setting the foundation for his approach, “This is very personal for me,” the new head coach said. “Rejuvenating the football program and making winners of our student-athletes in the classroom, in the community, as well as on the field, is my top priority.”

“Football sits in a special place in the heart of the Delaware State University community,” said interim DSU President Wilma Mishoe. “A big part of our family comes together on game day – in the stands and in spirit across the country – to cheer for the team and to represent Hornet Pride.”

She emphasized, however, that while DSU students, fans, and alumni prize winning highly, “We are always careful to remember that ‘student’ comes first in the phrase ‘student-athlete.’ I am particularly pleased to know that Coach Milstead is wholly committed to that principle.”

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Delawae State Hornets Football Head Coach Position Still Vacant

DOVER, Delaware -- Our Hornet’s football program has been at the bottom of the MEAC for many years. The 2012 season was the last time the Hornets had a winning record. The lack of success has led to three coaches being dismissed in the last seven years.

On November 19, the day after the 2017 season ended, head coach, Kenneth Carter, was informed that he would not return after posting a 2-9 record on the season. Carter’s record was 3-30 over three years as head coach. Coach E.J Junior, who served as the defensive line coach over the last two years, has been named the interim head coach.

The university also fired athletic director, Louis Perkins. Perkins has been at the university since 2015. Two months after Carter’s departure, a permanent head coach has not been hired and the situation is causing some tension.

Trouble has been brewing for the Delaware State Hornets. 

The football program has obviously been unproductive, but all the blame could not be placed on Coach Carter. The athletic department has also played a part in the failure of the football program and continues to fall short of correcting its mistakes. The interim athletic director, Mary Hill, and the athletic department owe it to the football players and to other student athletes to become the foundation of stability.

After two months, the athletic department doesn’t have a permanent athletic director nor a head coach to lead the football program. For any athletic program to be coach-less for two months is unacceptable.

Many of the football players are looking at the athletic departments for answers and they have not been addressed. Junior defensive lineman, Caleb Hebron, is one of those players. He served as a captain this past season and is one of the team’s leaders. “They’re putting us in a hard position as a group of young men. We deserve to know who’s going to be taking care of us. I know they have to go through a process, but the time it’s taking is embarrassing.” Hebron told The Hornet.

CONTINUE READING 

2018 Preseason All-SWAC Softball Teams Announced

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Familiar faces have been selected as title favorites once again as Alabama State (Eastern) and Texas Southern (Western) finished atop their respective division order of finish standings as part of the league’s 2018 preseason softball awards.

The preseason teams and order of finish were each chosen in a vote by the league’s coaches and sports information directors. For the defending champion Lady Tigers (91 points), this is the fifth-straight season the Lady Tigers have been chosen as favorites to win the Western Division.

TSU, which is expected to return much of its league-leading pitching staff and defense, received 15­ first-place votes.

Prairie View A&M was tabbed to finish second with 58 points (two first-place votes), narrowly outpointing Arkansas-Pine Bluff (57 points; two first-place votes). Southern (51 points) and Grambling State (28 points) rounded out the projections out west.

2016 champion Alabama State earned 82 points (seven first-place votes), besting the incumbent Eastern Division champion Alcorn State (65 points, six first-place votes). Mississippi Valley State claimed 56 points (four first-place votes), Alabama A&M (47 points, one first-place vote) and Jackson State (35 points, one first-place vote) followed in the projections.

Alcorn State’s Hughes, Texas Southern’s Fulmore tabbed for individual awards
Alcorn State first baseman and reigning SWAC Player and Hitter of the Year Taylor Hughes is the preseason choice to repeat for the league’s highest individual honor. The Phoenix, Ariz. native hit .404 last season – good for second in the league – and was one of the top bats in SWAC ranks.

The senior ranked first in on-base percentage (.491) and doubles (17), tied for third in hits (59), was fourth in runs scored (38) and RBI (37) and ninth in slugging percentage (.575).

Hughes seeks to become the first player in at least a decade to repeat as outright Player of the Year, as Jackson State’s Cannesa Swanson shared the honors with Texas Southern’s Thomasina Garza in 2015 and won it outright in 2016.

Texas Southern’s Jasmin Fulmore, who won Pitcher of the Year accolades last season, went 11-5 in the circle in 2017 for the reigning champions. Along with teammate and fellow preseason first-teamer Lauren Rodriguez, Fulmore posted a sub-3.00 ERA, notching a 2.47 in the category.

She led the league with 97 strikeouts and threw three shutouts. The junior earned first-team accolades to close the season and also garnered preseason first-team honors this season.

Prairie View A&M leads the preseason honors list with seven selections, five of them first-teamers. Texas Southern saw six players – three each on the first and second teams – chosen as honorees. Four Alcorn State players garnered a slot. Alabama State placed three players on the All-SWAC teams, while Southern and Mississippi Valley State each had two selections. Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama A&M each landed one all-SWAC nod. The full team is listed below.

An asterisk (*) beside a student-athlete’s name indicates a tie in voting.

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Taylor Hughes, Alcorn State
PRESEASON PITCHER OF THE YEAR - Jasmin Fulmore, Texas Southern

ALL SWAC SOFTBALL – PRESEASON FIRST TEAM
1B - Taylor Hughes, Alcorn State
2B - Destinee Williams, Prairie View A&M
3B - Kylar Ward-Flowers, Prairie View A&M
SS - Alyssa Garcia, Prairie View A&M
OF - Tonnay Hawkins, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
OF - Kelsey Riley, Texas Southern
OF - Shelby Williams, Prairie View A&M
C - Kiara Suttles, Southern
P - Jasmin Fulmore, Texas Southern
P - Lauren Rodriguez, Texas Southern
P - Ashley Higgins, Prairie View A&M
DP - Charlene Castro, Alabama State

ALL SWAC SOFTBALL – PRESEASON SECOND TEAM
1B - Laurisa Hernandez, Prairie View A&M
2B - Jocilynn Ellis, Texas Southern
3B - Victoria Tyler, Alcorn State
SS - Dominique Tello, Texas Southern
OF - Mariah Ortiz, Alcorn State
OF - Kailyn Dunn, Mississippi Valley State
OF - *Kaylee Davis, Alabama State/*Imani Largin, Alabama A&M
C - Amanda Ford, Prairie View A&M
P - Aubrion James, Southern
P - Robin Harrison, Alcorn State
P - Vanessa Bradford, Alabama State
DP - *Sierra Valdez, Texas Southern/*Ikeyia Alexander, Mississippi Valley State

EASTERN DIVISION PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (First-Place votes in parentheses)
1. Alabama State 82 (7)
2. Alcorn State 65 (6)
3. Mississippi Valley State 56 (4)
4. Alabama A&M 47 (1)
5. Jackson State 35 (1)

WESTERN DIVISION PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (First-Place votes in parentheses)
1. Texas Southern 91 (15)
2. Prairie View A&M 58 (2)
3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 57 (2)
4. Southern 51 (0)
5. Grambling State 28 (0)

SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Mekowulu's Double-Double Leads TSU Past EIU, 50-47

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY - by Sam Jordan | RADIO CALLS

Final Score: Tennessee State 50 - Eastern Illinois 47
Records: TSU (10-11, 5-5 OVC) – EIU (7-14, 3-7 OVC)
Venue: Gentry Center
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Attendance: 1,344

NASHVILLE --- In a low-scoring Ohio Valley Conference showdown where both teams scored 19 points in the first half, the Tennessee State men’s basketball team earned a hard-fought 50-47 victory over Eastern Illinois at the Gentry Center on Saturday night. Christian Mekowulu secured his seventh career double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

TSU (10-11, 5-5 OVC) held EIU (7-14, 3-7 OVC) to 29.2 percent shooting on the night and outrebounded the Panthers by a 32-27 margin. 

Up by one with just under a minute to play, Mekowulu cleaned up an offensive rebound, finished a layup and hit a free throw to give the Tigers a 49-45 lead. After a layup from EIU’s Jajuan Starks cut the Tigers’ lead down to 49-47, Mekowulu was fouled and hit one free throw with 6.7 seconds left for a three-point lead.

TSU again came up with a stop on EIU’s final possession to preserve the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU LEADERS
• POINTS – Christian Mekowulu - 27
• REBOUNDS – Christian Mekowulu - 10
• ASSISTS – Armani Chaney - 4
• TSU held Eastern Illinois to 19 first half points.
• It was the second game in a row holding an opponent to 20 or fewer points in the first half.
• It was the fourth time this season the Tigers have held a team to 20 points or fewer in a half and the 19th time in fourth-year Head Coach Dana Ford.
• Christian Mekowulu scored in double figures for the 14th time this season and the 27th time in his career  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Christian Mekowulu scored eight of TSU’s first 12 points as the Tigers took a 12-7 lead halfway through the first half.
• TSU limited Eastern Illinois to 26.1 percent (6-of-23) shooting while forcing 10 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
• The Tigers led by five points at 19-14 with 1:15 left before halftime, but the Panthers leveled the scoring at 19-19 at the break thanks to a 5-0 run to close the half.
• Mekowulu continued to dominate after the break, scoring eight points in the opening eight minutes of the second half to help TSU take a 35-30 lead.
• After EIU bounced back to take a three-point lead, Armani Chaney drilled a three then dished out an assist for a Mekowulu dunk to help the Tigers regain the advantage at 42-40 with 4:30 left.
• Up 46-45 with just over a minute to play, TSU came up with a stop. On the next possession, Mekowulu cleaned up the offensive board, put up a tough layup and made his fouls shot for a 49-45 lead with 45.1 seconds left.
• EIU’s Jajuan Starks hit a layup with 40.5 seconds remaining to cut TSU's lead down to 49-47.
• The Panthers forced a turnover with 19.0 seconds left down 49-47, but TSU got a stop on the other end. Mekowulu was fouled with 6.7 seconds left and made one free throw for a 50-47 lead.
• TSU again came up with a stop on EIU’s final possession.

GAME NOTES

• TSU is 29-23 in the all-time series versus Eastern Illinois.
• Tennessee State is 30-20 at the Gentry Center under fourth-year Head Coach Dana Ford.
• The Tigers are 2-0 when facing a team for the second time this season. 

QUOTES

Head Coach Dana Ford

“Probably the players although we did not execute very well down the stretch in late game situations, the good Lord was good to us tonight and gave us a good lucky bounce on the rim. Then obviously late with the review of the play, we’re just happy with the win and giving thanks to the Lord.”
-Overview of the game

“It has been the talk for this whole year. I just feel that it opens up the offense. Tonight, unfortunately, we didn’t make many shots from three. We have to throw the ball inside. It doesn’t make any sense not to throw it down to the guy that can get 25 points and shoot 60 percent from the floor and 85 percent from the free-throw line. What we need to continue to do is defend. We’ll score the points, we just need to guard.”
-On the emphasis of getting the ball inside

“You have to give credit to them, that’s something they’re really good at, and they’re long. Their 3 man is 6’6’’ - 6’7’’ and we put Delano Spencer who is 6’2’’. We did not do a great job of checking out, but when you’re defending at the clip that we were, I mean they scored six field goals in one half. The good Lord is good to them too, and he’s going to let the ball bounce their way a time or to as well. But defensively, we felt that we were great - 47 points, 29 percent, they did go to the free-throw line a little too much, but we can live with nine second-chance points if we hold them to 47.”
-On EIU’s offense

“I just thought mentally, those two were the most mentally prepared to play tonight. I thought some other guys, what ever reason, I don’t know, they were mentally there. I guess that’s my job as a coach to get them mentally prepared. I’ll have to do a better job at that. It was evident who was ready and ready to go. You named them - Armani Chaney and Christian Mekowulu, especially offensively. Defensively, we got good efforts from everyone. But for whatever reason, we just didn’t have the same pop to us offensively, and we’ll take this week leading up to our next game on Thursday to see how we can help them.”
-Mekowulu Chaney teamwork

UP NEXT

• The Tigers will travel to Kentucky for a pair of Ohio Valley Conference matchups.
• The road swing begins at Morehead State on Feb. 1 and concludes at Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 3.
• Both games will air on the OVC Digital Network and on the radio on 102.1 The Ville.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Lady Tigers Dominate Eastern Illinois in 86-68 Win

FINAL BOX | PHOTO GALLERY

Final Score: Tennessee State 86 – Eastern Illinois 68
Records: TSU (4-15, 2-8 OVC) – Eastern Illinois (2-19, 1-9 OVC)
Venue: Gentry Center
Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tenn. --- The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team used a strong third quarter to pull away in an, 86-68, victory over Eastern Illinois Saturday night in the Gentry Center.

The win snapped a five game losing skid for Tennessee State (4-15, 2-8 OVC) while Eastern Illinois fell to 2-19, 1-9 OVC.

Tia Wooten and Taylor Roberts led the Lady Tigers with 18 points each while Kaliya Griffin added 15. Wooten just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.

EIU was paced by Karle Pace’s 31 points as Danielle Berry also reached double-digits with 10 points.

TSU outscored EIU, 24-11, in the third quarter and led by as many as 26 points in the victory. The Lady Tigers also made a season-high nine three-pointers in the contest.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU Leaders
• Points: Taylor Roberts and Tia Wooten – 18
• Rebounds: Tia Wooten - 9
• Assists: Taylor Williams – 5
• Steals: Taylor Roberts - 3
• Kaliya Griffin also scored in double-digits with 15 points.
• TSU dished out 21 assists and five blocks in the game.
• TSU shot 52.9 percent from three-point range.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• TSU was down 9-8 when a three-pointer by Kaliya Griffin sparked a 9-0 run that put the Lady Tigers on top, 17-9.
• The Lady Tigers shot 67 percent from the field in the first quarter and led 21-16 heading into the second frame.
• EIU cut the deficit down to four points before another rally fueled by two more triples from Griffin extended TSU’s advantage to, 32-24.
• At the half, TSU held a 45-37 lead.
• TSU opened the third quarter by outscoring EIU, 7-2, and moved ahead 52-39.
• The Lady Tigers scored on their next four possessions and increased the advantage to, 60-41, when Maxine Beard connected in the paint after a dazzling spin move.
• EIU used a timeout when TSU grabbed its largest lead of the game, 68-43, behind a Taylor Williams three-pointer.
• TSU went scoreless for the last 2:24 of the quarter but still carried a 69-48 cushion into the final stanza.
• The Panthers outscored the Lady Tigers 12-7 to start the fourth closed the gap to, 76-60.
• Despite going without a field goal for an extended period, the Lady Tigers kept the opponents at bay.

GAME NOTES

• TSU shot 75 percent (6-of-8) from three-point range in the first quarter.
• TSU snapped a five-game losing streak.
• Tia Wooten scored in double-digits for the 19th consecutive game.
• Kaliya Griffin went 4-of-4 from long range in the opening period.
• Tia Wooten just missed her 8th double-double of the season with 18 points and nine rebounds.
• TSU picked up its second league win of the season.
• TSU is 1-1 versus EIU this season.
• Kaliya Griffin posted double-digits for the third time in four games.
• Taylor Roberts scored in double-figures for the third consecutive game.

QUOTES
Head Coach Jessica Kern

“This was a great team win. I am absolutely elated for the ladies and not because we are in the win column, but because we really needed to be validated and I think we got validated tonight. It was a great team effort. Everybody touched the ball, shared the ball, so it was great to see them have fun tonight.”
-Overview of the game

“We’re trying to practice consistency, so we had benchmarks. Every girl had a number going into the game. Your number could have been rebounds and steals, and at halftime they had accountability partners. Our redshirts were their accountability partners seeing where they were on their benchmark. We had a goal per quarter. 90 points was the goal for this game. If we hit those quarterly marks, we knew coming out strong in the game, we’d have a shot at it. It’s just fun to watch this kids have fun, and the energy in the locker room right now will carry you into a win.”
-On breakdown of game

“We’re always an attack first team, so how nice is it that our outside shooters are getting shots. Taylor Williams to Kaliya Griffin had three-of-four of her assists on swings to Kaliya for a three-point shot. When you can open up both sides of the court, it makes it easy for the girls in the middle.”
-On shooting 52 percent from the perimeter

“First game we put them all together. First game we put all four quarters together. The third quarter had been an achilles heel, first quarter has been an achilles heel. We’d spend a lot of time in-between games, on-court stuff, angles, walking through in scout, and more or less fixing us, no what people are doing to us, but fixing what we’re doing to ourselves.”
-On playing through all four quarters

“I told my freshmen in the locker room, I will give you a chance every single game to show me what you can do. We gave them a stat, if you play 40 total minutes of the game, the game will be in your hands about 4 total minutes, how relevant can you be when the ball is in your hands. And the freshmen showed me, some were ready to go, some were not.”
-On five freshmen in at one time

UP NEXT

• TSU returns to the road for the “Death Valley” swing beginning with a matchup at Morehead State on Thursday, Feb. 1. Game time is set for 5:15 p.m. ET (4:15 CT).

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

N.C. A&T Aggies Halt NCCU Eagles Rally, Remain Unbeaten In MEAC Play

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- It dangerous to get lackadaisical during a rivalry game like North Carolina A&T versus North Carolina Central. The Aggies women’s basketball team fell into a lull for a moment Saturday afternoon but recovered quickly enough to come away with a 67-54 win over the Eagles.

It was the Aggies (11-7, 6-0 MEAC) 16th win over the Eagles in 17 tries. North Carolina A&T is tied for first place in the MEAC with Bethune-Cookman as they await a tough Norfolk State (11-6, 4-1 MEAC) team coming to Corbett Sports Center for a 5:30 p.m., Wednesday make-up game.

“I don’t think we realize what’s going on right now,” said N.C. A&T coach Tarrell Robinson who saw his team win its seventh straight game. “They’re playing their hardest and trying to please me in terms of how they play defense. We’ve got to get better offensively. But we’re not looking up at anybody, we’re looking down on some teams, so we’ve got to412 make sure we continue to take care of our business.”



Sophomore Alexus Lessears led the first-place Aggies with 13 points and 15 rebounds for her sixth career double-double. Twenty-nine of the Aggies points came off the bench led by sophomore Cinia McCray who had 12 points. Sophomore C’Coriea Foy added 10.

N.C. A&T came out like a team with a capacity crowd behind it. The closed the first quarter on an 11-2 run capped off by a Foy layup. The Aggies pretty much maintained their advantage throughout the second quarter and led 34-23 at halftime.

But the Eagles, who snapped a 14-game losing streak to the Aggies last season by beating them in Corbett, started to erase the Aggies lead. A 3-pointer by Kieche White cut the Aggies lead to eight at 45-37 with 1:41 remaining in the third quarter. The lead was cut to five to open the third quarter as Jada Blow hit another three for NCCU.

The lead went to two, 47-45, on two Rodneysha Martin free throws with 7:44 to play in the game. The Aggies once double-digit lead was completely erased when Blow hit a three from the corner to give the Eagles a 48-47 lead with 6:36 remaining in the game.

“I felt like it was on us,” said Robinson about the Eagles comeback. “It was an exciting game. It was rivalry game to the fullest. One team is up and then another team makes a run, then the other team makes the run. We were just getting lax.

When we went up in the first quarter it was like we checked out. They outscored us in the second, I talked to them halftime and then we got a little more laxed. It took them going up for us to wake up and open the game up again.”

N.C. A&T got real series after the Eagles took the lead as they fed off the sellout crowd. Senior Kayla Green went baseline to score on a layup to help the Aggies reclaim the lead. McCray then got the crowd out of their seats again with a 3-pointer followed by back-to-back jump shots from an enthused Quenswayla Story as the Aggies took a 56-48 advantage with 4 ½ minutes to play.

After Dominique Adams scored to cut the lead to six, the Aggies, the conference leader in turnovers forced, started forcing NCCU turnovers. The Eagles turned the ball over four times in the final four minutes as the Aggies closed the game on an 11-4 run.

“Our young women understand defense is the staple of our program,” said Robinson. “When we get here in the summer that's the first thing we work on is our principles. We concentrate on the details, we don't worry about whether our shots are falling. We're worried about whether our opponents’ shots are falling.”

The Eagles turned the ball over 26 times and shot 31.7 percent from the floor. Blow came off the bench to score 12 for the Eagles. After the Aggies make-up game against Norfolk State, they will face the Hampton Pirates (8-10, 4-1 MEAC) at Corbett Sports Center on Saturday at 2 p.m.

BOX SCORE

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMAITON