HBCU Play, Ep. 14: MEAC Commissioner talks longevity leading the conference

ATLANTA, Georgia -- is a prime source for the latest information on historically black colleges and university athletics. The weekly program breaks down impact games throughout the various conferences, includes featuring stories, interviews, and recognizes student athletes for their work within the community.

Episode 14 =The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced its 10th Class - the Class of 2019. Lericia Harris and Sam Crenshaw discuss the seven inductees selected from a list of 25 finalists. Also, Dr. Dennis E. Thomas - commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) - joins HBCU Play to discuss his dynamic leadership, financial stability of the conference, and improved graduation rate of student-athletes.

WAOKAM

Road To The Championship HBCU Football Schedule, Week 10

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2018

CIAA
Shaw at Saint Augustine's, 1 PM, Raleigh Classic
Livingstone at Johnson C. Smith, 1 PM, Commemorative Classic
Lincoln (PA) at Chowan, 1 PM
Elizabeth City State at Bowie State, 1 PM
Virginia State at Virginia Union, 1 PM
Winston-Salem State at Fayetteville State, 1 PM, TV: Aspire

SIAC
Lane at Central State (OH), 1 PM  VIDEO  LIVE STATS
Tuskegee at Miles, 2 PM,  VIDEO
Morehouse at Clark Atlanta, 2 PM
Benedict at Kentucky State, 2 PM, STATS
Albany State vs. Fort Valley State at Columbus, GA  2 PM  AUDIO

OTHER CONFERENCES
West Virginia State at Urbana, 1 PM, WATCH   LIVE STATS
Lincoln (MO) at Tarleton State, 3 PM, WATCH, LIVE STATS  AUDIO
Texas College at Oklahoma Panhandle State, 3 PM, WATCH   LIVE STATS

BIG SOUTH
Hampton at SUNY Maritime. 1 PM,  VIDEO   LIVE STATS

OVC
Tennessee State at Southeast Missouri State, 2 PM, ESPN+

SWAC
Prairie View A&M at Jackson State, 3 PM, ESPN3
Mississippi Valley State at Grambling State, 3 PM
Texas Southern at Alabama State, 3 PM
Alabama A&M at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 3:30 PM
Alcorn State at New Mexico State, 4 PM   VIDEO   AUDIO  STATS

MEAC
Florida A&M at Howard, 1 PM, ESPN3/Sports Fever
Norfolk State at North Carolina A&T State, 1 PM, ESPN3
Savannah State at Delaware State, 2 PM, ESPN3
Edward Waters at North Carolina Central, 2 PM, ESPN3
Bethune-Cookman at Morgan State, 4 PM, ESPN3

GAME TIMES INDICATED IN EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME ZONE




HBCU CONFERENCE LEADERS 10/29/2018

SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SAC)
1. #12 Langston University Lion,  7-0 SAC; 7-1 Overall
2. Oklahoma Panhandle State (OPSU) Aggie, 5-1 SAC; 5-4 Overall
    Scheduled Nov. 10th: "Battle for the Bell," OPSU @ Langston Lions

CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (CIAA)
NORTHERN 
1. Bowie State Bulldogs, 5-1 CIAA; 7-2 Overall
2. Virginia Union Panthers, 5-1 CIAA; 6-2 Overall
3. Virginia State Trojans, 4-2 CIAA; 4-4 Overall
SOUTHERN 
1. Fayetteville State Broncos, 6-0 CIAA; 6-1 Overall
2. Shaw Bears, 3-2 CIAA; 4-4 Overall

SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
EAST
1. Albany State Golden Rams, 5-0 SIAC; 6-3 Overall
2. Morehouse Maroon Tigers, 3-2 SIAC; 7-2 Overall
WEST
1. Tuskegee Golden Tigers, 4-2 SIAC; 5-4 Overall
2. Central State (OH) Marauders, 3-2 SIAC; 4-5 Overall

MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (MEAC)
1. Florida A&M Ratters, 5-0 MEAC; 6-2 Overall
2, North Carolina A&T State Aggies, 3-1 MEAC; 6-2 Overall
3. Howard Bison, 3-2 MEAC; 3-4 Overall
4. South Carolina State Bulldogs, 3-3 MEAC; 3-5 Overall

SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SWAC)
EAST
1. Alcorn State Braves, 6-1 SWAC; 7-2 Overall
2. Alabama A&M, 3-2 SWAC; 4-4 Overall
WEST
1. Southern Jaguars, 4-1 SWAC; 5-3 Overall
2. Grambling State Tigers, 3-2 SWAC; 4-4 Overall

Howard Advances to Finals in Shootout

Howard Advances to Finals in Shootout https://t.co/ifpWF4HE5x

— Howard Athletics (@HUBisonSports) November 3, 2018

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – A classic defensive match went the way of the Howard Bison (12-6-1) as the No. 2 seed won 41 in penalty kicks to defeat Texas Southern (7-8-3) in the semifinals of the 2018 SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament.

After two overtime periods solved nothing, Howard converted its first four tries in shootout play, while TSU pushed two of its three tries wide left. Kendall Macauly stuck one high past Alexis Robles to send Howard back to the finals.

The victory avenges Howard's lone regular-season loss in conference play.

The Bison created potential looks early and almost had an opportunity for a close-range try, but stepped in front to cut off a potential pass. The Lady Tigers looked to turn that stand into a charge of their own, as defender Briana Norwood sent a high arcing pass close to net, but the ensuing shot by Macey Shipman curved wide right over the net.

In a stark contrast to the first half, offensive aggression opened the second stanza. Despite Texas Southern penetrating the Howard defense, the Lady Tigers were never able to find a clean look at a scoring attempt. After Howard's Makela Davidson was turned away by Robles, Desiree Harte just missed a goal as her shot was a tad high.

The Bison put together an opportunity but a crossing pass by Kendall Macauly was just out of reach of a leaping teammate's header attempt. The Bison then squandered another scoring chance thanks to a high shot following a rebounded header.

Texas Southern's Begona Bravo then found a streaking Gia Hodges, who drew a free kick opportunity. However, the try found nothing but Hightower's mitts, leaving the Lady Tigers empty-handed.

Howard proceeded to dominate possession from there, forcing Texas Southern on its heels. Bayley Carmichael nearly had an opening off a Jordan Taylor pass, but Robles picked it off. Following a brief run by Texas Southern, the Bison again threatened, but a Hollie Cartwright shot was scooped by Robles. After another stalemate, Texas Southern had perhaps the chance of the match on a close-range header, but Hightower denied the shot with a sprawling one-handed save to preserve the scoreless tie.

Hightower made 10 saves though TSU outshot the Bison 16-14.

BOX SCORE

About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Howard Volleyball Remains Undefeated in the MEAC with Win Over Delaware State

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard University volleyball remains undefeated in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference after sweeping the Delaware State Hornets, 3-0.
The Bison extend their winning streak to nine consecutive matches and are 8-0 in the MEAC.

Howard won the first set 25-13, then followed up with a 25-9 win in the second set. In the third and final set the Hornets brought their fiercest competition of the game, yet it was not enough to stop the Bison. The back and forth set proved entertaining with Howard ultimately coming out on top.

Howard's .320 hitting percentage was instrumental in their win. Junior Kira Porter led the Bison with 11 kills, two digs and an ace. Jurnee Tipton had nine kills and 14 digs. Fola Wilson added 17 digs. Courtney Dalton, Marcelle Butler and Indira Dandridge were solid contributors to the win.

Howard is closing in on its regular season. With only two games left before hosting the MEAC Championships, Nov. 16-18 in Burr Gym, the Bison are working to stay undefeated in the conference. Their next game is against conference rival University of Maryland Eastern Shore at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 4.

BOX SCORE

About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Nuggets shut down FMU on first day of Xavier Classic

NEW ORLEANS — Three Xavier University of Louisiana non-starters scored in double figures, and the Gold Nuggets' defense sparkled in a 76-58 women's basketball victory against Florida Memorial Friday in the Xavier Classic.
     
Jas Hill scored 23 points, Caprice Taylor 19 and Gina Smith 13 to lead a XULA (2-0) bench that scored 61 points. The Lady Lions (2-1) entered averaging 99 points and had a victory against Edward Waters — picked ahead of XULA in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll — but the Gold Nuggets limited them to 25 percent from the floor and gained 25 turnovers, 18 by steals.
     
"Our defense was very good," XULA coach Bo Browder said. "As for Jas and Caprice, we had a pretty good idea when we signed them that they were capable of performances like these."
     
Hill scored 16 second-half points. Taylor made four 3-pointers, giving her six through two games.
     
XULA dominated the even-numbered periods, outscoring Florida Memorial 23-14 in the second quarter and 25-12 in the fourth. Hill's basket with 6:34 remaining made it 59-48 and gave the Gold Nuggets a double-digit lead thereafter.
     
It was the first time in 14 years that XULA reached 75 points in regulation in each of the first two games of the season. The Gold Nuggets won 77-60 at home Wednesday against Stillman.
     
Ashleign Gary had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Florida Memorial but also led her team with five turnovers. Sisters Danielle Kanesha and Tyesha Battle scored 10 points apiece, and Unique Tate also had 10.
     
XULA led the final 24 minutes, including 38-31 at halftime, and answered with a 10-0 run than spanned parts of the third and fourth quarters after the Lady Lions reduced the margin from 14 points to one.

BOX SCORE
     
Also contributing for the Nuggets were Maya Trench with 11 assists — the fourth time in her career the 5-foot-2 point guard reached double figures — and Mikayla Bates with six steals, giving her 10 through two games. Bates has yet to commit a turnover this season.
     
Smith and Da'Jha Virgil grabbed six rebounds apiece. Smith and Essence Wells each blocked a pair of shots.
     
Langston got 29 points from Akia Frett in a 92-84 victory against LSU-Alexandria in the opening game. LSUA and Florida Memorial will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by XULA and Langston at 4.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
XULAgold.com
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

A&T Goes Into Second Place With Win Over SCSU

Courtesy: N.C. A&T Sports Information

EAST GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Other than an anomaly of a third set, the North Carolina A&T volleyball team looked comfortable being back in the familiar surroundings of Moore Gymnasium Friday night with the Greatest Homecoming on Earth surviving as motivation.

N.C. A&T posted 10 service aces and sophomore Edie Brewer nearly put together a triple-double in a 3-1 (25-17, 25-22, 20-25, 25-19) triumph over S.C. State. It was a needed a win for the Aggies after they lost two straight in Florida to Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman.

Their win puts the Aggies (10-11, 5-3 MEAC) back into contention for at least a No. 2 seed out of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division going into this month’s conference tournament after the B-CU slipped back into second with a 3-1 loss to FAMU Friday night.

Brewer led the way with eight kills, 33 assists and 13 digs and three service aces for her 11thcareer double-double. Brewer did not make an attack error and finished with a .571 hitting percentage. Junior Christa Wilson also went errorless on attacks, recorded four kills and nine digs and posted a .571 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Courteney Pitt contributed with 17 kills and six digs as the Aggies improved to 3-1 at home in conference play.

The Aggies overwhelmed the Bulldogs in the first set. They posted four services aces and hit. 286 for the set. The Bulldogs started showing signs of competitiveness in the second set. SCSU’s Kyra Marshall had seven kills in the set. It was Marshall’s kill that tied the set at 21. But the Aggies scored the next three points to take control of the set. An Aggies attack error slowed the momentum, but senior Megan Wiggins set Pitt beautifully for a set-ending kill.

With a 2-0 advantage in the match, the Aggies had trouble putting the Bulldogs away in third. SCSU only recorded seven kills in the set, but the Aggies were helpful by committing 12 attack errors for -.032 hitting percentage. The Aggies trailed by as many as seven, 21-14, and never got any closer than four for the remainder of the set.

The third set didn’t seem to get the Aggies down too much. They broke open the fourth set with a 4-0 spurt that put them in position to win the match after taking an 18-13 lead. Brewer and Pitt had kills during the run. The Bulldogs (1-23, 1-6 MEAC) did get within three, 21-18, on an Alexus Holt kill.

N.C. A&T then went on the attack. Wilson, junior Makaylah Elliot and Pitt, posted kills to give the Aggies a 24-19 lead. A Marshall attack error ended the Bulldogs’ night.

Elliot added nine kills and Wiggins had 12 assists for the Aggies. The Aggies will honor Wiggins Sunday before their 2 p.m. match against Savannah State at Moore Gymnasium as a part of Senior Day.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Spring Hill College Wins 2018 SIAC Women's Cross Country Championship

ROCK HILL, South Carolina – Spring Hill’s women’s cross country team garnered their first SIAC championship title at the 2018 SIAC Women’s Cross Country Championship title Friday morning in Rock Hill, S.C.

The Badgers, who recently made their full transition to Division II, placed six runners within the top ten finishers as they secured their first title with only 29 points led by freshman Mary Shelton who finished third with a time of 20:24.03 in the 5K race. Spring Hill’s Meghan Sullivan finished in fifth place with a time of 20:55.46 followed by Kimberly Atkinson (21:00:00), Grace McCann (21:09.55), Erika Nageleisen (21:19.43), and Caroline Weisinger (21:51.48) who finished sixth, seventh, eighth, and tenth respectively.

Spring Hill’s Craig McVey was named the 2018 SIAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Benedict’s Dawnell Collymore, 2018 SIAC Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year, led the field of 66 runners as she finished first with a time of 19:20.54. Freshman Breasiah Fields followed closely behind with a time of 20:49.59 finishing in fourth place for the Tigers. Benedict finished in second place with 48 points and an average time of 21:35.63.

Albany State seized third place with 76 points led by sophomore Lauryn Wilson who finished second with a time of 20:19.08, improving from last year’s fifth place championship finish.

Sophomore Dazya Mitchell of Clark Atlanta placed ninth in the top ten finishers with a time of 21:33.30.

The 2018 NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country South Regional Championship is set for Nov. 17 or 18.

Full Results

Spring Hill College XC Team Roster

2018 SIAC Women’s Cross Country All-Conference Honors
Dawnell Collymore – Benedict, 19:20.54
Lauryn Wilson – Albany State, 20:19.08
Mary Shelton – Spring Hill, 20:24.03
Breasiah Fields – Benedict, 20:49.59
Meghan Sullivan – Spring Hill, 20:55.46
Kimberly Atkinson – Spring Hill, 21:00:00
Grace McCann – Spring Hill, 21:09.55
Erika Nageleisen – Spring Hill, 21:19.43
Dazya Mitchell – Clark Atlanta, 21:33.30
Caroline Weisinger – Spring Hill, 21:51.48

2018 SIAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year
Craig McVey, Spring Hill

2018 SIAC Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year
Dawnell Collymore, Benedict



SIAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Morehouse College Claims Third SIAC Men's Cross Country Championship Title

ROCK HILL, South Carolina – Morehouse College men’s cross country claimed their third consecutive SIAC Men’s Cross Country Championship title Friday morning in Rock Hill, S.C.

The Maroon Tigers placed two in the top ten finishers as they captured the title with 48 points, narrowly defeating Benedict (48), coming down to their fifth runner. Trailing behind was Central State (64), Spring Hill (84), Albany State (165), Kentucky State (173), Tuskegee (190), Fort Valley State (223), Paine (225), Lane (265), LeMoyne-Owen (280), Clark Atlanta (288), and Miles (356).

Morehouse claimed their 23rd championship in 25 years under the leadership of 2018 SIAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year, Willie Hill.

Senior Trey Simons represented the Maroon Tigers in his second place finish with a time of 25:40.08. He was joined by junior teammate Collins Kiplimo (27:02.12) who finished fifth.

Benedict finished in second place with an average time of 27:48.42 led by sophomore Evans Korir (26:28.54) who finished fourth place. Korir was joined by teammates Amos Chebii (27:15.43), Dennis Kiprono (27:434.56), and Japheth Kipruto (27:51.52) who placed sixth, seventh, and ninth respectively.

Freshman Raymond Korir of Central State led the field of 76 runners after finishing with a time of 26:06.36 in the 8K race to lead the Marauders to a third place finish. Korir was joined by teammate Emmanuel Birgens (26:19.32) who finished third. Central State recorded an average time of 28:02.41.

David Toups of Spring Hill (27:46.65) and Lance Fleming of LeMoyne-Owen (27:57.51) rounded out the top ten finishers in the race.

The 2018 NCAA Division II Men’s Cross Country South Regional Championship is set for Nov. 17 or 18.

Full Results

Morehouse College XC Roster

2018 SIAC Men’s Cross Country All-Conference Honors
Raymond Korir – Central State, 25:06.36
Trey Simons – Morehouse, 25:40.08
Emmanuel Birgens – Central State, 26:19.32
Evans Korir – Benedict, 26:28.54
Collins Kiplimo – Morehouse, 27:02.12
Amos Chebii – Benedict, 27:15.43
Dennis Kiprono – Benedict, 27:34.56
David Troups – Spring Hill, 27:46.65
Japheth Kipruto – Benedict, 27:51.52
Lance Fleming – LeMoyne-Owen, 27:57.51

2018 SIAC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year
Willie Hill, Morehouse

2018 SIAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year
Raymond Korir, Central State

SIAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Benedict Men Tie Morehouse, Claim Runner-Up Trophy, At SIAC Cross Country Championship

ROCK HILL, South Carolina – The Benedict College men's cross country team finished as SIAC runners-up after tying with Morehouse at the SIAC Championship on Friday at Winthrop University.

The Tigers and the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse finished the meet with 48 points. Morehouse won their third consecutive men's championship on a tiebreaker, with their fifth runner finishing ahead of Benedict's fifth runner.

The Tigers had four runners finish in the top 10 and earn All-Conference honors. Evans Korir finished fourth overall with a time of 26:28.54 over the 8K course. Amos Chebii finished sixth in a time of 27:15.43, while Dennis Kiprono was right behind in seventh with a time of 27:34.56. Japheth Kipruto crossed the finish line in ninth with a time of 27:51.52.

Hylton was Benedict's fifth runner, crossing the line with a time of 29:52.04.

Morehouse had runners finish in second, fifth, 11th, 14th and 16th.

Central State's Raymond Korir was the individual winner with a time of 25:06.36.

Finishing in third was Central State (64), followed by Spring Hill (84), Albany State (165), Kentucky State (173), Tuskegee (190), Fort Valley State (223), Paine (225), Lane (265), LeMoyne-Owen (280), Clark Atlanta (288), and Miles (356).

BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Benedict Women 2nd, Collymore 1st at SIAC Cross Country Championship

ROCK HILL, South Carolina -- The Benedict College women's cross country team finished as runners-up at the 2018 SIAC Cross Country Championship on Friday morning at Winthrop University.

The Lady Tigers scored 48 points to finish behind Spring Hill College, which won its first SIAC championship in school history with 29 points. Albany State finished third with 76 points.Benedict's Dawnell Collymore was the individual champion, finishing the 5K race with a dominating time of 19:20.54, beating the second-place finisher, Lauryn Wilson of Albany State, by more than 57 seconds.

Freshman Breasiah Fields finished fourth overall with a time of 20:49.59. Becky Dionisio, finished in 13th place overall with a time of 22:29.22, despite being hampered by an ankle injury.

Sorenya Miller was right on her heels, finishing in 14th place with a time of 22:38.10.

Pauline Cobb finished in 16th place with a time of 22:40.67, while Naila Harris was close behind in 17th with a time of 22:42.25.

Kelrianna Sistrunk did not score for the Lady Tigers, but finished in 50thplace with a time of 28:39.14.

Spring Hill had six runners finish in the top 10 to win the school's first SIAC championship.

Paine finished in fourth with 121 points, followed by Tuskegee (157), Kentucky State (181), Clark Atlanta (185), Lane (190), Fort Valley State (201), Central State (239) and Miles (291).

BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

CIAA Invites Fans To Live The Legacy At The 2019 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament

CHARLOTTE, North Caolina -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®), the nation’s first African-American athletic conference, will host the 2019 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, NC, February 25 – March 2, 2019. Ranked 3rd among the most attended and anticipated NCAA events, the CIAA Basketball Tournament currently draws over 150,000 fans.

The tournament will feature the conference’s 13-member institutions, including its newest member Claflin University. This year’s 24-game bracket will begin at Bojangles’ Coliseum on Monday evening, Feb. 25, to accommodate a new round of games and will conclude with the highly-anticipated championship semi-finals and finals at the Spectrum Center on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2.

Tickets for the 2019 tournament go on sale Thursday, Nov. 1 at Ticketmaster.com. All-Session 24-game packages start at $200 and include all men’s and women’s games beginning Monday, February 25 – Wednesday, February 27th at Bojangles’ Coliseum and at the Spectrum Center from Thursday, February 28 to Saturday, March 2nd. Single-session tickets will go on sale in early February. The CIAA Tournament will again offer both open seating options to get close to the action as well as reserved sections in center court, Founder’s Level and Courtside. Proceeds from all ticket sales support scholarships for students attending CIAA member schools.

As part of its 2019 “Live the Legacy” campaign, the CIAA is offering a variety of ticket packages to suit a variety of budgets. On sale Nov. 1-22, the 1912 Legacy Package includes 3 hotel nights for the price of 2 nights with an all-session pass. More packages will be announced throughout the season.

Single and multi-day 16, 18 and 22 seat suites are also available to sororities, fraternities, businesses, and for family and friend reunions at the Spectrum Center at approximately
$90 per person. To reserve a suite, contact the CIAA Office at (704) 910-2133. Additional ticket package sales and information can be found at www.ciaatournament.org.

For the best available lodging rates at more than 25 hotels in the Uptown Charlotte area, tournament attendees are encouraged to utilize Conference Direct, the CIAA’s hotel booking partner. Lodging options are within a short walk, Lynx rail stop, or quick car ride to Bojangles’ Coliseum, Spectrum Center, Charlotte Convention Center, and the EpiCentre where official CIAA events will be hosted. Hotel reservations can be made online at www.ciaatournament.org or via phone at 844-293-6678 on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In 2018, the CIAA Basketball Tournament brought over 150,000 fans to Charlotte during the week of competition with an economic impact of $50.5 million. Since 2000, the CIAA has generated more than $650 million in economic impact and an average of $500 million in the state of North Carolina.

About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

About the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA)
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles’ Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Regional Film Commission and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand, ‘Charlotte’s got a lot.' For more information, visit charlottesgotalot.com.

CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS

Decision looms on whether Charlotte's biggest annual tourism event (CIAA Tournament) will stay

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Dr. James Anderson, the chancellor at Fayetteville State University, knows the stakes are high for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association over the next month.

“It’s a real historic decision for the conference because we’ve been in Charlotte so long,” Anderson told CBJ on Thursday, referring to the CIAA’s selection of a basketball tournament site for 2021 and beyond. “It’s very important that we make the right decision.”

Anderson leads the 12-member CIAA board of directors, the group of chancellors and presidents who will choose the next host city. That decision, he added, will be made during league meetings on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 in Charlotte.

The conference is made up of 12 historically black colleges and universities. Seven of the schools are in North Carolina, including Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte.

The CIAA tournament includes all men’s and women’s teams and is played in late February and early March. Charlotte has been the tournament’s home since 2006. The current contract, signed in March 2014, ends in 2020.

CONTINUE READING

Sowell Leads Savannah State Past Allen

SAVANNAH, Georgia --  Allexus Sowell had 14 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks as Savannah State defeated Allen 74-50 in an exhibition game played at Tiger Arena.

SSU out-scored the Yellow Jackets, who compete at the NAIA level, 10-8 in the first quarter and led 32-19 at the half.

The Lady Tigers pushed their lead to 52-29 after three quarters of play and out-scored Allen 22-21 in the fourth quarter for the 24-point victory.

In the opening quarter, SSU led 5-2 but consecutive baskets by Allen gave the visitors a 6-5 advantage with 5:49 showing.

With the score tied at 8-8, SSU's TaQuasia Lampkin made a jumper at the 2:25 mark that gave the Lady Tigers a 10-8 lead.

Savannah State never trailed again.

SSU scored 14 of the first 16 points of the second quarter to expand their lead to 24-10 and led by as many as 17 in the quarter.

Allen was able to trim their deficit to 35-23 with 7:06 left in the third quarter but SSU ended the quarter with a 17-6 run to increase their lead to 23.

Savannah State led by as many as 29 in the fourth quarter while the Yellow Jackets could only get as close as 23 down the stretch.

Myasia Jones led all scorers with 16 points in the victory while Azhana Maxwell chipped in 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

BOX SCORE

SSU out-rebounded Allen 54 to 42.

Equayla Smith and Jada Sleet each scored nine points for Allen.

Both teams made their share of mistakes with Allen making 24 turnovers and the Lady Tigers committing 21.

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS