TSU to Complete Homestand with Fisk on Saturday

TENNESSEE STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL (1-2)
vs. FISK (1-4)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 17
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Gentry Center – Nashville, Tenn. 
Game Notes:  TSU
TSU Radio:  102.1 The Ville  ||  Greg Pogue and Albert Dawson on the call
Live Stats:  Statbroadcast.com
Social Media Updates: Twitter  ||  #BigBlueRising

OPENING TIP: Tennessee State men’s basketball team hosts Fisk on Saturday night in the Battle of Jefferson Street. Coming off their first win of the season, TSU looks to make it 11-straight wins in the Fisk series. Four TSU players are averaging double-digit points, and the team as a whole is putting up 79.3 points per game.

LAST TIME OUT: The Tigers secured a 92-57 victory against Carver on Thursday night to improve to 1-2 on the young season. Five Tigers scored in double figures led by 15 points from Kamar McKnight and 14 from Emmanuel Egbuta in his TSU debut. Also reaching double-digit points were Jalen Duke (11), Michael Littlejohn (11) and Dave Morris (10).

LAST SEASON VERSUS FISK: Tennessee State earned a 67-53 win over Fisk in last year’s meeting at the Gentry Center. The Tigers led by as many as 16 points, but the Bulldogs refused to go away in the second half- trimming TSU's lead to just two with 8:05 left. TSU pulled away by finishing the game on a 21-9 run down the stretch. The Tigers finished with a 52-34 rebounding edge and had six blocks in the game.

ALL-TIME SERIES: TSU is 18-3 all—time versus Fisk. The Tigers have won 10 in a row over the Bulldogs. The series dates back to TSU’s first men’s basketball season in 1944-45.

UP NEXT: TSU will head to California to take on Cal State Northridge on Tuesday, Nov. 20.

QUOTES
HEAD COACH BRIAN “PENNY” COLLINS
(on Fisk)
“TSU-Fisk is a rival game. They’re up the street. They have a new coach Kenny Anderson who is bringing a new style there – an exciting time for Fisk basketball. So, I’m looking forward to the game, and we want Nashville to come out and support both programs, and hope the Tigers come out with a win.”

REDSHIRT JUNIOR FORWARD JALEN DUKE
(on Fisk)
“It’s going to be big – a battle between the two schools right here. They’re right down the road, less than a mile apart. It’ll be big – a big crowd. It’s a Nashville battle, so we’re looking forward to it.”

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

TSU's Henderson and Pierson Earn All-OVC First Team Honors

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee -- Tennessee State volleyball middle blockers Rachel Henderson and Julia Pierson earned spots on the All-OVC First First Team, as announced by the conference office tonight. 

TSU's sole senior completed her second regular season in blue and white leading the team in total, solo and block assists, outpacing her junior season by 21 total blocks with two fewer matches on the schedule. Big Blue's 2018 All-OVC Preseason pick also racked up 319 kills on a .187 clip, 219 digs, 18 service aces and 23 assists, summing 397 points. The Ft. Worth, Texas native enters the postseason ranked fourth in the league in blocks per set (0.98) and seventh in points per set (3.61). Henderson posted six double-doubles, two in conference play.  

Pierson, another Texas native, leads the team in kills, points, and service aces. The junior finished the season with 349 kills on a .219 clip, 273 digs, 69 blocks, 27 assists, and 25 aces, summing 412 points on the year. The 2017 All-OVC Preseason selection ranks sixth in the league in kills per set (3.32) and fourth in points per set (3.92). Pierson put together an impressive 13 double-doubles over the season, outpacing last season's three.

The last time TSU had two players earn positions on the All-OVC team was 2015 with Chloe Watson and Madison Halterman, the OVC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Henderson and Pierson will lead TSU in the first round of the OVC tournament, tomorrow, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. as they take on host Austin Peay in the Winfield Dunn Center. The match will be available for viewing on ESPN3. 

FIRST TEAM

Olivia Lohmeier, Morehead State - OH - Sophomore
Rachel Giustino, Murray State - OH - Junior
Kristen Stucker, Austin Peay - S - Junior
Dacia Brown, Murray State - OH - Redshirt Senior
Cecily Gable, Austin Peay - OH - Senior
Jessie Wachtman, Morehead State - MB - Redshirt Senior
Mackenzie Rombach, Jacksonville State - MB - Senior
Julia Pierson, Tennessee State - MB - Junior
Cassie Knutson, Eastern Kentucky - RS - Senior
Rachel McDonald, SIUE - OH - Sophomore
Logan Carger, Austin Peay - OH/MB - Senior
Lexie Libs, Jacksonville State - S - Sophomore
Brooke Gyori, UT Martin - L/DS - Senior
Rachel Henderson, Tennessee State - MB - Senior
Becca Hernandez, Murray State - L - Sophomore
(15 players appear on the First Team due to a tie)

OVC Player of the Year: Olivia Lohmeier, Morehead State
OVC Freshman of the Year: Hope Everett, SIUE
OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Becca Fernandez, Murray State and Brooke Gyori, UT Martin
OVC Setter of the Year: Kristen Stucker: Austin Peay
OVC Coach of the Year: Taylor Mott, Austin Peay

SECOND TEAM

Chandler Clark, Morehead State - S - Morehead State
Haley Billbruck, Southeast Missouri - RS - Senior
Taylor Smith, Eastern Illinois - OH/S - Senior
Hannah Phillips, UT Martin - OH - Junior
Annie Wehrheim, Southeast Missouri - OH - Junior
Rachel Holthaus, Murray State - RS - Junior
Kaylee Frear, Jacksonville State - OH/MB - Junior

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

SHC Volleyball Season Comes to Close in NCAA First Round

Incredibly proud of our @SHCVolleyball team who closed their 1st season as a full @NCAADII member with a 32-4 overall record, including a perfect 17-0 @TheSIAC record en route to the SIAC Tournament Championship and the No. 8 seed in the NCAA South Region.https://t.co/w82hyJDTT2

— Spring Hill College (@sprhill) November 16, 2018

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Spring Hill College's first run at the NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament came to an end Nov. 15, falling to No. 16 Palm Beach Atlantic University, 3-1, in the first round of the South Region.

PBA claimed the first two sets 25-16 and 25-13 before Spring Hill bounced back to take set three, 25-23. The Sailfish closed out the match with a 25-10 fourth set.

"I have a lot of respect for the opponent that we played. They're a really good volleyball team. I'm happy that we could compete with them for a while in Game 3 and a little bit in the other games. I think they have an outstanding team and hopefully we'll be there one day where we can compete with them a little more," said Dr. Peggy Martin, SHC director volleyball. "I'm really proud of our group. They didn't back off and still came at them as hard as they could."

The second set stood tied, 10-10, before Palm Beach Atlantic scored seven straight to push ahead and close out the match. The Badgers back-and-forth in the third set until four errors by PBA pushed Spring Hill in front and forced the fourth set. Palm Beach closed out the match with 11-straight points.

The Badgers were held to .076 hitting percentage with a total of 33 kills. Kassandra Fairly, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Player and Freshman of the Year, led the Badgers with eight kills, along with eight from Allison Weimer. Bentley Odom had seven kills. SIAC Setter of the Year Emmarose Neibert had 27 assists. Cassidi Sterrett, the SIAC Libero of the Year, led all players with 21 digs, while Sarah Senft and Neibert had 12 and 11 digs, respectively.

Neibert finishes the season with 1,184 assists.

BOX SCORE

Sophie Hoekstra and Ally Rohn each led PBA with 16 kills, followed by Amber Rowoldt's 12. Molly Burkhardt posted 44 assists and 18 digs. Lilly Turner led the defense with 20 digs.

Spring Hill closes its first season as a full Division II member with a 32-4 overall record, including a perfect 17-0 SIAC record en route to the SIAC Tournament Championship and the No. 8 seed in the NCAA South Region.

"I think we had a great year, especially with it being our first year. We set the tone and we can only go up from here," said fifth-year senior Randi De'Armitt.

Palm Beach Atlantic advances to meet Florida Southern in the region semifinals on Nov. 16.

SPRING HILL COLLEGE BADGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

PVAMU Augustine Named SWAC Defensive Specialist of the Year; Volleyball Heads to SWAC Tournament

ITTA BENA, Mississippi – For the second year in a row, Prairie View A&M volleyball senior Christine Augustine was named the SWAC Defensive Specialist of the Year as well as earning a spot on the All-SWAC First Team as the libero.

Augustine, a 5-5 defensive specialist from Humble, Texas, became the school's all-time leader in career digs with 1,419 over her four-year stint at PVAMU. She led the team with 392 digs, averaging 3.66 digs per set, ranking second in the conference. Augustine also dished out 73 assists and seven service aces this season.

"I am extremely proud of Chrissy," said head PVAMU volleyball coach TaCho Tyler. "She is a testament to a player that is hard working and coachable. Chrissy has grown so much from the player she was her freshman year. It's been truly a honor to have coached her all four of seasons here, and watch her earn accolades on and off the court. She'll be graduating with honors in chemical engineering as well. She is the epitome of a student-athlete."

With the 2018 regular season in the books, the #7 seed Prairie View A&M volleyball team awaits #2 seed defending SWAC champion Alabama State in the first round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament in Itta Bena, Miss. at the H.R. Harrison HPER Complex on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m.

"The team is focused, ready, and prepared as they have been for every game," Tyler said. "Practices went really well this week. We need to keep the offensive momentum going from the last two wins we had. It all starts at 0-0. One win at a time."

Behind a 7-24 overall record and 7-11 SWAC mark, PVAMU ended the regular season with a pair of victories over rival Texas Southern, 3-0 and then to UAPB 3-1 for senior night with both contests at home. Offensively, Jaylan Thomas has been leading the charge. The junior transfer has tallied 251 kils, averaging 2.35 kills per set. She has dished out 17 assists along with 17 service aces to add to her numbers. Thomas recorded 193 digs, averaging 1.80 digs per set. She also has 18 blocks, five solo.

The Lady Hornets are 20-17 overall and 16-2 in SWAC play. The team is led by 2018 SWAC Co-Player of the Year Candace Martin, who put down 212 kills for a .276 attack percentage, while also leading the SWAC in total blocks with 112.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Turnovers Spell Trouble in Cumberlands Patriot Loss at Talladega

TALLADEGA, Alabama -- UC Women's Basketball is off to a good start in the 2018-2019 season. At 5-1 on the year, the only loss for the Patriots was to the Tornadoes of Talladega College. On Thursday, UC would travel to Talladega to attempt to avenge that early-season loss. Unfortunately, Cumberlands was unable to do that as the Tornadoes' defense swirled on the night as they would upend the Patriots 87-60. The loss moves UC to 5-2 overall on the season.

Two minutes into the first quarter, the teams traded possessions back and forth as UC trailed 6-4. Talladega would then go on a 16-2 run over the next five and a half minutes that included nine Patriot turnovers as TC would jump ahead 22-6. A pair of baskets from Jasmine Rhodes would make it 22-10 Tornadoes after one quarter of play. The second quarter was much improved by UC. Talladega would extend their lead to 15 at 37-22 with three minutes to play in the half. The Patriots would make a push as they closed out the half on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to six at 37-31.

The third quarter was a tough one for the Patriots to swallow. Twelve turnovers in the third quarter would plague the Patriots as they would be outscored 23-9 in the frame as the Tornadoes would extend their lead to 20 at 60-40. The last quarter was also an edge given to Talladega as they would push the lead all the way to 31 before finishing the game with a 27 point win over the Patriots 87-60.

BOX SCORE

A pair of Patriots led the way in scoring on the night as Jasmine Rhodes and Shayla Simpson both tallied 13 points in the game. Rhodes added seven rebounds and a pair of assists while Simpson chipped in with six rebounds. Talladega's Brijanee Moore tallied a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and ten steals on the night. Diamond Jolly led all scorers in the game with 20 points to go with her 14 rebounds.

UC shot 36.8% from the floor in the contest while going just 3-15 from beyond the arc. Half of UC's points came off the bench in the loss only scoring 11 points inside the paint. Talladega would shoot 43.2% from the field while garnering 50 points in the key and 39 points off UC's 37 turnovers.

Cumberlands returns to action on Saturday, November 17th as they face the Royals of Johnson University of Tennessee. Tip-off is set for 11 am. This will be the first meeting ever between the two schools.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter - @UC_Patriots, Instagram - @UCPatriots, SnapChat - @UC_Patriots, YouTube – Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.

UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

No.1 Mississippi University for Women Owls Suffers First Loss of the Season at Rust College Bearcats, 94-58

HOLLY SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Owls women's basketball takes first loss of the season at Rust College on Thursday, Nov. 15. The W played hard but was unable to overcome a streak of unforced turnovers and missed layups to fall 94-58 against the Bearcats. With the loss, the Owls move to 3-1 on the season but will hopefully retain their No. 1 spot in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Standings.

As a team, the Owls went 22-56 from the field, 3-12 in three-point range, and 11-22 at the free-throw line. They played well under the goal and was able to out-rebound Rust 37-35 but struggled getting down the court with 27 turnovers.

"The Owls ran into a team tonight that was hungry to knock off the number one team in the nation," said head coach Howard White. "Rust was very aggressive from the start and capitalized on our early turnovers."

"We had some high points," continued White, "but unforced turnovers and missed layups caused us to get down early. We attempted 22 free throws but only converted 11 and we turned the ball over 27 times. That's a formula for disaster on the road. We will make some adjustments and will be ready on Sunday."

The Owls will be back at home on Sunday, Nov. 17 went they host LSU – Shreveport. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. Come out and support Owls women's basketball as they look to bounce back against the Pilots.

More information to come when they official stats become available.

MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN OWLS COMMUNICATIONS

Edward Waters Women's Basketball Remains Undefeated at Home With Win Over Voorhees

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Edward Waters was able to keep their home undefeated streak in tact on Thursday night with an 81-63 victory over Voorhees in a non-conference women's basketball contest at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex.

Edward Waters came slowly out of the gates to start the contest only leading by one point, 33-32, at the end of the first half. The Lady Tigers began to separate themselves in the second half, thanks to their patented defensive press and their offensive effort picking up. EWC shot 40% from the floor on 32-79 shooting and outrebounded Voorhees 51-39 including a 23-10 advantage in offensive rebounding.

Jermisha Collins led a quintet of Lady Tigers in double figures with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. La'Quanza Glover picked up another another double-double with 13 points and 10 boards while also adding six assists, and three steals. Mia Leite had 12 points, three boards, and three assists. India Searles had a career high 11 points, and Le'Terra Ransom finished with 10 points, seven boards, and two assists for EWC.

Voorhees was led by Nijah Davis who had a game high 22 points including going 5-of-9 from three point range, while Ca'washa Ceasear finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Edward Waters will wrap up their quick two-game homestand on Tuesday, November 20th with a 6:00pm tipoff against Coastal Georgia. The game is part of a doubleheader with the men's game immediately following at 8pm.

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters College Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWCAthletics (Twitter), /EWCSports (Facebook) and @EWCAthletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters athletics at EWCTigerPride.com.

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

XULA Pace again is a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete

NEW ORLEANS — For the second consecutive year, Xavier University of Louisiana's Brianna Pace is a Daktronics-NAIA Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete. The NAIA announced the honors Thursday.
     
Pace is a senior from Junction City, Kan., and a graduate of Junction City High School. The XULA computer science major qualified for the NAIA honor by having a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale and reaching junior academic status.
     
Pace is a three-time All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference runner in cross country. She finished third at the GCAC Championships in October and helped the Gold Nuggets finish first in GCAC team scoring for the 12th consecutive season.
     
There were 347 women and 223 men honored as Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Pace was the only GCAC runner to qualify.
     
Pace is the seventh XULA student-athlete to earn Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete multiple times. Catherine Fakler and Brent Kitto were honored four times apiece in their cross country and track and field careers.
     
Both XULA teams will conclude the season Friday in the NAIA National Championships at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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

MEAC Announces Volleyball Academic Honors

NORFOLK, Virginia — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced the 2018 Volleyball All-Academic Selections, honoring 68 student-athletes from the conference’s 12 institutions who achieved academic success during the 2017-18 academic year.

MEAC sophomore, junior and senior student-athletes with a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average, as well as transfer student-athletes who have been in residence at the institution for at least one year, are eligible for All-Academic accolades.

“I am pleased to congratulate our women’s volleyball student-athletes for maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. “I would also like to thank all the people who assisted with the academic and athletic success of these student-athletes.”

Listed below are the 2018 Volleyball All-Academic honorees (by institutions):

Bethune-Cookman (7)
Tynesha Adams
J’Nai Higgins
Meraiah Hill
Micaiah Hill
Jordan Jefferson
Faith Landreneaux
Miranda White

Coppin State (1)
Asia Stennis

Delaware State (4)
Sydney Ambrister
Kiera Holtzclaw
Mayah Ngundam
Jade Williams

Florida A&M (6)
Valentina Carrasco
Elena Dimitrova
Radka Dimitrova
Maria Yvette Garcia
Alexis Gosha
Aybuke Kocabiyak

Howard (6)
Courtney Dalton
Indira Dandridge
Lauren Hubbard
Sydney Jackson
Jurnee Tipton
Fola Wilson

Maryland Eastern Shore (7)
Lucia Babic
Ivana Blazevic
Kendra Day
Maja Jankovic
Rachel Kayongo
Sola Okesanjo
Koya Sowells

Morgan State (7)
Monette Daniels
Shadae Debraux
Jasmin Hubbard
Kheanna Landrum
Mykaela Ross
Triniti Smith
Roi Wallace

Norfolk State (10)
Jill Aquino
Daiysa Burrell
Jazmine Craig
Taylor Eichelberger
Jannel Ezeagwu
Quiana Griffin
Destine Hooker
Ashley Patterson
Jessica Radford
Anna Rupertova

North Carolina A&T State (7)
Edie Brewer
Kaiyah Haley
Arletha Morgan
Courteney Pitt
Fatimah Shabazz
Megan Wiggins
Tiara Wilkins

North Carolina Central (8)
Christine Alcox
Erika Ianovale
Da’Nesha Miller
Kierra Shipman
Kendra Simmons
Kennedy White
Whitney White
McKayla Young

Savannah State (5)
Tyran Chenault
Oneillia Fuller
Salma Gonzalez
Leiri Melendez
Karissa Tatum

MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Bethune-Cookman Hoops Brings In Three Florida Stars

Head Coach Ryan Ridder

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University men's basketball Head Coach Ryan Ridder has announced that three future Wildcats have signed their National Letter of Intent (NLI) to join the BCU basketball family. All three hail from Florida and bring impressive credentials to the future of BCU basketball.

Jordan Preaster | 6'5 Guard | Orlando, Fla. | Central Florida Christian Academy

Stats and Accolades
17.8 ppg and 8.4 rpg
All-District First Team
All-Metro Conference
State Runner-Up
Played travel basketball for Team MOAM

Ridder on Jordan:
"Jordan is a very versatile guard that can play multiple positions. He has great basketball IQ and is an exceptional passer. He is a high academic kid that will be a great asset to our basketball team and university."
R
Josh Marte | 5'8 Point Guard | Kissimmee, Fla. | Osceola High School

Stats and Accolades
Junior year
14 ppg, 5.1 apg, and 2.2 spg
2018 Osceola County Player of the Year
All-Orlando Sentinel Fourth Team

Sophomore year
State Champion
Osceola County First Team
All-Orlando Sentinel Honorable Mention
Played travel basketball for top Adidas team in Fla., CP25

Ridder on Josh:
"Josh has played at the highest level of high school and travel basketball. He is a state champion and flat-out winner. He knows how to make others better and will be an immediate impact for our program."

Justyn King | 6'8 Forward | Plant City, Fla. | Plant City High School

Stats and Accolades
13.1 ppg and 8.0 rpg
First Team All-Conference
Tampa Bay Coaches Association Top 24
Surpassed 1,000 career points

Chose BCU over several offers (Canisius, Northern Arizona, Presbyterian, among others)
Played travel basketball for Showtime Ballers

Ridder on Justyn:
"Justyn is a young man that we identified early in the recruiting process and made a huge priority. He is one of the top forwards in the state and will compete for minutes right away. He is a big, physical presence around the rim who can also step out and shoot it."

Follow Bethune-Cookman Men's Basketball on Twitter (@BCUHoops) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Ten Lincoln Blue Tigers Earn All-GLVC Accolades

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  --  Five members of the Lincoln football team were selected to the All-GLVC second team while five others were named all-league honorable mention, the Great Lakes Valley Conference announced on Thursday (Nov. 15).

Wide receiver Blake Tibbs and defensive lineman Isaiah Gray were each voted to the All-GLVC second team for the second-straight season, and were joined by running back Kimbo Ferguson, linebacker Edwin Durassaint and defensive back Hasan Muhammad-Rogers. Punter Wolky Belancourt, offensive lineman Jamal Brown, defensive back Chavon Gross and linebackers Amani Nelson and Victor Williams were all honorable mention selections.

In addition, the GLVC announced that Durassaint was one of the recipients of the 2018 James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award.

Tibbs led Lincoln with 44 receptions for 763 yards and finished the season third in the GLVC in receiving yards and fourth in receptions per game (4.0). One of the best big-play threats in the GLVC, Tibbs, who had three performances with over 100 receiving yards in 2018, had a 70-yard touchdown reception against Truman State that ranked as the longest in the conference this year. Tibbs had the eighth-most all-purpose yards (952) by a GLVC player in 2018 and ended the regular season 57th in NCAA Division II in receiving yards per game (74.3) and 69th in total receiving yards.

Gray had an outstanding season applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks, leading Lincoln with 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Gray, who finished the year with 55 total tackles, tied for 10th in the league in tackles for loss and 13th in sacks. In addition to hurrying the quarterback four times, Gray also blocked a kick, forced and recovered a fumble and broke up a pass.

Ferguson finished ninth in the GLVC in rushing after leading the Blue Tigers with 619 yards on 152 attempts. Ferguson had five touchdowns on the season, including three in LU's season-finale against McKendree, and averaged 4.1 yards per carry.

Durassaint was the leader of a defense that finished 48th in Division II in passing yards allowed (189.7), 75th in total defense (364.5) and 43rd in first downs allowed (182). Durassaint had the 102 tackles in 2018, the fifth-most of any GLVC player and the 69th-most in Division II. Durassaint, who had a 78-yard fumble return for a touchdown against NCAA Division I opponent Missouri State, also scored on a 49-yard interception return vs. McKendree, one of two of his picks on the season. Durassaint ended the year with 5.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a pass break-up and a team-high 12 quarterback hurries.

Muhammad-Rogers made plays on offense and on special teams all season for LU, but was honored by the GLVC for his play as a defensive back after finishing fourth among the Blue Tigers with 57 tackles. Muhammad-Rogers, who was tied for 31st in the league in tackling, broke up three passes on the year and was often matched against opponents' top receivers. His play helped LU finish fourth in the conference in passing yards allowed.

Belancourt had the longest punt by a GLVC player this season with a 70-yard kick against Tarleton State. Three of Belancourt's kicks went over 50 yards, and 16 resulted in fair catches while 12 pinned opponents inside the 20. Belancourt averaged 36.4 yards per kick to finish eighth in the GLVC in punting.

Brown was Lincoln's highest-rated offensive lineman during his senior season, and his blocking helped the Blue Tigers post control the clock for 32:16 per game, the best time of possession average in the GLVC and the 25th-best in the nation. Brown led an offensive line that produced the fourth-best passing efficiency rating (124.5) in the conference as well as the league's second-best red zone attack (.818). On the year, Brown helped LU gain 1,255 yards on the ground and 1,687 through the air.

Gross finished seventh among the Blue Tigers with 40 tackles and had 4.5 tackles for loss. More impressively, Gross broke up a team-high 10 passes, finishing eighth in the GLVC in that statistic. Gross also had a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble on the season.

Nelson was one of LU's top tacklers all season, finishing second on the team with 81 takedowns, which tied him for eighth in the GLVC. Nelson also had 4.0 tackles for loss and notched a pair of quarterback hurries to go with two pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.

Williams was another outstanding defensive player in 2018, finishing with 73 tackles, the 11th-most by a GLVC player. Williams, who was third among the Blue Tigers in tackling, also ranked 16th in the conference in passes defended with five break-ups on the season. Williams additionally was credited with seven quarterback hurries and blocked a kick while forcing a pair of fumbles and notching a fumble recovery.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Seven Tigers Selected To Mid-South Conference All-Academic Team

COLUMBIA, Kentucky -- The Mid-South Conference office released its 2018 All-Academic Team on Wednesday. Seven members of the Edward Waters football program had the honor bestowed upon them.

Offensive Lineman Trimi Slade, Punter/Placekicker Christioni Robinson, Defensive Back Timothy Davis, Jr., Defensive Back Alfredrick Tyson, Offensive Lineman Jarius Joyce, Wide Receiver Basil Spencer, Jr., and Running Back Michael Floyd were among 222 conference student-athletes that comprise this year's team.

In order to be nominated by an institution, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved at least sophomore academic status.

EWC 2018 Mid-South Conference All-Academic Team
Trimi Slade
Christioni Robinson
Timothy Davis, Jr.
Alfredrick Tyson
Jarius Joyce
Basil Spencer
Michael Floyd

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

EWC Receives Grant From Jacksonville Tourism Development Council for GCAC Championship

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- The Jacksonville Tourism Development Council has granted Edward Waters College a special events grant in the amount of $10,000 for the upcoming Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Basketball Championship.

The funds will be used for advertisements and marketing in the home markets of other Conference institutions in order to promote the tournament which will be held March 1st-3rd at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex and the newly acquired James Weldon Johnson Gymnasium.

"We are excited that the TDC has given us this grant." remarked Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Stanley B. Cromartie. "These funds will allow us to promote the GCAC Championships and truly help us take this event to another level."

GCAC Commissioner Steven B. Martin praised both Edward Waters' leadership, and the Jacksonville Tourism Development Council.

"On behalf of the GCAC, I would like to commend Edward Waters' President, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Director of Athletics Stanley Cromartie, and the entire Edward Waters Athletics staff for their hard work in hosting the 2018 event," said Martin. "We look forward to a world class tournament in a world class city."

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters College Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWCAthletics (Twitter), /EWCSports (Facebook) and @EWCAthletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters athletics at EWCTigerPride.com.

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

BSU Bulldogs Cage Wilmington (Del.) Wildcats 80-38 in Home Debut

BOWIE, Maryland -- The Bulldogs women's basketball team pummeled visiting Wilmington (Del.) University on Wednesday (11/14) evening, blasting the Wildcats 80-38 in Bowie State's home debut.

Redshirt senior Pere Alexander notched a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds and junior Kyaja Williams netted a game-high 19 points to go along with eight rebounds to lead Bowie State to the non-conference victory. Freshman Drew Calhoun came off the Bulldogs bench and provided a spark, drilling five 3-pointers on the way to 15 points on the night and added three rebounds an assist and one steal in the rout.

Sophomore Talanya Hutton contributed eight points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field and grabbed four rebounds while junior Amel Duggins chipped in six points, two rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.

Bowie State (2-1) dominated in just about every statistical category holding advantages in rebounds (44-35, points in the paint (50-16), points off turnovers (28-9), second chance points (13-2) and bench points (25-12). The Bulldogs finished the evening shooting 45 percent from the field (34-of-75), which included 7-of-22 (32 percent) behind the arc. Bowie State didn't have many free throw opportunities but made 5-of-8 (63 percent) at the charity stripe.

The Bulldogs led 17-10 after the first quarter of action and took a 41-17 advantage into the locker room at halftime, outscoring the Wildcats 24-7 in the second quarter. Bowie State's defense held Wilmington (Del.) to single digits in the second and third quarter and allowed just 12 points over the final 10 minutes of action.

Bowie State largest lead of 45 points (74-29) came at the 6:12 mark of the fourth quarter and head coach Shadae Swan made sure every Bulldog player saw some action.

BOX SCORE

Wilmington's Jaelyn Durrett was the only Wildcat to reach double figure scoring with 13 points. Macy Robinson finished with nine points, scoring six in the first half and Nyree Grant came off the bench to tally seven points in the loss. Wilmington (0-3) managed just 16-of-51 from the field (31 percent) which included 3-of-23 (13 percent) beyond the 3-point line and knocked down 3-of-6 free throws.

Bowie State will hit the road for its next two, making stops at Gannon on Saturday (11/17) and Slippery Rock on Sunday (11/18) before returning home to take on Felician at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21st.

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Lincoln Lions Turn Back UDC Firebirds for Second Win of Season

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- The Lincoln university women's basketball team placed three players in double figures as they jumped out to a big lead early and held off a late run to earn a 68-59 win over the University of the District of Columbia Wednesday night at Manuel Rivero Hall.

The Lions improve to 2-1 with the win, their first ever against the Firebirds. UDC falls to 1-2.

Shakira Edwards (Newark, N.J./Bloomfield Tech) and Deja Reynolds (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter (Temple)) led the Lions with 14 points apiece while DeAshia Young (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Public Safety Academy (Labette CC)) added 13. Alisia Machado (Brooklyn, N.Y./Medgar Evars Prep (Grambling)), in her Lincoln debut grabbed 17 rebounds to lead all players. Reynolds, a transfer from Temple University and Machado, a Grambling transfer led the team with three steals apiece. Kenzie Spencer (Richmond, Va./Henrico) added two blocks.

The Firebirds were led by Mia-Alexis Lloyd's 18 points. Natasha Roy added 12 points while Danielle Harrington chipped in seven points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

The Lions scored the final 15 points of the first quarter to jump out to a 21-5 lead with 12 of their 21 points coming off UDC turnovers. Reynolds scored six points and Jamari Tillman (Louisville, Ky./Doss), making her collegiate debut added five points coming off the bench.

Lincoln increased the lead to 20 points midway through the second quarter, outscoring UDc8-4 in the first 4:30 for a 29-9 advantage. The firebirds still had some fire left in them as they slowly chipped away at the lead, cutting it to single digits just before the half. Taylor King's (Lorton, Va./Hayfield Academy) free throw in the final seconds of the quarter made the score 37-27 at halftime.

Five straight field goals to start the third quarter pushed the lions lead back up to 19 with an 11-2 spurt over the first 3:15 of the period. UDC rallied with nine straight points to close back within ten 48-38 before a layup from Spencer and two from Young gave the Lions a 15 point lead, 54-39 heading into the final period. Lincoln made eight of 11 shots from the field in the quarter (72.7%).

Young's layup early in the fourth quarter put the Lions back up by 18, 58-40 but the Firebirds rallied with a 12-1 uprising to close within seven 59-52 with 4:41 remaining. Young followed with a traditional three-point play and Edwards added a layup to push the lead back to 12, 64-52 with 2:55 remaining. After UDC again cut the margin to seven, Spencer was a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line over the final 1:21 to seal the win.

BOX SCORE

For the game the Lions shot 47.9% from the field (23-48) while UDC connected on just 22 of 65 shots (33.8%) from the field. Neither team shot extremely well from the free throw line with the Lions making 20 of 34 (58%) and UDC 11 of 22 (50%). The Lions held a 41-38 edge on the glass while UDC committed fewer turnovers (23 to 29).

Next up for the Lions will be another non-conference matchup, as Lincoln faces Jefferson University on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Manuel Rivero Hall.

THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY LIONS SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets sweep final GCAC weekly awards of 2018

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana volleyball, champion of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament this past weekend, swept the three GCAC Player of the Week awards for Nov. 5-11. The Gold Nuggets' honorees were:


     •  Eva Le Guillou, who won her ninth Setter of the Week award this season and set a Gold Nuggets career record with her 12th overall.
     •  Kayla Black, Attacker of the Week for the fourth time this season and seventh time overall.
     •  Beatrice Formilan, Defender of the Week for the third time this season.
     
They were the final GCAC weekly awards of the season.
     
Le Guillou, a sophomore from Velizy-Villacoublay, France, produced 73 assists, 10 digs, five aces and a block in two tournament matches. She averaged 12.17 assists per set. Le Guillou served a car
eer-high-tying four aces in the championship victory against Tougaloo.
     
Le Guillou, the only XULA student-athlete to earn more than six GCAC weekly awards in a season, broke a tie with teammate Tiffany Phillips for career Setter of the Week awards.
     
Black, a sophomore from the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas, and a graduate of St. Pius X High School, was chosen tournament MVP after hitting .449 with 39 kills, 16 digs and two aces. Her 22 kills in the semifinals against Edward Waters were the most ever by a Gold Nugget in a three-set match.
     
Formilan, a freshman from Santorso, Italy, was voted All-GCAC Tournament. Her stats included 28 digs — a match-high 18 against Tougaloo — and one error in 25 receptions of serve.
     
The Gold Nuggets (26-6) will travel Friday to Salem, Ore., and play at 6 p.m. PST Saturday against 22nd-ranked Corban (20-11) in the 2018 NAIA Volleyball National Championship Opening Round. Corban will stream the match live and charge $7.95 for access.

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

2018 Week 12 MEAC Football Teleconference

2018 Week 12 MEAC Football Teleconference

Willie Simmons (Florida A&M) 00:04 Terry Sims (Bethune-Cookman) 8:11 Rod Milstead (Delaware State) 19:00 Mike London (Howard) 24:48 Latrell Scott (Norfolk State) 34:31 Erik Raeburn (Savannah State) 44:12 Buddy Pough (SC State) 53:14 Sam Washington (North Carolina A&T State) 1:06:41 Granville Eastman (N.C. Central) 1:16:30 Ernest Jones (Morgan State) 1:26.40

COURTESY: MEAC SPORTS

Lafayette Christian standout signs with Gold Rush

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana acquired its first newcomer for the 2019-20 men's basketball season when Terrence "TJ" Jones of Opelousas, La., and Lafayette Christian Academy signed an athletic scholarship Wednesday.
     
Jones is a 5-foot-8 point guard who helped the Knights win LHSAA Division IV state championships each of the past two seasons. Jones was second-team all-district as a sophomore and junior.
     
In the 2018 state semifinals against Southern Lab, Jones scored seven consecutive points during a 24-4 run that rallied LCA from a 15-point deficit. A Jones 3-pointer put the Knights ahead to stay.
     
Jones has yet to select his XULA major.
     
"I liked the environment, the atmosphere and the team," Jones said of his reasons for choosing XULA. "People walking around campus are happy. Everyone on the team gets along good and pushes each other in practice."
     
XULA is 4-2 this season and ranked 23rd in the NAIA. The Gold Rush were 24-9 last season, earned a share of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship and received an at-large bid to the NAIA Division I National Championship tournament.

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

Former XULA coach Moses hired at Culver-Stockton

NEW ORLEANS — Former Xavier University of Louisiana coach Joseph Moses has been hired as head coach of the men's and women's track and field and cross country programs at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo.
     
Culver-Stockton — like XULA a member of the NAIA — announced the hiring Tuesday.
     
Moses coached XULA cross country for 13 seasons (2004, 2006-17) and track and field for nine seasons (2010-18). He announced his resignation in July. Moses-coached XULA teams won a combined 27 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference team championships: 11 in women's cross country, 10 in men's cross country and six in women's track and field.
     
Moses succeeds Alan King, who coached Culver-Stockton four seasons.
     
Canton is in northeast Missouri and approximately 150 miles from St. Louis.

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

HSSU Hornets Wimbley Named AMC Men's Basketball Player of the Weeki

SAINT LOUIS, Missouri -- The American Midwest Conference announced today their Players of the Week and Christian Wimbley (SR/St. Louis, MO) was named the Men's Basketball Player of the Week after his outstanding efforts on the court last week.

Along with helping the Hornets to a 3-0 week, Wimbley finished the week averaging 24 points/game with a career high 40 points coming in the final game of the Langston University Men's Basketball Classic. Wimbley now leads the team with 22 ppg and is ranked nationally in field goal percentage (71.1%), points per game (22.0), and total scoring (88).

To see the full release, click here.

Make sure to stay up to date on news and scores on the men's basketball team at hornetsathletics.com.

Fans be sure to stay connected on all Hornet Athletics on all our social media pages: Twitter (@HSSU_athletics), Instagram (@hssuathletics), and Facebook (/HSSUathletics).

HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY HORNETS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS