Tennessee State Tigers Survives OT Scare from JSU, 69-64

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - A three-pointer by Robert Covington sent the game into overtime and Tennessee State out-scored Jacksonville State by five to snatch a 69-64 win over the Gamecocks on Tuesday evening at the Gentry Center.

TSU (18-10, 11-4) overcame several deficits from JSU in the second half and managed a late run in the overtime period to extend its' win streak to eight games. The Tigers' 18th victory is the most since the 1993-94 season and the third most OVC regular season wins in program history.

The Tigers used a pair of triples to stay in the game. Covington hit a trey with 36 seconds left in regulation. Wil Peters added a triple at 1:30 in overtime to help TSU take the go-ahead win.

From the field, the Tigers shot 44 percent (20-of-46). TSU knocked down six triples and hit 79 percent at the free throw line. JSU was held to under 40 percent, making 24-of-61 shots from the field.

Covington led Tennessee State with 28 points and 12 rebounds in 41 minutes. The double-double was an OVC-best eighth of the season and the 18th of his career. The junior knocked down 10-of-18 attempts, while notching three blocks.

The 28 points moved Covington into 19th all-time in scoring at TSU, passing John Barnhill's (1955-59) mark of 1,253 points.



Peters added 10 points, dishing out four assists and pulling in three rebounds in 33 minutes. Kellen Thornton hit 3-of-5 attempts for 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.

In 22 minutes, Jordan Cyphers scored eight points, including six from the free throw line.

In the first half, the Gamecocks knocked down 52 percent (13-of-25) from the field. The Tigers were held to 45 percent (9-of-20), while making just one triple in three attempts. Covington led the Tigers with 10 points and four rebounds.

JSU opened up to a 15-11 advantage in the first eight-plus minutes of the game. The Gamecocks proceeded on a 7-to-1 run, stretching their lead to 21-12. TSU was held scoreless for 6:50 in the first half.

Tennessee State clawed back from a 10 point deficit to pull within 32-26 at the half.

JSU stretched their lead to 51-47. TSU went on an 11-to-7 run to tie the game. Covington knocked down a triple at 36 seconds to tie the game at 58-58.

In the overtime period, the Big Blue outscored the Gamecocks 11-to-6 in the extra period. TSU used a three-pointer from Peters and two more free throws to stretch their lead to 67-64 with just a minute remaining.

The Tigers travel to Miami (Ohio) for the Sears ESPN BracketBusters game on Sunday, Feb. 19. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU football: Hornets explore 2012 schedule options

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Alabama State officials hope to finalize plans for the 2012 football season opener by the end of this week, discounting published reports that have the Hornets of the Southwestern Athletic Conference playing in the annual matchup against a school from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Labor Day weekend.

While ASU athletic director Stacy Danley has discussed the possibility of playing in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sept. 2, he is leaving his options open regarding possible Division I opponents.

"I have entered into discussions with the (SWAC) office and commissioner Duer Sharp about Alabama State participating in the ... Challenge," Danley said on Friday. "However, as of today, I have not received nor signed a contract committing us to that game."

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Site, times changed for XU-Edward Waters doubleheader

NEW ORLEANS — Edward Waters College has moved the site of its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference basketball doubleheader against Xavier University of Louisiana.

Because of a weekend event at the college, EWC moved the games to the Florida State College (south campus) Sports Center. The women's game will tip off at 5 p.m. EST Saturday, followed by the men's game at 7. Xavier originally listed the starting times as 2 and 4 p.m.

FSC's south campus is at 11901 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville, Fla.

Both Xavier teams will attempt to reach 20 victories Saturday. The Gold Nuggets, ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, are 19-8 overall and share first place in the GCAC with Talladega at 9-2. The Gold Rush, ranked 25th, are 19-7, 8-3 and in second place in the conference.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Shaw cracks DII top-10 marking school high

RALEIGH, North Carolina — Fresh off of a 20 point win against Johnson C. Smith Monday night, the Shaw Bears have cracked the top-10 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II poll.

Shaw comes in at No. 9 in the latest poll marking the highest ranking in program history. They jumped three spots from their No. 12 ranking a week ago. Shaw's previous high ranking was in 2002-03 when they were No. 10 in the first poll of the season.

Shaw improved to 21-2, (13-0 CIAA) on the season with a pair of wins last week. They are currently on a 17-game winning streak and with Monday's win, the Bears clinched the Southern Division title.

Bellarmine is No. 1 in the NABC DII the poll this week and West Liberty, who knocked Shaw out of last year's NCAA Tournament, is at No. 2. CIAA member Bowie State is ranked No. 19.

The Bears next play Saturday at Fayetteville State in a 7:30 tip. Shaw returns to C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium Feb. 20, against Winston-Salem State for their home finale.

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Gold Nuggets drop to 21st, Rush still 25th in NAIA polls

NEW ORLEANS — For the third straight week the Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team dropped two places in the NAIA Division I coaches poll. The Gold Nuggets are 21st, their lowest rank of the season.

The XU men are 25th for the third consecutive week despite collecting 13 fewer points than in the previous poll.

The polls, the ninth of the season, were announced Monday afternoon before Xavier's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader against Tougaloo — the final basketball games at The Barn. Xavier then swept the doubleheader, with the Gold Nuggets winning 52-46 and the Gold Rush rallying from 16 down for a 67-61 victory. The latter result may give the Rush a bump in next week's voting, because Tougaloo was 18th — up one spot — in the poll.

The Gold Nuggets are in the top 25 for the 27th consecutive time. The Gold Rush appear in the top 25 for the 20th time in 21 polls.

This past week the Gold Nuggets won 67-55 at SUNO and lost 68-62 at Talladega. The Gold Rush won 73-62 at SUNO and lost 84-64 at Talladega.



The 2011-12 Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team

Head Coach:   Bo Browder (13th season) (Bio)
Associate Head Coach, Darrilyn Broussard (Bio)

2011-12 Team Roster

CURRENT RECORD: 19-8 OVERALL, 9-2 GCAC
 (Tied for 1st Place with Talladega College)

 Oklahoma City's women and Shorter's men are the top-ranked teams. Oklahoma City was a unanimous No. 1 for the third straight week, and Shorter replaced Robert Morris (Chicago) at the top.

Also receiving votes for the first time this season was GCAC newcomer Talladega, whose women collected five points and are 32nd.

Xavier is one of 11 schools with women's and men's teams in the top 25. The other schools are Azusa Pacific, Columbia (Mo.), Cumberlands, Georgetown (Ky.), Lee (Tenn.), Lindsey Wilson, MidAmerica Nazarene, Shorter, Southern Nazarene and Westmont. A week ago there were nine such schools.

Xavier will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for a GCAC doubleheader against Edward Waters on Saturday.

NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll

(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Feb. 12)

Rank Team Record Points Last

1 Oklahoma City (12) 23-1 312 1
2 Union (Tenn.) 24-2 302 3

3 Freed-Hardeman 21-4 292 2

4 Lee (Tenn.) 25-1 282 4

5 Cumberlands 23-1 272 5

6 Westmont 23-2 262 6

7 Lubbock Christian 19-4 248 7

8 Lewis-Clark State 23-3 244 8

9 Shawnee State 22-4 226 10

10 Langston 23-2 225 9

11 Olivet Nazarene 23-3 212 11

12 Vanguard 17-5 205 12

13 Azusa Pacific 18-6 194 13

14 Saint Xavier 19-6 183 14

15 Southern Nazarene 19-7 165 17

16 Belhaven 20-6 153 15

17 Georgetown (Ky.) 17-8 152 16

18 Westminster (Utah) 17-7 151 18

19 Loyola 21-2 130 20

20 Campbellsville 18-9 121 21

21 Xavier 18-8 115 19

22 Shorter 20-5 101 23

23 Lindsey Wilson 18-8 90 24

24 MidAmerica Nazarene 18-8 87 22

25 Columbia (Mo.) 18-8 68 RV

Others receiving votes: Lyon 46, William Woods 40, LSU-Shreveport 34, Rogers State 32, Avila 23, San Diego Christian 18, Talladega 5, Robert Morris (Chicago) 3, Central Methodist 1, St. Gregory's 1, Rocky Mountain 1, Martin Methodist 1.

The 2011-12 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball team

Head Coach Dannton Jackson (ninth season), (Bio)
Assistant Coach Alfred Williams (third season) (Bio)

2011-12 Team Roster

Current Record: 19-7, 8-3 GCAC, 2nd Place

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll

(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Feb. 12)

Rank Team Record Points Last

1 Shorter (10) 24-1 311 2

2 Oklahoma Baptist (1) 22-3 302 3

3 Robert Morris (Chicago) (1) 23-2 292 1

4 Southern Poly 20-4 281 4
5 Rogers State 20-4 268 6
6 Martin Methodist 20-5 259 7

7 Our Lady of the Lake 20-5 252 5

8 Westmont 18-5 235 9
9 Mountain State 20-6 231 10
10 Georgetown (Ky.) 19-6 220 8
11 Concordia (Calif.) 20-5 212 16
12 Texas Wesleyan 20-4 202 tie-13
13 John Brown 21-5 197 15
14 Lee (Tenn.) 18-5 167 17
15 Montana Western 20-7 155 24

16 Lindsey Wilson 16-8 152 12

17 Azusa Pacific 20-6 149 11

18 Tougaloo 21-5 144 19

19 LSU-Shreveport 18-6 141 18
20 Columbia (Mo.) 20-6 130 21
21 MidAmerica Nazarene 19-7 115 20
22 Montana State Northern 20-6 98 tie-13
23 Southern Nazarene 18-8 97 23
24 Cumberlands 15-9 63 RV
25 Xavier 18-7 57 tie-25

Others receiving votes: Saint Xavier 50, Evangel 35, Campbellsville 29, Point Loma Nazarene 22, Cumberland 19, Union (Tenn.) 18, Southwestern Assemblies of God 13, Westminster (Utah) 8, Biola 8, Cal State San Marcos 7, Baker 3, St. Thomas (Texas) 1, Oklahoma Christian 1, Pikeville 1, Great Falls 1, Science & Arts 1, Voorhees 1, Freed-Hardeman 1, Missouri Baptist 1, St. Catharine (Ky.) 1.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Bryant Ties School Career Scoring Mark In St. Aug Win

Keyona Bryant
6'-0" Center, Senior
Hometown: Springdale, MD
Flowers High School
Major: Communications

RALEIGH, North Carolina – Senior center Keyona Bryant (Springdale, Md.) tied the modern school career scoring mark in Saint Augustine’s College’s 58-55 CIAA women’s basketball win over Fayetteville State University Monday (Feb. 13) at Emery Gymnasium.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Lady Falcons, now 12-11 overall, 7-6 CIAA and 2-5 in the Southern Division. The Lady Broncos are 10-12, 4-9 CIAA and 3-4 in the Southern Division with the loss.

The two schools split the season series. The Lady Falcons lost the first meeting 64-62 Feb. 4 in Fayetteville, N.C.

Bryant scored 12 points to tie former standout Valicia Brown with 1,522 career points. She needs one point to become the school’s modern career scoring leader, which she is sure to get Saturday (Feb. 18) at Livingstone in Salisbury, N.C. The starting time for that contest is 5:30 p.m.

Sophomore forward Umeka Benson (Charlotte, N.C.) added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Falcons. DaQuondra Cuthbertson paced the Lady Broncos with 13 points.

The victory margin would have been much larger had the Lady Falcons made their free throws. They were 19-for-42 for 45.2 percent.

Still, St. Aug led by 13 with 8:50 in the second half. Despite shooting 27 percent in the second half, the Lady Broncos rallied by forcing 24 of the Lady Falcons’ 40 turnovers in the half. The Lady Falcons’ lead was whittled to 56-55, but junior guard Jolisa Williams (Charles City, Va.) hit two clutch free throws with 24 seconds left in the game for a 58-55 Lady Falcons’ lead. FSU committed a turnover with 15 seconds left to ice the contest for the Lady Falcons.

COURTESY: THECIAA.COM

CIAA changes men's basketball-tournament format

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - The CIAA men's basketball tournament will have a change in its format when it begins later this month.

The tournament, which will be held in Charlotte from Feb. 28 through March 3, will have six of the 12 teams receive byes into the quarterfinals. In past years, the tournament's top two seeds in each division received byes.

"The (CIAA board of directors) wanted to keep the week a little shorter, so that's why the men's tournament changed a little bit," said Shera White, the director of communications for the CIAA. "There are 24 teams, counting both men and women, and that's a lot of games, so that's why the board voted to change the format a little bit."

The women's tournament, which will also begin Feb. 28, will retain the old format, with the top two teams in each division receiving byes.

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