Gray a bright spot for ASU in loss to Grambling

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- ASU didn’t have many highlights in Saturday’s 24-7 home loss to Grambling State, but fans would be hard pressed to find one better than Ezra Gray.

The sophomore running back had a 64-yard game-opening kickoff return and caught a fourth-quarter touchdown pass for the Hornets (3-6, 3-3 SWAC).

“It was nice to be able to make plays, but a loss is a loss, so I definitely don’t feel good about that,” Gray said.

Gray’s game-opening kickoff return was the longest this season for ASU, though it — obviously — didn’t lead to points.

He fielded the ball at the 2 and started up the middle of the field. Gray broke outside and eventually went out of bounds at the Grambling 34-yard line.

“I just saw everybody doing their job, blocking the guy they were coached to block,” Gray said. “I was blessed enough to hit the seam and hit it and get it.”

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Jackson State picks up second win with 10-7 victory over Alabama A&M

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Jackson State picked up its second win of the season with a thrilling 10-7 win over Alabama A&M Saturday afternoon in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Tigers (2-8) and Bulldogs (3-7) played to a 0-0 tie in the first half, but A&M got on the board with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Aqueel Glass to Kalias Robertson with 7:14 left in the third quarter.

Jackson State responded with a nine-play, 46-yard drive capped with a two-yard scoring run by Jordan Johnson.



The Tigers got the ball back with 2:42 left on the clock and drove 66 yards to set up Christian Jacquemin's 26-yard game-winning field goal.

JSU struggled again in the passing game but rushed for 153 yards on offense. Terrell Kennedy led the way with eight carries for 62 yards.

JSU starting quarterback Jordan Williams completed 8 of 13 passes for 90 yards and one interception. He was replaced in the fourth quarter by Johnson, who started taking direct snaps and finished with 20 carries for 57 yards.

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North Carolina A&T Aggies Claim Another MEAC Title, Defeat SSU

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- When the wacky football action of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ended on Saturday, the craziness brought about clarity when it comes to the MEAC representative for the Celebration Bowl.

The North Carolina A&T Aggies took care of their affairs. The Aggies got 127 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 27 carries from junior Marquell Cartwright to earn a 36-17 win over Savannah State at Aggie Stadium. During the game, Cartwright went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season, giving the Aggies seven 1,000-yard rushers in the last eight seasons.

“It feels great to be able to reach a point that a lot of people try to reach but most don’t get there,” said Cartwright about his career season. “It feels great, but I really don’t care about it much. I want to win at the end of the day.”



Junior quarterback Lamar Raynard, Cartwright’s high school teammate at High Point Andrews, was 17-for-22 for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Along the way he broke Alan Hooker’s 32-year old single-season record for touchdown passes. Raynard has 25 TD passes on the season, eclipsing Hooker’s old mark of 24. Hooker also said goodbye to his 32-year old record for most completions in a season (169). Raynard has 175 completions on the season heading into next week’s regular-season finale.

Raynard was not finished removing Hooker’s name from the record books, however. Raynard broke the single-season school record for touchdowns responsible for. Hooker’s old mark stood at 26 (24 passing, two rushing). Raynard is responsible for 28 (25 passing, three rushing) N.C. A&T touchdowns this season. Raynard now owns single-season marks in passing, total offense and three marks mentioned earlier.

Aside from making history, the Aggies brought sanity to the MEAC race in what was an insane day. N.C. A&T (10-0, 7-0 MEAC) clinched at least a share of the MEAC title, giving the Aggies three MEAC titles in the past four seasons. North Carolina Central (7-3, 5-2 MEAC) lost in the final seconds at home to Bethune-Cookman to remove themselves from Celebration Bowl consideration.

Meanwhile, Howard (7-3, 6-1 MEAC) won in the final seconds at home over Norfolk State to keep themselves in contention, but barely. Howard can still clinch a share of the MEAC title next week with a win over Hampton and a N.C. A&T loss to NCCU. But the tiebreaker scenario is not in the Bison’s favor for a trip to Atlanta and a chance to play in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

In case of a two-way tie where the two teams did not play one another, the Sagarin rating, which measures strength of schedule, serves as the tiebreaker. N.C. A&T came into Saturday’s game with a 149 ranking, while Howard came in at 208. Howard’s opponent next week, Hampton, came in slightly lower at 224. A win over Hampton would likely not do enough for the Bison even if the Aggies lost to NCCU, which entered Saturday’s play with a 202 rating.

There is a good chance none of that will take away from N.C. A&T’s game against heated rival NCCU next week at Aggie Stadium (1 p.m.). For starters, the Aggies want their first outright title in 14 years, and it is not missed on the Aggies that the Eagles have defeated them three straight seasons.

“We’re going to enjoy this, and then we’re going to get ready for next week,” said N.C. A&T coach Rod Broadway speaking on the win over SSU. “Hopefully, we are going to play a little bit better than we did last year. I don’t know if sharing a championship is actually what we want. But let’s take the championship out of it. It is a rivalry game, and it’s Central. We’ve got to get ready to play regardless of the situation.”

The Tigers (2-8, 2-5 MEAC) tried to make the Aggies’ path to another MEAC title difficult. Freshman quarterback D’Vonn Gibbons finished with 93 yards rushing and a touchdown on 19 carries, while also throwing for 137 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Gibbons’ 2-yard touchdown set up by his 60-yard completion to Paris Baker got the Tigers to within 19-10 with 11:39 remaining in the third quarter.

But on SSU’s next drive, Gibbons’ tipped pass landed in the grasp of senior rover Jeremy Taylor for an interception. Taylor, who had a pick-6 last week at Norfolk State, returned Gibbons’ INT 22 yards to the SSU 9-yard line. Three plays later Cartwright was in for a 1-yard touchdown. N.C. A&T’s defense turned stingy from there. SSU’s next two drives went for a combined minus-16 yards.

N.C. A&T utilized the good field position given by its defense to start the fourth quarter in SSU territory. It led to a 32-yard field goal by freshman Noel Ruiz to give the Aggies a 29-10 lead. The Aggies capped their scoring an 18-yard touchdown pass from Raynard to sophomore Elijah Bell. Bell led the receiving corps with five catches for 77 yards. His TD reception tied the school’s single-season touchdown receptions record at 10. Bell is tied with Craig Thompson and former teammate Denzel Keyes.

“I think our guys earned the right to get to 10 wins,” said Broadway. “I don’t think we played as well as we can play, but being 10-0 is special so we’ll take the win and try to grow from it and get better.”

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FAMU head coach Alex Wood: New facility 'the missing piece' for football team

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M head coach Alex Wood is as excited about the prospect of a new athletic facility as soon-to-be former Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr.

Overton last week unveiled some concept art and a funding proposal for a $9 million, three-story all-sports complex that would replace the decades old — and deteriorating — Galimore-Powell Field House.

Overton, speaking to the 220 Quarterback Club, said the facility could be ready as soon as the 2018 football season. He has since announced his resignation in order to take a job as AD at Kennesaw State, but said the plan is still in place for a new facility.

More: FAMU AD Overton reveals financial plan for new FAMU all-sports facility

Wood, speaking during his weekly press conference in the field house, said it’s time FAMU entered the facilities arms race.

The field house hasn’t been upgraded since it opened in 1983. A new stadium in still years in the future, but Bragg Memorial Stadium hasn’t been upgraded since 1980 and has needed repairs in recent offseasons.

“That’s the missing piece and Milton understands that,” Wood said on Tuesday. “We all do. That’s what it’s going to take. Once those things are in place here, we’ll be a national power once again and on a consistent basis.”

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Alcorn State Lady Braves Knock Off Southeastern Louisiana in OT Behind Sanders’ Career High

HAMMOND, Louisiana -- Senior guard Tia Sanders scored a career-high 29 points and senior forward Miracle Rushing recorded a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double as the Alcorn State University women's basketball program won in overtime 84-77 over Southeastern Louisiana Friday night at the University Center.

"We've been preaching to the ladies since we started that it's going to come down to free-throws and lay-ups," said head coach Courtney G. Pruitt. "They bought into what we were saying and we were able to get the W!"

Sanders shot 8-18 from the field, 5-10 from beyond the arc, and 8-10 from the free-throw line to pace Alcorn in the victory. The Pensacola, Fla. native added six rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals.

Following Sanders in scoring was senior guard Alexus Freeman with 17 points (5-21 FG, 2-8 3FG, 5-6 FT). The SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year pulled down four boards with three assists and a steal. Rushing went 3-8 from the floor and converted 6-10 from the charity stripe. She added three assists with a steal.

The Lady Braves (1-0) shot 25-69 (.362) from the field, 8-25 (.320) from beyond the arc, and 26-40 (.650) from the free-throw line. SLU went 26-75 (.347) from the floor, 9-26 (.346) from deep, and 16-26 (.615) at the line.

With the score tied at 70-70 late in the fourth quarter, SLU found itself at the line and made both of its shots with :19 left on the clock. Alcorn wasn't done, though, as Rushing earned a trip to the charity stripe with :02 remaining. The Meridian, Miss. native answered the call, making both attempts to tie the game again and force an extra period.

In overtime, the teams went back-and forth before a Rushing layup and a pair of Freeman free-throws created some separation. SLU could not respond as the Lady Lions failed to make a shot and committed multiple turnovers, allowing Alcorn to start the season in the win column.

"We work every day on finishing in practice," added Pruitt. "We always challenge the ladies at the end of practice and make the end more difficult than the beginning. It paid off tonight as we were able to maintain mental toughness and steal one on the road from a good team."

The Lady Lions jumped out to a 12-2 lead to start the game, but a pair of long-range scores by Sanders and one from junior guard Cloe Lane allowed Alcorn to pull to within 17-13. Junior guard Kristian Dewitt made it 17-16 as she went 1-2 from the line and followed with a jumper. The hosts answered with a bucket and Rushing sank a pair of free shots as the first quarter came to a close.

In the second quarter, the Lady Braves jumped out to a 35-28 lead but could not hold off SLU as the Lady Lions used a 10-1 run to close out the half and take a 40-38 lead at the break.

Alcorn pulled away again in the second half, going up 54-47 with 6:36 to play in the third, but the home team scored seven unanswered to retake the lead. The Lady Lions were in control 65-60 heading into the final 10 minutes.

The Lady Braves scored more second-chance points (22-7). Both teams score 12 in the point. The game featured seven ties and 15 lead changes.

Alcorn returns to action next Wednesday as the Lady Braves host Lemoyne-Owen College for the squad's home-opener. The game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.

NOTES

- Friday's victory marks the first against a non-conference NCAA Division I opponent since a 62-53 win at home over Louisiana-Monroe on Dec. 8, 2014. It was also the first season-opening victory against a DI opponent since Nov. 22, 2002 when the Lady Braves defeated Texas State 58-56 in a neutral-site contest in Waco, Texas.

- It was the first time a season-opener went to overtime since Nov. 26, 1993 when the team fell to Auburn 71-66 at the Hobby Hilton Classic in Houston, Texas.

- Rushing's double-double is just the second of her career. She scored 10 points with 13 boards versus Alabama State on Feb. 18 last season. She needed one more charity shot to tie her career mark of seven (at USM, Nov. 25, 2016).

- Sanders' previous career scoring high was 19 points against Mississippi Valley State on Jan. 14, 2017. She tied her career highs in three-point field goals made (5), rebounds (6), and minutes played (40).

- Freeman played a career-high 43 minutes in tonight's contest. She played a full 40 minutes three times last year.

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North Carolina A&T Aggie Sophomores Have Their Way In Win Over Georgia Southern

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- North Carolina A&T unleashed a stifling defense toward the end of the third quarter and well into the fourth quarter. Sophomores Cinia McCray and C’Coriea Foy started being themselves around that same time as N.C. A&T came away with a 60-49 season-opening women’s basketball win at Corbett Sports Center Friday night.

McCray tied a career high with 16 points and added a career-high six rebounds. In her debut as an Aggie after transferring from Alabama and sitting out a year, Foy had 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the floor. Sophomore Shantell Bostick contributed 10 points, six rebounds and four assists, while another sophomore, Alexus Lessears, had a game-high 11 rebounds.

McCray and Foy did most of their damage in the third quarter. Foy had seven points in the quarter, while McCray finished Coupled with the Aggies (1-0) defensive effort, it was too much for the
Eagles (0-1) to overcome.

“(Foy and McCray) are scorers, both have a scorer's mentality and both are playmakers,” said N.C. A&T coach Tarrell Robinson after earning his 100th career coaching victory. “We look for them to do that. So that's nothing new for us in terms of what we believe they can bring to this team in order for us to be at our best.”

Bostick is also a pleasant surprise for Robinson, however.

“Shantell surprises me because the stuff she does in games, I don't see in practice,” he said. “She has a tremendous amount of heart and a tremendous amount of character, so we believe the best is yet to come. She didn't play much last year, she had to sit on that bench and learn the game. Now she is making things happen four us statistically.”

It was a good thing the sophomores got going because until that point, the Eagles had led by as many as 11 in the first half and they led by 11 as late as the 6:49 mark of the third quarter. But Foy whipped a pass over to McCray for a three and Foy followed that effort by taking a bounce pass from senior Kala Green to cut the lead to 39-33. The Aggies thrived from there.

After two Trell English-Lurry free throws gave GSU a 43-35 lead, Bostick hit four consecutive free throws to cut the lead down to four. Alexis Foulks’ jump shot pushed the lead out to six before Foy netted a 3-pointer from the corner to get the GSU lead down to three. Green then took a pass from Foy and dropped another three to send the Aggies into the fourth quarter tied at 45.

“I think we were just nervous. It was our first time playing in front of a crowd after two closed scrimmages,” said Robinson. “It was just a matter of removing those jitters and waking up. In the second half, we started defending and then our shots started falling.”

N.C. A&T’s defense held the Eagles scoreless for the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. Add that to the nearly two minutes GSU went scoreless to close out the third quarter, and the Aggies were able to build a 55-45 lead over the Eagles on a Lessears layup with 5:08 remaining in the game. GSU tried to rally as Rhein Beamon hit two free throws and Jakayvea Akins hit a runner in the lane to get to within six. But McCray ended the Eagles hopes with her third 3-pointer of the night to give N.C. A&T a 58-49 lead with 1:55 remaining in the game.

It was the Aggies first season-opening win in three years.

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“We talked about tempo because we felt we were more athletic than they were,” said Robinson. “We felt like playing fast would be to our advantage. It just took one or two people to get us going. I thought Foy, Bostick, Green and McCary speeding things up changed the whole entire game.”

Beamon led the Aggies with 13 points and six rebounds. N.C. A&T will take on defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Elon, 5:30 p.m., Monday at Corbett Sports Center.

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Hampton Lady Pirates Stun North Carolina Tarheels in Season Opener

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina  --  An 18-7 run in the last 6:29 enabled Hampton to score a season opening win over North Carolina 70-66 on Friday at Carmichael Arena.

The win was the first ever over UNC and the 11th for David Six against "Power Five" conferences. The last win for Hampton against a power five schPool was against Wake Forest 47-42 on Dec. 28, 2015.

Hampton used a 10-0 run in the first quarter to take a 17-8 lead on a Mikayla Sayle jumper with 3:37 left. The Lady Pirates pushed the lead to 10 points as late as 1:44 left in the half on a Monnazjea Finney-SmiPth 3-pointer.

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In the third quarter, UNC used a 7-0 run midway through the period to take a 47-43 lead with 3:05 left on a Jocelyn Jones free throw. Jephany Brown hit a 3-pointer from the wing with 22 seconds left in the quarter to take a 49-47 lead. Paris Kea beat the third quarter buzzer with a jumper to tie the game 49-all.

In the fourth, the Tar Heels opened with a 10-3 to lead 59-52 on a Kea free throw with 6:29 left. Hampton responded with three straight 3-pointers by K'Lynn Willis and two from Finney-Smith to retake the lead 61-59 with 4:33 left.

A Jones jumper with 3:02 left put Carolina up 65-63. Hampton scored six straight points between Brown and Finney-Smith to take a 69-65 lead on a Brown free throw with one minute left.

Finney-Smith topped the team with 25 points and hit 7-of-12 from 3-point range to lead four in double figures. Brown had 16 points and eight rebounds, Allina Start had 11 points and eight assists with James scoring 10 and five assists.

As a team Hampton hit 50% from the floor (28-56), 45.8% from 3-point range (11-24).

The Lady Pirates now return to North Carolina next Friday to face Elon on Nov.17.

For more information on Hampton women's basketball contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

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