NSU Spartans zone out, can't solve Coppin State's defense

CSU Eagles Coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell

NORFOLK - The Norfolk State Spartans were a bit put off when their league's preseason rankings predicted they would finish sixth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Now they are a bit put off by the fact that the prediction was correct. Playing lethargically throughout and pinned in by their opponent's well-played zone defense, the Spartans fell 76-69 to Coppin State on Monday night at Echols Hall.

Coupled with fifth-place North Carolina A&T's win at Morgan State, Monday's loss means the Spartans (9-19, 7-8) can finish no higher than sixth, and could finish seventh.

Coleman's Career-High 20 Points Leads Coppin State Over Norfolk State

NORFOLK, Va. – Freshman Kyra Coleman scored a career-high 20 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds as Coppin State snapped a two-game losing streak with a 64-50 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over Norfolk State on Monday in Echols Hall.

Coleman sparked a second-half rally by the Eagles as she scored 16 of her 20 points after halftime helping Coppin State to overcome a four-point deficit at the intermission. She finished the game 8-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-6 from the free throw line.

Coppin State (11-16, 8-7 MEAC) shot 53.3 percent from the floor in the second half, while limiting Norfolk State to just 29.7 percent shooting. The Eagles shot just 22.2 percent in the first half and trailed 24-20 at halftime.

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ASU men's basketball defeats hot Texas Southern in SWAC play

ASU Hornets Coach Lewis Jackson

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State University men's basketball team defeated the red-hot Texas Southern 60-48 Monday night in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, extending the Hornets' winning streak to seven.

The Hornets shot 49 percent from the field and held Texas Southern to just 32 percent shooting. Senior Tramayne Moorer led ASU with 14 points, followed by Kenderek Washington's 12 points and Ivory White's 10. ASU also outrebounded TSU 34-27.

Alabama State Lady Hornets Drop Texas Southern

Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama State (7-20, 4-12) Women's basketball team ended a four game losing streak by defeating Texas Southern (5-22, 3-13). The final from the Dunn-Oliver Acadome was 61-41. The win gives the Lady Hornets a much needed boost in order to solidify the 8th and final seed for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament next week.

ASU led 22-17 at halftime holding TSU to under 30 percent shooting from the field. Meanwhile, the Lady Hornets shot 45 percent for the game.

Defense was the difference in the contest. In fact, ASU led 53-37 with three minutes to play. They also forced 29 TSU turnovers. “I feel like if we can continue to play like we did tonight and finish the season strong, we can make some strides leading into post season play”. Head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said.

Tanika Jackson, who played her final game as a Lady Hornets on the home floor led all scorers with 20 points 14 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assist.

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CIAA Tournament: WSSU women rip Saint Paul's

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Winston-Salem State women opened the CIAA Tournament with a convincing 66-33 victory over Saint Paul's on Monday night at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Rams (17-10) took an early lead and never let up. The Tigers (3-23) lost to the Rams for the third time this season.

In earlier first-round games: Chowan, playing in its first CIAA Tournament game, defeated Livingstone 56-52; Saint Augustine's defeated Virginia Union 69-53; Virginia State upended 2010 champion Fayetteville State 65-44; and Shaw rolled to a 95-63 win against Lincoln (Pa.).

Lady Rams Cruise in 66-33 Win Over Saint Paul's at CIAA Tournament

CHARLOTTE, NC - Judging by the numbers at the half, the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams seemed vulnerable in the opening round of the CIAA Tournament on Monday night. Except for one thing: the Lady Rams had Jasmine Newkirk.

Newkirk scored 14 of her game-high 15 points in the first half to lead Winston-Salem State to comfortable edge at the half as the Lady Rams took care of St. Paul's 66-33 to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament.

The victory sets up a heavyweight matchup in the next round when the CIAA South's third-seeded Lady Rams (17-10) will face Bowie State (17-9), the number 2 seed from the CIAA North, which received a first-round bye. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

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CIAA Tournament: Lincoln women fall in first CIAA tourney game

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sharay Dubose scored 27 points -- her second highest total of the year — but it wasn't enough as Shaw spoiled Lincolns' debut in the CIAA conference tourney, turning back the Lady Lions by a score of 95-63.

The Bears (18-11) came into the tourney as the number two seed in the South Division, while the Lions (3-24) were the seventh seed.

Lincoln came out of the gate strong, paced by the hot hand of DeJuana Mosley, who scored eight of Lincoln's first 13 points, and the Lady Lions either led or were tied for the lead for the first ten minutes of the game.

Shaw Offensive Firepower Rolls Over Lincoln 95-63
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The inside trio of Demaria Liles, Kyra Buford and Aslea Williams combined to score over half of Shaw's points in a 95-63 first-round women's basketball win over Lincoln (Pa.) Monday in the first day of the CIAA Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena.

"It felt good to get our feet wet and get that first win," Shaw Head Coach Jacques Curtis said.

Liles, a 6-1 senior forward, led the Lady Bears (18-11 overall) with 21 points on 9 of 11 shooting and snatched 12 rebounds for her fifth straight double-double for the Lady Bears. Buford, a 6-1 senior forward, added 20 points and Williams, a 6-1 junior center, added 15 points for the Lady Bears, the No. 2 seed in the Southern Division. The Lady Bears square off against No. 3 Northern Division seed Virginia State Tuesday in a CIAA quarterfinal game at 3 p.m.

2011 CIAA Women's Basketball Tournament Scoreboard

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CIAA Tournament: Lady Trojans, led by Taylor, pick up 65-44 win in CIAA Tournament's opening round

CHARLOTTE, NC - There will be a new CIAA Women's champion. Fayetteville State, the defending CIAA Tournament champion, was defeated 65-44 by Virginia State in the opening round of the 2011 CIAA Tournament on Monday.

The Lady Trojans (18-8), led by All-CIAA selection Rhon'Neshia Taylor's 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, got a measure of redemption by knocking off the Lady Broncos, who had beaten the Lady Trojans in the semifinals of the tournament a year ago. And this one wasn't close.

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WATCH LIVE ACTION FROM THE CIAA TOURNAMENT - CLICK HERE
Women's Basketball: Wedensday, Mar. 1st at 3pm, Virginia State vs. Shaw

CIAA Tournament: McCaffity steps up for Saint Augustine's Falcons

Falcons 6-2 Freshman F/C Umeka Benson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Saint Augustine's College has relied on seniors Allison Sikes and Le'Kiesha White all season, but it was another senior who helped the Falcons win their first-round game in the CIAA women's basketball tournament Monday afternoon.

Crystal McCaffity scored 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the 3-point line, in a 69-53 victory over Virginia Union at Time Warner Cable Arena. Freshman forward Umeka Benson, the CIAA rookie of the year, added 13 points and 13 rebounds. Benson, who came off the bench, was named Food Lion MVP of the game.

The victory sends the Lady Falcons (18-10 overall), the No. 4 Southern Division seed, to Tuesday's quarterfinal round. They face Elizabeth City State, the top Northern Division seed, at 7 p.m. The Lady Falcons defeated the Lady Vikings in their only matchup 69-64 on Jan. 20 in Elizabeth City, N.C.

Saint Augustine’s College beats Virginia Union in CIAA first round

Senior guard Crystal McCaffity from Havelock, NC led the Lady Falcons of Saint Augustine’s College over Virginia Union University 69-53 in the first round of the CIAA Tournament. McCaffity scored 14 points to lead the Lady Falcons.

Saint Augustine’s College maintained control of the game and only trailed once to Virginia Union University in the game. The Lady Falcons led at halftime 32-20.

Charlotte native and CIAA Rookie of the Year, Umeka Benson added 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Lady Falcons in their victory. Her efforts won Benson the Food Lion MVP of the Game honor.

Photo Gallery: 2011 CIAA Basketball: Opening Day 

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CIAA Tournament: Chowan gets first-ever CIAA tournament win‎

Chowan wrote a new chapter in its women's basketball history at the CIAA tournament.

The Hawks recovered from a 19-point deficit to beat Livingstone 56-53 in a first-round game at Time Warner Cable Arena, the program's first tournament win since joining the CIAA last year. Chowan (15-12) didn't panic after falling behind, calling on previous experience to climb ahead.

"For us it was another challenge on the road," Hawks coach Pat Mashuda said. "We were in this situation earlier this year playing Bowie at home when we were down 20 with four minutes to play and came back to win that game. Having this experience from before, unfortunately then but fortunately as well, helped us today."

Photo Gallery: 2011 CIAA Basketball: Opening Day 

Livingstone College Women Out of CIAA Tournament

Livingstone’s women’s basketball team ended its season with a 56-53 loss against Chowan in the first round of the CIAA Tournament on Monday afternoon in Charlotte.

Livingstone held Chowan to 10 points in the first 15 minutes and led 33-14 late in the first half. Livingstone still led by 13 points at halftime, but a cold-shooting second half doomed the Blue Bears (16-10).

Chowan (15-12) advanced to play Johnson C. Smith tonight. Talaya Lynch led the Hawks with 17 points.

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Claflin begins SIAC tourney play Wednesday

ATLANTA - The road to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship will start Wednesday with play-in games in Atlanta for the Claflin men's and women's basketball teams.

After finishing the regular season with two straight wins, the seventh-seed Panthers (11-15) will face 10th-seed Fort Valley State (8-20) at 2 p.m. in L.S. Epps Gymnasium on the campus of Clark-Atlanta University. The Claflin men swept the season series with the Wildcats and the winner will face second-seed Stillman College at 2 p.m Thursday in the same gymnasium.

Within proximity of Clark-Atlanta, the 11th-seed Claflin women (8-18) will look to shake off a season-ending six-game losing streak when they open play in Frank L. Forbes Arena at Morehouse College against sixth-seed Tuskegee University (15-11).

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Morgan State Bears Releases 2011 Football Schedule

BALTIMORE, MD. – Morgan State University released their schedule on Monday and it features two straight road games to open the year and five home contests.

Morgan State, who went 4-7 in 2010 in coach Donald Hill-Eley's 9th season, open 2011 at Towson on Sept. 3. The Bears' nonconference schedule also includes a road game at Bowling Green State on Sept. 10 and a home contest against Robert Morris on Sept. 17.

The Bears begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play against Howard in the Annual Whitney Young Classic on Sept. 24. The game will be played at Giants Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.

Morgan State hosts North Carolina A&T, Savannah State (Homecoming), Norfolk State and Hampton at home, while traveling to North Carolina Central and the reigning MEAC champs of Bethune-Cookman.

Full schedule:
Sept. 3 ----- at Towson
Sept. 10 --- at Bowling Green State
Sept. 17 --- Robert Morris
Sept. 24 --- vs. Howard* (Whitney Young Classic, Giants Stadium)
Oct. 1 ------- North Carolina A&T*
Oct. 8 ------- Savannah State* (MSU Homecoming)
Oct. 15 ----- at North Carolina Central*
Oct. 29 ----- at Delaware State*
Nov. 5 ------ at Bethune-Cookman*
Nov. 12 ---- Norfolk State*
Nov. 19 ---- Hampton*

* Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Game

By MSU Media Relations
Visit: MorganStateBears.com

Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeats Jackson State 62-56

UAPB Coach George Ivory

Savalace Townsend scored 21 points and Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Jackson State 62-56 on Monday night.

Townsend's layup with 3:55 left gave the Golden Lions (7-22, 7-10 SWAC) the lead for good at 51-50. He scored 16 of his 21 points after halftime, when Pine Bluff trailed 29-24. Allen Smith had 13 points and Terrell Kennedy 12 for Pine Bluff.

Jenirro Bush led Jackson State (15-13, 11-5) with 16 points and Grant Maxey scored 12. The Tigers shot 32 percent from the field while the Golden Lions made 40 percent of their shots.

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B-CU wins MEAC

DAYTONA BEACH -- At halftime, Bethune-Cookman coach Clifford Reed knew his team had already clinched the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's regular-season championship for the first time in the Wildcats' undistinguished 32-year history in Division I basketball.

He made sure to keep the information to himself. Not that it would have mattered. The Wildcats were more intent on winning their sixth straight game, a 73-60 victory over North Carolina Central on Monday night at the Ocean Center than taking a breath to recognize history.

"When we came here, we set out to play in the NCAA Tournament and dance in March," said C.J. Reed, the coach's son, who scored a game-high 23 points Monday. "That was our goal, not just to win the regular-season title."

Bethune-Cookman beats NC Central 73-60, wins MEAC

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – C.J. Reed scored 23 points and Stanley Elliott added 16 to carry Bethune-Cookman past North Carolina Central 73-60 on Monday night.

The Wildcats (19-11) learned at halftime that they had wrapped up their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season title since joining the league in 1980-81, by virtue of Morgan State's 68-60 loss to North Carolina A&T.

LADY EAGLES BASKETBALL FALLS IN OVERTIME BATTLE TO BETHUNE-COOKMAN, 66-60

DAYTON BEACH, Fla. - The Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central hit the Daytona Beach, Fla., hardwood looking to obtain its first road win of the 2010-11 campaign on Monday, Feb. 28. But Bethune-Cookman rejected the idea of a home loss, defeating NCCU 66-60 in an overtime battle.

The mighty maroon appeared to have the contest sealed, until the Lady Wildcats chiseled away at a first-half 13-point lead and tied the contest at the 8:58 mark of the second-half.

B-CU’s Jasmine Elum opened the final 20 minutes of play with a three-point shot, bringing the opening half lead to a single-digit margin. Sarah Bolden followed with a two-pointer, nailing the first five-points of half.

The two teams went point-for-point heading down the final stretch of the game, until junior Blaire Houston hit the charity stripe with four seconds left on the clock. With two shots in the palm of her hand, Houston sinked the first shot for the tie and missed the second shot for a score of 53-53, sending the contest into overtime.

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North Carolina A&T Beats Morgan State In MEAC Conference Matchup

Greensboro, N.C. - Thomas Coleman scored 21 points and Marc Hill sank six free throws in the final minute as North Carolina A&T beat Morgan State 68-60 Monday night.

The victory by the Aggies (15-15, 9-6 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) ended a three-year reign by the Bears (15-12, 10-5) as conference regular-season champions, giving Bethune-Cookman the No. 1 tournament seed.

North Carolina A&T led 46-34, in the second half, but after Morgan State cut it to six points, 60-54, Hill missed two free throws for the Aggies. A 3-pointer by the Bears' Aric Brooks made it 60-57 with 1:39 left.

Coleman has A&T cooking

GREENSBORO — Before stepping onto the Corbett Center floor for the last time, Thomas Coleman sat an extra minute at his locker. As the N.C. A&T center paused to reflect, soon the only two people who remained were the senior and the coach who recruited him.

Coleman finally broke the silence. "He said, 'Coach, I remember you sitting at my kitchen table,' " A&T coach Jerry Eaves said, referencing Coleman's recruitment. "We both just kind of looked at each other and laughed."

Aggies Lose Battle For No. 2

GREENSBORO - No matter what problem the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team presented to Morgan State Monday evening, the Bears had the same two solutions throughout. Morgan State frustrated the Aggies with efficiency from the free throw line and 3-point arc. As a result, the Bears won the battle for the No. 2 seed in the MEAC Tournament with a 74-69 win at Corbett Sports Center.

The Bears hit 11 3-pointers and made 23 of 25 free throws. Erin Hawkins led the way with 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting from 3-point range. Brittany Dodson added 15 points on 9-for-10 shooting at the line.

In her final game at Corbett Sports Center, senior Jaleesa Sams finished with 23 points and six rebounds.

"Morgan State did what they're supposed to do, they hit 3-pointers and hit free throws," said N.C. A&T head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. "They executed brilliantly tonight."

The Aggies trailed by as many as 14 in the second half. But a Sams 3-pointer tied the game at 56 with 4:20 remaining. The Bears responded by going on a 9-2 run that included a 6-for-6 stretch at the free throw line and a 3-point shot by Brittany Noel that gave the Bears a 65-58 lead with 1:26 to play.

N.C. A&T got the lead down to three points four times within the last 40 seconds of the game. But the Bears converted 7 of 8 free throws to put the Aggies away.

The Bears (16-12, 10-5) secured the No. 2 seed with the win. The loss for the Aggies (14-13, 9-6) was costly. They slip into a third-place tie with Howard. The two teams split this season, but Howard owns the tiebreaker over the Aggies because its margin of victory was greater. Therefore, the Aggies need a Howard loss to secure the third seed.

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CIAA commissioner fell into job he loves

Leon Kerry never set out to be the commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. It just kind of happened.

But as he and the rest of the CIAA settle in this week in Charlotte for the annual women's and men's basketball tournaments, Kerry will be in his element. He loves tournament week because it's the culmination of the conference's long-standing commitment to putting on a good show.

And as the tournaments have grown, Kerry, as much as anybody, knows it's about more than just basketball.

"We've changed the way people envision sports at Division II," Kerry said of the CIAA Tournaments, which will start today with women's games. "Everybody is trying to do what we do with having an event, having functions around the event and getting the fans and alumni involved.

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SIAC Announces 2011 Basketball Tournament Seedings

SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore

Atlanta, GA—The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is proud to announce the men’s and women’s seedings for the 78th SIAC Basketball Tournament. Leading this year’s men’s field is the number one seed Benedict Tigers while the Fort Valley State Lady Wildcats will be the number one seed in the women’s field.

Under the guidance of head coach Fred Watson, the Benedict Tigers finished with a 20-4 conference record, 20-6 overall, to capture their first SIAC regular season title since 2008. The Tigers are led by sophomore center Marcus Goode. The Tigers, who are currently ranked number three in the NCAA men’s south region and number seven in the Bowtorow.com HBCU Division II/NAIA poll, will have a bye in the first round of the conference tournament.

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CIAA crowds, dollars are flowing in

But experts question whether week's events bring in as much money as authority estimates.

Taxpayers will spend more than $500,000 to support the CIAA tournament that starts today - more than any other sporting event in Charlotte this year.

Backers say the incentives make sense because the CIAA brings in thousands of visitors who fill area restaurants, hotels and bars. This year, more than 100,000 are expected to descend on uptown for a week of parties, a beauty pageant, social gatherings and basketball.

In all, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority predicts the event will pump $40 million into the local economy. But experts question whether that number is inflated.

Local roots show at CIAA

CIAA equals entertainment with countless parties and performances taking place throughout the week. Some of that entertainment just happens to be homegrown, with three of next Friday's concerts featuring stars with Charlotte roots.

We spoke to performers Anthony Hamilton and Sunshine Anderson, who play the Fillmore, and Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown, who plays Amos' Southend - about CIAA, Charlotte, music and sports.

CIAA Women's Tournament Digest

ELEVATOR

St. Augustine's has won five games in a row against top-tier rivals that include Virginia State and J.C. Smith. UP

J.C. Smith had lost two of its past four before a victory Saturday at Livingstone. Not a good way to close the regular season. DOWN

Virginia State's Trojans have won four of five, including victories against Bowie State and Elizabeth City State. UP

Thousands Descend Upon The Queen City For The CIAA Tournament

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Thousands of people are descending on Charlotte for the start of the 2011 CIAA basketball tournament.

The first game in the tournament begins Monday at 1 p.m., but many who will attend have already arrived in Charlotte. Signs for the tournament have popped up all around the Queen City advertising the tournament. Organizers said ticket sales are up from last year.

Tom Grabowski, a CIAA organizer, said this year the tournament could bring in about $38 million to the local economy and 175,000 visitors to Charlotte.

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SWAC track and field: Grambling, Alabama State win titles

Baton Rouge, La. - The second day of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Indoor Championship Track and Field Championships featured few surprises in the team competitions, but an overflow of meet records kept things interesting.

Alabama State’s women and Grambing State’s men began the day leading their respective team competitions, and both ran away with comfortable wins Sunday afternoon at LSU’s Carl Maddox Field House.

The Grambling men totaled 173 1/3 points, enough to easily surpass Jackson State’s second- place tally of 91. Alabama State was third with 81 1/3 points.

On the women’s side, Alabama State scored a winning total of 151 points. Prairie View was next with 103 points, and Jackson State was third at 79.

Lady Hornets Win Indoor Track and Field Championship; Men Finish Third

BATON ROUGE, La.—The Alabama State University women's track and field team had a commanding 33 point lead heading into today's final round, and did nothing but expand that lead as they won the SWAC Indoor Track and Field Championship with a combined 151 points. Prairie View was the second closest team in the points with 103.

Kesia Derilus took home Most Outstanding Performer honors as she led the Lady Hornets in scoring with 29 individual points. She had a championship in the 3,000 meter run, finished second in the mile run, third in the5,000 meter run and fourth in the 800 meter run.

Head coach Ritchie Beene took home the Coach of the Year Honors.

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Howard University Softball Scoop Three Straight Wins

Howard University Head Coach Lauren McCoy

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Howard softball team won three of their four games this past weekend at the Campus Suites Spartan Classic hosted by South Carolina-Upstate, recording three consecutive wins over LaSalle, Oakland and Lafayette following a loss to the tournament hosts.

The Bison (3-3) opened up the tournament against an undefeated USC Upstate team (16-0) where they shutout HU, 2-0. On the mound for the Bison was Emily Johnson who gave up a homer in the third and RBI walk in the sixth.

Marisa Coats was the only Bison to record any hits against USC Upstate. Coats finished with two hits in the shutout loss, notching a double and a single.

Following the 2-0 loss, Howard rebounded in an explosive way to post their first win of the season against LaSalle (1-3), outscoring the Explorers, 9-1.

In the hitting frenzy the team notched a season high of 15 hits in the six-inning game and limited LaSalle to only five. Leading the way for the Bison at the plate was shortstop Rebecca Kirshner and Ciera Gordon with three hits, two runs and RBI a piece. Gordon would go on to complete the tournament with most hits for the Bison with seven.

Christine Sborz got things started for Howard with a lead-off double in the bottom of the first inning. She made it back across the plate to give HU the 1-0 lead after Kirshner singled to left center field.

Howard went on to score in every inning, excluding the fourth, and finished the final inning with four runs and four hits. Carly Martin received her first win of the season and struck out four and walked only two batters.

Following their dominating performance against LaSalle, Howard swept Oakland (4-8), 4-3 and then Lafayette (0-4), 8-2. Both Martin and Johnson split the mound against Lafayette. Martin gave up four hits through four innings while Johnson gave up three hits through three innings and both gave up a run a piece.

Against Oakland Samantha Gatson remained in the pitcher’s circle all seven innings. Gatson gave up eight hits, but a solid Bison defense coupled with Gatson’s four strikeouts would contain Oakland’s offense to three runs and secure HU’s third straight win.

The Bison will look to remain hot and extend their winning streak to four games when they travel to Lubbick, Tex. March 4-6 for the Texas Tech Invitational.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
Visit: howard-bison.com

Rain can't dampen Urban Invitational festivities

COMPTON, Calif. -- Rain was the only thing that could get in the way of Saturday's marquee doubleheader on the second day of the fourth annual Urban Invitational presented by the U.S. Army at the MLB Urban Youth Academy.

Luckily, despite forecasts calling for heavy precipitation, the rain didn't come until the eighth inning of the second game and the day's events carried on mostly as planned with several former big leaguers in attendance to help mark the biggest day of the three-day tournament that aims to spotlight Historically Black Colleges and Universities by giving them national exposure.

That national exposure was certainly evident, as both of the day's games were aired live by MLB Network and MLB.com with Greg Amsinger and Harold Reynolds calling the action. And plenty of former stars were there to take part in the event such as...

Video: MLB Network wraps up day at Urban Invitational

Urban Invitational kicks off in SoCal

COMPTON, Calif. -- Cloudy skies carrying the threat of rare Southern California rain couldn't put a damper on the first day of the fourth annual Urban Invitational presented by the U.S. Army at the MLB Urban Youth Academy on Friday.

The three-day tournament, which helps spotlight Historically Black Colleges and Universities by giving them national exposure, got off to a great start even though both opening games began at 1 p.m. PT -- five hours ahead of schedule -- to avoid evening rainfall.

SCOREBOARD
Friday
Grambling State 5, Bethune Cookman 3
UC Irvine 7, Southern 1

Saturday
UC Irvine 9, Bethune Cookman 3
Grambling State 8, Southern 4

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CIAA Basketball: Livingstone 82, J.C. Smith 65

The Livingstone men’s basketball team picked up a crucial divisional victory Saturday, downing the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls 82-65 and earning the third seed out of the Southern Division for the 2011 CIAA tournament.

Trone Jackson led the Blue Bears with 17 points off the bench accompanied by Nasir Austin who scored 15 points and had five rebounds. Greg Henry was the leading scorer among the starters with 12 points to go with his seven rebounds.

Livingstone (14-11, 9-8) will open the conference tournament on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against St. Paul’s College who is the sixth seed out of the CIAA Northern Division.

Livingstone victory leaves Bulls blue

SALISBURY, N.C. - Saturday was Senior Night at Livingstone, but the Blue Bears' subs were the heroes. Livingstone's bench poured in 51 points during an 82-65 win against Johnson C. Smith at Trent Gym. Livingstone (14-11, 5-5) earned the CIAA South Division's third seed for this week's league tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena and dropped arch rival J.C. Smith (15-10, 4-6) to fourth.

"Before the game even started, coach (James Stinson) told us to come out and play 40 minutes of basketball and execute," said Livingstone reserve forward Nasir Austin, who scored 15 points with 6-for-11 shooting. "If we do that, it's easy for us to win."

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St. Jude's Williams, Marbury's Averhart headed to the SIAC

Two local football players signed to play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this week. Marbury running back Charles Averhart is headed to Stillman, and St. Jude defensive back Rashaad Williams signed with Lane College.

"I've put in a lot of hard work from my freshman season through my senior year, and it feels good to know I'm going to the next level," Averhart said. For Williams, earning a college scholarship helped fulfill a promise.

"This a dream come true," Williams said. "Before my mom passed away, this was something I promised her I would do." Williams' mother (Dionne Johnson) passed away when he was a sophomore. As the oldest of four siblings, Williams said his mother and father (Sedgwick Williams) helped mold his work ethic and attitude.

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Texas Southern Clinches Share of SWAC Title in OT Win

Normal, AL - Harrison Smith scored 19 points as Texas Southern survived blowing a 14-point lead to edge Alabama A&M, 83-78, in overtime at Elmore Building in Normal Saturday.

With the victory, the Tigers (16-10, 14-1) clinched at least a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season title. Even if TSU loses its last three games and Jackson State (11-4 SWAC) wins its last three, they would be tied. TSU swept the season series between the two and would earn the top seed in the SWAC tournament.

Tigers win eighth straight, clinch regular-season SWAC title

NORMAL, Ala. — Harrison Smith scored 19 points and Travele Jones added 18 to lead Texas Southern to an 83-78 overtime victory over Alabama A&M on Saturday night.

The Tigers (16-10, 14-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) shot 45.5 percent from the field (5 of 11), including 2 of 2 from 3-point range in the extra period en route to their eighth straight victory.

Kevin Galloway knocked down 1 of 2 free throws with 26 seconds left in regulation, tying the score at 70 and forcing overtime. Galloway finished with 10 assists.

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Videographer: bestartdoc; www.tsumurals.org
There are 123 murals by African American artists at Texas Southern University (TSU). Save the Murals initiative is underway to benefit art conservation/restoration efforts to provide for collection care needs. See more at www.tsumurals.org.

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Black History Month: The Battle Continues... Rattlers and Wildcats!

Reed, Holloman lift B-CU to win over S.C. State

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- C.J. Reed scored 20 points and Garrius Holloman had 17 as Bethune-Cookman protected its spot atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 76-72 victory over South Carolina State in the Ocean Center on Saturday.

The Wildcats (18-11, 12-3), who led by 13 points with 4:51 to play, held off a late rally by the Bulldogs (8-20, 4-11) to notch their most wins in a season since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1980.

By winning its fifth straight game and eighth in its last 10, B-CU now leads Morgan State -- a 69-63 loser at Norfolk State -- by 1 1/2 games. Morgan State has road games remaining at North Carolina A&T and Coppin State while the Wildcats have one league remaining next Thursday against Florida A&M. Monday's game with North Carolina Central doesn't count in conference standings.

Lady Bulldogs come from behind to down Bethune-Cookman

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - South Carolina State turned a four-point half-time deficit into a four-point victory as they defeated Bethune-Cookman, 64-60, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball contest at the Ocean Center. The victory is the first road win of the 2010-11 season for the Lady Bulldogs.

Bethune Cookman opened the game on a 16-2 run over the first six minutes. S.C. State then used a 14-0 run to tie the game at 16-16 with less than nine minutes remaining. The teams exchanged baskets over the next four minutes before a jumper by the Lady Wildcats' Amanda Hairston at the 4:10 mark began an 11-0 run which gave Bethune-Cookman the 34-23 lead with just over one minute remaining in the half. S.C. State closed the half with a 7-0 run to go into the locker room down by four, 34-30, at the half.

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O'Quinn's double-double sparks NSU's upset of Morgan

NORFOLK - Norfolk State has become the enigma of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Behind a 23-point, 18-rebound effort from center Kyle O'Quinn, the Spartans beat defending MEAC champion Morgan State 69-63 Saturday night at Echols Hall.

The Bears (15-11, 10-4) had rolled into Echols Hall tied for first in the MEAC in the loss column with Bethune-Cookman. But for the second time this season, they walked off the court victims of O'Quinn and a Norfolk State team that's hard to figure. Norfolk State had lost five of its previous six, but was far and away the best team on the court Saturday.

And O'Quinn was far and away the best player.



Norfolk State Upsets Lady Bears, 66-65

NORFOLK, Va. - On a day which Norfolk State honored all of its past championship teams on Alumni Day, and held its ring ceremony for its 2009-10 women's and men's cross country, indoor and outdoor championship teams, the Spartans women's basketball team played like champions as well this afternoon.

Rae Corbo scored a team-high 20 points, including four three-pointers and Rachel Gordon grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds to go with her nine points to lead Norfolk State to a 66-65 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory over visiting Morgan State on Saturday afternoon at Echols Hall.



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WSSU wins division title

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- With little coming easy for the Winston-Salem State Rams this season, it was no surprise that clinching the CIAA's Southern Division on Saturday night was hard work.

The Rams nearly let a 17-point lead slip away before holding off Fayetteville State 74-69 in front of more than 4,000 at Capel Arena. And when it was finally over, there was plenty of celebrating, especially among the veterans on the team.

"Wow, that's really all I can say," said Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams, whose team will get a top seed in this week's CIAA Tournament in Charlotte. WSSU will have a first-round bye and won't play until Thursday's quarterfinals.

Fayetteville State rally falls short against Winston-Salem State

Fayetteville State failed in an attempt to play spoiler Saturday and springboard itself into next week's CIAA Tournament with momentum. But just barely.

The Broncos clawed their way back from a 17-point second-half deficit and had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds before falling to Winston-Salem State, 74-69, before a crowd of 4,594 at Capel Arena.

Winston-Salem State guard Andrew Jackson stripped the ball with about 15 seconds to play from FSU's Sidney Evans, who appeared to be about to launch a potential game-tying 3-point shot from near the top of the circle. The play sealed the Broncos' fate and a 13-13 regular-season finish. The Rams (19-6) clinched the CIAA Southern Division and a coveted first-round bye in the CIAA Tournament.

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