Franklin helps XU Gold Nuggets end their Monday road woes

NEW ORLEANS -- SiMon Franklin scored a career-high 17 points Monday to rally NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 67-55 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against SUNO at The Castle.

The Gold Nuggets (18-7 overall, 8-1 GCAC) won for the 11th time in 13 games and maintained their half-game lead over Tougaloo in the conference.  Franklin and Brandi Young scored 10 first-half points apiece. SUNO led 17-6 through the first 6½ minutes, but Xavier gained 14 turnovers thereafter to rally for a 37-28 halftime lead.

"Monee Franklin took over the game for about six minutes and got some key buckets," Xavier coach Bo Browder said. "She's done that several times this season. We needed her to do that tonight because Jasmine Grant was out most of the game."

Young finished with 15 points, and Carmen Holcombe had 14 to match her career best.

Sabrina Scott had 15 points and eight rebounds for SUNO (11-9, 7-4), and April Perry scored 10.

It was the first time in four tries this season that Xavier won a Monday road game. The Nuggets lost at Tougaloo and William Carey the previous two Mondays and at LSU-Shreveport in November.

"All those games were winnable," Browder said. "We didn't close the deal in those losses when we could have. I've said all season that when we bring our passion and energy for 40 minutes, we're a tough out.

"Tonight we got down early but didn't get rattled. We had some nice contributions from our starters and our bench. You've got to have that to win on the road. This was a great team win."

Xavier outshot SUNO 41.4 to 37.3 percent from the floor. The Nuggets committed 19 turnovers and gained 27, 17 by steals. Young had four steals, and Franklin, Holcombe and Jazmoné Kelly had three apiece.

Kelly led all rebounders with nine, six in the second half.

Xavier will travel to Talladega, the GCAC's third-place team, for a 5 p.m. Saturday game.

BOX SCORE

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Seeking an end to hazing deaths

 Drum Major Robert Champion

(CBS News) HAZING is on no college or university's official curriculum. Yet hazing does occur with regularity on a number of campuses, and when things go wrong, it ends up in tragedy - and headlines. Our Cover Story is reported now by Tracy Smith.

CLICK HERE TO PLAY CBS VIDEO REPORT

ORLANDO, Florida - It was a half-time show worthy of the Super Bowl, when Florida A&M's legendary band, the Marching 100, took the field for a college football game last November. Just hours later, 26-year-old drum major Robert Champion lay dying in the band's bus . . . brutally beaten in an alleged hazing ritual.

Champion's senseless death sparked a national outcry over hazing . . . the same outcry as earlier last year after the hazing death of George Desdunes at Cornell . . . and in 2010 after the hazing death of Samuel Mason at Radford University . . . and in 2009 after the hazing death of Arman Partamian at Geneseo State . . . The same outcry that has come with chilling regularity every year, for decades.

Hank Nuwer, a professor at Franklin College in Indiana, has spent the past 40 years documenting every hazing death in the United States. Since 1975, he says, "there's been a death every particular year. Would I be very surprised if 2012 goes by without a death? Yes."

Nuwer says hazing is anything that is required of a newcomer by veterans in a group that you have to go through - it may be silly, demeaning or dangerous. And the record of dangerous, even deadly hazing, stretches back more than a century.

"The first verifiable incident, clearly, is 1873 at Cornell University," said Nuwer ....

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U.S. Navy Discharges 8 Sailors After Alleged Hazing Incident

Discharged Sailor Claims Alleged Hazing Was 'Roughhousing'

SEE VIDEO OF INCIDENT

SAN DIEGO, California - Eight enlisted sailors aboard the San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard have received general discharges from the Navy after being caught in a hazing incident. A young mariner requested medical attention for choking and other injuries from the ship’s doctor. The sailors were in the junior ranks and worked the flight deck and other general duties.

After starting in a new department on the ship, the sailor was involved in an incident that included wrestling, punching, choking and horsing around, according to a senior U.S. Navy official. The young man was reportedly choked out until a black out occurred and he sustained significant bruising.

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Recalling nephew, Rep. Chu says: Military hazing 'must stop'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - For Rep. Judy Chu, the Capitol Hill gathering of lawmakers calling for the Pentagon to crack down on hazing in the military was personal. 

Her nephew, Harry Lew, a 21-year-old Marine who committed suicide in Afghanistan in April, was a victim of hazing, the California Democrat said.

"This must stop," she said, calling for congressional hearings on hazing in the military. "Too many patriotic young people, who only want to serve our country, are being harmed."

Since her nephew’s death, Chu said, she has received letters from others recounting their family’s own experiences with hazing in the military. "What was even more disturbing is the fact that they felt helpless in fighting it," she said, standing by a picture of a uniformed Lew with his family.

Lew underwent three hours and 20 minutes of hazing that included having to do push-ups, crunches and other exercises while wearing full body armor, according to Chu. Fellow Marines, reportedly angry that Lew fell asleep while on watch, poured sand on his face and into his mouth and kicked him and punched him, she added.

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Munks' role expanding in Prairie View offense

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Sophomore guard Louis Munks seems to be warming up to his role as Prairie View A&M's go-to guy, again handling that responsibility against Texas Southern on Saturday.  Munks scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Panthers to a 73-67 victory at the William Nicks Building on the Prairie View campus. It was Munks' eighth consecutive game with double-digit points.

During that span, Munks has averaged 17.8 points on 44.7 percent shooting. He also shot 72.2 percent from the free-throw line.




Munks had plenty of help Saturday. Guard Ryan Gesiakowski had 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including five treys. Swingman Demondre Chapman had 13 points in 31 minutes off the bench, and guard Jourdan DeMuynck had 10 points and seven rebounds.

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North Carolina A&T Aggies Sign 18 In Initial Class

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  Rod Broadway announced his first Signing Day Class as the head football coach of North Carolina A&T, on February 1.

It is filled with future playmakers and those who will be assigned to protect them. A&T's 18-man class includes four athletes, four offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, three defensive linemen, two defensive backs, a wide receiver, tight end and linebacker.

Twelve of Broadway's signees are from the state of North Carolina, including five players from the Cape Fear Region, three players from Durham and one player from Greensboro.

"I think it's a good class, but everything is on paper right now," said Broadway. "We will find out in August just how good our class really is. But right now, I feel good about the class we've signed. I think they will help make us a better football team."

The four athletes Broadway signed are Marquis Gorham (Greenville, N.C., Rose, 5-9, 175), Anthony McMinn II (Hendersonville, N.C., Hendersonville, 6-3, 220), Tony McRae (Laurinburg, N.C., Scotland, 5-10, 170) and Kwashaun Quick (Laurinburg, N.C., Scotland, 6-2, 210).

"We need everything," said Broadway. "But we were able to get a little faster with this class. Plus, we brought in some offensive linemen to help us depth wise."

The four offensive linemen signees include Javontay Stewart (Greenville, S.C., JL Mann, 6-3, 210), Major Kay (Lincolnton, N.C., Lincoln, 6-4, 295), Lashon Hudson (Savannah, Ga., Groves, 6-4, 325) and Jahkeem Forrester (Atlanta, Ga., Mt. Zion, 6-2, 290).

The Aggies also picked up two additional quarterbacks after playing a season with their backup quarterback - Ricky Lewis - playing mostly wide receiver. Run and pass threats Dorian Belcher (Durham, N.C., Southern, 6-2, 210) and Oluwafemi Bamiro (Washington, D.C., Coolidge, 6-5, 200) will be Aggies next season.

Belcher's teammate at Southern Durham, wide receiver Darren Bullock (6-0, 180), will be a welcomed addition to Aggieland. He tallied more than 1,200 yards receiving in 2011. Tight end Joel Watson (Four Oaks, N.C., South Johnston, 6-6, 240) rounds out the offensive side of the ball for A&T.

A&T's defensive line received help on Wednesday as Marquis Ragland (Fayetteville, N.C., Seventy-First, 6-3, 246), Marcus Raynor (Fayetteville, N.C., Cape Fear, 6-2, 275) and Thaddeus "TJ" Terrell (Greensville, S.C., JL Mann, 6-4, 250) signed with the Aggies. Reggie Prince (Durham, 6-0, 175) was the third Southern Durham Spartan to sign with A&T. He is listed as a defensive back. Landis Shoffner (6-0, 158), an All-Area honorable mention selection out of Greensboro Grimsley, will join Prince in the secondary.

Linebacker Angelo Keyes (Kinston, N.C., Kinston, 6-0, 225) rounds out the class. He led the Vikings to the Class 2A state championship game in 2011.

2012 A&T SIGNING DAY CLASS

Oluwafemi Bamiro, Quarterback, 6-5, 200, Washington, D.C./Coolidge H.S.

Bamiro led his team to an 8-2 record and a berth in the DCIAA Turkey Bowl (city championship game) in 2011...In the game, Bamiro completed 9 of 22 passes, for 159 passing yards and he threw a 30-yard touchdown pass...Bamiro was named to the DCSportsFan.com second team and was an all-district performer in 2011...As a senior, Bamiro threw for 1,429 yards and 18 touchdowns on 79-for-154 passing...He also rushed for 143 yards and five touchdowns on 55 attempts...Played under Natalie Randolph, who is believed to be the only female in the country coaching a high school varsity football team.



Dorian Belcher, Quarterback, 6-2, 210, Durham, N.C./Southern

Dual threat quarterback who rushed or passed for 36 touchdowns during his senior season...Threw for 2,105 and rushed for 633 yards for the Spartans...Also served as the Spartans' punter and netted 40 yards per punt...As a safety, Belcher intercepted three passes...Threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns against Dunbar.



Darren Bullock, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 180, Durham, N.C./Southern

As a senior, Bullock scored 11 touchdowns, including one punt return, and totaled more than 1,200 receiving yards, becoming the first receiver in Southern Durham history to have a 1,000-yard season...Bullock was named to the PAC Six All-Conference team in 2011...Won the WR MVP award and was named to the All-Camp Team in the Durham Nike Football Training Camp in 2011...As a junior in 2010, recorded 42 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns...Earned team MVP honors three times and was an excellent baseball player for the Spartans.



Jahkeem Forrester, Offensive Lineman, 6-2, 280, Mt. Zion/Atlanta, Ga.

Forrester was considered the most improved player on his Mt. Zion team and graded out the highest of any offensive lineman throughout the 2011 season...Also competed in track and field where he threw the discus and shot put...Forrester earned Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community presented by Russell Athletic for the week of Oct. 24, 2011...The Captain in the Community program recognizes outstanding high school football student-athletes from the state of Georgia.



Marquis Gorham, Athlete, 5-9, 175, Greenville, N.C./Rose

Outstanding athlete who could play multiple roles for the Aggies...As a senior, he was named All-County Special Teams Player of the Year after he returned 21 kickoffs for 751 yards and four touchdowns...Gorham was also an All-State kickoff and punt returner...Gorham's longest return of the season was a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown...Returned eight punts for 115 yards and a touchdown...His longest return was 51 yards...His other accolades include being named first-team All-Mideastern Conference and first-team All-Pitt County...Rushed for 390 yards and four touchdowns on 48 carries in 2011...Also made 39 catches for 832 yards and nine touchdowns...Defensively, he made 17 tackles, returned two interceptions for 92 yards and a touchdown and he broke up four passes....Named team captain and team MVP in 2011.



Lashon Hudson, Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 325, Savannah, Ga./Groves

Has the tools to be an excellent offensive lineman at North Carolina A&T...Has a combination of quickness and strength...Made nine tackles as a defensive lineman at Groves High School...Also competed in track and field in the shot put.

Major Kay, Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 295, Lincolnton, N.C./North Lincoln

Named to the NCPreps.com 2A All-State Preseason team as a senior...Played left tackle, and served as a blocker on punt situations...He comes off the ball with speed and power...He should be a nice addition to the Aggies offensive line.



Angelo Keyes, Linebacker, 6-0, 225, Kinston, N.C./Kinston

Led the Kinston Vikings to the Class 2A state championship game...Made a total of 20 tackles in the title game with 10 of them being solo...Was named Eastern Plains Conference Defensive Player of the Year after totaling 140 tackles (74 solo)...Also named first-team all-conference and the Kinston Free Press named him to its first team...Earned team MVP honors at the end of the season.



Anthony McMinn II, Athlete, 6-3, 220, Hendersonville, N.C./Hendersonville

McMinn was an all-conference selection his senior year, and carried the ball 95 times for 645 yards and 11 touchdowns...He had 60 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups, five fumble recoveries and a touchdown on the defensive end...Ranked 108th in the state of North Carolina...Played H-back, fullback and tight end for Hendersonville...Also plays basketball, and has helped his team to an 18-0 start in 2011-12...His father, the Rev. Anthony McMinn, played football at Lees-McRae College, and his sister, Morgan, played basketball at Clemson University.

Tony McRae, Athlete, 5-10, 170, Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland County

McRae led his team to a 15-0 record and a No. 1 ranking in the state (N.C.) and the Class 4A Championship title...McRae ran for 96 yards and three touchdowns in the title game against New Bern High School....Earned honorable mention all-conference honors...Named to the 2011 All-Cape Fear Region team by the Fayetteville Observer.



Reggie Prince, Defensive Back, 6-0, 175, Durham, N.C./Southern

Prince earned a PAC 6 all-conference selection as a senior in 2011...Played defensive back and was a kick return specialist...Made 30 tackles, broke up eight passes and intercepted three in 2011...Also plays basketball for Southern.



Kwashaun Quick, Athlete, 6-2, 210, Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland

Named to the 2011 Shrine Bowl, game that features the best high school players from North Carolina against the best from South Carolina...Led his team to a 15-0 record and the Class 4A state title in 2011...Scotland was also ranked No. 1 in the state (N.C.)...Earned Cape Fear Region Player of the Year honors and named first-team All-Region in 2011.



Marquis Ragland, Defensive Lineman, 6-3, 246, Fayetteville, N.C./Seventy-First

Named first-team Mid-South all-conference on defense...Earned second-team honors as an offensive player.



Marcus Raynor, Defensive Lineman, 6-2, 275, Fayetteville, N.C./Cape Fear

Averaged 4.5 tackles and three sacks per game...Named second-team All-Mid South Conference in 2011...Finished his senior season with 52 tackles.

Landis Shoffner, Defensive Back, 6-0, 158, Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley

Named to the 2011 All-Metro Class 4A all-conference team as a defensive back...Earned honorable mention on the All-Area team during his senior season.

Javontay Stewart, Offensive Lineman, 6-3, 310, Greenville, S.C./JL Mann

Named second-team All-Region II in Class 4A as a senior...Excellent blocker with an attitude and a willingness to block down field...Joins teammate Thaddeus Terrell as a 2012 North Carolina A&T signee.

Thaddeus "TJ" Terrell, Defensive End, 6-4, 250, Greenville, S.C./JL Mann

Played in the prestigious Shrine Bowl, a football game that features the best high school players from South Carolina against the best from North Carolina...His school went from a Class 3A school to a 4A school during his senior season...Finished the 2011 season with 65 tackles, 10 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries...One of his interceptions was returned for a touchdown...He was a two-time all-conference performer, and committed to North Carolina A&T after earning a spot on the All-Region II 4A first team....Played under head coach Brian Strickland.



Joel Watson, Tight End, 6-6, 240, Four Oaks, N.C./South Johnston

Played varsity football under Shane Dular...Caught 21 passes for 279 yards during the 2011 season...Four of his receptions went for touchdowns...Had 55 yards receiving and a touchdown on three receptions against Northern Nash on Sept. 17, 2011...Made four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown against Triton on Nov. 5, 2011...Earned Eastern Carolina Class 3A all-conference honors in the fall.

Courtesy: North Carolina A&T State University Sports Information

Fort Valley State (Ga.) Releases 2012 Football Schedule

FORT VALLEY, Georgia – The Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Department of Athletics has released the ten-game 2012 football schedule. The schedule includes four home games at Wildcat Stadium, five games on the road, and a return to A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia for the 23rd Annual Fountain City Classic.

The Wildcats open the season on Saturday, September 1st against region rival, the Statesmen of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. The game is a return match between the teams that met last season on the FVSU campus.

On Saturday, September 8th, the Wildcats are on the road again for another regional match-up when they meet the Blazers of Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.

The first home game for the Wildcats is a conference contest against the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University on Saturday, September 15th in Wildcats Stadium. The following weekend, FVSU is at home again when they face conference foe Benedict College.

The two-game home stand for the Wildcats ends on Saturday, September 29th when FVSU travels to Tuskegee, Alabama for a conference bout with the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University.

The Wildcats begin the month of October with two home games. The first, on October 6th, is against the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University. The second is Homecoming 2012 when the Wildcats host Concordia College Hornets on Saturday, October 13th. The Wildcats conclude the month with two road games. On October 20th, FVSU will be in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for conference play against Stillman College. On October 27th, it’s on to Atlanta, Georgia for a meeting with the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College in B.T. Harvey Stadium.

The Wildcats will conclude the regular season on Saturday, November 3rd in the Fountain City Classic when they meet the Golden Rams of Albany State University.

Those wishing to reserve tickets for the 2012 season can contact the FVSU Cashier’s Office at 478-825-6433 or go to the following link on FVSU’s website: http://www.wildcatticketoffice.com.



Fort Valley State University 2012 Football Schedule

DATE Opponent Location Time

Sept. 01, 2012 Delta State University Cleveland, MS TBA
Sept. 08, 2012 Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA TBA
Sept. 15, 2012 CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY * FORT VALLEY, GA 6:00 PM
Sept. 22, 2012 BENEDICT COLLEGE* FORT VALLEY, GA 6:00 PM
Sept. 29, 2012 Tuskegee University* Tuskegee, AL 6:00 PM

Oct. 06, 2012 KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY* FORT VALLEY, GA 6:00 PM
Oct. 13, 2012 CONCORDIA COLLEGE FORT VALLEY, GA 2:00 PM (Homecoming)
Oct. 20, 2012 Stillman College* Tuscaloosa, AL TBA
Oct. 27, 2012 Morehouse College* Atlanta, GA 2:00 PM
Nov. 03, 2012 ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY* Columbus, GA 2:00 PM (23rd Annual Fountain City Classic)
Nov. 10, 2012 SIAC Championship Atlanta, GA TBA

*-Denotes SIAC Contest
Home Games in all caps

Courtesy: Fort Valley State University Office of Sports Information

Scores That Matters!!

February 4, 2012

MENS BASKETBALL

OVC
Tennessee State 75, SE Missouri State 72

GCAC
Tougaloo 69, Dillard 44
Southern-New Orleans 76, Talladega 71

SWAC
Mississippi Valley State 70, Alabama State 58
Prairie View A&M 73, Texas Southern 67
Alcorn State 57, Jackson State 46
Southern 57, Grambling State 53
Arkansas Pine Bluff 81, Alabama A&M 75

MEAC
North Carolina Central 78, Florida A&M 61
Delaware State 67, Norfolk State 50
Savannah State 73, South Carolina State 60
Bethune-Cookman 92, North Carolina A&T 79
Maryland Eastern Shore 78, Howard 65
Coppin State 88, Morgan State 86

SIAC
Benedict 59, Clark Atlanta 58
Morehouse 64, Claflin 62
Kentucky State 76, Miles 72
Stillman 93, Fort Valley State 82
Albany State 69, Tuskegee 63

CIAA
St. Augustine's 62, Fayetteville State 59
Winston Salem State 74, Livingstone 54
Virginia Union 69, Elizabeth City State 63
Shaw 95, Johnson C. Smith 76
Virginia State 60, Chowan 58

OTHERS
Wiley 62, Langston OK 61
Barber-Scotia 54, Allen SC 44
Paul Quinn 65, Huston-Tillotson 51
Southern Poly GA 98, Morris SC 57
Texas Wesleyan 86, Jarvis Christian 80
Montreat NC 89, Point Ga. 66


WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

OVC
S.E. Missouri State 50, Tennessee State 30

GCAC
Tougaloo 73, Dillard 61
Talladega 73, Southern-New Orleans 60

SWAC
Mississippi Valley 65, Alabama State 50
Prairie View A&M 53, Texas Southern 45
Alabama A&M 61, Arkansas Pine Bluff 55
Jackson State 76, Alcorn State 55
Grambling State 60, Southern 59

MEAC
Florida A&M 102, North Carolina Central 66
Howard 49, Maryland Eastern Shore 36
Coppin State 80, Morgan State 77
Norfolk State 84, Delaware State 66
North Carolina A&T 63, Bethune-Cookman 60 O.T.
South Carolina State 55, Savannah State 48

SIAC
Clark Atlanta 68, Benedict 65
Fort Valley State 77, Stillman 66
Miles 64, Kentucky State 62
Tuskegee 70, Albany State 68  O.T.

CIAA
Winston Salem State 82, Livingstone 68
Fayetteville State 64, St. Augustine's 62
Johnson C. Smith 68, Shaw 66
Virginia Union 60, Elizabeth City State 44
Virginia State 66, Chowan 46

OTHERS
Allen SC 68, Barber-Scotia 57
Paul Quinn 68, Huston-Tillotson 61
Southern Poly 82, Morris SC 61
Langston OK 65, Wiley 59
Harris-Stowe State MO 61, St. Stephens MO 47
Montreat NC 82, Point GA 53
Daemen NY 86, Wiberforce OH 65
Florida Memorial 71, Northwood FL 61

Shaw beats J.C. Smith, takes sole lead of CIAA South

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -  Shaw's Bears are all alone atop the CIAA South.

Shaw, ranked 14th in Division II, rolled by J.C. Smith 95-76 Saturday at Brayboy Gym in a first-place showdown that was decided in the first half. The Bears (18-2, 4-0) ran wild in the opening half with Division I Binghamton transfer Malik Alvin facilitating Shaw's attack going off for a season-high 36 points on 14-of-20 shooting. Forward Karron Johnson added 18 points and Tony Smith chipped in 14 for the Bears in handing J.C. Smith (10-10, 3-1) its worst loss of the season.

"We did some things we wanted to do over the last three days of practice we felt could affect them, but they're always prepared," Shaw coach Cleo Hill Jr. said. "We just happened to have our night against them tonight."

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Jaguars beat XU Nuggets, but Howell breaks through at No. 1

KOURNEY HOWELL
5'-5" Sophomore
Major: Biology/Pre-Medical
Hometown: Cypress, Texas
Transferred from: U.S. Naval Academy
Cypress Woods High School

MOBILE, Ala. -- Sophomore Kourtney Howell scored the first dual-match point of the season for Xavier University of Louisiana's women's tennis team, but South Alabama earned a 6-1 victory Saturday.

It was the second loss in less than 24 hours for the Gold Nuggets (0-3) as they begin their spring semester with five consecutive NCAA Division I opponents. But Howell, after splitting sets against the No. 1 singles players of Tulane and New Orleans, broke through against USA's Chané Hines, a senior and a three-time South African national champion.

Howell defeated Hines 6-1, 2-6, 1-0 (10-5). Xavier had dropped 12 straight No. 1 singles matches against NCAA D-I opponents since April 17, 2010.

"Kourtney's win was huge for her because it was her third straight three-set match," XU coach Alan Green said.

Xavier didn't win any other sets and collected just two games in three doubles matches, but Green also cited senior Ashley McGill, a 6-2, 6-4 loser to Veronika Kalugina at No. 6 singles.

"I was extremely proud of Kourtney and Ashley," Green said. "Everyone played hard, but those two stood out. We faced another tough opponent, but we played better than we did yesterday (in a 9-0 home loss to New Orleans). We're taking baby steps."

South Alabama is 2-0.

Both Xavier teams will visit Prairie View A&M in 3 p.m. duals Friday.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Savannah State Announces 2012 Football Recruiting Class

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Eighteen student-athletes have signed letters of intent to play football at Savannah State University, head coach Steve Davenport announced at a February 1, press conference in the Tiger Arena multipurpose room.

The incoming class is balanced with nine offensive players and nine defensive players.

Four of the offensive players are linemen. SSU inked a pair of quarterbacks and running backs and one wide receiver. On the defensive side of the ball, three players are linemen and three are linebackers, two are cornerbacks and one is a safety.

Ten of the signees come from the high school ranks while six are junior college players and two are transferring from FBS programs.

The newest Tigers hail from ten states as far north as New York, as far south as Florida and as far west as Louisiana. Five come from the Peach state while four are from Alabama, two from Florida and New York, Texas, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland and Louisiana have one each.

SSU 2012 Football Recruiting Class

Darius Allison LB 6-1 205 Brentwood, N.Y./Nassau CC
JUCO: All Conference 1st team North East Conference (Nassau CC) Two-time Conference player of the week. H.S.: All-City Long Island, New York Brentwood High school, Old Spice Player of the Year 2010.
Allison Highlights (VIDEO)

Trevion Ashford LB 6-0 190 Acworth, Ga./Etowah HS
HS: 1st team All-County, 59 tackles, 12 tfls, 2 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT

Will Broadbent DL 6-1 295 San Antonio, Tex./EarlWarren HS
HS: 48 tackles, 15 tfls, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack. Two-Time 1st Team All-District.
Broadbent Highlights (VIDEO)

Caleb Freeman OL 6-3 300 Arlington, Ga./Georgia Military
JUCO: Two-year starter

Percy Griffin OL 6-3 300 Tallahassee, Fla./Godby HS
HS: Recorded 25 pancake blocks his senior season. He was selected to play in the Georgia/Florida Border Wars All-Star game. Griffin Highlights (VIDEO) (VIDEO 2)

Roosevelt “Tre” Isom WR 6-4 210 Augusta, Ga./Westside HS
HS: Named 2010 Team Offensive Player of the Year. Led the team in receptions… Was the recipient of the Scholar-Athlete of the Week award. Lettered in track, basketball, and football. Member of the National Honor Society. Isom Highlights (VIDEO)

Ronald Johnson DL 6-3 310 Detroit, Mich./Fond Du Lac CC
JUCO: All-State, All Conference, All-Region, 73 tackles, 30 tfls, 4 forced fumbles, nine sacks, and 3 FG blocks. HS: All-State Offensive Lineman

Chris Jones DL 6-5 330 Jacksonville, Fla./Univ. of Illinois
COLL: Most Improved Linemen 2011

Javon Moore CB 6-2 170 Union, N.J./Globe CC
JUCO: All-State, 10 interceptions, 20 tackles, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown. Third in the State in interceptions (New York). HS: All-State, First Team All-Conference, Most Valuable Player.
Moore Highlights (VIDEO)

Isaiah Nearor RB 5-9 190 Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming HS
COLL: Redshirted at University of Cincinnati. HS: rushed for 1067 yards and recorded 17 touchdowns. First Team Southwest Ohio, Second Team District on Defense.

Leon Prunty QB 6-4 220 Stockbridge, Ga./Stockbridge HS
HS: Played in the Georgia East/West All-Star Game. Prunty Highlights (VIDEO)

Keimon Sanders OL 6-4 300 Ronoake, Ala./Handley HS

Marquis Smith LB 6-4 220 Indian Head, MD/Henry E. Lackey HS
HS: All-County 1st Team, Defensive Player of the Year…137 tackles…Led the State of Maryland in tackles, 4 INTs, 2 PBU’s, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles. Received offer from Old Dominion University.

Somali Smith CB 5-10 180 Birmingham, Ala./Iowa Central CC
HS: 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU, 1 INT. All-Metro Birmingham, 68 tackles, 9 INT
Smith Highlights (VIDEO)

Dominique Stallworth OL 6-5 290 Brunswick, Ga./Brunswick HS

Jacob Thomas S 6-1 185 Birmingham, Ala./Jackson-Olin HS

HS: 78 Tackles, 4 Interceptions, 14 Pass Deflections....61 Punts 2722 Yards, 44.6 Yard Average

Thomas Highlights (VIDEO).

Hunter Vaughn QB 6-2 185 Robertsdale, Ala./Robertsdale HS

HS: Finished his senior season with 1761 passing yards and 15 passing touchdowns… Rushed for 403 yards and five touchdowns… Named to the AB Honor Roll. Vaughn Highlights (VIDEO).

Johnell Wortham RB 6-2 220 Saint Rose, La.
JUCO: Was named NJCAA Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 19 2011 we he recorded 14 carries for 294 yards, and seven catches for 95 yards. Wortham Highlights (VIDEO).

Courtesy: Savannah State University Sports Information

Second Half Run Gives TSU 75-72 Victory over SEMO

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri - Tennessee State overcame an eight point second half deficit and outscored Southeast Missouri by 10 points in the second half to seal a 75-72 victory over the Redhawks at the Show Me Center.

Trailing by eight early in the second half, The Tigers (15-10, 8-4 Ohio Valley) battled back with a 10-5 run to tie the game. From there, SEMO (12-11, 7-4 OVC) took brief leads, but TSU used a strong run in the final seven minutes to seal their fifth consecutive win.

The 15th victory was the most under third-year head Coach John Cooper. TSU is now just one win away from securing a winning season for the first time since 1995-96.

Offensively, TSU shot 42 percent (25-of-59) from the field, despite being out-rebounded 49-to-35. The Tigers managed 10 steals and forced 17 turnovers. TSU had only five miscues and dished out seven assists.

Robert Covington pulled in his 17th career double-double with a game-best 23 points and 13 rebounds. The junior from Bellwood, Ill., picked up four steals and shot 9-of-17 from the field in 31 minutes. Covington has now scored double-figure points in 24 straight games.

Kellen Thornton tied a season-high knocking down 15 points and pulling in six rebounds in 25 minutes. Kenny Moore reached 11 points with two rebounds.

Jordan Cyphers inked nine points, making all five free throw attempts. M.J. Rhett and Patrick Miller each added six points. Rhett pulled in six rebounds and a career-high three blocks. Miller dished out three assists alongside teammate Wil Peters.

Tennessee State trailed 35-30 at the halftime intermission. The Tigers were out-rebounded 29-to-15 and shot just 38 percent (12-of-32) from the field. Kenny Moore led TSU with nine points, while Covington had six points. SEMO's Corey Wilford led the team with 10 points.

To start the game the two teams went back and forth at nine points. Covington notched a basket and Moore hit two consecutive treys to give the Tigers a 19-9 lead with 10:59 remaining in the first half.

The Tigers stretched their lead to 25-16 when Southeast Missouri then proceeded on a 19-to-5 run to close the half. For the final 3:47, Tennessee State was held scoreless.

In the second half, Tennessee State started an 11-to-5 run and took a 41-40 lead with 15:51 on the clock. However, the Redhawks used a 12-6 run to stretch the advantage to 52-47.

Tennessee State tied the game at 58 with Covington free throw at 6:51. TSU then added four points to take a 62-58 lead at 5:07.

A Covington dunk at 3:20 extended TSU's lead to 66-58. SEMO answered with a Corey Wilford triple, his fourth of the game, to make it a 66-61 contest.

The Tigers stretched a lead to 69-61, but Lucas Nutt hit a basket with less than a minute to pull within three.

On the very next possession, Rhett made a layup and connected on the and-one to put TSU up 72-66. From there, it was another three free throws for TSU that sealed the win 75-72.

Tennessee State visits No. 9/10 Murray State in a one versus two battle on Thursday, Feb. 9. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information

Strong First Half Leads Howard to 13-point Win Over UMES

CHEYENNE CURLEY-PAYNE
5'-5" GUARD, JUNIOR
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
EASTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- The Howard Women's basketball team forced Maryland-Eastern Shore into 25 turnovers as the Lady Bison rolled passed the Hawks 49-36. With the win, HU improves to an overall 16-7 mark including 8-2 in MEAC play.

Zykia Brown and Saadia Doyle combined for 22 out of 32 first half points. Doyle finished with 12 points, 11 boards, and five steals. Tamoria Holmes tallied 12 points. Cheyenne Curley-Payne had a solid game with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 27 minutes of action.

To start the first half, UMES instantly took a 7-0 lead within the first three minutes of regulation. Doyle ended the Hawk's run with a shot at the charity stripe.

From there, HU went on a 6-0 run to cut it to 7-6 at the 15:38 mark.

Curley-Payne came down in transition and scored a layup at the 12:36 mark to give the Lady Bison their first advantage of the night at 11-9. HU picked up the intensity and proceeded to go on a 15-7 run to spread its advantage to eight by the 3:55 mark.

Howard took its largest spread of the half, 32-21, off a pair at the line by Doyle with just over a minute left in the first 20 minutes. HU went into the lockerroom ahead 32-23.

Coming back from halftime break, Curley-Payne hit a bucket in the paint that gave HU an 11 point spread, 34-23. Howard continued to attack, as Holmes instantly hit a jumper in the lane to push the advantage, 36-23.

By the 10:37 mark, HU captured its widest margin of the match at 17 points, 42-25. Howard managed to hold UMES to just two points in a seven-plus minute span.

It was no coming back for the Eagles as the Bison maintained their comfortable lead to complete the contest with a 49-36 victory.

Chelsea Sanders recorded a team-best for UMES with 11 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes of action. Shanyce Stewart pitched in with a team-best eight off the glass.

Howard will return to the hardwood to face Morgan State in Baltimore, Md. on Mon, Feb 6. The contest is slated for 5:30 p.m.

Follow Coach G's fan page on facebook to get a behind the scenes look at the team as they make their push toward the Big Dance: www.facebook.com/NikiGeckeler.

BOX SCORE

Written by: Julee O'Neal, W. Basketball, Broadcast Journalism '13

Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
VISIT: HOWARD-BISON
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Texas Southern Tigers Sign 14 Players

HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern’s new football head coach has signed his first class as a Tiger.  Head coach Darrell Asberry signed 14 players so far, and he says they will be expected to play now.

“We are bringing in a good group of kids both academically and athletically,” said Asberry. “We believe they will fit in with the nucleus of players we already have. These are not red-shirt players; they will be expected to contribute right now.”



Here is a breakdown of the new Tigers. Eight of the 14 recruits are from Texas. Four are from the Houston area. We have 10 offensive players and three defensive players.

We will update this list as more recruits become available.

Texas Southern 2012 Football Signees

Rudofo “Rudy” Alonzo 5-9 185 RB Corpus King H.S. (TX)
Zach Bamijoko 6-0 247 LB Elkins H.S. (TX)
Darius Callies 5-11 180 WR Edna H.S. (TX)
Brandon Charles 6-3 290 OL Lake Dallas H.S. (TX)
Zachary Faires 6-3 220 TE Edinburg H.S. (TX)
Justice Jones 6-0 185 QB Patterson H.S. (LA)
Elston Lane Jr. 6-0 190 WR Miami Northwestern (FL)
Derrick McWilliams 6-3 260 DE New Mexico Military Institute (NM) / Houston, TX)
Jarius Moore 5-11 220 LB Northshore H.S. (TX)
Jaquaa Peters 5-10 180 WR Pearl River CC (MS)
Frederick Plummer 6-0 190 WR Coahoma CC (MS)
Billy Rosenberg 6-5 230 TE Memphis Raleigh Egypt H.S. (TN)
Darius Taylor 6-3 290 OL Northshore H.S. (TX)
Daryl Jones, Jr 5-9 185 RB Callaway HS (MS)

Texas Southern University Tentative 2012 Football Schedule (.pdf)

TSU/Houston Dynamo BBVA Compass Stadium LIVE Webcam

Texas Southern Football Assistant Coaches

Carl Roberts – Asst. head coach/Offensive line
Greg Johnson – Assoc. head coach/Co-Defensive coord. & Cornerbacks
Kevin Ramsey- Co-Defensive coordinator
David Geralds - Defensive line
Greg Ruffin - Tight Ends/Recruiting coordinator
Grailyn Pratt - Quarterbacks
TC Taylor - Wide receivers
Lewis Tillman - Running backs
TBA - Linebackers

Courtesy: Texas Southern University Sports Information
VISIT: TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
VISIT: TEXASSOUTHERNTIGERS

Southern alum Williams says Hall of Fame vote ‘truly humbling’

ST. LOUIS, Missouri - On most Sundays, you can find former Southern defensive back Aeneas Williams standing behind the podium of The Spirit Church in St. Louis, where he has been its pastor since its inception. If the votes go his way on Saturday, Williams will find himself standing behind another podium in August. In Canton, Ohio.

Williams is one of 12 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2012. It is significant on a couple of fronts. He is a testament to hard work and a rock-solid faith, both of which he credits for having a 14-year career with the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams.

And if Williams makes the Hall he will represent an ever dwindling pool of players from the Southwestern Athletic Conference who have gone to the NFL and had standout careers. For the foreseeable future, it is Williams and former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan -- a Texas Southern alumnus -- who should be a first-ballot hall of famer.



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Xavier Gold Rush beat Privateers 6-3 for first victory against UNO

ZACH TAYLOR

NEW ORLEANS -- Zach Taylor rallied for a three-set victory against Hossam Meligy to clinch Xavier University of Louisiana's 6-3 men's victory Friday against the University of New Orleans at City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center.

It was the first victory ever for the Gold Rush (1-1), ranked ninth in the NAIA, against the Privateers (0-1).

UNO's women defeated Xavier 9-0.

Taylor defeated Meligy 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 singles to give the Gold Rush a 5-2 lead. Loic Didavi, Steffen Giles-Osborn and Amir Rahbar also won in singles for Xavier.  



LOIC DIDAVI

"This was a great win for our guys," XU coach Alan Green said. "I was proud of the way they fought and competed. It's good to beat UNO after all these years of losing to them as a coach and as a player."

Didavi and Taylor scored the first point of the dual with their 8-4 victory at No. 1 singles against Meligy and Yoshikazu Ysa. Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson gave the Rush a 2-1 lead with an 8-6 victory at No. 3 doubles against Dominik Kardell and Rohit Chivukula. 



UNO's women (1-0) won every match against Xavier (0-2) for the second straight year. The Gold Nuggets' best shot at a point came at No. 1 singles, but the Privateers' Marta Sans rallied for a 1-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-4) victory against Kourtney Howell. XU's Amanda Materre lost 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) to Juliet Labarthe at No. 3, but no other XU singles player won more than one game.

KOURTNEY HOWELL

"Our women still have some work to do," Green said. "They've got to keep fighting. I saw some improvement in doubles, but we still have to get a lot better."

The Gold Nuggets will travel to South Alabama for an 11 a.m. Saturday dual. The next Gold Rush match will start at 3 p.m. next Friday at Prairie View A&M.

Results: Men Women

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Nationally-Ranked Players Lift Xavier Past UNO in Men's Tennis Dual

NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans men's tennis team dropped their season opener on Friday evening, falling 6-3 to crosstown foe Xavier at City Park.

STEFFEN GILES-OSBORN

Nationally-ranked singles' and doubles' players made their mark throughout the lineup for XULA (1-1), accounting for five of the squad's six victories on the day for a Gold Rush program that produced its first-ever victory over UNO.

XULA started off play by claiming 2 of 3 doubles' matches against the three debuting UNO doubles tandems.

At the No. 1 position, No. 46 ranked Loic Didavi and Zach Taylor fended off UNO's Yoshikazu Ysa and Hossam Meligy 8-4. The No. 21 duo of Sean Richardson and Steffen Giles-Osborn held on for an 8-6 win over Dominik Kardell and Rohit Chivukula at No. 3.

The lone Privateer victory in doubles' play came at the No. 2 position where Ricardo Campos and David Malmgren downed unranked Viktor Svoboda and Corey Huggins 8-6.

Trailing 2-1 with six singles' matches slated, UNO got a win at the No. 3 position as Ysa claimed a 6-3, 6-0 result over Huggins to knot the team score at 2-all.

XULA broke the tie over the next few minutes with wins by a pair of top 15 NAIA singles' players. The No. 7 ranked Didavi bested Campos 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 1 court with No. 13 Giles-Osborn defeating Kardell 7-6 (4), 6-3 at No. 5.

UNO would have its chances to win the dual as the remaining three matches reached a third set.

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Alcorn Braves' Riley has no regrets on college move

Former Provine coach won big in high school but now dealing with growing pains in Lorman

LORMAN, Mississippi  -  Luther Riley traded the bright-city lights and a powerhouse high school basketball program for the dark country roads and a struggling Southwestern Athletic Conference squad. So, 10 months in, how's the former Provine and current Alcorn State coach feel about that decision?

"I enjoy it. I love it and I wouldn't trade it for the world," he said.  Well then.

Riley returns to Jackson today, when his Braves (4-16, 2-7 SWAC) meet Jackson State (5-16, 3-6) at 5:30 p.m. in the Athletics and Assembly Center. Two struggling teams will battle to remain out of the league cellar. After all, nobody wants those dreaded No. 7 or 8 seeds in the SWAC Tournament.

But the real story line is Riley, the 39-year-old who won four state championships in his dozen years at Provine. He won 290 games with the Rams - or 24 a year. He led Provine to seven title games in his last nine years.

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An unlikely journey: Howard Bison Tracy White started out in St. Stephen and ended up at the Super Bowl

#58 TRACY WHITE,
LINEBACKER, 6'- 0" 230
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - During Super Bowl media day this week, Tracy White was interviewed by somebody named "Pick Boy", a character on the kids' TV network Nicktoons.

"It's my first time," White said of the wild scene at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. "It's kind of crazy."



Crazy is one word to describe the NFL career of White, a nine-year veteran who has played for five different teams. Despite making the playoffs in seven of his nine seasons, White will make his Super Bowl debut on Sunday when the Patriots face the New York Giants.

Not bad for a kid who grew up in St. Stephen, starred in football and wrestling at Timberland High School and nearly joined the Army before his one scholarship offer -- from Howard University -- came through. 

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