Allen’s Last Second Shot Lifts TSU Past JSU in Overtime

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE --- In a game that came down to the final seconds, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team came away with a, 78-76, overtime win against Jacksonville State Saturday night in the Gentry Center.

Tennessee State (4-11, 1-1 OVC) overcame a double-digit deficit to pick up its first OVC win of the season and second straight victory at home.

For the first time this season, TSU had five players to score in double-figures led by Chelsea Hudson’s 30 points and eight rebounds. Jayda Johnson scored 11 while Rachel Allen, Brianna Lawrence and Alana Morris each finished with 10 points.

Jacksonville State (4-12, 0-3 OVC) was led in scoring by Destany McLin’s 24 points and nine rebounds while Candace Morton added 20 points and eight rebounds. Gia Banks tallied 11 for JSU.

After getting off to a slow offensive start, TSU outscored JSU 10-4 to knot the score at 14-all. The Gamecocks, however, answered with a run to regain the lead, 21-14 at the 9:51 mark.

TSU suffered another scoring drought and fell behind by double-digits with 6:07 left in the half.

Over the next several possessions the momentum shifted as TSU turned up its defensive pressure and held JSU scoreless for nearly four minutes. During the span, The Lady Tigers cut the deficit down to four points.

With 7.8 seconds on the clock Brianna Lawrence knocked down a triple from the corner to make the score, 33-31, in favor of Jacksonville State going into the break.

After both teams briefly traded buckets in the opening moments of the second half, JSU created a little distance behind an 8-2 run.

An old fashioned three-point play by Chelsea Hudson coupled with a lay-up from Alana Morris pulled TSU within two, 52-50, with 9:29 remaining.

At the 6:44 mark, TSU briefly took the lead, 57-56, following two made free-throws by Morris. JSU recaptured the advantage on the next possession and from there the teams battled.

The score was tied, 62-62, at the final media timeout. Down the stretch, TSU was trailing, 70-67, when Chelsea Hudson buried a triple from the top of the key with 46.5 seconds left.

With time winding down both teams missed their final shot attempts and the game went to overtime.

In the extra frame, TSU managed to go ahead, 74-73, after Chelsea Hudson scored in the paint. JSU answered with a bucket on its trip down the floor to make the score, 74-73, in favor of the home team.

The Gamecocks scored once again and took the lead, 74-75, before forcing the Lady Tigers to turn the ball over. After making one-of-two free-throws, JSU led, 76-74. On the ensuing possession, Brianna Lawrence hit a floater to pull TSU even.

Lawrence then forced a turnover to give possession back to the Lady Tigers. After missing two shots and hauling in two offensive boards, TSU called a timeout to draw up a play with 12 seconds left.

Out of the timeout, Rachel Allen drove to the lane and sank a short jumper with 2.7 seconds remaining.

JSU’s final shot attempt was off the mark.

Tennessee State shot 37.7 percent from the field despite only connecting 2-of-15 from long range. TSU, however, was able to make 18-of-28 from the free-throw line.

Jacksonville State shot 45.1 percent from the field, including 22.2 percent from beyond the arc while hitting 28-of-40 free-throws.

TSU held the advantage in rebounds, 44-40, points in the paint, 34-20, bench points, 25-10 and steals, 16-6.

The Lady Tigers return to action on Monday when the host the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. in the Gentry Center.

TSU vs. Jacksonville State Box

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush defense dominates in 29-point victory at Fisk

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- RJ Daniels scored 15 points, and NAIA No. 25 Xavier University of Louisiana limited Fisk to 21.8 percent from the floor in a 75-46 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory Saturday.

Xavier (11-4) allowed its fewest points ever in a GCAC opener. The field-goal percentage defense was Xavier's best in a road game since the start of the 2003-04 season and its best in a conference game since 2010.

It was the fourth time this season a Gold Rush opponent shot less than 30 percent. Xavier entered the game No. 2 in NAIA Division I in field-goal percentage defense.

Sydney Coleman had 14 points and a season-high three blocks for the Gold Rush, and Xavier Rogers produced 11 points, a career-high eight rebounds and a career-high-tying four steals. Gary Smith had a career-high tying five assists and no turnovers.

Xavier led 38-19 at halftime -- its largest
on the road since 2008 -- and by 35 points twice in the final two minutes. The Gold Rush never trailed and outscored the Bulldogs 12-2 in the first five minutes.

Daniels scored in double figures for the first time in six games and the sixth time this season. He grabbed a career-best seven rebounds. Coleman reached double figures for a team-leading 13th time.

Austin Watkins had 22 points, nine rebounds and five steals for Fisk, which was 2-0 against Xavier a year ago, and Nathan Mungo scored 10. Watkins scored 15 first-half points, but his teammates were a combined 1-of-18 from the floor in that period.

The Gold Rush shot 50.9 percent from the floor and made six 3-pointers. Xavier has won six of its last seven games, including 4-of-5 on the road.

Xavier will travel to Denmark, S.C., to play first-year GCAC member Voorhees at 7:30 p.m. EST Monday. The next Gold Rush home game will start at 5 p.m. Saturday against conference and city rival SUNO at the Convocation Center.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

Gold Nuggets win at Fisk in conference opener

After two dominating basketball victories in Puerto Rico,
the Gold Nuggets enjoyed some Christmas cheer.

ROSTER
SCHEDULE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Xavier University of Louisiana opened its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball schedule with a 50-44 victory at Fisk on Saturday.

Whitney Gaston had 10 points and a career-high three steals for the Gold Nuggets (11-5), who have won seven straight. Whitney Gathright and Danielle Tucker had nine points and six rebounds apiece, and Vinnie Briggs had seven points and six rebounds.

Gaston-Loyd scored in double figures for the seventh time this season.

Kim Cox and Rashida Ademosu scored 12 points apiece for the Lady Bulldogs (6-7, 0-1), Janine Davis scored 10, and Nacori Foreman grabbed 14 rebounds.

The Gold Nuggets led 26-16 at halftime after outscoring Fisk 13-2 in the final 7½ minutes of the period. Tucker's basket with 11:34 remaining gave Xavier its largest lead, 38-26.

Cox's 3-point play with 18 seconds remaining reduced the Nuggets' lead to 48-44, then Gathright made two free throws to close the scoring. Gathright was 4-of-4 from the line in the final 30 seconds.

Both teams struggled from the floor, with Xavier making a season-low 25.8 percent and Fisk shooting 27.7. The Nuggets committed 13 turnovers and gained 25, and both teams grabbed 44 rebounds.

The Nuggets have won 21 of their last 22 conference openers.

Xavier will travel to Denmark, S.C., to play first-year GCAC member Voorhees at 5:30 p.m. EST Monday. The Nuggets' next home game will start at 3 p.m. Saturday against conference and city rival SUNO at the Convocation Center.

 

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

January 4 - HBCU Basketball ScoreCard

NCAA DIVISION I - MEN

MEAC
Delaware State 70, Campbell 60
Hampton 87, Radford 60
Charlotte 88, North Carolina A&T 72
Auburn 81, Florida A&M 50
Towson 81, Coppin State 79
Charleston 60, Howard 50

WAC
Chicago State 57, Idaho 55

OVC
Tennessee State 70, Jacksonville State 65

SWAC
Southern 60, Prairie View A&M 57
Texas Southern 83, Alcorn State 66
Arkansas Pine Bluff 78, Mississippi Valley State 73
Alabama State 68, Grambling State 51
Alabama A&M 68, Jackson State 61

NCAA DIVISION I - WOMEN

MEAC
Howard 71, Morgan State 66
Towson 66, Coppin State 59
Savannah State 63, Maryland Eastern Shore 46

WAC 
Idaho 92, Chicago State 42

OVC
Tennessee State 78, Jacksonville State 76

SWAC
Mississippi Valley State 60, Arkansas Pine Bluff 49
Jackson State 77, Alabama A&M 70
Grambling State 66, Alabama State 63
Southern 88, Prairie View A&M 74
Texas Southern 69, Alcorn State 44

NAIA DIVISION  I

GCAC - MEN
Talladega 123, Dillard 76
Mobile 69, Tougaloo 68 O.T.
Voorhees 67, Southern - New Orleans 66
Edward Waters 84, Philander Smith 71
Xavier (La.) 75, Fisk 46

GCAC - WOMEN
Talladega 88, Dillard 55
Mobile 79, Tougaloo 55
Southern - New Orleans 76, Voorhees 63
Edward Waters 78, Philander Smith 63
Xavier (La.) 50, Fisk 44

NCAA DIVISION II - MEN

CIAA
Lincoln (Pa.) 73, Winston-Salem State 71
Livingstone 113, Virginia Union 96
Johnson C. Smith 84, Bowie State 73
Shaw 80, Chowan 57
Fayetteville State 74, Virginia State 48
Saint Augustine's 77, Elizabeth City State 74

SIAC
Tuskegee 77, Morehouse 66
Lemoyne-Owen 81, Claflin 73
Lane 91, Clark Atlanta 84
Benedict 74, Miles 68
Stillman 92, Paine 80
Fort Valley State 66, Kentucky State 55

NCAA DIVISION II - WOMEN

CIAA
Chowan 69, Shaw 64
Winston-Salem State 72, Lincoln (Pa.) 63
Livingstone 64, Virginia Union 48
Johnson C. Smith 64, Bowie State 59
Virginia State 58, Fayetteville State 53
Saint Augustine's 67, Elizabeth City State 57

SIAC
Benedict 61, Miles 50
Claflin 70, LeMoyne-Owen 63
Clark Atlanta 71, Lane 57
Paine 86, Stillman 78
Fort Valley State 87, Kentucky State 79 

VUU Football Coaching Candidates Narrowed to Four

RICHMOND, Virginia  -- Joe Taylor, Athletic Director at Virginia Union University, has said today that the search committee has narrowed the field down to four finalists for the Head Football Coach position at Virginia Union University.

The four finalists are Mark James, Alvin Parker, Herbert Parham and Orlando Mitjan.


MARK JAMES

Mark James has spent the last two seasons at Virginia Union University as coach of the defensive line and has four season overall at the collegiate level.

James has made several coaching stops along his way to Virginia Union.  He was a Head Coach for nine years at two major high schools in south Florida.  James was able to build powerhouse programs that gained national recognition for producing some of the top division I prospects and several NFL players.

In his tenure he has worked with a number of successful coaches and future and present NFL players.   His list of NFL players coached includes Patrick Simms, Louis Holmes, Stanley Mcglover, Leonard Hankerson, Major Harris, Hanik Milligan, Daryl Mcglover and Super bowl winning Josh Bynes.

He started his coaching career as a high school defensive assistant at Coconut Creek in 1997.  In 1998, James made the decision to attend Virginia Union University after transferring from University of Louisville.  Upon graduation from Virginia Union University in 2000, he returned back to the south Florida area to return to his coaching pathway.

James was the Head coach at Dillard High in 2004-2005. From 2005-2011 he was the Head coach at Boyd Anderson where James won three district championships and lead the team to become the school's all-time winningest football coach.   James has also had short stints at Norfolk State University (Linebackers) and St. Paul's College in 2011(Offensive Coordinator).  His thumb print in south Florida athletics is that he is known for placing the most players in college in an eight-year period than any other program in the state of Florida. James was a defensive lineman at University of Louisville from 1990-1993 and Virginia Union University from 1998-2000.

He earned a degree in history from VUU in 2000.   James was named the National VUU Alumni of the Year in 2007.  He earned his Masters degree in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University and is scheduled to earn his Ph.D in higher education administration in June of 2014.

James is married to Adia Middleton-James (Former two-sport athlete at VUU '99). He and his wife Adia have three children, Dane, Malik, and Mark Jr.

ALVIN PARKER

Alvin Parker  has spent the past 10 years as the director of the ECSU offense. As the leader of one of the nation's premier offensive attacks at ECSU, Parker was recognized by the NCAA as one of the top coaches on the rise by being selected for the 2010 NCAA Expert Coaches Forum. Parker also added the title of Associate Head Coach in 2011. ECSU has had 4 QB's be named to the All CIAA team, and Parker has tutored two of them (Curtis Rich, Crevan Powell)

Under his guidance, the Vikings have produced an offense that has average more than 30ppg over the last five seasons. During this time the Vikings are a whopping 35-7 in conference play. During the 2011 season the Vikings were one of ten teams who rushed for 36 Touchdowns or more on the season. The Vikings potent rushing attack was noted with the recognition of running back Daronte McNeil being selected as the conference player of the year.

In 2010 the Vikings Offense again took up more space in the record books when Sophomore Running Back Daronte McNeil became ECSU's single season rushing leader with 1321 yards. In addition there were three ECSU Runners who averaged more than five yards per carry. McNeil finished the season seventh in the nation amongst rushers. The "Multiple Attack" offense averaged 194ypg rushing on the way to setting the school record. The Viking Offense finished 2nd in pass completion percentage, 2nd in total offense, 2nd in rushing offense and 1st in sacks against. Six offensive players receive post-season honors.

In 2009 the offense finish 15th in the nation in scoring offense (35ppg), and rush for nearly 30 TD's which was amongst tops in the conference. Six members of the Vikings offense received post season honors, as the Vikings tied for 1st in the CIAA Eastern Division.

In 2008, ECSU average 32ppg while winning the CIAA Eastern Division title. Senior QB Curtis Rich led the conference in all passing categories on his way to being named 2008 Offensive Player of the Year. WR Dexter Manley led the conference in all major receiving categories and was also listed in the top 5 nationally.

Parker's 2006 Viking Offense finished second in scoring during the regular season and second in total offense on their way to the conference championship game. Behind Parker's leadership, the ECSU offense had a record breaking year in 2006, one in which saw 5 offensive players be recognized as 1st team all-conference.

Sophomore quarterback Curtis Rich had one of the best seasons for any Viking QB under Parker's guidance, he completed 52% of his passes and through 21 TD's to only 4 int's during the regular season. In 2006 Parker took an offense the featured 3 new starters on the Offensive line and propelled them into one of the top units in the country giving up only 11 sacks, that offensive line featured All-American Ronnie McClary. The Vikings Offense featured the leagues top reception leader in Marvin Jackson and the league's top scorer in Chris Carter. Both Jackson and Carter ranked in the top of all receiving categories.

A Native of Washington, D.C., Parker joined the staff of Coach Waverly Tillar in 2004 and immediately converted the Vikings offense into a "Multiple Set Offense". Success in running the multiple offense is nothing new for Parker. He came to ECSU after five seasons at Virginia Union University, where he served as offensive coordinator and running backs coach. While at Virginia Union University Parker was on the staff of Hall of Famer and the all time winningest coach in CIAA History Willard Bailey.

Parker spent five seasons at Virginia Union University, while at Virginia Union he was part of a staff that participated in the 2000, 2001, and 2003 CIAA Championship game. In the 5 years spent at Virginia Union the Panthers won 38-football games won 3 Eastern division titles, 1 CIAA title and participated in the 2001 Pioneer Bowl. Parker credits most of his football knowledge to Coach Bailey was also served as his Head Coach while Parker was a player at Virginia Union. "I have tons of respect for Coach Bailey he believed in me as a player and he also gave me my first coaching job so he also believed in me as a coach, I basically owe my entire coaching career to him".

During that time Parker coached 24 ALL-CIAA players, 4 All-Americans, and the CIAA's all time leading rusher and single season TD scorer Andre' Braxton. Braxton was named All CIAA 4 straight seasons and named the player of the year in the 2000 season. Braxton also won the 2000 Alonzo "Jake" Gaither Award for the top player in Black College football, this award is also known as the Black College Hiesman Trophy. Despite Losing Braxton, under the tutelage of Parker freshman running back Larry Edwards was recognized as first team ALL-CIAA, and the next season as a Streets and Smith pre-season All-American, in all of Parker's years at Virginia Union the Panther had a running back represented on the all conference first or second team. Parker has coached NFL players Pete Hunter (Seattle Seahawks), James Atkins (San Francisco 49er's) and Jerome Leslie (Philadelphia Eagles).

While attending Virginia Union University, Parker earned 4 varsity letters with the Panthers; he was the team captain of the 1997 and 1998 squad and was named offensive MVP in 1996 and 1998. Parker's name is still in the record book as 5th all time in single season TD scored. Parker still also holds the record for the longest TD in Gold Bowl History (79 yd TD reception).

Parker received his M.S. degree (2001) in Athletic Administration/ Sports Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, and his B.A. degree from Virginia Union University in Mass Communications (1999). Parker has one son Alan Josiah Parker.

HERBERT PARHAM

Herbert Parham has spent the past 12 seasons as a member of the Morgan State football staff. The 45-year-old Parham is the assistant head coach and run-defensive coordinator.

Parham, a longtime member of the MSU coaching staff, has put together an attacking run-defense that has become recognized as one of the most formidable in the league.

Last season, MSU was ranked among the league leaders in sacks (24; No. 4 in the MEAC), ranked No. 4 in interceptions (14), and 5th  in red zone defense. MSU cornerback Joe Rankin and linebacker Elandon Roberts were selected to the All-MEAC Second team. Rankin ranked T-1st with five interceptions, 11 pass deflections (T-4th), while Roberts recorded 107 tackles (No. 2 in the MEAC) and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the top FCS freshman.

During the 2011 season, the Bears recorded 26 sacks totaling a loss of 200 yards. In addition, MSU ranked T-6th in MEAC as one of the stiffest teams to score against in the Red Zone.

In 2010, the Bears ranked among the league leaders in interceptions (14; No. 3 in the MEAC), opponent 3rd down conversions (No. 2; 30.4%); turnover margin (27; T-No. 4) and accumulated 19 sacks for the season.

The Bears defense finished the 2009 season ranked in the top 5 in scoring defense (21.2/g), pass efficiency defense (115.3) and sacks (21). MSU was also the second-best red-zone defense in the league. Parham's defense produced four All-conference players, led by MEAC Defensive Player of the Year George Howard (LB). Howard and Justin Lawrence (DL) were also SBN Black College All-American selections.

As defensive line coach in 2008, MSU's D-line combined for 41 tackles for loss and recorded 12.5 of the team's 32 sacks. The Bears led the nation in total defense, giving up an average of just 212 yards per game, and no team gained more than 350 yards of offense against the Bears in the last two seasons. Morgan State concluded the season ranked 2nd in the nation in pass defense and 13th in rush defense.

In 2007, MSU's defensive line combined for 43.5 tackles for loss and recorded 22.5 of the team's league-best 36 sacks. The Bears finished as the league's No. 1 total defense (267.0/g; ranked No. 2 in the FCS) and also completed the season ranked No. 1 in the MEAC against the run (130.9). Defensive end Justin "J.R." Lawrence earned All-MEAC First Team honors after collecting 47 tackles and a league-best 17 tackles for loss to help the Bears become the Football Championship Series' No. 1 ranked total defense.

In addition the success of the defensive line unit, defensive end/linebacker Bryan Wilson earned first-team All-MEAC honors and was selected as a free agent by the Washington Redskins.

Under Parham's watch in 2006, MSU's D-line ranked 3rd in the MEAC with 30 sacks, while the defense led the conference in rushing defense by surrendering just 117 yards per contest. The Bears defense also recorded its first shutout victory against North Carolina A&T since 1974.

Prior to joining the Bears, Parham helped build Hampton's football program where he spent 10 years as the defensive line coach for the Pirates.

Parham is a native of Dinwiddie, VA. He was an All-Conference CIAA defensive lineman and obtained his B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice at Virginia Union University. Following his graduation, Parham proceeded to coach the defensive line for his alma mater.

A year later, Parham relocated to Hampton University, where he earned his master's degree in Agency Counseling, in addition to coaching the Pirate's defensive line.

Throughout his coaching career Parham's defensive line unit had an all-conference player for ten (10) seasons at Hampton and eight of the past nine years at Morgan State. His players have also gone to "the next level". He has coached three (3) NFL draft picks and eleven (11) free agents.

Professionally, Herbert is a 19-year member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and annually attends the AFCA Professional Series. He is currently serving on the Minority Issues Committee. He has also spoken at countless football clinics as well as organizing and directing the annual "Joe Taylor Football Camp" and "Don Hill Football Camp".

Herbert and his wife MiVida, have a son, Herbert II (13), and they reside in Abingdon, MD.

ORLANDO MITJANS, JR.

Orlando Mitjans, Jr., has spent the past three seasons as the Georgia Southern cornerbacks coach and brings with him a calm demeanor and penchant for teaching to the program.

Since arriving in Statesboro, he has already make an impact on the Eagles' cornerbacks by helping mold Laron Scott, a free agent signee of the New Orleans Saints in 2012, into a two-time All-American and Southern Conference selection. Scott finished his career with nine career interceptions and set a single-season record in 2010 with six picks.

Scott's 2010 record combined with the rest of the secondary helped formed the best Georgia Southern pass defense since 2001, when they ranked second in the FCS in 2010. The Eagles finished that season 11th in the nation under the tutelage of Mitjans.

The coaching veteran came to Georgia Southern from Tennessee State where he served as secondary coach. In 2009, the Tigers ranked as the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) leader in pass defense and finished second in the OVC in total defense. Former Tiger Anthony Levine debuted with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 after two seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

Mitjans returned to Tennessee State after four years with other programs, including a year at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn., where he was the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach.  The opportunity at Montgomery Bell Academy cut short his stay at Florida A&M where he was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach durin­g spring ball. Secondary coach at Eastern Kentucky from March of 2006 through February 2008, Mitjans helped mold a defense that produced an All-American and five All-Conference players. His secondary corps had 24 interceptions in 2007, and was the top-ranked pass defense in the OVC in 2007. The Colonels went on to win the OVC championship that year and three of his four starters were named to the OVC All-Conference team, including Derrick Huff. Huff was selected as the league's defensive player of the year and earned first-team All-America honors.

In his first stop at Tennessee State, Mitjans was assistant head coach and defensive coordinator with the Tigers in 2005. He coached the secondary where Tennessee State led the OVC in pass defense and total defense that season.  At Towson University Mitjans started as the Tigers running backs coach in 1999. He took over the secondary in 2001, and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2004. Mitjans coached two All-Conference tailbacks, Noah Read, who led the Patriot League in rushing, and Jason Corle, the Tigers all-time leading rusher, then helped produce two All-Conference secondary players. In 2002, five of his defensive players earned all-league honors.

With a league-leading 21 interceptions in 2003, the Towson secondary set a school record with four returned for touchdowns. The season before, one of Mitjan's senior safeties finished the 2002 season ranked ninth nationally in interceptions.

Mitjans served as secondary coach at Kent State University (1994) and at C.W. Post College (1996) before accepting a similar position at Morgan State in January of 1997. As secondary coach, Mitjans helped his players record 28 takeaways and with five earning All-Conference honors. The following season Mitjans took the defensive coordinator's role and improved Morgan State's performance to a number-15 ranking in the Football Championship Subdivision. Three players he recruited went on to play professional football.

Following his playing career, Mitjans spent two seasons as a student assistant coach at Northeastern University. He landed his first full-time coaching job at Cheyney University when he coached the secondary and coordinated special teams.

Mitjans was selected to participate in the NFL's minority internship program and had the opportunity to work with secondary coaches and players from NFL teams in Kansas City (2001), St. Louis (1999, 2000) and New York Jets (1994). In 2006, he was chosen as one of 20 coaches nationwide to attend the NCAA Expert Coaching Academy to prepare individuals for head coaching roles.

Through his career, Mitjans has been responsible for the recruitment of several players who have gone to the NFL, including Jermon Bushrod of the New Orleans Saints (Towson), Antwan Molden of the Houston Texans (Eastern Kentucky), the Arizona Cardinals' Dominique Rodgers Cromartie (Tennessee State), Vishante Shiancoe of the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings (Morgan State), and Jim O'Neil (Towson) who is currently the defensive quality control coach for the New York Jets. Former Tennessee State free safety Anthony Levine signed with the Green Bay Packers this past spring.

A safety on Lou Holtz's Razorback teams from 1978-80, Mitjans transferred to Northeastern and played for the Huskies for his final two years. He graduated from Northeastern in 1982 with a degree in leadership.

Mitjans and his wife, Claire, reside in Statesboro.

COURTESY VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NDSU Bison Cruise to Third Consecutive National Title with 35-7 Victory over Towson

FRISCO, Texas - The North Dakota State football team cruised to its third consecutive NCAA Division I FCS national championship on Saturday, Jan. 4, defeating No. 4-ranked Towson 35-7 in front of 19,802 fans at Toyota Stadium.

NDSU becomes just the second team in FCS history to win three straight national championships, joining the Appalachian State teams of 2005-07. The win was NDSU's 24th in a row, matching the school and FCS record winning streaks.

The Bison set a school record for wins in a season, ending the year at a perfect 15-0. NDSU is the first undefeated FCS champion since Marshall went 15-0 in 1996.

John Crockett carried nine times for 86 yards for NDSU, and Sam Ojuri added 85 yards on 15 carries for the Bison. Quarterback Brock Jensen was 13-of-18 through the air for 135 yards.

The Bison claimed a 7-0 lead on a two-yard touchdown run by John Crockett with 5:34 left in the first quarter, but Towson responded with a 12-play, 77-yard drive and tied the game at 7-7 on a three-yard run by Terrance West as the quarter ended.

Momentum swung in NDSU's favor late in the second quarter, as Towson lined up to attempt a 41-yard field goal with just over five minutes remaining. Junior safety Colten Heagle broke through the line to block the kick, and defensive end Kyle Emanuel scooped up the ball and rumbled 59 yards to the Towson five-yard line.

Ryan Smith carried around end for a touchdown on the next play, giving the Bison a 14-7 lead with 4:43 left in the half.

Cornerback CJ Smith intercepted Towson quarterback Peter Athens on the following drive and put together a 33-yard return to set up the next Bison touchdown. Brock Jensen found Zach Vraa for a 12-yard scoring strike with 1:05 remaining in the half, stretching the margin to 21-7.

NDSU tacked on a nine-yard touchdown run by Jensen in the third quarter and a one-yard score by Sam Ojuri early in the fourth quarter.

NDSU finished unbeaten for the first time since 1990 when the Bison claimed a Division II national title.



COURTESY NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

from THE EDITOR Dwight Floyd: FAMU A Real Test For AUBURN

GAME NOTES:   Auburn | Florida A&M 
LIVE AUDIO/VIDEO   8:00 PM ET

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Florida A&M University visits the Auburn Tigers on Saturday night. Though it is a game that pits a Tallahassee, Florida team against an Auburn, Alabama team it isn’t getting much attention. After all, “it’s just basketball.” FAMU is 4-10 while Auburn having won three consecutive games is off to one of its best starts ever at 7-3. FAMU is looking to extend a two game win streak and show that their home win against the Florida International University Panthers was not a fluke.

Auburn’s three losses were to Northwestern, Iowa State and Illinois. They won in a close one to Tennessee State 78-73 (1-14), with the other wins coming against ...

CONTINUE READING 

Southern men open SWAC play

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern men’s basketball team participated in plenty of mismatches during its pre-conference schedule.

The biggest came in the most recent game — the Jaguars’ 114-12 victory against out manned Champion Baptist College on Monday in the Clark Activity Center.

But Southern has been on the other end of the playing-up-in-competition-for-a-bigger-paycheck deal that is such a big part of preconference schedules.

The Jaguars went on the road to play the likes of No. 1 Arizona, No. 9 Baylor, No. 12 Florida as well as unranked teams that had a decided talent edge.

Coach Roman Banks said he isn’t certain of exactly what he has in this team, which probably isn’t as good as the score against Champion Baptist might suggest, but might not be as bad as the record suggests, given the overall strength of the competition.



CONTINUE READING

2014 FCS CHAMPIONSHIP - Why They'll Win: NDSU vs. Towson

 

2014 FCS Championship Game

Teams: North Dakota State Bison (14-0) vs. Towson University Tigers (13-2)

Location: Frisco, Texas - Toyota Stadium

TV: 2 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Radio: KFGO-AM 790 and KRWK-FM 101.9 in Fargo.

Online streaming: WatchESPN.

North Dakota State has been the best team in the country all season – ranked No. 1 from Day 1 – and has only gotten better in the playoffs, averaging a touchdown more than it did in the regular season while the defense has continued to put up its usual stingy numbers. That’s 46.0 points a game – the running game is churning out 347.0 yards per game – and just 11.7 points allowed in the playoffs.

The Bison boast the FCS’ winningest quarterback, a pair of 1,000-yard rushers and the nation’s top-ranked defense. There’s not a glaring weakness anywhere.

And if Towson doesn’t have a lead in the fourth quarter, forget it.

No one plays a better fourth quarter than North Dakota State. The Bison lead the nation in time of possession, and they hold the ball for an average of 9 minutes, 43 seconds of clock time in the fourth quarter. It stands to reason why only two teams have scored on them in the fourth quarter this season.

North Dakota State also has incentive and sentiment on its side. First, the Bison are trying to become just the second team to win three consecutive FCS championships. Second, they want to send their head coach – Craig Bohl is off to Wyoming at game’s end – out with another title.

It all adds up to the 24th consecutive victory for North Dakota State.

-- Jarrod Breeze, NCAA.com

Sure, Towson is the underdog in Saturday’s NCAA FCS national championship game in Frisco, Texas. But that doesn’t mean the 13-2 Tigers can’t win.

First of all, they’re used to being the underdogs. Many thought they would lose their first-round playoff game to Fordham. They didn’t. Same in the quarterfinals at Eastern Illinois and again in the semifinals at Eastern Washington, where the Tigers had to rally in the fourth quarter behind backup quarterback Connor Frazier.

The keys will be the offensive lines. Can Towson’s line – whose starters average 284 pounds -- create space for sensational running back Terrance West to run wild? And on the other side of the ball, will Towson’s defense be able to handle a North Dakota State offensive line whose starters pack an average weight of just under 300 pounds?

The health of Towson quarterback Peter Athens, who suffered a sprained shoulder in the semifinals, will only become an issue if his offensive line can’t keep the heat off of him or block well enough for West to keep the formidable NDSU defense honest. Otherwise, Athens’ return should give the Towson offense a boost.

The Tigers will have to play a mistake-free game, keep turnovers and penalties to a minimum, and also block out what is likely to be a large pro-NDSU crowd. But they have the talent, plus a gritty, determined edge to them, to pull off one more unlikely upset.

-- Joe Menzer, NCAA.com

COURTESY NCAA.COM

Idaho Is Chicago State Men's Basketball First WAC Opponent

Coach Tracy Dildy's Cougars play their first ever WAC contest
 on Saturday at Idaho.
(Courtesy Chicago State University Athletics)

Complete PDF Game Notes

ALL TIME SERIES - This is the first meeting between Idaho and Chicago State during the Cougars' 1984-95 Division I era.

LAST TIME OUT - The Cougars fell 90-58 at Creighton on Sunday. Chicago State nailed 10 3-pointers in the contest only to see Creighton make 16 from beyond the arc.

UP NEXT - The Cougars host UW-Green Bay on Tuesday (Jan. 7) in a non-conference game with the Horizon League Phoenix. Tip at the Jones Convocation Center on CSU's campus is set for 7 p.m.

HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE - Chicago State is 5-0 at home this year. It's the Cougars' first 5-0 start at home since 2008-09. Should the Cougars get a home win over UW-Green Bay on Jan. 7 the Cougars will own their best start at home since finishing the 1985-86 season 9-0 at home. The Cougars also went 7-0 at home in 1984-85, CSU's first year as a member of NCAA Division I.

DOUBLE DARE - Clarke Rosenberg (Skokie, Ill./Evanston Township) has scored in double-digits in 11 of the Cougars' 13 games this season.

FOUR IS MORE - Grand Canyon and Chicago State are the only two WAC teams with four individuals averaging 10 or more points per game.

FROM WAY DOWNTOWN - Eight different Cougars have made a 3-pointer this season.

DOUBLE TROUBLE - Six Cougars finished in double-digits in Chicago State's victory over Southern Illinois on Nov. 30. The last time the Cougars accomplished this task was Nov. 20, 2008 in an 84-74 win over Central Michigan.

FRESH LEGS - Chicago State's freshmen have played 295 minutes this season. Last season a freshman didn't play a single minute for the Cougars.

WHAT ARE PROBABLE STARTERS? - Chicago State used 15 different starting lineups last season. This season, the Cougars have already used six different combinations.

START 'EM UP - Nine different Cougars have started at least one game this season.

CALL HIM THE ROCK - The lone name you can write in pen in the Chicago State lineup since the start of last season is senior Matt Ross (Dixon, Ill./Dixon). Since arriving last season as a junior college transfer, Ross has started in 45 of 46 Chicago State games. The only game he didn't start was Senior Night last season against Eastern Illinois when then senior Quincy Ukaigwe (Matteson, Ill./Rich Central) started for him instead.

YEAR-BY-YEAR - Clarke Rosenberg (Skokie, Ill./Evanston Township) is shooting 52.8 percent (66-of-125) this season. Up from his 41.6 percent performance last season after his 34.6 percent shooting as a freshman. Additionally, he has 10 games this season where he finished with a 50.0 % or better shooting percentage.

Chicago State Cougars (5-8, 0-0 WAC) at Idaho Vandals (6-9, 0-1 WAC)
Date	Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014
Time	7:00 p.m. PT
Location	Moscow, Idaho - Cowan Spectrum (6,000)
TV	GoVandals.com
Radio	GoVandals.com
Live Stats	GoVandals.com
Social Media	@ChicagoStateMBB

TRYING FOR THREE - Nine times this season the Cougars have attempted 20 or more 3-pointers in a game.

NEARING 500 - Matt Ross (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) (472) is nearing the 500 mark for career points at Chicago State. Clarke Rosenberg (Skokie, Ill./Evanston Township) (577) and Quinton Pippen (Hamburg, Ark./Hamburg) (507) have already passed the 500 mark earlier this season.

FORCING MISTAKES - Dating back to last season, the Cougars have forced double-digit turnovers in 37 straight games. The stretch includes 10 games of forcing 20 or more turnovers. This year the Cougars are averaging 8.0 steals per game, ranking 32nd in the nation.

ON THE PLUS SIDE - The Cougars' +3.2 turnover margin is the best in the WAC. The total ranks 32nd in the nation.

JUST TWICE - Only two times this season the Cougars have comitted more turnovers than they have forced. (Alabama State and Illinois)

SENIOR LEADERSHIP X8 - The Cougars have a WAC-high eight seniors on the squad.

REJECTED - The six blocks Matt Ross (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) recorded Nov. 8 at Indiana are the most for a Cougar in a single game during the Tracy Dildy era (2010-11 to present).

QP FOR THREE - Quinton Pippen (Hamburg, Ark./Hamburg) owns 99 career 3-pointers, ninth all-time in CSU history (Division I era, starting 1984-85). He is within striking distance of eighth place Terrence West's (1998-02) 101 and seventh place Tony Weeden's (2003-05) 103.

20/20 VISION - The Cougars have already had six 20-point performances this season. The Cougars only had five 20-point performances all of last season.

QP IS A PRESEASON PICK - Quinton Pippen (Hamburg, Ark./Hamburg) was named to the 2013-14 Preseason All-WAC Second Team by a vote of the league's coaches.

RELATIVE GREATNESS - Quinton Pippen (Hamburg, Ark./Hamburg) is the nephew of former Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen. Not surprising, Quinton wears No. 33.

PRESEASON POLL - The Cougars were picked to finish sixth in the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Poll by a vote of the league's coaches.

EDDIE IS READY - The final addition to the 2013-14 roster was senior Eddie Denard (Chicago, Ill./Foreman). The 6-6 forward played last year at New Orleans University but was allowed to transfer without sitting out a season due to New Orleans' APR penalties barring them from postseason play this year. Denard started all 26 games last season at UNO, averaging 5.4 points and 3.8 rebounds. Denard is from Chicago, Ill. and played high school basketball at Foreman High School. He attended UIC his freshman year of college.

DEFENSE! - Chicago State limited opponents to just 69.0 points per game last season. It was the best defensive performance for a Chicago State team during the NCAA Division I era (1984-85 - present).

TAKING IT AWAY - The Cougars ranked seventh in the nation in steals per game last season by averaging 9.4 swipes a contest. The last time the Cougars finished a season ranking in the top 10 in the nation in a category was in 2008-09 when CSU ranked third in both scoring (84.2) and steals per game (10.0).

FOREIGN TOUR - The Cougars traveled to Costa Rica August 10-16 to play three exhibitions against international clubs. As per NCAA rules the team earned 10 extra practices to prepare for the trip. In between basketball the team went rafting, ziplined and volunteered at a local school.

THE FIRST SINCE - Chicago State's Great West Conference title last season was the first men's basketball championship for one of Chicago's Division I teams since UIC won the Horizon League Tournament in 2004.

TIME FOR MORE FIRSTS - Chicago State earned the program's first ever conference tournament championship and first ever postseason tournament berth last season by winning the Great West Conference Tournament and earning a berth in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. The Cougars fell to crosstown rival UIC in the CIT first round 80-69.

THE WAC IS WHERE IT'S AT - Chicago State became an all-sport member of the WAC on July 1, 2013. The WAC is Chicago State's first conference with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2006 as a member of the Mid-Continent (now Summit League).

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

SI spotlights NFL pro bowl bound AAMU's Robert Mathis

In  his first year unpaired from Dwight Freeney, the 11-year veteran burst into his own to lead the league in sacks and lead the Colts back to the postseason

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  -- After taking down Texans quarterback Case Keenum in the endzone to set new Colts franchise records for sacks in a season and in a career, Robert Mathis paused for a moment, maybe to savor his accomplishment, maybe to enjoy what would be the final two points in a 25-3 victory on Dec. 15. The Indianapolis outside linebacker rose to one knee and saw Duane Brown, Houston’s Pro Bowl tackle whom he’d just beaten, cradling the ball in the end zone for a safety. Then Mathis playfully did three body rolls over his left shoulder.

The acrobatics caught the sellout crowd in Lucas Oil Stadium off guard, so out of character it was for the 11-year veteran. Back in his hometown of Atlanta, though, family members smiled and shook their heads. It was nothing they hadn’t seen before. Just Robert being Robert.

CONTINUE READING 

Carter Lifts North Carolina A&T To 60-58 Win Over William and Mary Tribe

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia  --  It came down to the final minute of the game but redshirt sophomore Christina Carter nailed a game-winning 3-pointer to lift the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team to a 60-58 victory over William & Mary at Kaplan Arena Friday evening.

“Christina played big and my hat goes off to her because she had an up and down game,” head coach Tarrell Robinson said. “She was able to pick herself up and make a big play for us at the end. I’m glad we won the game but we’ve got to find a way to get better and find that magic that we had earlier when we were on our seven-game winning streak. We have to figure out a way to find that team again.”

The Aggies (9-2) placed three players in double-figures led by senior Tracy King with 15 points. King’s all-around performance also included a team-high nine rebounds, five steals, and four assists. Junior Ariel Bursey added 12 points and three assists, followed by Carter with 11 points.



The Aggies who led for most of the second half found themselves in their worst nightmare when the Tribe (3-9) finally took its first lead of the game, 58-57 with a layup from Latrice Hunter with 1:39 left in the game. Carter responded with composure and nailed a 3-pointer with 1:09 to put the Aggies back on top 60-58. William & Mary took the final possession and attempted to tie the game at the buzzer with a jumper from Hunter but luckily for the Aggies it bounced off of the rim as time expired.

W&M got within one at the 6:52 mark with a pair of free throws but Ariel Bursey hit a jumper and was fouled which resulted in a 3-point play to put A&T ahead 47-43 with 6:30 left to play. The final minutes turned into a 3-pointer shootout ignited by Marlena Tremba with 3:13 in the game. Tremba’s 3-pointer sliced the Aggies edge to 53-50 but Tracy King answered with her own on the next possession to give A&T a six-point advantage. Hunter hit one from behind the arc with 2:24 left to tie the game at 56 but Aprill McRae made a free throw to put the Aggies up 57-56 with just under two minutes.

McRae fueled the Aggies to start the game, scoring six of A&T’s eight points to drive it to an early 8-4 edge at the 15:38 mark. A&T stretched its lead to 20-11 with 10:06 remaining but the Tribe opened up a 14-5 run with under nine minutes left to close out the half. William & Mary left the Aggies scoreless for nearly five minutes as it cut its deficit to 25-24 at halftime.

Hunter led all players with 17 points. Tremba (13), Jazmen Boone (12) and Mathieu (11) all finished in double-digit scoring for the Tribe.

A&T will host its final non-conference game on Monday, Jan. 6 against Campbell. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Corbett Sports Center.

A&T 60, W&M 58

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

South Carolina Gamecocks Top South Carolina State, 82-75

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Photo Gallery 1  |  Photo Gallery 2  Highlights

COLUMBIA, South Carolina  -- After a furious second-half rally from the visitors, South Carolina (7-6) grinded out an 82-75 win tonight over South Carolina State (4-9) at Colonial Life Arena as the Gamecocks shot 50 percent from the field for the second straight game.

Four Gamecocks ended the night in double figures as senior Brenton Williams led all scorers with 19 points on an efficient 6-7 from the field and 2-3 from 3-point range. Freshman Demetrius Henry recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Senior forward Matthew Hezekiah led the Bulldogs with 18 points and five rebounds, while fellow senior Theron Stephens added 15 points.

Carolina opened the game on a 5-0 run after a jumper from Williams and three points from Duane Notice. The Bulldogs were able to pull within two at 6-4 after a Devin Joint tipped in a missed jumper from Hezekiah, but Notice responded for the Gamecocks with his sixth point in the first four minutes.

Palmer answered for SC State with a 3 of his own, but Williams connected from 3 on the other end for the Gamecocks as they took a 12-7 lead. That 3-pointer started a 9-1 run for home team that Williams capped off 43^rd and 44^th consecutive made free throws as he pushed South Carolina's lead to 18-8 with just over 12 minutes to play.

Following Johnson's first 3 of the game just under two minutes later, Laimonas Chatkevicius began to impose himself inside as he scored on three-straight possessions as Notice earned three of his career-high eight assists during the stretch.

With 1:31 left in the half, a quick 5-0 run after a jumper from Notice and Williams' second three of the game, the Gamecocks held their largest lead of the half of 15.

The Bulldogs though turned up the pressure on the final possession after getting two points back.  Darrion Eastmon picked off a pass attempt from Notice in the backcourt and dished it to Darryl Palmer for the lay-up on the break.

South Carolina held a 44-33 lead at the break after shooting 15-29  (51.7 percent) from the field and going 6-12 from behind the arc.

SC State continued its late first-half run into the second as Stephens hit back-to-back 3s in the first minute and a half to cut the deficit to 44-39. After a pair of free throws from Sindarius Thornwell three minutes in, the Bulldogs went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by Joint dunking a missed shot to cut to the game to two at 50-48 with 15:23 on the clock.

Despite seeing the game cut to one a minute later, the Gamecocks were able to maintain the lead until the Bulldogs came up with another 6-0 run to tie-up the game at 60-60 with 7:02 to play. On the ensuing possession though, Notice found Thornwell open on the right side where he drained his lone 3-pointer on the night.

With SC State trying to get momentum back with the score at 70-65 with under four minutes remaining, Johnson found an opening in the lane and split two defenders as he drove to the basket for a left-handed lay-in as he was fouled. The junior converted the free throw to push the lead to eight. He finished the night with 17 points.

The Gamecocks sealed their fourth-straight win as they hit 9-12 from the free throw line during the final minutes.

South Carolina went 25-50 (50 percent) from the field and 7-15 (46.7 percent) from the 3-point line, while SC State shot 29-65 (44.6 percent) from the field and 5-20 (25 percent) from 3.

The Gamecocks head to No. 12/13 Florida on Jan. 8 as they open the SEC season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Comcast Sports Southeast.

NIU Huskies Close Non-Conference Play with Win over Bethune-Cookman

DEKALB, Illinois  --  Freshman guard Aaric Armstead (Chicago, Ill./La Jolla Prep) scored a career-best 11 points, sophomore wing Darrell Bowie (Milwaukee, Wis./La Jolla Prep) had 11 points and junior guard Aaron Armstead (Chicago, Ill./Hales Franciscan/San Jose City College) added 10 as the Northern Illinois University men’s basketball team closed non-conference play with a 65-51 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Friday night at the NIU Convocation Center.

Bowie just missed a double-double, finishing with a game-high nine rebounds. Win the victory, NIU improves to 6-6 heading into Mid-American Conference play.

The Huskies shot 46.3 percent (19-of-41) in the contest while holding the Wildcats to just 29.6 percent (16-of-54) shooting. NIU outrebounded Bethune-Cookman, 41-26, and controlled the paint, scoring 32 points in the paint to just 14 for BCU.

 “I thought it was a workman-like game for our guys,” said NIU head coach Mark Montgomery. “We came out focused; we got the lead early, we build on the lead, and we came out in the second half and expanded the lead. We had a lot of good basketball from a lot of our guys.

“I thought we established ourselves early against their zone by going inside and we did an unbelievable job defensively. Anytime you can hold a team under 30 percent shooting you have to credit your defense.”

NIU jumped out to a quick start, scoring the first eight points in the contest. Four different players scored, capped by a layup from redshirt junior center Pete Rakocevic (Chicago, Ill./Wilbraham & Monson/Sacramento State) as the Huskies held Bethune-Cookman (2-15) scoreless for the first five minutes of the contest.

Rakocevic finished with nine points and five rebounds, going 3-of-4 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line.

The Wildcats answered with the next nine however, taking a 9-8 lead with 13:28 to play in the opening half. The back-and-forth runs continued as the Huskies scored the next eight to lead 16-9 just past the midway point of the half.

NIU led by eight, 30-22, with less than a minute to play before Bowie closed the scoring in the opening 20 minutes with an old-fashioned three-point play, giving the Huskies a 33-22 advantage at the intermission.

Bowie and Aaric Armstead each had six in the first half to pace NIU as the Huskies shot 47.4 percent (9-of-19) from the field and 87.5 percent (14-of-16) from the line in the half, while holding Bethune-Cookman to just 25 percent (7-of-28) shooting.

After the Huskies pushed the lead to 16, 40-24, early in the second half, Bethune-Cookman made a run to cut the lead back to single-digits, 42-33, with 13:50 to play. Following a timeout, NIU responded with the next eight, taking a 50-33 lead.

Bethune-Cookman made six triples in the second half, including a pair in the final two minutes, but by then the game was out of reach as NIU cruised to the 14-point victory.

Clemmye Owens finished with a game-high 19 points, including five triples, for the Huskies. Malik Jackson and Maurice Taylor just missed double-figures with nine each for the shorthanded Wildcats who dressed just eight players.

NIU will open league play on Wednesday night, Jan. 8, as the Huskies travel to Buffalo, N.Y., to take on the Bulls. Game time in the Queen City is schedu

Final Stats | Final Stats in PDF
led for 6 p.m. CT.

COURTESY NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Norfleet, 3-Point Shooting Lead Mount St. Mary's Past NSU

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Led by a 31-point effort by Julian Norfleet, Mount St. Mary's shot nearly 70 percent from the floor in a 104-84 victory over the Norfolk State men's basketball team on Friday night at Joseph Echols Hall.

The Mountaineers hit 18-of-25 from 3-point range in breaking NSU's 16-game home winning streak. The Spartans did fare well on the offensive end, hitting close to 60 percent for the game, but NSU (8-7) was unable to overcome The Mount's prowess from long range.

Norfleet hit 11-of-13 overall and had four of the team's 3-pointers to go along with 10 assists and four steals. Mount St. Mary's (4-9) shot 35-of-51 (68.6 percent) overall on the night, including 22-of-29 (75.9 percent) in the first half.



NSU outscored the Mountaineers by two in the second half and committed just two turnovers after having 11 in the first half. Mount St. Mary's had a 20-4 edge in points off turnovers in the first half but failed to score any in the second. The Mount also had a 13-2 edge in fastbreak points in the first but scored only two in that manner after intermission.

Senior Brandon Goode led NSU with 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting, while seniors Anell Alexis and Malcolm Hawkins each tallied 16 on a combined 10-of-15 shooting. The Spartans connected on 32-of-54 (59.3 percent) overall, including 15-of-21 in the first stanza (71.4 percent).

After the Mountaineers missed their opening 3-point attempt, both teams combined to make 20 straight shots in a contest reminiscent of NSU's 115-85 win over Newberry earlier in the year. By the time the next miss came around, at 10:18 on a 3-point attempt by the Mountaineers, they led the Spartans 30-23.

NSU made its first 10 shots of the game, but the Spartans eventually called timeout after a quick layup gave Mount St. Mary's a 14-point edge, 39-25. The Mountaineers pushed it to 19, 47-28, and by as much as 25 in the first half.

The Spartans got no closer than 18 in the early part of the second half before a couple of free throws from Hawkins at 7:56 cut the deficit to 15. An 11-1 run by the Mountaineers, though, pushed their advantage back up to 20 for the rest of the contest.

Junior Jamel Fuentes added 13 points and eight assists for the Spartans.

Rashad Whack had 23 points for Mount St. Mary's, including 15 on 5-of-10 shooting from long range. Will Miller (15 points, 5-of-5 3-pointers), Gregory Graves (11 points) and Byron Ashe (10 points, 3-of-3 3-pointers) also contributed on the offensive end.

NSU will get back into conference play next weekend with a trip to UMES and Delaware State.

Box Score

By Mike Bello, Asst. SID
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Prince Leads No. 9 Past Baylor Past Savannah State, 80-50

Box Score | Quotes | Notes  Highlights | Postgame   Photos » 

WACO, Texas  -- Reserve Taurean Prince scored 12 of his 15 points in the first half, leading No. 9 Baylor to an 80-50 victory over Savannah State on Friday night.

Cory Jefferson had 13 points for Baylor (12-1), and Isaiah Austin and Rico Gathers each scored 11 as Baylor won its 12th consecutive home game.

Joshua Montgomery made four 3-pointers in the first half and scored 15 points for Savannah State (2-12).

Baylor improved to 25-9 in January since 2009-10. The Bears' only loss this season was to then No. 8 Syracuse in Hawaii in November.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cory Jefferson (13 points) had his 42nd career double-figure scoring game (12th of season, career-high 11th straight and 19th in last 20 games), and Baylor is 34-8 all-time when he scores in double figures.
• Jefferson's 3 blocks tied a season high and marked his 6th multi-block game of the season and 40th of his career - Baylor is 31-9 when Jefferson has multiple blocks in his career.
• Rico Gathers (11 points) had his 8th career double-figure scoring game, 4th of the season and 4th in his last 5 games.
• With 11 points, Isaiah Austin has scored in double figures in 7 of his last 8 games, 9 times this season and 36 times in his career -- Baylor is 27-9 when Austin scores double figures in his career.
• Taurean Prince scored 15 points, it was his 7th career double figure game and 4th of the season.
• Prince (15 points) led the team in scoring for the 1st time this season and 2nd time in his career - Baylor is 2-0 when Prince leads in scoring.

STAT OF THE GAME
Baylor outscored Savannah State in the paint, 40-16.

WHAT'S NEXT
Baylor hits the road to open Big 12 play Tuesday, Jan. 7, against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT., and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Savannah State start MEAC play with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore at home on Monday, January 6, at 8 PM in Savannah, Georgia. 

COURTESY BAYLOR UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS