Saturday, January 3, 2015
KSU Owls Start off New Year with 79-58 Rout of Florida A&M
KENNESAW, Georgia -- The Kennesaw State women's basketball team opened the New Year off with a bang as the Owls routed Florida A&M, 79-58, on Friday night (Jan. 2) at the KSU Convocation Center.
"It felt great [to get the win]," said head coach Nitra Perry. "The one good thing about a loss is that you can move onto the next game and redeem yourself. I thought today they really responded and took some ownership of the team. I thought the change was our defensive effort. Kristina got out there and got a couple steals, which gave Deandrea some confidence to get out there and get a steal. I thought our defense today was an eight out of a 10. We double-teamed the post pretty much every time flawlessly and rotated down, which is something we have been focused on, so I was just pleased with their effort today and their focus."
Sophomore Deandrea Sawyers led the Owls (11-3) with her second 20-point contest of the season with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including five three pointers and five rebounds. Senior Kristina Wells had another all-around game with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including a 4-of-5 effort from the free throw line, a game-high six assists, four rebounds and four steals.
It was a back-and-forth affair in the early going that included six ties and neither team taking more than a four-point lead in the first 12 minutes of the game.
With the Rattlers (4-8) leading 23-19 with 7:26 left in the first half, the Owls upped their defensive pressure to spark a 14-2 run to end the half, including holding FAMU scoreless in the final 4:49 of the period to go into intermission with a 33-25 advantage.
There was no let up for the Owls out of the break, as KSU pushed its lead to 54-27 with a 21-2 run out of halftime, including not allowing the Rattlers a field goal in the first six minutes of the second half, while using four-straight three-pointers from Sawyers, sophomore Aareon Smith and junior Karly Frye to widen its gap.
FAMU closed within 66-48 with seven minutes to go in regulation, but that would be as close as the visitors would get as the Owls cruised to the 79-58 victory.
Smith and freshman Neffie Lockley joined Sawyers and Wells in double figures as the sophomore added 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including a 4-of-4 mark from the charity stripe and eight rebounds, while Lockey poured in a career-high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and pulled down five boards.
The Owls dominated the glass, 42-35, including grabbing 17 offensive rebounds that they turned into 18 second chance points. Junior Jasmine McAllister led the way with a game-high nine boards in the win.
KSU dished out 16 assists, while forcing the Rattlers into 20 turnovers, which the Owls turned into 25 points. Frye handed out five assists on the night.
As a team, the Owls shot 46.7 percent from the field on 28-of-60 shooting, while holding FAMU to just 35.8 percent from the field on 19-of-53 shooting.
Olivia Antillla posted 16 points in the loss for the Rattlers.
The Owls will close out the nonconference slate of their schedule looking to take the season sweep against in-state rival Mercer on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. in the KSU Convocation Center.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
COURTESY KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Greenwell, Stevens Lift Duke Past NC A&T 87-36
DURHAM, North Carolina -- Rebecca Greenwell scored 20 points and Azurá Stevensfinished with a career-high 19 as the No. 10 Blue Devils cruised to an 87-36 victory over North Carolina A&T on Friday night.
"This was a big step for us," Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "It was a building game for us. We were working on certain things and we're looking forward to applying that to our next game."
Duke rebounded from its worst loss of the season, an 83-52 setback at No. 2 Connecticut on Monday, to post its largest margin of victory of the season.
The Blue Devils put together an all-around victory that included their best field goal percentage (57.9), their most assists (26) and most blocked shots (11). Defensively, Duke held North Carolina A&T to 21.3 percent from the field, the lowest by a Blue Devil opponent this season.
After allowing North Carolina A&T to hit a 3-pointer to open the game, the Blue Devils scored the next 10 points for a 10-3 lead with 16 minutes left in the first half. From there, Duke overpowered the Aggies and took a 40-20 halftime lead.
"We weren't quite as urgent as I liked in the first half," McCallie said. "I preferred the second half more. That was kind of a good thing because oftentimes we're a first-half team. Today we were OK in the first half and I thought we were much better in the second half.
The Blue Devils continued their dominance in the second half as they built a 84-28 lead, their largest of the game, after two free throws by Ka'lia Johnson with 3:31 remaining.
Stevens, who finished 8 of 12 from the floor and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line, also had four steals, three assists and two blocks. She said Duke played better in the second half, holding the Aggies to only 16 points in the final 20 minutes.
"I guess we came out more focused on defense and our defensive energy, which is helpful to us, let the scoring come to us," Stevens said.
The Aggies (7-7), who were led by Dana Brown with 14 points, lost their third straight game and for the fifth time in six games.
"Duke is definitely one of the top 10 programs in the country," third-year North Carolina A&T coach Tarrell Robinson said. "Their talent -- Elizabeth Williams and Azurá Stevens -- was a little overwhelming for us. We didn't match them inside and our post players were not a factor. It was a great experience to play a nationally-ranked team. We'll use this for the future."
TIP-INS
Duke: Senior center Elizabeth Williams did her damage against North Carolina A&T in unusal ways. Instead of leading the way in points and rebounds, Williams finished with four blocked shots and a career-high seven assists to go with her eight points and five rebounds.
North Carolina A&T: The Aggies fell to 2-27 all-time against ACC teams, including two losses to Duke. The teams last played in 1984 when Duke also won 78-39.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Duke sophomore center Kendall Cooper got her first career start against North Carolina A&T. The 6-foot-4 center played a career-high 21 minutes, grabbing seven rebounds, scoring five points and making three steals.
HOT SHOTS: Few of North Carolina A&T's shots fell but the Aggies did have some success from beyond the arc where they made 7 of 25, including 5 of 12 in the first half. Seven 3s matched a season-high, which the Aggies accomplished in two other games.
Box Score: Duke 87, NC A&T 36
COURTESY DUKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
"This was a big step for us," Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "It was a building game for us. We were working on certain things and we're looking forward to applying that to our next game."
Duke rebounded from its worst loss of the season, an 83-52 setback at No. 2 Connecticut on Monday, to post its largest margin of victory of the season.
The Blue Devils put together an all-around victory that included their best field goal percentage (57.9), their most assists (26) and most blocked shots (11). Defensively, Duke held North Carolina A&T to 21.3 percent from the field, the lowest by a Blue Devil opponent this season.
After allowing North Carolina A&T to hit a 3-pointer to open the game, the Blue Devils scored the next 10 points for a 10-3 lead with 16 minutes left in the first half. From there, Duke overpowered the Aggies and took a 40-20 halftime lead.
"We weren't quite as urgent as I liked in the first half," McCallie said. "I preferred the second half more. That was kind of a good thing because oftentimes we're a first-half team. Today we were OK in the first half and I thought we were much better in the second half.
The Blue Devils continued their dominance in the second half as they built a 84-28 lead, their largest of the game, after two free throws by Ka'lia Johnson with 3:31 remaining.
Stevens, who finished 8 of 12 from the floor and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line, also had four steals, three assists and two blocks. She said Duke played better in the second half, holding the Aggies to only 16 points in the final 20 minutes.
"I guess we came out more focused on defense and our defensive energy, which is helpful to us, let the scoring come to us," Stevens said.
The Aggies (7-7), who were led by Dana Brown with 14 points, lost their third straight game and for the fifth time in six games.
"Duke is definitely one of the top 10 programs in the country," third-year North Carolina A&T coach Tarrell Robinson said. "Their talent -- Elizabeth Williams and Azurá Stevens -- was a little overwhelming for us. We didn't match them inside and our post players were not a factor. It was a great experience to play a nationally-ranked team. We'll use this for the future."
TIP-INS
Duke: Senior center Elizabeth Williams did her damage against North Carolina A&T in unusal ways. Instead of leading the way in points and rebounds, Williams finished with four blocked shots and a career-high seven assists to go with her eight points and five rebounds.
North Carolina A&T: The Aggies fell to 2-27 all-time against ACC teams, including two losses to Duke. The teams last played in 1984 when Duke also won 78-39.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Duke sophomore center Kendall Cooper got her first career start against North Carolina A&T. The 6-foot-4 center played a career-high 21 minutes, grabbing seven rebounds, scoring five points and making three steals.
HOT SHOTS: Few of North Carolina A&T's shots fell but the Aggies did have some success from beyond the arc where they made 7 of 25, including 5 of 12 in the first half. Seven 3s matched a season-high, which the Aggies accomplished in two other games.
Box Score: Duke 87, NC A&T 36COURTESY DUKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
S.C. State battles Eastern Kentucky; Homecoming for Bulldogs Coach Murray Garvin
INTERNET: OVCDIGITALNETWORK.COM, 7 p.m.
RICHMOND, Kentucky -- The South Carolina State Bulldogs looking to snap a three-game losing skid on Saturday when they take on host Eastern Kentucky in a non-conference contest at McBrayer Arena. Tipoff is 7 p.m.
The live radio broadcast is available in the Richmond area on WCYO 100.7 FM, and can be heard worldwide on www.EKUSports.com or a live video broadcast is available on www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com.
S.C. State head coach Murray Garvin is an Eastern Kentucky graduate, earning a degree in physical education in 1998. The Pikeville, Kentucky, native spent three years as an assistant coach at Tates Creek High School in Lexington after completing his degree.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (4-11, 2-0 MEAC) are looking to snap a three-game losing skid against the Colonels. In their last outing, South Carolina State suffered a 74-54 setback at Fordham on Wednesday. Sophomore guard Karon Wright led the squad with 18 points and freshman guard Edward Stephens had seven points and five assists.
CONTINUE READING
RICHMOND, Kentucky -- The South Carolina State Bulldogs looking to snap a three-game losing skid on Saturday when they take on host Eastern Kentucky in a non-conference contest at McBrayer Arena. Tipoff is 7 p.m.
The live radio broadcast is available in the Richmond area on WCYO 100.7 FM, and can be heard worldwide on www.EKUSports.com or a live video broadcast is available on www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com. S.C. State head coach Murray Garvin is an Eastern Kentucky graduate, earning a degree in physical education in 1998. The Pikeville, Kentucky, native spent three years as an assistant coach at Tates Creek High School in Lexington after completing his degree.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (4-11, 2-0 MEAC) are looking to snap a three-game losing skid against the Colonels. In their last outing, South Carolina State suffered a 74-54 setback at Fordham on Wednesday. Sophomore guard Karon Wright led the squad with 18 points and freshman guard Edward Stephens had seven points and five assists.
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Georgia men's basketball takes winning streak into Saturday matchup with Norfolk State
TV: 2 p.m. ET, FOX SPORTS NETWORK (FSN) & ESPN3
ATHENS, Georgia -- Georgia is riding a five-game win streak heading into Saturday's non-conference finale against visiting Norfolk State, and the last two victories have been confidence-building battles.
The Bulldogs came out of the holiday break Dec. 27 to outlast visiting Mercer 86-77 in triple overtime and went on the road to beat Kansas State 50-46 on New Year's Eve. The win over the Wildcats was particularly mettle-testing as the visitors saw a 15-point lead dissolve into a three-point deficit before closing out the victory with a 9-2 run.
"We've been in that situation a lot, last year and this year, so we just kept on believing in ourselves," junior guard Charles Mann told the media. "We have a lot of confidence in each other, so I think that helped us get the big win." Also included in Georgia's five-game win streak are victories over Colorado (64-47) and Seton Hall (65-47). Norfolk State, meanwhile, is in the midst of a six-game road trip and is coming off a season-worst 92-51 loss at Baylor on Tuesday.
ABOUT NORFOLK STATE (9-6): The Spartans of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference had won three straight and five of six before being held to fewer than 60 points for the first time all season. Four Norfolk State players are scoring in double figures, led by Jeff Short (19.5 points) and RaShid Gaston (14.5), while Gaston, a 6-9 forward, ranked 20th nationally entering Friday with 9.8 rebounds per game. Overall, the Spartans are averaging a MEAC-best 69.9 points and have outrebounded 12 of 15 foes but also are averaging 14.1 turnovers and 20.1 personal fouls per outing.
CONTINUE READING
ATHENS, Georgia -- Georgia is riding a five-game win streak heading into Saturday's non-conference finale against visiting Norfolk State, and the last two victories have been confidence-building battles.
The Bulldogs came out of the holiday break Dec. 27 to outlast visiting Mercer 86-77 in triple overtime and went on the road to beat Kansas State 50-46 on New Year's Eve. The win over the Wildcats was particularly mettle-testing as the visitors saw a 15-point lead dissolve into a three-point deficit before closing out the victory with a 9-2 run.
"We've been in that situation a lot, last year and this year, so we just kept on believing in ourselves," junior guard Charles Mann told the media. "We have a lot of confidence in each other, so I think that helped us get the big win." Also included in Georgia's five-game win streak are victories over Colorado (64-47) and Seton Hall (65-47). Norfolk State, meanwhile, is in the midst of a six-game road trip and is coming off a season-worst 92-51 loss at Baylor on Tuesday.ABOUT NORFOLK STATE (9-6): The Spartans of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference had won three straight and five of six before being held to fewer than 60 points for the first time all season. Four Norfolk State players are scoring in double figures, led by Jeff Short (19.5 points) and RaShid Gaston (14.5), while Gaston, a 6-9 forward, ranked 20th nationally entering Friday with 9.8 rebounds per game. Overall, the Spartans are averaging a MEAC-best 69.9 points and have outrebounded 12 of 15 foes but also are averaging 14.1 turnovers and 20.1 personal fouls per outing.
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Grambling limps into SWAC play at Alabama State
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Even with a new coach, not much has changed surrounding Grambling's basketball program.First-year coach Shawn Walker faced an uphill battle when he was hired last summer to replace Joseph Price, who managed just five wins during his short two-year stint.
Leading scorer Antwan Scott transferred to Colorado State, two more players left the program and Walker, coming from Division II Elizabeth City State University, was left with to fend with the typical grueling non-conference schedule to start the season.
"In the schedule I inherited, it was a David and Goliath story all along," Walker said Friday.
Grambling (2-8) now limps into Southwestern Athletic play Saturday at Alabama State, a game that follows Grambling and Alabama State's women's squad at 3 p.m.
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Southern men begin SWAC play
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern men’s basketball logged a lot of miles during its non-conference schedule as it prepared for Southwestern Athletic Conference play.It’s road games included short trips to New Orleans and Oxford, Miss., longer trips to Niceville, Fla., and Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Waco, Texas; and even longer trips to Minnesota, Iowa, Wyoming and Hawaii.
Now the Jaguars (3-11) are home to begin SWAC play against Prairie View at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
“We had a very tough preseason schedule,” senior guard Tre Lynch said before practice Friday. “Once you get into conference (play), every team is working hard to try and get that one goal, which is to win the championship — regular season and tournament. So coming into it, you can feel the energy.”
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Friday, January 2, 2015
WSSU Offensive Coordinator Leaves for U. Richmond
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| Coach STEED LOBOTZKE |
University of Richmond head football coach Danny Rocco announced that former Winston-Salem State and Wake Forest offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke has been hired as Spider football's offensive coordinator Friday afternoon.
Richmond Spiders fell to the No. 6 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, 36-15, in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.
Lobotzke, WSSU's offensive coordinator, was at the helm of the WSSU offense in 2014 that led the CIAA in scoring at 35.7 points per game, and spearheaded the Ram offense that recorded eight-straight 400-plus yard games. WSSU made it to the CIAA Championship game, but were upset, 21-17 by Virginia State. Winston-Salem State ended the year with a 9-2 overall record, and No. 24 national ranking in the final American Football Coaches Association poll.
"Coach Lobotzke is a great coach and was always prepared", said WSSU head coach, Kienus Boulware. "He is very professional person that was always fair to the players. He has the talent to coach successfully on any level of football", added Boulware.
"We will look to find his replacement as soon as possible, and we wish him the best of luck at Richmond", says Boulware.
COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Norfolk State's Trail invited to NFL scouting combine
NORFOLK, Virginia -- The feeling was more relief than surprise Friday for former Norfolk State linebacker Lynden Trail, but that didn't make the news any less welcome.Trail, a three-time first-team All-MEAC performer, got word that he'd been invited to the NFL's annual Scouting Combine, to be held Feb. 17-23 in Indianapolis.
Trail, who will play in the prestigious Senior Bowl on Jan. 24, said he got a call from the combine's office asking him to check his email. There, he found a letter from the league's football operations arm with the invitation.
"(I'm) very excited," Trail said from Dallas, where he's training with former Cowboys stars Randy White and Kevin Smith. "Not to say I didn't think I was going to get an invite. I was very optimistic about it."
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Kennesaw State Owls Look to Open New Year off Right Against Florida A&M on Friday
KSU and FAMU Rattlers Set To Play at 7 p.m. ET in ESPN Broadcasted Game in the Convo
KENNESAW STATE (10-3) VS FLORIDA A&M (4-7)
GAME 14 | FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 | 7 P.M. ET
KENNESAW, Ga. | KSU CONVOCATION CENTER (4,800)
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | ESPN3 | PROMOTIONS | TICKETS | TWITTER
THE GAME:
The Kennesaw State women's basketball team will look to open the New Year off right as the Owls host Florida A&M in an ESPN3-broadcasted game on Friday, Jan. 2. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET in the KSU Convocation Center.
THE COVERAGE:
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from KSUOwls.com at the start of Friday's game.
ESPN3: ESPN3 will have the live broadcast of Friday's game with Nathan McCreay and Theresa Gernatt on the call.
TWITTER: Follow the Kennesaw State women's basketball team on Twitter @KSUOwlsWBB to receive updates throughout the game.
THE OPPONENT:
Florida A&M
The Rattlers come into Friday's contest with a 4-7 record after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 70-64 win against UNC Greensboro at the Miami Post Christmas Tournament in Coral Gables, Fla. In the midst of a nine-game road swing that spans Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, FAMU wraps up its trip with games at KSU and Mercer on Sunday. The Rattlers are led by Olivia Antilla with 11.4 points per game, while Khaderja Young adds 10.3 points, while also leading the team with 6.0 rebounds per game and 52 total assists this season.
THE SERIES:
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Owls and the Rattlers.
All-Time Record: Series tied, 0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
LAST TIME OUT:
The Kennesaw State women's basketball team had its seven-game winning streak snapped as the Owls' late comeback fell short with a 73-66 setback to Alabama A&M on Monday night (Dec. 29) at Elmore Gymnasium in Huntsville, Ala. Sophomore Deandrea Sawyers led the Owls with 16 points, including four three-pointers and three assists. Junior Jasmine McAllister added 14 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Redshirt-senior Breonna Mosely registered 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and seven rebounds, while senior Kristina Wells chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals for the Owls.
NEXT UP:
The Owls will close out the nonconference slate of their schedule looking to take the season sweep against in-state rival Mercer on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. in the KSU Convocation Center.
COURTESY KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
KENNESAW STATE (10-3) VS FLORIDA A&M (4-7)
GAME 14 | FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 | 7 P.M. ET
KENNESAW, Ga. | KSU CONVOCATION CENTER (4,800)
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | ESPN3 | PROMOTIONS | TICKETS | TWITTER
THE GAME:
The Kennesaw State women's basketball team will look to open the New Year off right as the Owls host Florida A&M in an ESPN3-broadcasted game on Friday, Jan. 2. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET in the KSU Convocation Center.THE COVERAGE:
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from KSUOwls.com at the start of Friday's game.
ESPN3: ESPN3 will have the live broadcast of Friday's game with Nathan McCreay and Theresa Gernatt on the call.
TWITTER: Follow the Kennesaw State women's basketball team on Twitter @KSUOwlsWBB to receive updates throughout the game.
THE OPPONENT:
Florida A&MThe Rattlers come into Friday's contest with a 4-7 record after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 70-64 win against UNC Greensboro at the Miami Post Christmas Tournament in Coral Gables, Fla. In the midst of a nine-game road swing that spans Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, FAMU wraps up its trip with games at KSU and Mercer on Sunday. The Rattlers are led by Olivia Antilla with 11.4 points per game, while Khaderja Young adds 10.3 points, while also leading the team with 6.0 rebounds per game and 52 total assists this season.
THE SERIES:
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Owls and the Rattlers.
All-Time Record: Series tied, 0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
LAST TIME OUT:
The Kennesaw State women's basketball team had its seven-game winning streak snapped as the Owls' late comeback fell short with a 73-66 setback to Alabama A&M on Monday night (Dec. 29) at Elmore Gymnasium in Huntsville, Ala. Sophomore Deandrea Sawyers led the Owls with 16 points, including four three-pointers and three assists. Junior Jasmine McAllister added 14 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Redshirt-senior Breonna Mosely registered 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and seven rebounds, while senior Kristina Wells chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals for the Owls.
NEXT UP:
The Owls will close out the nonconference slate of their schedule looking to take the season sweep against in-state rival Mercer on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. in the KSU Convocation Center.
COURTESY KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Stetson Men's Basketball Preview: Florida A&M
WATCH ESPN3: Florida A&M vs. Stetson (Men's Basketball), Sat., Jan. 3, 2015, 1:00PM DELAND, Florida -- Stetson and Florida A&M meet for the second time this season when they face off at Edmunds Center ... the Hatters defeated the Rattlers, 62-50, back on Nov. 29 in Greeley, Colo. ... the game was a part of the Wyoming Classic ... a win today would give the Hatters back-to-back victories for the first time this season, and the first time since winning three straight last January ... sophomore forward and leading scorer Brian Pegg is expected to return to the floor today after missing the previous five games with an injury ... the Hatters went just 1-4 without Pegg in the lineup.
The Coaches
Stetson’s Corey Williams begins his second season with the Hatters this season. The 21st head coach in school history, Williams led the Hatters to a 7-24 record as a rookie. The former Florida State and Oral Roberts assistant coach was a standout at Oklahoma State, and spent parts of two seasons as a player in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. He was a member of Chicago’s 1993 NBA championship squad.
Florida A&M’s Byron Samuels is in his first season with the Rattlers. He is 75-135 in his ninth season overall as a collegiate head coach.
About Florida A&M
The Rattlers are enduring a difficult start to the 2014-15 season, having lost each of their first 12 games. FAMU is averaging just 51.5 points per game while allowing opponents to score nearly 75 points per contest.
Florida A&M is ineligible for both the MEAC and NCAA tournaments this season due to APR issues over the previous two seasons.
Last Time Out
Stetson’s front court of Kentwan Smith, Kyle Sikora and Wyatt Sikora combined for 41 points and 23 rebounds, helping the Hatters snap a five-game losing streak with a 76-61 win over Florida Tech, Tuesday at Edmunds Center.
Smith, the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week, recorded his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Sikora scored a career-high 15 points and added eight rebounds while younger brother Wyatt chipped in with a career-high 11 points and four boards in 14 minutes off the bench.
The Hatters (4-10) trailed just once in the contest, after a free throw in the opening minute by the Panthers gave them a 1-0 lead. Stetson made a concerted to effort to score in the paint and jumped out to an early 12-4 lead after a dunk by Kyle Sikora.
COURTESY STETSON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Willie Simmons' Staff at Prairie View A&M Coming Together
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- First year Panthers head coach Willie Simmons is putting together a solid coaching staff, per source reporting to Footballscoop.com. The scoop says: KJ Black (Prairie View A&M ) will serve as quarterbacks coach, Black was with the Panthers last season as a Graduate Assistant - Offense. Joseph Henry (UAB) as tight ends, Ralph Street (Alcorn State) as defensive coordinator/defensive line, Jo Nixon (Stillman) as outside linebackers/defensive ends, Bubba McDowell (Prairie View A&M) as safeties Brandon Sharp (Henderson State) will coach the corners.You may read the bio of each coach by clicking on their name as listed. The Panthers are expected to make a formal announcement soon by official release. Please visit PVPanthers.com for the lastest information on Prairie View A&M University Athletics.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Duke Blue Devil Game Notes: NC A&T, Jan. 2, 6:30 PM, BDN
Blue Devil Network l Twitter l Live Stats l Live Audio
Duke Game Notes vs. NC A&T
Game Information
What…………………………………………………………………N.C. A&T at Duke
Date………………………………………………………………..Friday, Jan. 2, 2015
Time………………………………………………………………6:30 PM (ET)
Location………………………………………………………… Durham, N.C.
Venue……………………………………… Cameron Indoor Stadium (9,314)
Where to Watch……………………………………………Blue Devil Network
Radio Blue Devil IMG - WDNC 620 AM, 99.3 FM, 96.5 FM & www.GoDuke.com
…………………………………Steve Barnes (PXP), Morgan Patrick (Color)
Live Stats……………………………………………………www.GoDuke.com
Rankings……………………………………………………Duke (#10/12)
Series Record……………………………………………… Duke leads 1-0
Last Meeting …………………………Feb. 27, 1984, Duke 78, N.C. A&T 39
Setting the Scene...
The 10th-ranked Duke women’s basketball team (8-4) will close non-conference action Friday, Jan. 2 as the Blue Devils host N.C. A&T (7-6) at 6:30 p.m., in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Friday’s contest will be aired on the Blue Devil Network. It will also be carried live on the Blue Devil IMG Sports Network on WDNC-AM 620, 99.3 FM, 96.5 FM and www.GoDuke.com with Steve Barnes (PXP) and Morgan Patrick (Color) on the air.
What is Next?...
Duke will continue its three-game homestand Sunday, Jan. 4 at 2:00 p.m., as the Blue Devils will open ACC action against Wake Forest in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils will play five out of the next six games at home, but will conclude the season playing seven out of the final 11 contests on the road.
DUKE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Duke Game Notes vs. NC A&TGame Information
What…………………………………………………………………N.C. A&T at Duke
Date………………………………………………………………..Friday, Jan. 2, 2015
Time………………………………………………………………6:30 PM (ET)
Location………………………………………………………… Durham, N.C.
Venue……………………………………… Cameron Indoor Stadium (9,314)
Where to Watch……………………………………………Blue Devil Network
Radio Blue Devil IMG - WDNC 620 AM, 99.3 FM, 96.5 FM & www.GoDuke.com
…………………………………Steve Barnes (PXP), Morgan Patrick (Color)
Live Stats……………………………………………………www.GoDuke.com
Rankings……………………………………………………Duke (#10/12)
Series Record……………………………………………… Duke leads 1-0
Last Meeting …………………………Feb. 27, 1984, Duke 78, N.C. A&T 39
Setting the Scene...The 10th-ranked Duke women’s basketball team (8-4) will close non-conference action Friday, Jan. 2 as the Blue Devils host N.C. A&T (7-6) at 6:30 p.m., in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Friday’s contest will be aired on the Blue Devil Network. It will also be carried live on the Blue Devil IMG Sports Network on WDNC-AM 620, 99.3 FM, 96.5 FM and www.GoDuke.com with Steve Barnes (PXP) and Morgan Patrick (Color) on the air.
What is Next?...
Duke will continue its three-game homestand Sunday, Jan. 4 at 2:00 p.m., as the Blue Devils will open ACC action against Wake Forest in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils will play five out of the next six games at home, but will conclude the season playing seven out of the final 11 contests on the road.
DUKE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Brian Jenkins' Alabama State Football Staff Takes Shape
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State Hornets are on the move during the holiday break. Per Football Scoop,com, sources are reporting that Coach Brian Jenkins staff is taking shape with: Mark Orlando – offensive coordinator (from Texas Southern), Prince Pearson – offensive line (Prairie View), James Joseph – running backs (Samford), Allen Suber – receivers / assistant head coach (Bethune-Cookman), Donald Hill Ely – tight ends (Norfolk State), Kevin Ramsey – defensive coordinator (Alabama State), DeMarco McNeil – defensive line (Alabama State) and Ted Daisher, longtime college and NFL assistant coach (UMass).
You may read the bio of each coach by clicking on their name as listed. The Hornets had ten assistant coaches last season under the previous head coach. Please visit bamastatesports.com for the latest news on Alabama State University athletics.
USC Upstate Spartans Open New Year by Hosting Hampton
Game 15: Hampton (6-7) vs. USC Upstate (10-4)Saturday | 1.3.15 | 4:00 p.m. EST
Spartanburg, S.C. | Hodge Center
TV: ESPN3 (Internet)
Spartanburg, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's basketball team plays its first game of the new year Saturday at 4 p.m. when the Spartans welcome Hampton to the Hodge Center in the final home game before conference play.
Upstate closed 2014 strong by turning in a 101-55 victory Tuesday over Montreat to secure its 10th win of the season, marking the first time in school history a Spartan team has collected 10 wins before January. The victory also helped Upstate improve to 20-3 at home against non-conference competition since the start of the 2011-12 season.
Ty Greene scored 18 points and moved into 10th place all-time at Upstate with 1,389 career points. The Knoxville, Tenn., also registered five steals and enters the weekend 10th in the NCAA with 2.8 steals per game. Greene is averaging 4.7 steals per game over his last three games, which includes a career-high six Dec. 17 at Memphis.
Ty Greene scored 18 points and moved into 10th place all-time at Upstate with 1,389 career points. The Knoxville, Tenn., also registered five steals and enters the weekend 10th in the NCAA with 2.8 steals per game. Greene is averaging 4.7 steals per game over his last three games, which includes a career-high six Dec. 17 at Memphis.
Josh Cuthbertson added a career-high 14 points with seven rebounds and a career-best seven assists. Ramel Thompkins, Jacob Schulte andTristan Thomas had 12 points apiece and Michael Buchanan finished with 10 as the Spartans reached the century mark for the third time this season. It's the first time since the 1993-94 season that Upstate has featured three games in the same season with at least 100 points.
Hampton saw its two-game winning streak come to an end Monday following a 83-51 setback at Northern Illinois to drop the Pirates to 1-6 on the road this season. Hampton's only road win came Dec. 2 when the Pirates posted a 62-54 victory at Tennessee State.
Junior guard Dwight Meikle leads Hampton with 12.6 points per game and scored a team-high 18 against Northern Illinois. Tennessee transfer Quinton Chievous is tops on the team with 7.6 rebounds per game and ranks second with 11.7 points per game.
USC Upstate and Hampton will be meeting on the hardwood for the third time when the two schools tipoff inside the Hodge Center. Upstate is 2-0 all-time against the Pirates after claiming a 68-49 victory Jan. 2, 2013, behind a game-high 17 points from Greene. Upstate also won the first meeting, 68-54, on March 12, 1982.
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA UPSTATE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS.
Hampton Lady Pirates Stifle Auburn, Win FIU Sun & Fun Classic
MIAMI, Florida ( Dec. 30) -- In a defensive effort commonplace over the last five-plus seasons, the Hampton University women's basketball team defeated Auburn 44-42 on Tuesday to win the FIU Sun & Fun Classic at FIU Arena.The Lady Pirates improved to 5-8 on the season.
This also marked Hampton's ninth win over a power-conference school in the tenure of head coach David Six – and the first since a 71-61 win over Virginia Tech last season.
Sophomore guard Malia Tate-DeFreitas (Harrisburg, Pa.), who had a team-high 17 points, was named Tournament MVP. Senior guard Kyani White (Manassas, Va.) was also named to the All-Tournament Team after chipping in 10 points.
Senior guard Kenia Cole (Silver Spring, Md.) added 11 points and a team-high five assists. Junior guard Ryan Jordan (Manassas, Va.) again grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
The Lady Pirates shot 32.7 percent (17-for-52) from the floor and hit four of 18 3-pointers (22.2 percent). Despite being out-rebounded 47-36, Hampton turned 18 Auburn turnovers into 15 points and led 26-20 in points in the paint.
Auburn's offensive struggles were particularly evident in the first half, when the Tigers shot just 5-for-30 (16.7 percent) from the floor and hit just one of nine 3-pointers. The Tigers had two lengthy scoring droughts in the first half, including the final 4:24 of the half.
Khady Dieng hit a jumper at the 16:35 mark to give Auburn a 7-3 lead, but the Tigers wouldn't hit another field goal until a 3-pointer from Katie Frerking at the 4:24 mark tied the game at 12-12.
A jumper from Jordan 16 seconds later gave the Lady Pirates a 14-12 lead and kicked off a 9-0 run to end the half. A 3-pointer from Cole with 1:40 left in the frame sent Hampton into the locker room with a 21-12 lead.
That lead evaporated once Auburn opened the second half on a 10-0 run to take a 22-21 lead after a layup from Tra'cee Tanner with 16:22 left. White hit a jumper 20 seconds later to end the run and the Lady Pirates a 23-22 lead.
Auburn cut the lead to 25-24 with 13:31 to play, before a 7-1 run from the Lady Pirates gave Hampton a 32-25 lead after a 3-pointer from Tate-DeFreitas.
A rainbow three from White with 8:26 left put Hampton up 39-29.
Cole hit two free throws with 3:52 left to give the Lady Pirates a 44-37 lead before Auburn scored the next five points to cut the lead to 44-42 with 1:22 left after a free throw from Frerking.
But the Tigers missed their last five shots and committed a turnover in the game's final possession.
Auburn (9-4) shot just 27.6 percent (16-for-58) from the floor and hit just one of 13 3-pointers.
Tanner led the Tigers with 13 points.
The Lady Pirates will return home on Monday, when they play host to Auburn at 7 p.m. For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
BOX SCORE
NEXT GAME: 1/5/15 - 7 PM, Princeton at Hampton, Live on PirateTV
COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
UMES closes 2014 with victory at UT-Martin
MARTIN, Tennessee -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team had to battle to the final buzzer, but the Hawks prevailed over the University of Tennessee-Martin for a 63-60 win on Tuesday night. UMES improved to 8-8 with their third straight victory to close out 2014, all coming on the road.
In the first ever meeting between the two schools, UMES and UT-Martin fought to a stalemate in the first half. Both offenses got off to slow starts, scoring 20 combined points in the opening ten minutes. Devon Walker (Philadelphia, Pa.) closed the half with a nice reverse layup after a backdoor cut to knot the game at 26-26. After lighting the nets on fire from the three-point line in their past two games, UMES had to find other ways to score as they went cold from long range. The Hawks were just 1-of-8 from beyond the arc in the first half and 3-of-11 for the game, with Walker contributing all three makes.
UMES controlled the start of the second half, opening up a decent cushion with their largest lead at 52-44 with seven minutes left in regulation. UT-Martin refused to go quietly, going on a 10-1 run to take a lead at 54-53 on two free throws from Twymond Howard. For the final four minutes, the two teams traded buckets and free throws with eight lead changes down the stretch.
With a minute to play, Devin Martin (Baltimore, Md.) came up with big plays to scrap out a win. Down by a point, UMES turned to Martin to create a shot, knocking down a mid-range jumper from the right baseline to take a 61-60 lead with 41 seconds to go. After a crucial steal by Mark Blackmon (Charlotte, N.C.), Martin sunk two free throws to make it a three-point game. UT-Martin missed three chances to tie, including Alex Anderson's attempt at the buzzer which just kicked off the rim.
Mike Myers (Camden, N.J.) put in a workmanlike effort down low, posting his second straight double-double with 14 poitns and 10 rebounds. Perhaps most impressively, Myers successfully passed out of double-teams for a career-high six assists and zero turnovers. Walker led the team with 16 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor and 3-of-4 from deep. Martin finished with nine points, including 5-of-5 from the free throw line with two clutch makes with 18 seconds remaining.
UMES closes the calendar year with a three-game winning streak with road wins at St. Bonaventure, Duquesne and UT-Martin. It is the first three-game winning streak for UMES since the 2010-2011 season. The Hawks have won seven of their last nine games to pull to an even .500 record for the year. This is the latest that UMES has sported a record at .500 or better since the 2001-02 season.
The Hawks will enjoy a week off, next playing on Wednesday, January 7 at N.J.I.T. Tip-off for the first game of 2015 will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Fleisher Center in Newark, N.J. The matchup with the Highlanders will be the final non-conference game of the season before UMES returns to league play against Morgan State.
Box Score
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION
In the first ever meeting between the two schools, UMES and UT-Martin fought to a stalemate in the first half. Both offenses got off to slow starts, scoring 20 combined points in the opening ten minutes. Devon Walker (Philadelphia, Pa.) closed the half with a nice reverse layup after a backdoor cut to knot the game at 26-26. After lighting the nets on fire from the three-point line in their past two games, UMES had to find other ways to score as they went cold from long range. The Hawks were just 1-of-8 from beyond the arc in the first half and 3-of-11 for the game, with Walker contributing all three makes.
UMES controlled the start of the second half, opening up a decent cushion with their largest lead at 52-44 with seven minutes left in regulation. UT-Martin refused to go quietly, going on a 10-1 run to take a lead at 54-53 on two free throws from Twymond Howard. For the final four minutes, the two teams traded buckets and free throws with eight lead changes down the stretch.
With a minute to play, Devin Martin (Baltimore, Md.) came up with big plays to scrap out a win. Down by a point, UMES turned to Martin to create a shot, knocking down a mid-range jumper from the right baseline to take a 61-60 lead with 41 seconds to go. After a crucial steal by Mark Blackmon (Charlotte, N.C.), Martin sunk two free throws to make it a three-point game. UT-Martin missed three chances to tie, including Alex Anderson's attempt at the buzzer which just kicked off the rim.
Mike Myers (Camden, N.J.) put in a workmanlike effort down low, posting his second straight double-double with 14 poitns and 10 rebounds. Perhaps most impressively, Myers successfully passed out of double-teams for a career-high six assists and zero turnovers. Walker led the team with 16 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor and 3-of-4 from deep. Martin finished with nine points, including 5-of-5 from the free throw line with two clutch makes with 18 seconds remaining.
UMES closes the calendar year with a three-game winning streak with road wins at St. Bonaventure, Duquesne and UT-Martin. It is the first three-game winning streak for UMES since the 2010-2011 season. The Hawks have won seven of their last nine games to pull to an even .500 record for the year. This is the latest that UMES has sported a record at .500 or better since the 2001-02 season.
The Hawks will enjoy a week off, next playing on Wednesday, January 7 at N.J.I.T. Tip-off for the first game of 2015 will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Fleisher Center in Newark, N.J. The matchup with the Highlanders will be the final non-conference game of the season before UMES returns to league play against Morgan State.
Box Score
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION
O'Neale Helps Baylor Bears Rout Norfolk State 92-51
WACO, Texas -- Royce O'Neale scored 15 points of his career-best 23 points in the opening minutes of the second half to lead No. 22 Baylor to a 92-51 win over Norfolk State on Tuesday night.
Rico Gathers added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Baylor (11-1). Taurean Prince and Al Freeman scored 13 each.
Jeff Short had 23 points and D'Shon Taylor scored 11 for Norfolk State (9-6). Rashid Gaston had 10 rebounds and six points.
O'Neale had a 3 to open the second-half scoring, and then with Baylor holding a 40-29 lead, he took over. After a dunk by Gathers and one free throw by Johnathan Motley, O'Neale hit 3s on Baylor's next four possessions. After Lester Medford converted a 3-point play, the Bears led 55-29 with 14:41 left in the game and the game was effectively over.
O'Neale scored five consecutive points as Baylor took an early 12-8 lead. From there, Norfolk went on an 11-2 run - spurred by 3s from Taylor and Short - and took a 19-14 lead with 11:31 to play, prompting Baylor coach Scott Drew to call a timeout.
On the Bears' next possession, Motley was called for an offensive foul as he was starting a short drive to the basket. After that, however, Baylor went on an 11-2 run of its own to take the lead back, 25-21, at the 5:50 mark. O'Neale hit a 3 and Prince converted a three-point play during the stint.
Prince hit a 3 in front of the Norfolk bench at the buzzer to give Baylor a 32-27 halftime lead.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Baylor's 92 points were a season high surpassing its previous high of 80 (vs. McNeese State, 11/14/14).
• Baylor's 60 second-half points were the most in any half by the Bears this season.
• Baylor's 34 field goals made were a season high surpassing its previous high of 30 (vs. McNeese State, 11/14/14).
• Baylor set a season high with 28 assists surpassing the previous total of 23 (McNeese St., 11/14/14).
• Baylor set a season high with 23 offensive rebounds surpassing the previous total of 22 (vs. Texas Southern, 12/1/14).
• Baylor's eight blocks matched a season high (vs. SFA, 11/24/14).
• Baylor's 41-point margin of victory was the largest loss suffered by Norfolk State since the Spartans lost to the University of Florida, 84-50 (3/18/12).
• Royce O'Neale scored a career-high 23 points passing his previous high of 22 (at Vanderbilt, 12/4/14).
• O'Neale's 23 points tied for the most by a Baylor player this season (Gathers, 23 vs. Texas Southern, 12/1/14).
• O'Neale hit a career-high five 3-point field goals, passing his previous high of four, accomplished four times.
• O'Neale reached double figures (23) for the fourth time this season and for the 14th time in his career. Baylor is 12-2 when he scores at least 10 points. • O'Neale led the Bears in scoring for the third time this season and the sixth time in his career.
• Rico Gathers posted his Big 12-leading 6th double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds; it was the 13th of his career.
• Gathers reached double figures in rebounds for the 10th time this season and the 24th time of his career.
STAT OF THE GAME
60: Second-half points for Baylor, turning a five-point halftime advantage into a a 41-point victory.
Box Score | Notes | USATSI Photo Gallery
COURTESY BAYLOR UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELAITONS
Rico Gathers added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Baylor (11-1). Taurean Prince and Al Freeman scored 13 each.
Jeff Short had 23 points and D'Shon Taylor scored 11 for Norfolk State (9-6). Rashid Gaston had 10 rebounds and six points.
O'Neale had a 3 to open the second-half scoring, and then with Baylor holding a 40-29 lead, he took over. After a dunk by Gathers and one free throw by Johnathan Motley, O'Neale hit 3s on Baylor's next four possessions. After Lester Medford converted a 3-point play, the Bears led 55-29 with 14:41 left in the game and the game was effectively over.
O'Neale scored five consecutive points as Baylor took an early 12-8 lead. From there, Norfolk went on an 11-2 run - spurred by 3s from Taylor and Short - and took a 19-14 lead with 11:31 to play, prompting Baylor coach Scott Drew to call a timeout.
On the Bears' next possession, Motley was called for an offensive foul as he was starting a short drive to the basket. After that, however, Baylor went on an 11-2 run of its own to take the lead back, 25-21, at the 5:50 mark. O'Neale hit a 3 and Prince converted a three-point play during the stint.
Prince hit a 3 in front of the Norfolk bench at the buzzer to give Baylor a 32-27 halftime lead.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Baylor's 92 points were a season high surpassing its previous high of 80 (vs. McNeese State, 11/14/14).
• Baylor's 60 second-half points were the most in any half by the Bears this season.
• Baylor's 34 field goals made were a season high surpassing its previous high of 30 (vs. McNeese State, 11/14/14).
• Baylor set a season high with 28 assists surpassing the previous total of 23 (McNeese St., 11/14/14).
• Baylor set a season high with 23 offensive rebounds surpassing the previous total of 22 (vs. Texas Southern, 12/1/14).
• Baylor's eight blocks matched a season high (vs. SFA, 11/24/14).
• Baylor's 41-point margin of victory was the largest loss suffered by Norfolk State since the Spartans lost to the University of Florida, 84-50 (3/18/12).
• Royce O'Neale scored a career-high 23 points passing his previous high of 22 (at Vanderbilt, 12/4/14).
• O'Neale's 23 points tied for the most by a Baylor player this season (Gathers, 23 vs. Texas Southern, 12/1/14).
• O'Neale hit a career-high five 3-point field goals, passing his previous high of four, accomplished four times.
• O'Neale reached double figures (23) for the fourth time this season and for the 14th time in his career. Baylor is 12-2 when he scores at least 10 points. • O'Neale led the Bears in scoring for the third time this season and the sixth time in his career.
• Rico Gathers posted his Big 12-leading 6th double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds; it was the 13th of his career.
• Gathers reached double figures in rebounds for the 10th time this season and the 24th time of his career.
STAT OF THE GAME
60: Second-half points for Baylor, turning a five-point halftime advantage into a a 41-point victory.
Box Score | Notes | USATSI Photo Gallery
COURTESY BAYLOR UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELAITONS
Alabama State Hornets Hold Off Fort Valley State
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Bobby Brown led a trio of double-digit scoring Hornets with 16 points as Alabama State finished the pre-conference part of their schedule with a 76-65 win over Fort Valley State.
It was a game that has been a lot like several of ASU's games as they had a hot-shooting opening half and then their shooting fell off in the second half.
"It was a tough ball game," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said. "Coming in off the Christmas break we needed a game before conference play and we wanted to try and work on some things. I'm certainly glad we got to play one because if it had been a SWAC game we probably would have lost tonight."
"We are trying to be a better team offensively in our half court and that is something we have to consistently work on. We didn't shoot free throws well and it was just a tough ball game overall."
Wendell Lewis scored 13 points and Luther Page came off the bench to score 11. ASU finished the game shooting 44 percent for the game, and that includes 36 percent from beyond the three point line. ASU also struggled from the free throw line hitting 14 of their 27 attempts (52%).
The Hornets (4-5) looked to break open the game coming out of the locker room in the second half outscoring FVSU 13-4 to build their largest lead of the game at 54-34.
After that the Wildcats (0-8) fought their way back into the game and cut the lead to nine points on a couple of occasions, the last at 69-60 after a three point field goal from Ralph Wilson, who scored 13 points.
Derrick Spear scored a game-high 18 points for FVSU and Tyrone Brinson came off the bench to score 14 as the visitors finished the game shooting 44 percent from the field.
FVSU came into the game only averaging five three point field goals per game, but every time the Hornets would pull away FVSU would sink a long range jumper, finishing the game with eight.
"We have to get better defensively," Jackson said. "We gave up 60-something points tonight, almost 70, and we have to get better defensively."
"Our wings have to keep the players out of the lane we have to really work on that. I think our bigs are playing decent around the basket, and we have to rebound the ball better. We have always been a good rebounding team as well as defensively, so we have to continue to work on these things that are going to allow us to have success when our offense is not working that well. You have to be able to stop somebody on the defensive end."
The Hornets used a 52 percent shooting performance in the opening half on its way to building a 41-30 halftime lead. Part of that hot-shooting was knocking down five of their 10 three point field goals.
Brown led the way with eight points, including opening the game with a three-point field goal and being fouled on the play. With the free throw it was the Hornets first four-point play of the season.
Lewis also scored eight points in the opening half and Robinson added seven.
ASU's defense held the Wildcats to 39 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes, but the visitors, started hitting three pointers early and hit four in the first half to stay close. Wilson and Spear had six points each to lead FVSU.
ASU will continue its three-game home stand and will jump into conference play hosting Grambling Saturday, Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. Check bamastatesports.com for all your up-to-date basketball news leading to the game.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
It was a game that has been a lot like several of ASU's games as they had a hot-shooting opening half and then their shooting fell off in the second half.
"It was a tough ball game," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said. "Coming in off the Christmas break we needed a game before conference play and we wanted to try and work on some things. I'm certainly glad we got to play one because if it had been a SWAC game we probably would have lost tonight."
"We are trying to be a better team offensively in our half court and that is something we have to consistently work on. We didn't shoot free throws well and it was just a tough ball game overall."
Wendell Lewis scored 13 points and Luther Page came off the bench to score 11. ASU finished the game shooting 44 percent for the game, and that includes 36 percent from beyond the three point line. ASU also struggled from the free throw line hitting 14 of their 27 attempts (52%).
The Hornets (4-5) looked to break open the game coming out of the locker room in the second half outscoring FVSU 13-4 to build their largest lead of the game at 54-34.
After that the Wildcats (0-8) fought their way back into the game and cut the lead to nine points on a couple of occasions, the last at 69-60 after a three point field goal from Ralph Wilson, who scored 13 points.
Derrick Spear scored a game-high 18 points for FVSU and Tyrone Brinson came off the bench to score 14 as the visitors finished the game shooting 44 percent from the field.
FVSU came into the game only averaging five three point field goals per game, but every time the Hornets would pull away FVSU would sink a long range jumper, finishing the game with eight.
"We have to get better defensively," Jackson said. "We gave up 60-something points tonight, almost 70, and we have to get better defensively."
"Our wings have to keep the players out of the lane we have to really work on that. I think our bigs are playing decent around the basket, and we have to rebound the ball better. We have always been a good rebounding team as well as defensively, so we have to continue to work on these things that are going to allow us to have success when our offense is not working that well. You have to be able to stop somebody on the defensive end."
The Hornets used a 52 percent shooting performance in the opening half on its way to building a 41-30 halftime lead. Part of that hot-shooting was knocking down five of their 10 three point field goals.
Brown led the way with eight points, including opening the game with a three-point field goal and being fouled on the play. With the free throw it was the Hornets first four-point play of the season.
Lewis also scored eight points in the opening half and Robinson added seven.
ASU's defense held the Wildcats to 39 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes, but the visitors, started hitting three pointers early and hit four in the first half to stay close. Wilson and Spear had six points each to lead FVSU.
ASU will continue its three-game home stand and will jump into conference play hosting Grambling Saturday, Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. Check bamastatesports.com for all your up-to-date basketball news leading to the game.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Hawaii 'Bows Outlast Prairie View A&M, 76-68
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Mike Thomas tied his career-high of 14 points to lead five players in double figures and the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team outlasted Prairie View A&M 76-68 on Tuesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Quincy Smith took advantage of his opportunity off the bench for the 'Bows (12-4), posting 10 points on 4-5 shooting with Isaac Fleming contributing another 10 points of bench scoring. Negus Webster-Chan had 10 points and six rebounds before going down with an ankle sprain early in the second half.
Montreal Scott was the game's top scorer, posting a game-high 27 points and hitting five three-pointers to keep Prairie View (2-11) in the game.
Box Score | Box Score (html)
Hawai'i used a 10-0 run to break open a close game in the second half. Garrett Nevels, scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday, had six of his 10 points in the run as UH took a 68-58 lead with 3:28 to play.
The 'Bows looked prime to run away with the game early in the second half, but a 10-1 Panther run tied the game. Thomas ended the run with a three-pointer and back-to-back alley-oop dunks served up by Roderick Bobbitt helped UH regain the lead at 57-56 with 7:40 to play. Bobbitt struggled from the floor but finished with game highs of nine assists and four steals.
It was another slow start for the 'Bows who fell behind early in the first half. Karim York's three-pointer help the Panthers to a 6-0 spurt and a 12-6 lead. The 'Bows wouldn't be held down for long as a pair of Bobbitt steals and three-pointers from Smith and Fleming spearheaded a 10-0 run to put UH in front for the first time.
The turnover bug would hit the 'Bows in the first half as four miscues over a three minute span led to some easy Panther buckets. Prairie View would come all the way back when a Jayrn Johnson three-pointer tied the game at 34-34. Jovanovic would close the half with a baseline jumper to give UH a 38-36 lead at the break.
The 'Bows will open conference play hosting Cal Poly on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Start time at the Stan Sheriff Center is set for 7:00 p.m.
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Quincy Smith took advantage of his opportunity off the bench for the 'Bows (12-4), posting 10 points on 4-5 shooting with Isaac Fleming contributing another 10 points of bench scoring. Negus Webster-Chan had 10 points and six rebounds before going down with an ankle sprain early in the second half.
Montreal Scott was the game's top scorer, posting a game-high 27 points and hitting five three-pointers to keep Prairie View (2-11) in the game.
Box Score | Box Score (html)
Hawai'i used a 10-0 run to break open a close game in the second half. Garrett Nevels, scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday, had six of his 10 points in the run as UH took a 68-58 lead with 3:28 to play.
The 'Bows looked prime to run away with the game early in the second half, but a 10-1 Panther run tied the game. Thomas ended the run with a three-pointer and back-to-back alley-oop dunks served up by Roderick Bobbitt helped UH regain the lead at 57-56 with 7:40 to play. Bobbitt struggled from the floor but finished with game highs of nine assists and four steals.
It was another slow start for the 'Bows who fell behind early in the first half. Karim York's three-pointer help the Panthers to a 6-0 spurt and a 12-6 lead. The 'Bows wouldn't be held down for long as a pair of Bobbitt steals and three-pointers from Smith and Fleming spearheaded a 10-0 run to put UH in front for the first time.
The turnover bug would hit the 'Bows in the first half as four miscues over a three minute span led to some easy Panther buckets. Prairie View would come all the way back when a Jayrn Johnson three-pointer tied the game at 34-34. Jovanovic would close the half with a baseline jumper to give UH a 38-36 lead at the break.
The 'Bows will open conference play hosting Cal Poly on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Start time at the Stan Sheriff Center is set for 7:00 p.m.
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Harris-Stowe holds on to beat Gold Nuggets 59-58
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| Photo Gallery: XU vs. Harris-Stowe women's basketball in XU Holiday Classic Photos by Yamlak Tsega |
The Lady Hornets (4-5) earned a split of their two games in this event. The Gold Nuggets (7-8) lost both their games and stretched their losing streak to four, their longest since February 2007.
Harris-Stowe twice led by 17 points, the second time at 49-32 when Leah Hamilton made two free throws with 7:54 remaining. Xavier scored the final 10 points but missed a free throw and two field goals in the final nine seconds.
Hamilton scored 15 points and KeAris Vaughn 11 for Harris-Stowe.
Vinnie Briggs scored 16 points for the Gold Nuggets, and Trana Hopkins had 12. Xavier's season scoring leader, Whitney Gathright, had a season-low six points and was 2-of-12 from the floor.
Harris-Stowe outscored Xavier 8-1 in the final six minutes of the first half to take a 27-22 halftime lead. Wesley's 3-pointer at 3:18 put the Lady Hornets ahead to stay, 22-21.
Harris-Stowe outshot the Gold Nuggets 33.9 to 28.4 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 49-47.
It's the first time since January 2010 that the Gold Nuggets lost consecutive home games.
Xavier will play its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Talladega.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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