MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAIN STREET&#8482;

Obituary: Dallas Cowboys legend Jethro Pugh (ECSU) dies

A native of Windsor, North Carolina, Pugh entered Elizabeth City State University at the age of 16 and by the time he turned 20 he was already a member of the Dallas Cowboys (with a college degree).

IRVING, Texas -- Jethro Pugh, an original member of the Dallas Cowboys’ famed Doomsday Defense who played on two Super Bowl title teams, died Wednesday.

Relatives said he died of natural causes. He was 70.

Mr. Pugh was also on the Cowboys team that played in the famed Ice Bowl, the 1967 NFL Championship Game against Green Bay. The Cowboys will play a playoff game at Green Bay on Sunday for the first time since the Ice Bowl, and owner Jerry Jones said Mr. Pugh’s spirit will be with the team , with a Bachelor's Degree.

PHOTO GALLERY: Photos: A look back at former Cowboys defensive tackle Jethro Pugh

“This is a sad day for Cowboys fans, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Jethro’s family,” Jones said in a statement. “He was loved and appreciated by his teammates and Cowboys fans for decades, and his spirit will be felt when our team travels to Green Bay this weekend.”

Mr. Pugh, a native of Windsor, N.C., was picked in the 11th round of the 1965 NFL Draft out of tiny Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, N.C. He went on to play 14 years with the Cowboys, the fourth-longest tenure in franchise history.

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Townsend: FAMU athletics not 'broken'

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Since being named Florida A&M’s interim athletic director, Nelson Townsend has frequently said he wants to maintain open communication between the university’s athletic department and Rattler Nation.

He delivered on that promise in a big way Wednesday afternoon.

In front of a crowd of about 50 members of the 220 Quarterback Club, a group of FAMU sports enthusiasts, Townsend unflinchingly tackled questions on a variety of subjects.

From the the school’s athletic department, to it’s under-performing sports teams and future plans for the football team, which may not include trips to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Townsend also announced FAMU’s 2015 football schedule during the 60-minute question-and-answer session.

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Virginia State will name Richmond assistant Byron Thweatt head football coach

COACH BYRON THWEATT
Courtesy: University of Richmond Athletics

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia State University will introduce University of Richmond assistant Byron Thweatt as its head football coach Thursday.

Thweatt, 36, is a graduate of Matoaca High School and the University of Virginia. He has been a member of the Spiders’ staff for eight years. Thweatt coached inside linebackers and was UR’s director of high school relations in 2014. He has also coached other positions for Richmond and was the program’s recruiting coordinator.

“There’s a lot of buzz at Virginia State, so I’m very pleased with the opportunity,”said Thweatt, an All-ACC linebacker as a U.Va. senior. “That’s a community I grew up in and it’s a great opportunity for me to give back to the community and continue a tradition that has really taken off.”

Thweatt succeeds Latrell Scott, a Lee-Davis High grad who left Division II VSU to become ,,,

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UVA Quarterback David Watford will finish his college career at Hampton University

HAMPTON, Virginia -- After nearly a month of searching for the right place to get back on the field, David Watford is continuing his football career where it began.

Watford, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound quarterback who graduated from Hampton High and spent the past four seasons at Virginia, has transferred to Hampton University. He told the Daily Press he'll begin graduate classes Monday in sports administration at HU, where he'll compete next season as a redshirt senior quarterback.

"I'm definitely excited for the opportunity, and a fresh start at the end of the day," said Watford, a former U.Va. starting quarterback who graduated from the school with an undergraduate degree in African-American studies. "I want to have fun and play up to my capabilities.

"(HU's coaches) told me I'll have to work for my spot to earn it. It's my job to go out there and earn my spot and keep it."

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FAMU Athletics Announces 2015 Football Schedule

11-game slate features rugged opening act in September

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University Interim Director of Athletics Nelson E. Townsend Wednesday afternoon announced the 2015 Rattler Football Schedule.

New Head coach Alex Wood, appointed to take the helm of the storied Rattler program on December 23, will lead his charges through a challenging gauntlet of games that features three non-conference matches and eight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference bouts.

September will be a strong opening act for the Rattler squad, as they face three straight road games to open the season, beginning with the Sept. 5 lid lifter in Tampa against the University of South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.

The Rattlers will then head to Birmingham, Ala., Sept. 12 to face the Samford University Bulldogs , followed by their Sept. 19 MEAC opener sgainst the South Carolina State Bulldogs in Orangeburg. They wind down the month at home, Sept. 26 against the Big Blue Tigers of Tennessee State.

Conference games will dominate the October and November play dates, beginning Oct. 3 with the road test against the Savannah State Tigers in Savannah, Ga.

Home in Bragg Stadium will be the theme for the remainder of October, as the Rattlers will host three home games in four weeks: Oct. 10 against the Eagles of North Carolina Central; Oct. 17 against theDelaware State Hornets, and following an open date on Oct. 24, against the North Carolina A&T
Aggies, on Oct. 31.

In November, FAMU closes the regular season as they began the campaign with three straight on the road: Nov. 7 against the Hampton Pirates at Hampton, Va.; Nov. 14 against the Bears of Morgan State in Baltimore,Md., and Nov. 21 against archrival Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Blue Florida Classic in the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Season ticket packages are being finalized for the 2015 FAMU Home Schedule, and will go on sale beginning Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the Rattler Box Office in The Al Lawson Center.

Call (850) 599-3141 for ticket reservations or for more information.

2015 FAMU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 at University of South Florida+ Tampa, Fla.

Sept. 12 at Samford University** Birmingham, Ala.

Sept. 19 at South Carolina State* Orangeburg, S.C.

SEPT. 26 TENNESSEE STATE++ HOME

Oct. 3 at Savannah State* Savannah, Ga.

OCT. 10 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL* HOME

OCT. 17 DELAWARE STATE * HOME

OCT. 31 NORTH CAROLINA A&T* HOME

Nov. 7 at Hampton University* Hampton, Va.

Nov. 14 at Morgan State University* Baltimore, Md.

Nov. 21 Bethune-Cookman * Orlando, Fla. (Florida Blue/Florida Classic)

*Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Games
+ American Athletic Conference

**Southern Conference
++Ohio Valley Conference

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M's Townsend announces 2015 football schedule, reveals potential bowl game

NELSON TOWNSEND
INTERIM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M interim athletic director Nelson Townsend announced Florida A&M's 2015 football schedule during a nearly hourlong question and answer session with the 220 Quarterback Club Wednesday afternoon.

During the meeting, Townsend also revealed plans for a potential end-of-season bowl game between the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwest Athletic Conference. The bowl would take the champions from both conferences, removing them from the Football Championship Subdivision playoff picture.

Townsend said teams from both conferences would still be eligible to receive at-large bids, though typically only the champions from each conference earns a spot in the FCS playoffs. He added FAMU voted against the potential bowl game, and that the SWAC still needs to vote before plans for the game are finalized.

"That is the plan but it has not ...

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Bryan Henry column: Time to get back to work

Jamey Shouppe
Head Coach
FAMU Baseball

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- It feels great to get back in the office here at Florida A&M.

We have had meetings each morning to make sure we are all on the same page and ready for our first baseball team meeting today. I have seen a handful of players coming in and out of the athletic building, and all of us are sharing the same excitement. We are ready to get this train rolling. Our first meeting will map out the spring so the guys know exactly what to expect in preparation for the start of the season next month.

The new year started on a pretty good note for us as a staff. We may have found a volunteer coach for the season.

Head coach Jamey Shouppe called asistant coach Brett Richardson and I in and said I want you to ...

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Report: Bethune-Cookman’s second-leading scorer, reserve guard to transfer

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman took a big hit to its roster on Tuesday afternoon as second-leading scorer Clemmye Owens and reserve guard Tony Kynard will transfer. The news of the duo’s transfer was reported by Corey Albertson of Prep Hoops Ohio.

Both Owens and Kynard are sophomore guards and come from Rogers High School in Toledo, Ohio. The 6-foot-1 Owens was a MEAC All-Rookie selection last season and during the 2014-15 season is averaging 15.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in 32.9 minutes per contest. Kynard is playing 18.5 minutes a game and averaging 3.6 points, 2.7 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game in a reserve role.

The writing was on the wall for this transfer in the last few games as Kynard has not played in the last four games for the Wildcats while Owens missed the last three. With Bethune-Cookman already struggling to a 4-11 record on the season, the loss of their second-leading scorer is likely only to make matters worse.

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Karl Morgan turns down Jackson State DC offer

KARL MORGAN
Head Football Coach
Coahoma Community College

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Karl Morgan found himself in a similar situation about five years ago.

And he took a similar action.

Morgan turned down Jackson State's offer to become its next defensive coordinator, deciding to stay for Year 2 as Coahoma's head football coach.

"It was enticing, in the sense that the results from last year they were close in a lot of games," Morgan said. "But I thought about the staff here. I got five guys on the staff here. If I were to leave right now, they would be in a situation where they would be looking for work. ... And I think the fact that we didn't do very well last year was also a factor to come back and improve."

He said he told JSU coach Harold Jackson that he'd think about the offer over Christmas break and gave Jackson his decision on Sunday.

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Gaels Finish Non-Conference On High Note, Beat Morgan State

MORAGA, California -- Strong defense and an efficient night on the offensive end spelled victory for the Saint Mary's men's basketball team as the Gaels turned back visiting Morgan State and closed the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 78-52 victory at McKeon Pavilion.

Garrett Jackson scored in double figures for the fifth-straight game, posting a career-high 24 points on 10 of 11 shooting for Saint Mary's (12-3). Jackson also grabbed a season-high nine rebounds. Kerry Carter added 15 points, Brad Waldow added 14 and Aaron Bright chipped in with nine points and 10 assists. Blake Bozeman led Morgan State (2-14) with 22.

Good early defense helped Saint Mary’s build a lead Tuesday, and the Gaels took an 11-point lead to halftime as a result. An 8-2 start came courtesy of two 3-pointers by Carter and a bucket by Waldow, giving some early fire to the Gaels on a cold night in Moraga.

Morgan State stayed close for the next few minutes, but Saint Mary’s tightened its grip on defense and began to pull away. The Gaels forced the Bears into a scoreless stretch that lasted over five minutes, taking a 14-6 lead and building a little steam. A 3-pointer by Kyle Thomas ended the cold spell, but back to back baskets capped by a layup by Dane Pineau pushed SMC’s advantage back to nine at 18-9.

Bozeman put the Bears on his back for a few minutes, and his back to back 3s cut Saint Mary’s lead to 18-14. By the final media time out of the half, Saint Mary’s had re-established a 10-point lead and a pair of free throws by Aaron Bright gave the Gaels their 11-point advantage heading into the locker room.

Saint Mary’s wasted no time asserting itself to begin the second half, scoring the first six points out of intermission on 3-pointers by Bright and Jackson. Morgan State countered with a layup but two buckets inside from Jackson and a layup by Carter moved the Gaels’ lead north of 20 and gave the home five complete control.

"I like the way it's headed. We've definitely improved the last month and I think that's what you want to do. We still have a lot of room to improve," Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett said. "Garrett is coming on, Des (Simmons) is coming on and Aaron's come on. We had to get them in a comfort zone, so to speak, so they could play with confidence. I think we have them there."

Morgan State never got untracked offensively, shooting just 35 percent for the night. Saint Mary's was able to empty its bench at the end of the game, giving valuable rest to several starters who rank at or near the top of the WCC in minutes played. Center Jock Landale played a solid all-around game in a career-high 13 minutes.

The Gaels continued their dominance on the boards, outrebounding Morgan State 42-21 led by 12 from Simmons. Saint Mary's has outrebounded its opponent in every game this season, and the Gaels lead the WCC in rebounding margin. SMC also dominated the paint, outscoring the Bears 48-22 down low.

"We've worked on it a lot in practice. Coach preaches it and I think we have a really good rebounding group," Simmons said. "I like to rebound, Garrett likes to rebound, Brad rebounds great. Kerry is a great rebounding guard, (Aaron) and Emmett (Naar) are starting to pick it up with the rebounding part. I think collectively we have a group that likes to rebound."

Saint Mary's returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Stockton for an 8 p.m. tip vs. Pacific. That game will be televised live by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and live audio/statistics will be available through SMCGaels.com. The Gaels come back to Moraga on Jan. 15 to take on San Diego and BYU visits McKeon Pavilion on Jan. 17. Tickets for those games, as well as all home games, are available by clicking the Tickets link at SMCGaels.com or by calling the SMC Athletic Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx.

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COURTESY SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Nuggets out of top 25, host No. 7 Loyola Wednesday

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana fell out of the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 on Tuesday. The Gold Nuggets, however, will have two chances this week to restore their luster.

Xavier will play No. 7 Loyola at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Philander Smith — the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's leading vote-getter this week — at 3 p.m. Saturday. XU's Convocation Center will be the site of both games.

In the first national ranking since Dec. 9, the Gold Nuggets dropped from 19th after four straight losses, two at home, by a total of 12 points during the second half of December. Xavier (8-8) ended its skid with a 67-60 victory Monday at Talladega in its GCAC opener, but that game did not figure in this week's voting.

Loyola (12-0) is the first XU home opponent of the last 11 seasons which is unbeaten and possesses double-digit victories. The Gold Nuggets are 16-0 all-time at home against Loyola, so one team's winning streak will end Wednesday.

Xavier will try to avoid its first three-game home losing streak since the 2009-10 season.

Philander Smith (11-2), 30th in this week's national voting with 14 points, will visit this weekend with the GCAC's best overall winning percentage. The Lady Panthers are 22-6 since losing their GCAC opener last season.

Xavier received three points and tied for 35th place. Freed-Hardeman collected 9-of-10 first-place votes to remain No. 1 for the second consecutive poll. Defending national champion Oklahoma City is second.

The next poll will be announced Jan. 13.

The top 25:

1. Freed-Hardeman
2. Oklahoma City
3. Campbellsville
4. Westminster (Utah)
5. Oklahoma Baptist
6. Wiley
7. Loyola
8. Bethel (Tenn.)
9. Langston
10. (tie) Vanguard
10. (tie) Concordia (Calif.)
12. Lewis-Clark State
13. Cumberland
14. MidAmerica Nazarene
15. Montana State-Northern
16. Westmont
17. (tie) The Master's
17. (tie) Shawnee State
19. Our Lady of the Lake
20. Lyon
21. Baker
22. Lindsey Wilson
23. Columbia (Mo.)
24. Carroll (Mont.)
25. Georgetown (Ky.)

Also receiving votes, in order of points received:

Auburn Montgomery, Great Falls, Martin Methodist, Cumberlands, Philander Smith, Texas Wesleyan, Benedictine (Kan.), William Woods, Pikeville, Xavier, Biola, Wayland Baptist

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

Gold Rush make 40th consecutive appearance in top 25

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana fell from 22nd to 24th Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 and held on to its NAIA-leading current streak of appearances.

The Gold Rush (11-6) are in the top 25 for the 40th consecutive time — the streak began on Dec. 12, 2011 — and the 53rd time in the last 54 polls. Tied for second with 29 consecutive appearances are Cal State San Marcos and Pikeville.

For the third time in as many polls this season, Xavier is one of three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference teams in the top 25. Talladega is fifth, and Philander Smith is 16th. Both moved up one place from a week ago.

Philander Smith is the next Gold Rush opponent — 5 p.m. Saturday at XU's Convocation Center. It will be Xavier's fifth game of the season against a top-25 opponent and its fourth in a row. Xavier won at home against ranked Philander Smith teams each of the past two seasons.

The Gold Rush won three straight games since the previous poll Dec. 9, including a 92-82 victory at then-No. 5 William Carey. Xavier then lost 70-65 at home to Concordia (Calif.), which remains at No. 9.

Xavier lost its GCAC opener 93-78 at Talladega on Monday, but that game was not included in this week's rankings. Talladega will visit Xavier on Feb. 9.

Campbellsville replaced Cal State San Marcos as the No. 1 team. Campbellsville and Hope International received five first-place apiece, but the Tigers had a 246-245 advantage in points. Cal State San Marcos dropped to third.

The next poll will be announced Jan. 13.

The top 25:

1. Campbellsville
2. Hope International
3. Cal State San Marcos
4. Pikeville
5. Talladega
6. Freed-Hardeman
7. Martin Methodist
8. Oklahoma Baptist
9. Concordia (Calif.)
10. Montana Western
11. Benedictine (Kan.)
12. Texas Wesleyan
13. Our Lady of the Lake
14. Dalton State
15. Wayland Baptist
16. Philander Smith
17. Arizona Christian
18. Rocky Mountain
19. Georgetown (Ky.)
20. William Carey
21. LSU-Shreveport
22. Central Methodist
23. Lewis-Clark State
24. Xavier
25. Southwestern Assemblies of God

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

Monday's HBCU Basketball Scoreboard

Monday, January 5, 2015

WOMEN
Xavier 67, Talladega 60
Edward Waters 74, Tougaloo 54
#22 Princeton 75, Hampton 63
North Carolina A&T 87, Guilford 41
Coppin State 58, Norfolk State 56
Pittsburg State 86, Lincoln (Mo.) 56
Jackson State 90, Alabama State 85
Texas Southern 62, Southern 48
Alcorn State 68, Prairie View A&M 46
Alabama A&M 59, Grambling State 56

MEN
Talladega 93, Xavier 78
Tougaloo 80, Edward Waters 61
Pittsburg State 74, Lincoln (Mo.) 50
Alabama A&M 67, Grambling State 46
Alabama State 72, Jackson State 52
Alcorn State 68, Prairie View A&M 62
Texas Southern 59, Southern 58 Watch Replay

Delaware State 90, Cheyney 68
Bethune-Cookman 97, Trinity Baptist 71

SCSU Football: Hargrave’s hard-working holidays

SALISBURY, Maryland — North Rowan graduate Javon Hargrave has been transformed from a guy with NFL dreams to a guy with realistic NFL possibilities.

The South Carolina State junior did a lot to raise his stock on Oct. 25 when his team won, 20-14, against Bethune-Cookman, the 13th-ranked team in the FCS poll. Hargrave, a 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive tackle, made 11 tackles in that physical struggle between bitter Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rivals. Six of his tackles were sacks.

Seriously — six sacks. Hargrave made sacks when he was lined up inside and he made sacks from the outside. He broke the school single-game record and tied the MEAC and FCS records. He was the national player of the week.

“That one game changed my life — it really did,” Hargrave said. “Since that game, lots of scouts have come around to watch me. That game was the spark for a lot of good things that have happened to me.”

It’s hard to believe but Hargrave’s physical status was doubtful going into the Bethune-Cookman game.

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DSU Hornets fly by Cheyney in final MEAC tuneup

DOVER, Delaware -- DeAndre Haywood scored a career-high 25 points and Kendall Gray recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds to lead Delaware State to a 90-68 men’s basketball win over Cheyney in Memorial Hall this evening.

The Hornets (5-8) shot a season-high 56.1% from the field, hitting 32 of their 57 shots in the contest. DSU was also 10-for-22 from three-point territory (45.5%).

Haywood was nine-for-11 from the floor, including three-of-four on three-point shots. He was also four-for-five at the free throw line.

Haywood’s previous career-high was 23 points in the Hornets’ 77-75 overtime win at Penn in the season opener on Nov. 15.

Gray also had five blocks in the game, marking the 21st time in his career with at least that many. He now has 43 blocks this season. The Dover, Del., native was No. 1 in the MEAC and 10th among all NCAA Division I players in blocks per game entering the contest. Gray was also second in the MEAC and 13th in the nation in double-doubles before the game.

Amere May was the only other DSU player in double figures with 10 points.
Charles Burley had six points and led all players with six assists for the Hornets.

Kevin Larkin was high scorer for Cheyney with 19 points, while Jerrod Johnson came off the bench to add 18 for the Wolves.

Delaware State scored the first 11 points of the game, and opened up a 30-14 lead after back-to-back three-pointers by reserves Aric Dickerson and Kevon Waller midway through the first half.

The Hornets opened up their biggest first half lead, 38-16, on Waller’s second three-point shot of the game at the 7:39 mark of the opening period.

Cheyney outscored DSU 12-6 in the last 2:32 of the first half to trim the Hornets’ lead to 50-35 at the break.

The Wolves hung tough in the opening minutes of the second half, and pulled to within 55-45 on a three-pointer by with 15:46 left to play.

Delaware State answered with a 12-2 run, and stretched its lead to 67-47 on a three-ball by Haywood at the 12:13 mark of the second half. He scored 10 of Hornets’ 12 points during the spurt.

The Hornets led 69-52 before another 12-2 rally to take control of the game for good. Gray capped off the run with a lay-up to give DSU a 81-54 lead with 7:26 left to play.

Cheyney could get no closer than 21 points the rest of the way.

The Hornets will begin the 2014-15 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference portion of the schedule in their next contest on Saturday (Jan. 10) at home against Morgan State. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m., following the DSU/Morgan State women’s contest in Memorial Hall.

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COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Rogers sparks Alabama State past Jackson State

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State needed a lift after a slow start against Jackson State. A local product gave the Hornets exactly what they needed.

Hornets guard and former Brewbaker Tech star Steve Rogers finished with a career-high 14 points as Alabama State got a 72-52 win over Jackson State on Monday.

After ASU fell behind 14-11 early in the first half, Rogers would take over. He scored seven points in a row, part of a 15-1 run for the Hornets.

"It was probably my best game," Rogers said. "I still have a lot of things to work on. I'm trying to learn from the older guards and just contribute as much as I can to the team."

The Hornets held a 28-18 halftime lead as they struggled with offensive continuity. The Hornets shot just 37.9 percent from the field in the first half. In the second half, they shot 59.1 percent.

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Texas Southern tops Southern 59-58 after a wild final few seconds

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- For most of the game, it looked like Southern and Texas Southern were destined for a photo finish Monday night.

But the number of twists and turns in the final moments would have been almost impossible to predict.

In a game that was tied 10 times, there were four dramatic possessions in the final 10 seconds.

In the end, Chris Thomas made a tie-breaking free throw with 0.7 seconds left, and two replay reviews went the Tigers way in the final second as they won 59-58 victory in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

“We knew it was going to be a battle,” said TSU coach Mike Davis, whose team scored six points in the final 3.8 seconds to defeat Kansas State by two points last month.

This victory improved the Tigers to 5-10 and 2-0. The Jaguars, 4-12 and 1-1, visit Grambling on Saturday.

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Report: Derrick Burroughs not sure why released by JSU

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Derrick Burroughs said in a report that he was surprised to be released after one year at Jackson State and is still not sure why it happened.

"You tell me. I finished third in the conference in total defense," Burroughs told The Jackson-Sun (Tennessee) on Monday. "To this day I still have not been given a reason."

Burroughs was named JSU's defensive coordinator last January, but the school announced it would not renew his one-year contract in November.

According to The Jackson-Sun, Burroughs will return to Lane College as its head football coach and athletic director. The former Buffalo Bills defensive back coached the Dragons for four years prior to joining JSU's staff.

He was among new head coach Harold Jackson's first hires.

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Stewart scores 33 to move Talladega past Gold Rush

Morris Wright
5'-10"/175 Junior Guard
Zachary, LA

TALLADEGA, Alabama -- Shondel Stewart scored 33 points Monday, leading Talladega to a 93-78 victory against Xavier University of Louisiana in a matchup of ranked NAIA men's basketball teams.

The Tornadoes (15-3, 2-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference), ranked sixth, won their 10th in a row. It was the second straight loss to a top-10 opponent for the 22nd-ranked Gold Rush (11-6, 0-1).

Stewart, a senior guard and the GCAC Tournament MVP last season, tied a GCAC record by making 21-of-23 free throws -- 16-of-18 in the second half -- and reached 30 points for the third time this season.

Stewart tied the record for free-throw attempts set by Xavier's Angelo Taylor against Mobile on Feb. 16, 2002, and equaled by Stewart last season. Stewart matched Taylor's GCAC record for free throws made, also accomplished in that '02 Mobile game.

Charles Winborne scored 17 points and Brandon Peters 14 for Talladega.

Morris Wright scored 15 points for Xavier. Anthony Goode and Troy Salvant scored 13 points apiece, and Wesley Pluviose-Philip had 10.

The Gold Rush scored 14 consecutive points -- including Goode's back-to-back 3-pointers -- to take a 16-7 lead in the sixth minute. Then the Tornadoes scored 21 consecutive points -- including a pair of Courtney Mack 3-pointers -- to take a 30-19 lead at 7:15 of the first half.

Josh Freeman's basket at 1:15 capped a 15-4 XU run and tied the score at 35, but Stewart's basket with 59 seconds remaining gave Talladega a 37-36 halftime advantage.

Xavier took its only second-half lead, 38-37, on Goode's basket at 19:42. Talladega answered with a 9-1 run -- Stewart had a 3-point play and two more free throws -- and survived an XU rally which got the Rush within one point three times, the last at 54-53 with 10:01 remaining.

Xavier shot 59 percent from the floor, made 8-of-13 3-pointers and 24-of-33 free throws. The Tornadoes shot 56.9 percent -- they're the first XU opponent this season to reach 50 percent from the floor -- and made 5-of-17 3-pointers and 30-of-35 free throws. In the second half, Talladega was 22-of-27 from the line, and Xavier was 16-of-20.

Salvant (3-of-3), Goode (3-of-4) and Wright (2-of-4) accounted for all the XU 3-pointers.

Xavier and Talladega will meet again Feb. 9 at Xavier. Next for the Gold Rush will be a 5 p.m. Saturday game against NAIA No. 17 Philander Smith at XU's Convocation Center. It will be Xavier's fourth consecutive game against a ranked opponent.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS