Florida A&M Men’s Tennis Team Bests Liberty, Citadel

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – The FAMU Men’s Tennis team swept two home matches over the weekend, bouncing Liberty University and The Citadel at the Rattler Tennis Courts, winning both matches by 5-2 scores.

Tennis Match Results

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY vs Florida A&M University
Feb 19, 2016 at Tallahassee, FL
(FAMU Tennis Courts)
Florida A&M University 5, LIBERTY UNIVERSITY 2

Singles competition
1. MATHESON,Sam (LIBERTYM) def. OKUNGBOWA,Courage (FAMUM) 3-6, 7-5, 10-6
2. SMALL,Karlyn (FAMUM) def. SAMAAI,Egon (LIBERTYM) 7-5, 6-0
3. WAITMAN, C. Agustin (FAMUM) def. POYNTER,Alex (LIBERTYM) 6-3, 6-4
4. ESPINOZA,Walner (FAMUM) def. CASTANO,Diego (LIBERTYM) 6-4, 6-3
5. GUTIERREZ,Eddie (LIBERTYM) def. EVANS,Jalen (FAMUM) 6-1, 6-3
6. SKOROMNYY,Illya (FAMUM) def. BUSH,David (LIBERTYM) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. MATHESON,Sam/SAMAAI,Egon (LIBERTYM) vs. ESPINOZA,Walner/WAITMAN, C. Agustin (FAMUM) no result
2. OKUNGBOWA,Courage/SKOROMNYY,Illya (FAMUM) def. GUTIERREZ,Eddie/HELLER,Ryker (LIBERTYM) 6-2
3. SMALL,Karlyn/EVANS,Jalen (FAMUM) def. CASTANO,Diego/BUSH,David (LIBERTYM) 6-2

Tennis Match Results
THE CITADEL vs Florida A&M University
Feb 20, 2016 at Tallahassee, FL
(FAMU Tennis Courts)
Florida A&M University 5, THE CITADEL 2

Singles competition
1. AMARI,Artemie (CITADELM) def. OKUNGBOWA,Courage (FAMUM) 6-4, 6-3
2. SMALL,Karlyn (FAMUM) def. BRADLEY,Nicholas (CITADELM) 6-4, 6-2
3. WAITMAN, C. AgCustin (FAMUM) def. HENSON,Matthew (CITADELM) 6-2, 6-2
4. ESPINOZA,Walner (FAMUM) def. PRIDE,Jackson (CITADELM) 7-6, 6-0
5. EVANS,Jalen (FAMUM) def. HOBSON,Roy (CITADELM) 6-4, 6-4
6. ANZALONE,Michael (CITADELM) def. SKOROMNYY,Illya (FAMUM) 7-6, 4-6, 10-7

Doubles competition
1. ESPINOZA,Walner/WAITMAN, C. Agustin (FAMUM) def. AMARI,Artemie/BRADLEY,Nicholas (CITADELM) 8-0
2. OKUNGBOWA,Courage/SKOROMNYY,Illya (FAMUM) def.
ANZALONE,Michael/HENSON,Matthew (CITADELM) 8-6
3. SMALL,Karlyn/EVANS,Jalen (FAMUM) def. PRIDE,Jackson/GRADY,Connor (CITADELM) 8-3

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Rush, Nuggets rained out in Georgia 2nd straight day

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia -- Xavier University of Louisiana's dual matches Sunday in the Green and Gray Tennis Invitational against Cumberland and Georgia Gwinnett were rained out.

It was the second consecutive day that rain prevented the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets from playing. XU coach Alan Green said he will attempt to reschedule with Georgia Gwinnett, which has the NAIA's top-ranked men's team and No. 2 women's team.

Next for Xavier's women, 1-3 and ranked 13th in the NAIA, will be Grambling at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Greenwood Park in Baker, La. The XU men, 4-2 and ranked fourth, will play Troy at 3 p.m. Thursday at XU Tennis Center. Troy was 68th in the NCAA Division I team rankings of Jan. 27.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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CIAA Announces 42nd Annual Women’s Basketball Tournament Bracket

COURTESY CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS
CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE BRACKETS

CHARLOTTE^nd Annual Women's Basketball Tournament bracket.  The 2016 CIAA Basketball Tournament will be held from Tuesday, February 23^rd – Saturday, February 27^th at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Women's competition will kick-off at 10:00 a.m. EST.
, North Carolina  -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) releases the official 42
"This is the most exciting time of CIAA basketball.  We have great pairings, great parity, and you never know who is going to be crowned champion", says CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.

"The twenty-two game schedule will definitely be the highlight of this year's tournament experience as the legacy continues."

With the conclusion of regular season competition, the 2016 Women's Basketball Tournament pairings and bracket have been announced by the CIAA Basketball Tournament Committee.  Pairings are based on the highest divisional winning percentage.  In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker rule begins with head-to-head competition results followed by head-to-head point differential.  If a tie situation remains, the highest conference winning percentage will be utilized.  The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds of each division receive a first round bye.

Virginia Union University (VUU) captured the Northern Divisional Title with a 9-1 record.  For the second consecutive season, Shaw University (SU) has been crowned the Southern Division Champion with a 9-1 record in divisional play.

Chowan University (CU) represents the North at the No. 2 seed with an 8-2 record.  Livingstone College (LC) will represent the South as the No. 2 seed and Fayetteville State University (FSU) will compete on Tuesday as the South's No. 3 seed, as determined by the following tiebreaker scenario. Both teams finished with a 6-4 divisional record and split victories in head-to-head contests.

However, Livingstone earned a 14-point advantage with the 82-64 victory on February 10^th compared to the 2-point (65-63) FSU advantage on January 20^th.

Fayetteville State will open the tournament at 10:00 a.m. versus the North's No. 6 seed Bowie State University (BSU).  No. 3 seeded Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (LUPA) will take on Saint Augustine's University (SAU), the South's No. 6 seed, at 12:10 p.m.  Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), the South No. 4 seed, will play the North's No. 5 Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) at 2:20 p.m.  Concluding women's play on Tuesday will feature the North's No. 4 Virginia State University (VSU) versus the South's No. 5 Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday's action will begin at 10:00 a.m. with No. 2 North Chowan awaiting the winner of the FSU/BSU matchup.  The South's No. 2 Livingstone will play the winner of the LUPA/SAU battle at 12:10 p.m.  The JCSU/ECSU winner will advance to face-off versus the Northern Division's top contender, Virginia Union, at 2:20 p.m.  Women's contests will close with a battle between Shaw (South No. 1) and the winner of VSU/WSSU.

Tournament play will continue with semi-finals on Friday, February 26^th starting at 3:00 p.m.  The Women's Championship Game will tip-off on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and air live on the ASPiRE Network.

For more information regarding the 2016 CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit ciaatournament.org.  Follow the CIAA on social media via Facebook (TheCIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), Instagram (@CIAASports), or download the CIAA mobile app available for Apple and Android devices.

COURTESY CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS

CIAA Announces 71st Annual Men’s Basketball Tournament Bracket

CLICK ON SCHEDULE TO ENLARGE
COURTESY CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS

Charlotte, North Carolina  --  The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) releases the official 71^st Men's Basketball Tournament bracket.  The 2016 CIAA Basketball Tournament will be held from Tuesday, February 23^rd – Saturday, February 27^th at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Men's competition is scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m. EST.

With the conclusion of regular season competition, the 2016 Men's Basketball Tournament pairings and bracket have been announced by the CIAA Basketball Tournament Committee.  Pairings are based on the highest divisional winning percentage.  In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker rule begins with head-to-head competition results followed by head-to-head point differential.  If a tie situation remains, the highest conference winning percentage will be utilized.

"This is the most exciting time of CIAA basketball.  We have great pairings, great parity, and you never know who is going to be crowned champion.  The twenty-two game schedule will definitely be the highlight of this year's tournament experience as the legacy continues."

Virginia State University (VSU) earned the North's No. 1 seed with an 8-2 record while the Southern Division was clinched by the 7-3 Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU).  The No. 2 seeds were accounted for by Virginia Union (VUU), who finished 7-3 in the North and Saint Augustine's University (SAU), who completed a 6-4 divisional season.

Bowie State University (BSU) came in at No. 3 in the North, after topping a tiebreaker with Chowan University (CU).  Both 5-5 and tied in head-to-head contests, the tiebreaker was determined by the point differentials of BSU's 78-62 victory on February 13, a 16-point advantage, in contrast to the Hawks' 70-61 victory on February 16, a 9-point advantage.  Shaw University (SU) secured the South's No. 3 seed followed by Livingstone College (LC) at No. 4, who stole a three-way tiebreaker over Fayetteville State University (FSU) and Winston-Salem State University (WSSU).

Livingstone, Fayetteville State (South No. 5), and Winston-Salem State (South No. 6) all held 4-6 records at the conclusion of regular season play.  After a second three-way tie in head-to-head contest records, the seeding order was determined by head-to-head point differentials.  Between Livingstone and FSU, a 13-point advantage was earned by the Blue Bears in their 97-84 victory on February 10 as opposed to the 6-point margin (84-78) tallied by the Broncos on January 20.  Between WSSU and FSU, a 17-point advantage was earned by the Broncos in their 67-50 victory on February 13 as opposed to the 2-point margin (66-65) tallied by the Rams on January 25.  Winston-Salem State and Livingstone achieved a 2-point differential over one another, resulting in yet another tie.  Taking conference records into account, Livingstone topped WSSU with their 7-9 record (.438%) over the Rams' 5-11 (.313%) finish.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (LUPA) and Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) rounded out the North at No. 5 and 6, respectively.

The men's competition will begin at 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday with a contest between Lincoln (Pa.) will meet Winston-Salem State.  Immediately following at 8:50 p.m., Fayetteville State and Elizabeth City State.

Wednesday's bracket schedule will highlight Chowan awaiting the winner between FSU/ECSU for a 6:40 p.m. tip-off.  That evening, at 8:50 p.m., Livingstone will battle the winner of the LUPA/WSSU contest.

Men's quarterfinals will tipoff at 1:00 p.m. between SAU and BSU.  Virginia State will await the winner of the Chowan and FSU/ECSU game at 3:00 p.m. Johnson C. Smith will take on the winner of the Livingstone versus LUPA/WSSU contest at 7:00 p.m.  At 9:00 p.m., Virginia Union and Shaw will take their turn on the court.  Quarterfinals are broadcast live on the ASPiRE Network and streamed via CampusInsiders.com.

Friday, February 26^th will feature the men's semi-final basketball games at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.  The Men's Championship Game is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and will broadcast live on ESPN3 and tape-delayed for a 10:00 p.m. broadcast on ESPNU.

For more information regarding the 2016 CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit ciaatournament.org.  Follow the CIAA on social media via Facebook (TheCIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), Instagram (@CIAASports), or download the CIAA mobile app available for Apple and Android devices.

COURTESY CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS

Stillman Wins 12th Straight

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- The Stillman College men's basketball team took on Tuskegee University on Saturday. The Tigers of Stillman College were victorious, 75-61, in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest. The win was the 12^th in a row for the Tigers and their 17^th win in their last 18 games.

Ronald Singleton led Stillman (21-5, 15-1) with 25 points and nine rebounds. Rodnerius Lewis added 17 points for Stillman. Stanley Magee chipped in 10 points in 13 minutes off the bench. The Tigers finished the night shooting 46 (23-of-50) percent from the floor.

Elijah McMillan led Tuskegee (13-11, 9-8 SIAC) with 17 points, while Joshua Culver added 11 in the loss for the Golden Tigers. Tuskegee finished the night shooting 32.8 (19-of-58) percent from the floor and 25.0 (6-of-24) percent from beyond the arc.

Stillman will play at Fort Valley State on Monday night. Game time is set for 7:30 PM.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Virginia State Men’s Basketball Outlasts Lions in Overtime to Clinch Northern Division Title

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Virginia State University men's basketball team outlast Lincoln University, 66- 62, in overtime on Saturday, February 20 clinching the CIAA Northern Division Champion Title. A crowd of 4,976 Trojans, military members, faculty, family, and friends gathered to commemorate Senior Night and the Trojans debut in the Virginia State University Multipurpose Center.

With the win the Trojans conclude the 2015-16 regular season 20-5 overall, 14 -2 in the CIAA.

The Trojans were offensively led by junior forward Elijah Moore (Yorktown, VA) who recorded 12 points. Freshman forward Joseph Bradshaw (Silver Springs, MD) led the Trojans defensive effort recording 7 rebounds.



In the first half the Trojans shot 38.2 percent (13-34) from the field, 11.1 percent (1-9) from behind the arc, and 70 percent (7-10) at the line.

The Lions went on a 7-0 run to begin the game. LU took their largest lead of the game with 13:58 remaining in the first half up by 16 points.

A shot from behind the arc by sophomore Waymond Wright (Raleigh, NC) at the 12:43 mark began a series of scoring for the Trojans. With 7 minutes remaining in the first half junior guard Kevin Williams (Franklinton, NC) linked up with Moore to close the scoring gap and bring the Trojans within 2 points.

With 5:33 remaining in the first half, a quick layup by Williams was the first of nine game ties, knotting the Trojans and Lions at 24- all. A free throw by freshman guard Cyonte Melvin (Hampton, VA) gave the Trojans their first lead of the contest with 5:09 left in the opening half, but the Lions didn't let up and carried a 35-34 lead into the half.

Moore got to the rim to score the first points of the second half, giving the Trojans a 36-35 lead.

Both teams battled back and forth through a series of ties and lead changes as the second half progressed.

With 1:04 left in the game VSU found themselves trailing LU 52-57. Layups by Williams and Moore brought the Trojans within 1 point. After sending the Lions to the line, VSU trailed by 2 points. With 1.3 seconds remaining in the game, Moore hit the 1st free throw and intentionally misses the second.  Junior forward Melvin Gregory (Weems, VA) secures the rebound and puts the shot back up to send the game into overtime.

Down 62-61 in overtime, the Trojans lay on the defensive pressure and force a LU turnover. A basket by Moore at the other end gave the Trojans a 63-62 lead. The crowd erupted and the Trojans would maintain possession of the lead for the duration of the game for the 66-62 win.

VSU ended the night shooting 41.9 percent (26-62) from the field, 16.7 percent (3-18) from behind the arc, and 45.8 percent (11-24) at the line.

The Trojans will depart for Charlotte, NC tomorrow to prepare for the CIAA Tournament. The Tournament will be held February 22-27. VSU men's basketball will play their first contest of the tournament on Thursday, February 25.

The Virginia State Department of Athletics annual 1,000 cans, 1 goal campaign initiative is underway. The canned food items collected will be donated to the local food banks. The Department encourages all fans, alumni, faculty and friends to bring a canned food item to all of the home games this season.

For more information on VSU Trojans men's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.

Box Score

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU Hosts Coppin State on ESPNU Monday Night

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  Norfolk State makes its lone ESPNU appearance of the MEAC regular season on Monday when the Spartan men's basketball team takes on Coppin State at home at Joseph Echols Hall. Tip-off is slated for an official 9:05 p.m. start.

The first of four final regular season games finds NSU needing a win to control its destiny for the No. 1 seed in the MEAC tournament. At 9-3, NSU finds itself in third place and one game back in the loss column from league leader Hampton (10-2). South Carolina State (10-3) sits in second place.

Despite a loss in its last game, NSU has still won seven of its past nine.

Norfolk State Men's Basketball

NSU vs. Coppin State	Monday, Feb. 22	9 p.m.	Joseph Echols Hall
TV: ESPNU | Watch ESPN	Live Stats
Radio: Star 1310 AM | Live Audio; Hot 91.1 FM | Live Audio	Game Notes

Media Coverage
Jason Benetti and Stan Lewter will have the call on ESPNU, NSU's second appearance of the season on the channel. Fans can also view the game through the WatchESPN app.

The game will also be broadcast live on Star 1310 AM as well as Hot 91.1 FM with Ross Gordon and Aaron Clark on the call. Live audio is available through www.star1310.com as well as hot91.nsu.edu:8000/128. Both feeds are available on smartphones through the Star 1310 website or through www.TuneIn.com or the TuneIn Radio App (search for "WNSB") for Hot 91.1.

Fans can also follow along with the live stats.

Series History
Norfolk State has won the last seven meetings with Coppin State, including the first meeting this year by an 88-56 score. CSU's last win came at Echols Hall on Jan. 30, 2012, a game in which NSU scored just 13 points in the first half but 69 in the second, ultimately falling to the Eagles, 87-82. The Spartans still lead the all-time series, 25-11.

About Coppin State
The Eagles are coming off a win last Thursday at home in a make-up contest from earlier this year. CSU downed North Carolina Central 71-60 to improve to 7-19 overall and 5-8 in the league. Three players score in double figures for a team that averages close to 71 but also gives nearly 81 points per game. Christian Kessee leads the way with 14.0 points, with Terry Harris (11.8 points, 7.1 rebounds) and Trevon Seymore (10.1 points, 3.8 assists) also providing offense. The Eagles shoot just 37.6 percent overall and 32.8 percent from long range, averaging 22.5 attempts per game. CSU has been outrebounded by 4.5 boards per contest and allow teams to shoot better than 47 percent from the field.

Last Time Out
NSU had a 17-point first-half lead but went nearly 10 minutes at the start of the second half without a field goal. Despite tying the game late and erasing what had been a nine-point deficit, the Spartans were unable to get past Delaware State in a 67-64 loss on Saturday. Jordan Butler tied the game with two free throws with 23 seconds left, but DSU's Devin Morgan drained a 3-pointer with just 5.7 seconds left for the win. D'Shon Taylor made a last-second shot from just inside the 3-point line, and then Morgan made two free throws after a technical foul for the final margin. Taylor and Jeff Short each had 15 points for NSU, which shot 50 percent in the first half but just 5-of-21 in the second half. Butler had 14 points, eight rebounds and six blocks. The Spartans last surrendered a 17-point lead two years ago in a setback to East Carolina.

MEAC Standings
Hampton (10-2), South Carolina State (10-3) and NSU (9-3) are in a tight battle for the top 3 spots in the league, including the more advantageous first and second spots in the MEAC tournament. The only other team in the MEAC with less than six losses is Bethune-Cookman (8-5). The top four seeds in this year's tournament will get byes into the quarterfinal.

Block Party
The Spartans set the school record with 17 blocks against Morgan State, surpassing the previous best of 13 set at Savannah State on Jan. 5, 2005. The team's 17 swats is tied with Houston Baptist for the most this season in a game in NCAA Division I. NSU has 24 blocks the last two games.

NSU ranks No. 34 in the nation with 5.1 blocks per game. The top four seasons in NSU history in terms of total blocks have all come within the last five years. The Spartans have averaged 161.0 blocks per season over those last five years and currently have 137 for this season.

Player Tidbits
Jeff Short
 • Averaging 16.8 points on 27-of-58 shooting and 2.0 assists last 5 games
 • Has 7 steals the last 2 games
 • Averaging 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 46.5 % from the floor in league games
 • Ranks 6th in the MEAC in scoring (16.0), 7th in free throw % (80.5),  and 3-point field goal % (37.6) and 10th in 3-point field goals (2.2); Sits No. 164 in the nation in free throw % (80.5), 198 in points per game (16.0) and 212 in 3-point field goals per game (2.15)
 • Stands No. 118 in NCAA D-I in career scoring average (13.1) and 134 in points (1,247)
 • Ranks 2nd in NSU career records in free throw % (.814), 7th in 3-point field goals (125), 8th in 3-point field goal percentage (.386), 10th in 3-point field goal attempts (324), 16th in scoring average (17.8) and 34th in scoring (1,065)
 • Ranks 7th in a season in NSU's D-I history in free throw % (80.5) and 11th in scoring average (16.0) and 3-point field goals (56)
 • Has made a 3-pointer in 17 straight games

D'Shon Taylor
 • Has scored 12+ points in 11 of the last 12 games and is averaging 16.0 points and 5.5 rebounds last 6 games
 • Has 11 steals the last 6 games
 • Averaging 13.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in league play while shooting 46.2 % overall and 39.1 % from the 3-point line
 • Ranks 11th in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (36.6), 12th in field goal % (45.3) and 17th in scoring (12.7)
 • Ranks 13th in NSU career records in 3-point field goal % (.359) and 16th in 3-point field goals (84) and 3-point field goal attempts (234)

Charles Oliver
 • 22-of-24 from the free throw line the last 5 games
 • Averaging 13.3 points in league play while shooting 42.7 % from the floor, 39.4 % from 3-point range and 84.6 % from the free throw line
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in free throw % (83.1), 13th in 3-point field goals (1.9), 14th in 3-point field goal % (35.6) and 18th in scoring (12.5); Sits No. 94 in the nation in free throw % (83.1)
 • Stands 3rd in NSU D-I season records for free throw % (83.1) and 14th in 3-point field goals (52)

Zaynah Robinson
 • Averaging 10.3 points, 5.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds in the last 4 games
 • Averaging 7.7 points and 3.5 assists in league games while shooting 40.0 % overall, 40.6 % from 3-point range and 84.4 % from the free throw line
 • Has hit 30 of his last 34 free throw attempts
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in assist-turnover ratio (4.0), 4th in 3-point field goal % (40.8), 6th in steals (1.4) and 10th in assists (3.1); Stands No. 7 in the nation in assist-turnover ratio (4.00) and 202 in steals per game (1.41)

Jordan Butler
 • Averaging 12.4 points on 20-of-35 shooting with 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 blocks the last 5 games
 • Shot 12-of-16 from the free throw line at Delaware State, the most attempts by an NSU player since Corey Lyons had 18 on March 12, 2009; Has gone 19-of-25 from the line the last 2 games
 • Has 13 blocks the last 2 games; Tied career high with 7 blocks against Morgan State, tying the NSU D-I record shared by Kyle O'Quinn; Fell 1 short of tying the overall school record of 8
 • Averaging 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.2 assists in league play while shooting 52.8 % from the floor and 76.0 % from the free throw line
 • Ranks 3rd in the MEAC in blocks (2.3), 8th in offensive rebounds (2.4), 9th in rebounding (6.9) and 11th in defensive rebounds (4.5); Also stands No. 30 in the nation in blocks (2.26), 174 in offensive rebounds (2.41) and 219 in rebounds (6.9)
 • Stands No. 45 in NCAA D-I in career blocks per game average (1.62)
 • Ranks 6th in NSU career records in blocks (97)
 • Also stands 5th in NSU D-I season records for blocks (61)

Alex Long
 • Averaging 8.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 assists while shooting 59.1 % from the floor and 88.0 % from the free throw line in league play
 • Ranks 11th in the MEAC in blocks (1.0)
 • Has hit 24 of his last 27 free throw attempts

Preston Bungei
 • Averaging 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in league play while shooting 51.3 % from the floor and 77.4 % from the free throw line
 • Ranks 12th in the MEAC in blocks (1.0)

Jonathan Wade
 • Averaging 7.3 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 43.5 % from the floor and 86.7 % from the free throw line in league play

Good from the Line
NSU, which ranked No. 282 in the nation last year in free throw percentage, has improved its mark from 65.9 to 77.3 percent this season, which currently ranks the Spartans fifth in the nation. NSU is attempting to hit better than 70 percent this year for the first time since the 2003-04 season and break the school record of 72.3 set in 1968-69.

On the year, the Spartans have shot 330-of-413 (79.9 percent) from the free throw line after intermission but just 168-of-233 (72.1 percent) beforehand. They have also hit 146-of-178 (82.0 percent) in the last five minutes and overtime of their games this year.

Good From Long Range
With 202 3-pointers this year, Norfolk State has set the school record for most makes in a season, surpassing the previous best of 198 set in 2011-12. NSU is hitting 35.9 percent from beyond the arc, just ahead of the school's Division I record of 35.7 percent set in 1998-99.

Big Win
NSU's 32-point victory over Coppin State in December marked the Spartans' biggest victory against a MEAC team as well as any Division I opponent. The previous best for a D-I opopnent was a 31-point victory (81-50) at Savannah State (then a D-I independent) on Jan. 5, 2005. The previous best against a MEAC opponent came on Jan. 16, 2006 in a 28-point win over Morgan State (81-53).

Up That Scoring
NSU is averaging 73.5 points per game this year, the most since the Spartans tallied 76.0 per game in 1999-2000.

Conference Streak
NSU has secured its 18th straight season this year with a .500 or better record in the MEAC. In fact, in Norfolk State's 61 seasons in a conference, the program has had just one losing conference record (9-10 in the CIAA in 1990-91).

NSU is tied with Wisconsin for eighth in the nation for the longest streak of .500-or-better conference records in a row in Division I (See table page 5). NSU has posted 23 straight .500 or better conference records, dating back to that 1990-91 campaign.

Limit Those Giveaways
The Spartans on the season are averaging 12.8 turnovers per contest. The school record for fewest giveaways per game is 13.1 set in 1987-88. NSU has also had as many or fewer turnovers than the opposition in 12 of the last 13 games. On the flip side, NSU is averaging 20.6 points off turnovers the last eight games.

Rackin' Up the Points
In five of NSU's wins this year in conference play, the Spartans have scored 99, 92, 88 (twice) and 87 points. In fact, NSU has scored at least 70 points in 11 of 12 MEAC games this year and is averaging a league-best 80.9 points and shooting 45.7 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from 3-point range and 77.8 percent from the charity stripe in conference games. The Spartans also have a 73-34 edge in blocks against MEAC teams this year.

MEAC Rankings
The Spartans continue to lead the league in 3-point field goal percentage (35.9) and free throw percentage (77.3) while also ranking second in scoring offense (73.5), field goal percentage defense (42.6), 3-pointers per game (7.5) and blocks (5.1) and third in scoring margin (-0.5), assists (12.1) and assist-turnover ratio (1.0).

Scoring Around the Basket
NSU is averaging 25.3 points in the paint this year but 33.2 in the last five games.

Winning Record
NSU is aiming for its fifth straight winning season. Prior to the start of that streak in 2011-12, NSU had a winning record just twice in 14 seasons since moving to Division I in 1997. The Spartans owned an 86-51 record over the previous four seasons, the best four-game stretch for the program since 1993-97 (94-26).

Best in the Conference
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, NSU is 61-15 in regular season conference play (29-8 at home, 32-7 on the road), just behind North Carolina Central (62-14) during that time for the best record in the league. Counting MEAC tournament games, the Spartans are 67-18, while the Eagles are 67-17 during that time. NSU also owns a 99-65 overall record since the start of the 2011-12 season, second in the conference to North Carolina Central (103-53).

Good from 3
Norfolk State has made a 3-pointer in 208 straight games, dating back to a contest at South Carolina State on Jan. 25, 2010, when NSU finished 0-of-17 from 3-point range.

Mike Bello, Asst. SID
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS