HU Extends Win Streak to Five With 81-57 Win Over Buffalo

WASHINGTON, DC – Three players reached double figures as the Howard women’s basketball team convincingly defeated the University at Buffalo, 81-57, on Dec. 20. This marks the widest margin of victory this year for the Lady Bison, and a season-high in points scored. With the win, the Lady Bison extend their win streak to five and improve to 6-5 on the season.

Tamoria Holmes led all scorers with a game-best 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting (47 percent) from the field. Saadia Doyle notched her sixth double-double of the season with 25 points and 11 boards in 37 minutes of action. Zykia Brown tallied 15 points and four rebounds. Cheyenne Curley-Payne chipped in with nine points, six rebounds, and dished out seven assists.

The Lady Bison got off to a fast start – opening up regulation with 11 unanswered points. Three consecutive three-pointers gave UB its first points of the half and cut HU’s lead to 14-9 by the 12:17 mark. The Bison and the Bulls battled over the proceeding seven-plus minutes, with Howard maintaining its advantage. Buffalo got to within four, 24-20, off a pair at the line by Brittney Hedderson at 5:27. A Holmes three sparked a 12-5 run for the Bison to end the first 20 minutes for a 36-25 cushion.

Buffalo opened up scoring in the second stint with a quick three by Hedderson – her first of four in the half. Another shot from behind the arc by Nicki Hopkins cut it to 36-31. HU answered by scoring seven straight unanswered points to push the margin back to double-digits 43-31, and never looked back. The Lady Bison led by as many as 26 (72-46) at the 4:40 mark.

As a team, Howard controlled the glass 40-30, and scored 26 points off 24 UB miscues. The Lady Bison shot 42.6 percent (29-for-68) from the floor, while holding the Bulls to a 39 percent clip (29-for-49).

For the Bulls, Hopkins led her team with 18 points off 6-of-9 shooting (66 percent) from behind the arc. Hedderson had 17, going 5-for-15 (33 percent), including 4-of-8 (50 percent) from three-point land.

By Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information

VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

VISIT: HOWARD-BISON

Virginia Union basketball standout savoring senior season

Coach Barvenia Wooten-Cherry
Virginia Union University

PETERSBURG, Virginia -- Riverdale Baptist High School (Md.) graduate Vicki Collier likes to believe that life situations occur for a reason. But she could not have predicted that she would be playing basketball for her mother — Barvenia Wooten-Cherry — at her mother’s alma mater, Virginia Union University.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” she said. “I played for her when I was little. That coaching relationship was always there. But being at the school she wanted to coach at and for me, attending there and playing for her, it’s just not something I ever thought would happen.”

Collier is enjoying a strong senior season, and last week she was named Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Player of the Week. The 6-foot forward is averaging 17.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. But she has had quite a journey to her final year of college basketball.

Upon graduating from Riverdale Baptist in 2006, Collier was one of the best girls basketball prospects in the ...

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Top-ranked Oklahoma City throttles XU Gold Nuggets, 86-48

LAS VEGAS — Senior guard Dietra Caldwell scored nine of her 16 points during a decisive second-half run Tuesday which powered Oklahoma City to an 86-48 women's basketball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana in the Vegas Hoopla.

The Stars (10-0), ranked first in NAIA Division I, gave the 16th-ranked Gold Nuggets (7-5) their biggest defeat since a 91-53 loss to Oklahoma City in the second round of the 2003 NAIA National Championship.

It was business as usual for Oklahoma City, which has outscored opponents by an average of 44.7 points this season. The Stars never trailed, led 37-22 at halftime, then clinched the victory with a 24-1 burst in the first 7½ minutes of the second half. Caldwell closed the run with a 3-pointer and her final two points of the game to give the Stars a 61-23 advantage.

Caldwell is in her first season at Oklahoma City after transferring from NCAA Division I UTEP, where she played three seasons and was Conference USA Freshman of the Year.

Nicollette Smith had 14 points for the Stars. Taylor Booze, a former LSU player, scored 12, and Tiffany Goldwire had 11 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Jazmoné Kelly had 10 points, five rebounds and three steals for Xavier, and SiMon Franklin and Jasmine Grant scored seven points apiece.

The Stars outshot the Gold Nuggets 42.4 to 34 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 48-35. Oklahoma City made 32-of-47 free throws and had a staggering 41-6 advantage in points off turnovers. Xavier committed 29 turnovers, its most in nearly two years, and 29 personal fouls.

Oklahoma City is 5-0 all-time against Xavier and beat the Nuggets for the second time this year. The Stars won 67-51 on March 18 in second round of the national tournament.

Oklahoma City finished 2-0 in this event; the Stars defeated Pikeville 97-39 Monday. Xavier will play its second and final game of the Vegas Hoopla at 4 p.m. PST Wednesday (6 p.m. CST) against Sterling, which is 5-5 after its 60-55 victory Tuesday against Viterbo.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, SID

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Rally attempt not enough as APSU Lady Govs fall to FAMU by 9

CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee -- Austin Peay erased a huge second half deficit for the second straight game Tuesday night at the Dunn Center.

But this time they couldn't close out the win, and Florida A&M escaped with an 86-77 victory. Coach Carrie Daniels was once again left searching for answers for why her team didn't play its best until the second half.

"We can't continue to do this," Daniels said. "We have to be ready from jump. You can't continue to dig holes and then use all that energy to get back into the ballgame."

The Lady Govs opened the second half by forcing three turnovers and making seven of their first eight shots that helped them reel off a 14-0 run to cut the FAMU lead to five. They eventually took a 65-64 lead on Whitney Hanely's 3-pointer with just under 6:30 left, but the Lady Rattlers immediately responded with tbhree straight 3s of their own to spark a 10-0 run.

PHOTO GALLERY 

Final Statistics: Lady Govs vs. Florida A&M

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Norfolk State Spartans' O'Quinn last shot a winner at Toledo

TOLEDO, Ohio - A lackluster start on the offensive end led to a poor showing on the defensive end, and both ultimately produced a disappointing result for the University of Toledo men’s basketball team Tuesday night against Norfolk State.

The Rockets (7-4) rallied from a 13-point deficit with 8:48 remaining but ultimately came up just short in a 72-70 loss in front of 3,781 at Savage Arena.

Kyle O’Quinn dropped in the game-winning bucket for the Spartans (8-5) with 2.4 seconds to play on an inbounds pass from under the basket after UT sophomore center DeLino Dear stepped on the baseline with 3.7 seconds left.

Toledo’s ensuing inbounds pass to halfcourt was...



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Former NSU Music Department employee admits to embezzlement

NORFOLK, Virginia - A former employee of Norfolk State University's music department pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement Tuesday for misuse of a state credit card issued to the school's director of bands.

Sean Summers, 33, pleaded guilty in Circuit Court and was sentenced to five years with all time suspended pending good behavior. He also agreed to pay the university $6,500 in restitution over the next five years.

Summers, who had been an employee at NSU since 2009, stopped working for the university Aug. 23.

Norfolk State officials said Summers used a credit card that was issued to O'Neill Sanford, who had served as director of bands for 13 years until he was relieved of those duties in September. Sanford retains his position as associate professor of music, and Paul Adams is serving as interim band director.

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No. 17/18 Indiana Defeats Howard Bison, 107-50

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana -- Indiana coach Tom Crean was worried about his players' focus Monday night. Turns out, there was no reason to be concerned.

With the Hoosiers trying to protect a second straight Top 25 ranking and become the first Indiana team to go 11-0 since the unbeaten national champs of 1975-76, Indiana actually did something even Bob Knight's first title team did not --win a game by 57 points.

The 17th-ranked Hoosiers had six players score in double figures, matched a season-high with 11 3-pointers and rolled to the second-most lopsided victory in school history, 107-50 over Howard.



"Our guys were on it," Crean said. "They were ready to play, excited to play and excited to join some elite company. When there are only a few teams in the illustrious history of this program that have done something (like going 11-0), they wanted to join that group."

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Auburn beats FAMU, overcoming poor shooting with tough inside play

AUBURN, Alabama - Rob Chubb tied a career high with 21 points and Frankie Sullivan had 16 points and a career-high nine rebounds as Auburn defeated Florida A&M 76-69 on Monday in Auburn Arena. Chris Denson scored 12 points and Kenny Gabriel tied his career high for the second-straight game with 13 boards.

"We got a win," said head coach Tony Barbee, who won his 100th career game. "I'm disappointed that we played to the level of our competition. Give Florida A&M credit. They played harder than us today, just like North Florida did the other night. When you do that, you are always a step behind.

"When you think you are going to raise your level against a so-called better opponent, you can't sustain it, because you are not used to doing it all the time. That is the point I am trying to get across, and they are not getting it."

Auburn shot 52 percent (12-of-23) in the second half to help the Tigers (7-1) to continue their best start since the 2003-04 season.

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Box Score

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JCSU's Vanessa Taylor: A Path To Follow

Vanessa Taylor

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Longevity can be defined as the long continuance in a particular occupation. Success is defined as the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted. Johnson C. Smith University head women's basketball coach Vanessa Taylor is a shining example of longevity and success in coaching. In the midst of her 11th season, Taylor has reached her 200th victory at the helm of the women's basketball program at JCSU. With such as impressive milestone in tow, the opportunity to reflect on the journey is available.

After 10 seasons as head coach at JCSU, Taylor continues to strive for new heights instead of resting on her laurels. Last year, JCSU concluded the 2010-11 season in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 poll at No. 22 after a historic best 26-5 overall record. The Golden Bulls advanced to the championship game in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournaments. The victory over Glenville State (74-69) in the quarterfinals was the first ever regional tournament win for the women's basketball program.

Taylor was elected as the 2011 CIAA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year; her third time winning the honor, but first at JCSU. She has the most wins all-time as the head women's basketball coach at JCSU with a school record of 200-108 and an overall record of 283-203. Taylor has never had a losing season at Johnson C. Smith, including four seasons with 20 plus victories and no season with few than 16 wins.

Despite the success, Taylor remains humble, focused, and energized to accomplish more.

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Commentary: Sometimes It's Necessary to Blame the Victim

By Aaron N. Taylor, assistant professor at Saint Louis University School of Law

The sad and senseless death of Robert Champion has once again raised the issue of college hazing. Champion was a drum major in Florida A&M University's legendary Marching 100, a band known for its ability to merge technical brilliance with innovative showmanship. As a native of Tallahassee, I grew up watching the Marching 100. To this day, its performances give me goose bumps.

Hazing has long been an issue within the band, and Champion's death last month, after he was allegedly punched repeatedly in a hazing ritual, represents only the latest, and most unfortunate, outcome of this barbaric practice. In the wake of that incident, the university's board of trustees has put the band's director, Julian White, on administrative leave and has reprimanded the university's president, James H. Ammons.

But in all the current administrative hand-wringing and public discussion of hazing, an important focus is noticeably absent: the role and culpability of willing victims. And while I am loath to blame victims, they are not always blameless when it comes to hazing. Without them, this pervasive practice could not endure.

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Only students can truly end hazing

READ THE AUTOPSY REPORT ON DEATH OF MR. CHAMPION (PDF)

In November 2010, I watched "HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" and saw a piece on the hazing antics at several historically black colleges and fraternities. I took to Twitter to share my thoughts on the issue.

Much of the report focused on Southern University, and man, did the floodgates open as a number of students from the university angrily tweeted me back, cussing, yelling and screaming, with some defending hazing, while others were angry at the national attention focused on their university.

For hours we went round and round, and were joined in the discussion by members of several black fraternities, including my own Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. A number of these individuals actually supported hazing, or "pledging hard" and not becoming a "paper" member who "skated" into the fraternity.

Despite the anger and vitriol, I refused to back down, making it clear that getting beaten for being in a band or fraternity was absolutely dumb.



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FAMU trustees say no to Rick Scott's request to suspend school president

Dr. James H. Ammons, President
 Florida A&M University

TALLAHASSEE — Florida A&M University trustees needed just two minutes Monday to dismiss Gov. Rick Scott's call to suspend President James Ammons as authorities investigate a student's hazing death and allegations of financial fraud.

"We will stand firm against outside influence regardless of how well intended," said Board of Trustees chairman Solomon Badger.

Meeting via conference call, the 12-member board barely discussed a recommendation that Ammons be removed until the investigations are complete.  Badger suggested the board wait for a final report before taking further disciplinary action against Ammons, the university's president since 2007.

"Dealing with a sensitive matter, such as a student's death, allegations of hazing and the well-founded concerns of the students' safety, requires that we operate on facts," he said.

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Howard University upsets Wake Forest in OT

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- (12/18/2011) -- The Howard women’s basketball team upset Wake Forest 63-59 in Winston Salem, N.C. This marks the third time in Howard Women’s basketball history that the Lady Bison have defeated an Atlantic-Coast Conference opponent. Previously, HU women’s basketball knocked off Maryland and N.C. State under legendary MEAC Hall of Fame coach Sandra Tyler.

“Anytime you can make history and follow in the foot-steps of a hall of famer, feels great,” says fourth-year head coach Niki G. “It is great for the team and the program.”


Saadia Doyle, 5-11 R-Junior Forward
 Atlanta, Georgia (Columbia H.S.)

With the victory, Howard (5-5, 2-0 MEAC) improves its win streak to four, while Wake Forest drops to 7-3 on the season.

Saadia Doyle finished with a season-best, 28 points – shooting 10-19 from the field, and 8-9 from the charity stripe. Tamoria Holmes tallied 14 points and seven boards. Cheyenne Curley-Payne chipped in with 10 points, five rebounds, and six steals.

In the second period, the Demon-Deacons threw the first blow pushing the lead to as many as 21 points (46-25) with just under 15 minutes to play. Ignited by a Doyle fast break layup, HU rattled off 15 straight points over a nine-plus span to cut the margin to 46-40 by the 6:13 mark. Sandra Garcia ended the Wake Forest drought with a basket. From there, both teams went toe-to-toe playing to a 52-52 knot by the end of regulation.

To tip-off the extra five-minutes, the Demon-Deacons earned a free-throw from the charity stripe. HU brushed passed Wake Forest and dominated the period by outscoring them 11-7 to a final of 63-59, however.

“Tamoria and Saadia played well,” commented Coach G. “Saadia came up with key back-to-back baskets which gave us the tie to go into overtime. Once overtime began I knew we had the momentum. We gave great defensive effort, especially by holding their leading scorer, Chelsea Douglas, to one point.”

The Deacs were led by Garcia, who finished with a team-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. Secily Ray contributed 10 points and nine boards.

Game notes: Wake Forest leading scorer Chelsea Douglas came into the game averaging 14 points, but was held to just one point on the night. HU scored 20 points from the Demon-Deacons’ 27 turnovers. The Lady Bison found much success from the free-throw line, shooting 21-23 (91 percent) for the game. Wake Forest dominated the glass, 53-38, and outscored Howard in the paint, 40-16.

NEXT GAME: The Lady Bison are back in action on Tues. Dec. 20 at home against Buffalo beginning at 7 p.m.

BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY

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

XU's Jacksons, Moses receive All-Louisiana recognition

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana siblings Kwame and Zahri Jackson both received Freshman of the Year honors on the 2011 All-Louisiana collegiate cross country teams announced late Friday, and XU's Joseph Moses was chosen Coach of the Year on the women's team for the fourth time.

The Jacksons, from Kingwood, Texas, and graduates of Kingwood Park High School, also were chosen All-Louisiana.

Kwame Jackson was the first freshman in at least 13 years to win the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's individual championship. He posted five top-10 finishes in eight races, including three in the top five, and recorded the No. 2 four-mile time in XU history, 21 minutes, 46.1 seconds, at the Ragin' Cajuns Invitational in September.

Zahri Jackson became the first XU female freshman to win a GCAC individual championship, and her 5,000-meter time of 19:20.40 was second fastest in 11 years by a female at GCAC meet. She recorded the three fastest 5Ks in XU history and set XU records of 16:27.58 for 4K and 19:15.18 for 5K in her first two meets.



From left: Xavier's Joseph Moses is Coach of the Year on the 2011 All-Louisiana
women's cross country team. Kwame Jackson was chosen to the seven-member All-Louisiana men's team and Freshman of the Year. Kwame's sister Zahri earned the
 same honors on the women's team.
(Click photo to enlarge)

Both the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets won GCAC team championships for a sixth consecutive year and qualified for the NAIA National Championships for the third time in four seasons.

Moses guided XU's women to a 13-6-1 record against NCAA Division I opponents and a school-record 41 victories. Three of his freshmen — Zahri Jackson, Catherine Fakler and Hali Yarmush — combined for eight of the 12 fastest 5K times in Xavier history, including the three fastest. The top two 6K times were run this year.

Moses also won the state coaching award on the women's team in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and on the men's team in 2006, 2007 and 2008. He is the only Louisiana coach to win the women's award more than twice.

Zahri Jackson is the second XU female to be Louisiana Freshman of the Year. Anna D'Souza shared the award in 2008. Kwame Jackson is the fourth Gold Rush runner in 10 years to be the men's Freshman of the Year, joining Prince Mumba (2002), David Salmon (2007) and Mark Dotson (2009).

A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel selected the teams.

2011 All-Louisiana Women's Cross Country Team
Paige Callahan, freshman, Tulane
Katherine Crabtree, junior, Tulane
Zahri Jackson, freshman, Xavier
Monica Jepkemboi, junior, SUNO
Leigh-Ann Naccari, junior, LSU
Fionnuala Ross, junior, McNeese State
Amy Talbot, sophomore, McNeese State

Runner of the Year: Paige Callahan, Tulane
Newcomer of the Year: Amy Talbot, McNeese State
Freshman of the Year: Zahri Jackson, Xavier
Coach of the Year: Joseph Moses, Xavier

2011 All-Louisiana Men's Cross Country Team
Alex Bruce-Littlewood, graduate, McNeese State
Silah Chumba, junior, Louisiana-Monroe
Cullen Doody, senior, LSU
Kwame Jackson, freshman, Xavier
Joseph LeGrange, sophomore, Southeastern Louisiana
Mark Manion, freshman, Tulane
Daniel Mutai, junior, Louisiana-Monroe

Runner of the Year: Daniel Mutai, Louisiana-Monroe
Newcomer of the Year: Alex Bruce-Littlewood, McNeese State

Freshman of the Year: Kwame Jackson, Xavier

Coach of the Year: James Malone, Louisiana-Monroe

By Ed Cassiere, SID

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Happy Holidays -- from the Howard University Bison Family

ABOUT THE SINGERS:
Afro-Blue is a fun-loving Jazz/Pop a cappella ensemble from Howard University in Washington, D.C. The group started as a class in the music department at Howard in 2002, with this current version of the group singing together since 2009. They have plenty of soul, and all ten members meld together quite nicely. With beautiful harmonies, soaring solos and a fresh look, Afro-Blue is a legitimate contender in any singing competition in which they are involved.
 
Group members include: Eliza Berkon, Reggie Bowens, Trenton Cokley, Christie Dashiell, Integriti Reeves, Devin Robinson, John Kenniebrew, Mariah Maxwell, Brian Vickers and Danielle Withers.

Hamilton and Reuther earn All-Louisiana honors for Xavier

Christabell Hamilton
COACH OF YEAR

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Christabell Hamilton, who guided the Gold Nuggets to a record-setting turnaround in her debut season, is the Coach of the Year on the 2011 All-Louisiana collegiate women's volleyball team. Xavier's Taylor Reuther was chosen to the second team and tied for second in voting for Freshman of the Year.

A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel selected the team, which was announced late Saturday. It's the first time that Xavier received All-Louisiana recognition in this sport.

Hamilton, hired less than 11 weeks before the Gold Nuggets' season opener, led Xavier to a 23-7 record — the program's first winning season — after finishing 11-26 in 2010. The 15½-match turnaround was the fourth best in the NAIA this year. Xavier won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships without dropping a match and earned
its first berth in the NAIA National Championship.

The Gold Nuggets were 9-1 in matches longer than three sets, and they set school records for victories, consecutive victories (8 — twice), home victories (8), conference victories (10), victories on opponents' courts (6) and winning percentage (.767).

Hamilton is the third coach — the second since the 1930s — to win a conference championship in a debut season at Xavier.

Taylor Reuther
2nd TEAM
ALL-LOUISIANA VOLLEYBALL 

Reuther, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter from Metairie, La., and a graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School, led Xavier in kills (324), aces (55) and digs (325). She was All-GCAC, GCAC Tournament Co-MVP and GCAC Player of the Week three times.

Reuther ranked 13th in the NAIA — third among freshmen — in aces per set. She produced a team-best 12 kill-dig double-doubles, nine more than Xavier had in 2010. Reuther had 16 matches with 10 or more kills and 18 matches with 10 or more digs.

Reuther received three votes for Freshman of the Year to share runner-up honors with LSU's Malorie Pardo. Northwestern State's Stacey DiFrancesco received five votes to earn the award.

2011 All-Louisiana Women's Volleyball Team
FIRST TEAM
Keelie Arneson, freshman, Northwestern State
Nicole Bowden, senior, McNeese State
Stacey DiFrancesco, freshman, Northwestern State
Desiree Elliott, sophomore, LSU
Madie Jones, junior, LSU
Meghan Mannari, junior, LSU
Cori Martone, sophomore, Tulane
Malorie Pardo, freshman LSU

SECOND TEAM
Becky Bekelja, junior, McNeese State
Zuzana Markova, junior, Louisiana-Monroe
Lesley Mirarchi, senior, Louisiana-Lafayette
Taylor Reuther, freshman Xavier
Stephany Salas, junior, Louisiana Tech
Michele Williams, senior, LSU
Anna Wruck, freshman Tulane

HONORABLE MENTION
Paige Dollison, senior, Southeastern Louisiana
Nikki Osuna, senior, Tulane
Clara Vido, sophomore, Louisiana Tech
Samantha Worsham, junior, Loyola

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Madie Jones, LSU
Voting: Jones 5, Bowden 3, DiFrancesco 3, Salas 1
LIBERO OF THE YEAR: (tie) Keelie Arneson, Northwestern State; Meghan Mannari, LSU
Voting: Arneson 5, Mannari 5, Salas 2
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Stephany Salas, Louisiana Tech
Voting: Salas 7, Markova 5
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Stacey DiFrancesco, Northwestern State
Voting: DiFrancesco 5, Pardo 3, Reuther 3, Christal Hollins (SUNO) 1
COACH OF THE YEAR: Christabell Hamilton, Xavier
Voting: Hamilton 5, Ernest Vazquez (Louisiana-Monroe) 3, Tommy Harold (Loyola) 2, Fran Flory (LSU) 1

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

Coastal Edged by S.C. Sate in Carolinas Challenge

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina - Shatia Cole knocked down a three from the left wing with 1:05 remaining to give Coastal Carolina a one point advantage; however, the Chanticleers would not hold on as South Carolina State converted six free throws down the stretch to secure the 61-59 victory in the third game of the Crescent Bank Carolinas Challenge on Sunday.

The setback moves Coastal to 6-2 on the season as SC State improves to 4-6.

For the second time in as many games, four Chants scored in double figures as Shanika Maddox led the way with 14 points. Cole poured in 13 followed by Taylor Epley's career-high 11 points and Kayla Cook's 10. Maddox and Epley each finished with a game-high nine boards.

The teams exchanged baskets in the early going of the second half before the Chants took a four point advantage, 38-34, with 16:49 remaining. The Bulldogs then used a 5-1 run to take their first lead of the game at 39-38 at the 15:18 mark. SC State extended its lead to nine points thanks to several Coastal turnovers the Bulldogs turned into a 13-2 run over the ensuing 7:30.

Final Stats

NEXT GAME: S.C. STATE LADY BULLDOGS VS. UNC-ASHVILLE

MONDAY, DEC. 19 at 6:00 p.m. @ the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center (Tullis Arena) on the campus of Claflin University (adjacent to SC State Campus). Tullis Arena is located at 400 Magnolia Street in Orangeburg, S.C.

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SSU's Babb return key in East's HBCU Bowl win

ATLANTA, Georgia - A happy homecoming wasn't the only return for Justin Babb at the HBCU All-Star Bowl. Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - A happy homecoming wasn't the only return for Justin Babb at the HBCU All-Star Bowl.

Babb's 100-yard return of a failed field-goal attempt fueled the East All- Stars to a 23-13 victory over the West All-Stars on Saturday. Babb, a senior from Savannah State, was playing the all-star game in his hometown of Atlanta. He scored with nine seconds left in the third quarter to push the East's lead to 20-10.

"The coaches put me in the best position to be successful and I did that," Babb said. "I've never done it (a touchdown return) on an attempted field goal. Once I caught the ball, I saw all my blue jerseys escort me down the field. They did great blocking for me. So I just did what I can."



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Head Coach Melvin Spears’ future at Alcorn uncertain

LORMAN, Mississippi -- It’s often difficult to evaluate a head coach’s first year with a team, when players are adjusting to his coaching philosophy and offensive and defensive schemes. So I was perfectly willing to give Alcorn State head football coach Melvin Spears a mulligan for the Braves’ disappointing 2011 season.

On the field, the results are easily forgettable — and Alcornites probably want to forget them. The Braves finished 2-8 overall, 1-8 in SWAC play, capped off by a 51-7 blowout loss to rival Jackson State Nov. 19 in the Capital City Classic.

Still, it usually takes a coach at least one year for himself, the assistant coaches and the players to feel each other out. Players are used to how the previous regime did things, and the first year is often times when the staff finds out which players are willing and able to adjust, and which are better off someplace else.

But after just one year on the job, Spears was recently placed on administrative leave with pay by the university, and a final decision on whether or not to retain him will be coming after the holidays.

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Gray's play makes Xavier Gold Rush blue; Loyola wins in 3 OTs

Nick Haywood
Xavier University Gold Rush

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Corey Gray scored seven of his 23 points in the third overtime Saturday to lift Loyola to a 95-91 men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana at The Den.

The Wolfpack (8-4) completed its first season sweep of the Gold Rush (7-3) and won at home against its city rival for the second time in 17 attempts. Loyola won 66-59 at Xavier on Nov. 29. Xavier leads the series 29-6.

Gray scored all his points after halftime and had 12 points in the extra 15 minutes. His basket with 10 seconds remaining in regulation tied the score at 62, and the game went to overtime when Xavier's Chris Iles missed a running 12-footer from the right baseline at the buzzer.

Nick Haywood's 3-pointer with six seconds remaining tied the score at 72 for Xavier and forced a second overtime. The Gold Rush missed a chance to win in the second overtime when Wanto Joseph missed a second free throw after the making the first with 21 seconds remaining. That left the score tied at 83.

Loyola's McCall Tomeny then missed at the buzzer.

Loyola never trailed in the third overtime and took the lead for good, 90-88, on Chris Joseph's basket with 1:16 remaining. Gray's 3-pointer made it 93-89 with 25 seconds to play, and he scored the game's final points on a pair of free throws with 18 seconds remaining.

Tomeny scored 19 points, Cameron Cates 16, Chris Joseph 15 and Robert Lovaglio 13 for Loyola.

Xavier had six scorers in double figures. Denzell Erves had 17, Wanto Joseph and Haywood had 15 apiece, Iles had 12 and Cordell Hadnot and Jamaan Kenner scored 10 each. Hadnot grabbed a career-high-tying 12 rebounds, and Joseph had a career-high nine assists.

The Gold Rush outshot the Wolfpack 48.5 to 41.4 percent from the floor, but Loyola had a 45-36 rebound advantage and dominated at the line, making 29-of-39 free throws to Xavier's 15-of-21. The Gold Rush committed a season-worst 31 fouls, and Erves and Anthony Simmons both fouled out in the second overtime.

Xavier made 10 3-pointers to tie a season high. Haywood made three treys, and Iles, Kenner and Kevin Miller made two apiece. Gray and Chris Joseph made three treys apiece for Loyola.

Loyola outscored Xavier 7-0 in the final four minutes of the first half to trim the Gold Rush advantage to 30-28. Xavier led 54-46 after an Erves basket with 8:49 remaining in regulation.

It was the first time Xavier and Loyola played overtime. It was the first time the Gold Rush played multiple overtimes since an 80-72 home victory against Mobile on Jan. 29, 2004. XU records on three-overtime games are incomplete, but the Gold Rush won in triple overtime at Dillard during the 1992-93 season and against Loras in the National Catholic Tournament at Dubuque, Iowa, during the 1990-91 season.

Xavier will break for Christmas, then resume its schedule with games in Miami Gardens, Fla., against Florida Memorial on Dec. 28 and St. Thomas on Dec. 29.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown slams Gov. Rick Scott for recommending FAMU's president be suspended

Rep. Corrine Brown (D - FL)
United States House of Representatives

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- In a letter sent late Friday, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown hammered Gov. Rick Scott for "strongly recommending" that Florida A&M President James Ammons be suspended.

The letter comes a day after a group of angry FAMU students protested in front of the governor's mansion as a result of the Scott's call for a suspension.

"I am extremely disappointed with your effort to suspend the university's President, Dr. James Ammons. By carrying out this action, you may very well jeopardize the academic accreditation of FAMU, one of our nation's finest Historically Black Colleges and Universities," she wrote.

The university is reeling from the hazing-related death of Robert Champion, a drum-major on the school's famed "Marching 100" band. That death was ruled a homicide Friday.

REP. BROWN'S LETTER

READ THE AUTOPSY REPORT ON DEATH OF MR. CHAMPION (PDF)

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Hazing at FAMU exposes culture of silence

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Next year was supposed to be a big year for Florida A&M University. The nation’s largest historically black university is scheduled to celebrate 125 years since its founding in 1887.

Unfortunately, instead of talking about the many contributions its faculty and alumae have made to this country, the FAMU community will be consumed by the H and I words. Not high academic scores, not healthcare solutions for the underserved, but hazing and investigations.

As if to emphasize this sad fact, Tallahassee police on Monday arrested three band members and charged them with hazing for allegedly breaking the thigh of a female band member being initiated into the Red Dawg Order, a band club for Georgia natives.

And on Wednesday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced that its investigation into the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion has led to the opening of another investigation — into fraud at the university.

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Council scores 30 to help Wolfpack hold off XU Gold Nuggets

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Keiva Council scored 19 of her 30 points in the second half Saturday, and Loyola survived a late Xavier University of Louisiana rally to grab a 67-64 women's basketball victory at The Den.

The victory was the third in a row for the Wolfpack, whose 10-1 start is the best in the program's history. Loyola snapped the three-game win streak of the Gold Nuggets (7-4), ranked 16th in NAIA Division I.

Council, NAIA Division I's scoring leader with 23.1 points per game, scored nine points during a 17-6 run which gave Loyola its biggest lead, 58-43, with 8:23 remaining. Xavier closed to within one point twice in the final two minutes but missed two opportunities to tie the score in the final minute.

Council was 7-of-19 from the floor, 3-of-8 from 3-point range and 13-of-17 from the line with nine rebounds and four steals in 40 minutes. She's the first XU opposing player to reach 30 points since Langston's Matalya McBath-Belvin scored 32 in a 69-66 victory against the Nuggets on the second day of the Xavier Classic on Nov. 24, 2006.

The Nuggets' Keldra Hall missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 48 seconds remaining and Loyola leading 64-62, but Jazmoné Kelly grabbed the offensive rebound. Jasmine Grant was fouled seven seconds later, but made just the first of two free throws.

Loyola clinched the victory when Amy Moody grabbed an offensive rebound after Council's missed second free throw with 18 seconds remaining, then made two free throws for a 67-63 lead with 13 seconds to play.

SiMon Franklin had a season-high-tying 13 points and a career-best eight rebounds for Xavier. Grant and Hall scored 12 points apiece, and Kelly scored 10. Carmen Holcombe grabbed a career-high nine rebounds in 12 relief minutes.

Kelly's basket at 3:05 of the first half gave Xavier its biggest lead, 24-19, but Loyola scored nine of the next 11 points to take a 28-26 advantage at halftime. The Wolfpack went ahead to stay at 25-24 on Raven Lane's fast-break basket at 1:31.

Xavier shot a season-best 51 percent from the floor but made 10-of-19 free throws after making 27-of-31 the previous two games. Loyola shot 38 percent from the floor and made 25-of-35 free throws. Xavier had a 34-32 rebound advantage but committed 25 turnovers, five more than the Wolfpack.

Xavier will travel to Las Vegas for a pair of games in the Vegas Hoopla. The Gold Nuggets will play NAIA No. 1 Oklahoma City on Tuesday and Sterling on Wednesday. Both games will tip off at 4 p.m. PST.

BOX SCORE

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

Coach Lonnie Bartley Gets 600th Win at Fort Valley State

FORT VALLEY, Georgia - In his 28th season as women's head coach at Fort Valley State University Lonnie Bartley is no stranger to milestones. On Saturday he added another, with his 600th career victory.

The Lady Wildcats topped a resilient West Georgia team 63-56, after leading the Lady Wolves 31-19 at halftime. Carmenonique Dawson led the way for FVSU with 18 points. The victory moves Bartley's team to 6-2 on the season, and adds another impressive figure to the long time coach's resume.

"Had all the teams I coached had the same attitude I have, 600 would've came a long time ago, because I was trying to win every one I coached," Bartley said. "I'm so appreciative that I was able to stay here at my alma mater for 28 years to see 600."

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FVSU’s Bartley reaches 600-win milestone

FORT VALLEY, GA -- When he started, canvas Chuck Taylors from Converse were the hot sneaker of choice. In one of his first major recruiting battles, he beat out Pat Summit of Tennessee.

Soon, the plan was one of “one more year” for a while. And now, here is Lonnie Bartley, hundreds of players and hundreds of wins later. The head women’s basketball coach at Fort Valley State has outlasted athletics directors, school presidents and a good many men’s basketball coaches, as well as interims at some of those positions.

One of the results of that consistency and stability is a milestone for both Bartley and his alma mater. The Lady Wildcats knocked off West Georgia 63-56 on Saturday to give Bartley his 600th career win, all at FVSU.

“I got a lot of texts and a lot of calls in the last three or four days,” Bartley said. “I’m glad to get it out of the way.”

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FAMU runs past Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions, 85-63

HAMMOND, Louisiana -- Southeastern Louisiana senior guards Amber Crenshaw and Jessica Sommers combined for seven of the Lady Lions' season-high nine three-point field goals, but Florida A&M countered with an efficient offensive performance to defeat Southeastern, 85-63, on the final day of the Southeastern Christmas Classic Saturday night at the University Center.

Despite the hot-shooting of Sommers and Crenshaw, Southeastern fell to 4-7 overall with its third straight loss. The Lady Rattlers (5-5) shot 52.5 percent (32-for-61) to win its second straight contest.

Sommers led Southeastern with a career-high 14 points, after hitting four three-pointers in the contest. Crenshaw added 10 points after hitting three attempts from behind the arc.

Senior guards Latoria Holder and Kelli Jenkins hit the other treys for the Lady Lions. Holder led Southeastern with three steals, while Jenkins dished out a game-high six assists.

For the second straight game, Southeastern junior forward Aja Gibson posted a double-double. The Somerville, Tenn. native netted 12 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

Despite the efforts of Gibson, FAMU held a dominant 50-35 advantage on the boards. The Lady Rattlers also featured a balanced offensive attack, as sophomore guard Kimberly Sparkman put in a game-high 23 points to lead four players in double figures.

Senior post Qiana Donald (17 points), senior guard Tameka McKelton (15 points) and junior guard Keturah Martin (10 points) were the other top scorers for FAMU, who also got nine points apiece from senior forward Antonia Bennett and freshman wing Jaleesa Blue. Blue led FAMU with 10 rebounds, while Donald grabbed nine.

Box Score

2011-12 Southeastern Christmas Classic

Friday, December 16

Florida A&M 77, Northwestern State 53

Alcorn State 62, Southeastern Louisiana 54

Saturday, December 17

Alcorn State 70, Northwestern State 60

Florida A&M 85, Southeastern Louisiana 63

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Bowie State comes from behind for victory

ERIE, Pennsylvania - The Bowie State University men's basketball team improved to 6-1 by coming from behind to earn a 94-93 victory at Mercyhurst College on Saturday in Erie, Pa. The Bulldogs hit 31 of 34 shots at the foul line and erased a 14-point deficit in the second half to notch the victory.

Bishop McNamara High graduate Jay Gavin led five Bulldogs in double figures with 26 points, including a 13 of 14 performance at the foul line. Largo High grad Darren Clark added 22 points, and the Bulldogs got 12 points from Travis Hyman, 11 from Najee White and 10 from Dameatric Scott.

Mercyhurst (6-3) led by two at halftime, and then quickly expanded its lead to 12 points within the first three minutes of the second half. A 10-0 run by Bowie State made it a two-point game again with 16 minutes, 56 seconds to play. Gavin had five points in the run.

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Bethune-Cookman reopens case on hazing complaint

Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- The Bethune-Cookman University president is going to reopen a case involving a complaint of hazing against a band member in August.

Trudie Kibbe Reed said Friday she's taking the now former student's complaint "very seriously" and if there needs to be further inquiries into the Marching Wildcats -- "it will be done."

"The last thing I want to do is send a kid home in a coffin. I just won't do it," Reed said Friday, referring to the death of a drum major last month at Florida A&M University amid hazing allegations.

University officials confirmed media reports that student Christopher King made a complaint that he had been hazed by fellow band members.

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SUNO's Moore gets second Player of the Week honor in a row

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- SUNO's Clyde Moore, a junior guard, has been selected the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball Player of the Week for a second consecutive week. Moore led the Knights in scoring for the week with 38 points. He averaged 19 points per game, shooting 70% from the field. Moore also led in total rebounds with 14 while getting three steals for the week. Moore also made 71% of his foul shots for the week.

In an 84-78 loss to Loyola, Moore scored 15 points, grabbed seven total rebounds, had an assist, and registered one of the team's two blocks on the night. He shot four for seven from the field and made seven of his nine free throws for the night.

In the Knights' 95-82 victory over Johnson & Wales (Fla.), the Jackson, Mississippi native led in scoring with 23 points. He got seven boards, two assists, and two steals. Moore went ten of 13 from the field and made three of his five foul shots.

Tougaloo's Craft Receives GCAC Player of the Week Honors

Portia Craft, Sophomore Guard
McComb, Mississippi

 TOUGALOO, Mississippi -- The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference recently announced its men's and women's GCAC Players of the Week for the week ending December 11, 2011. Portia Craft, a sophomore guard from Magnolia, MS and a member of the Tougaloo College Women's Basketball team received the women's GCAC Player of the Week Honors.

No stranger to the GCAC, Craft receives this player of the week honor for her performance in leading the Lady Bulldogs past then #23 Belhaven University on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Craft's 21 points led the Lady Bulldogs to a 64-60 win. Craft also received player of the week honors earlier this season for her performance in leading the Lady Bulldogs past Division I SWAC Jackson State University. Craft is also the reigning GCAC Co-Freshman of the Year.