In The News
Faye Moore

Faye Moore '76 leads fifth largest transit authority in the country   A&T
Faye Moore, a 1976 A&T accounting graduate was the first female and African American to become general manager of SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), the fifth largest transit authority in the country.  Moore is the ultimate decision-maker on operating policies and human resources matters for the $2 billion transportation authority, which has almost 10,000 employees.
A&T Professor meets President Barack Obama
DeWayne Wickham, USA TODAY columnist and distinguished professor/director of the Institute for Advanced Journalism Studies at A&T, along with other members of the Trotter Group, recently interviewed President Barack Obama in the Roosevelt Room at the White House.
Press Release
Interview transcript 		Aggie star in NASA's Constellation Program
Robert Howard's passion and imagination for spacecraft design began at an early age. His mother was actually delighted when she discovered he had etched the design of a spacecraft control station on the wall of his closet with a key when he was about eight years old. Howard
Frye graduates at the top of her class  Endya Frye graduated at the top of her class with a perfect 4.0. G.P.A in spite of her illness.
Grad

NC A&T News Releases & Photos
 

Black College Sports History

Sports History: NCCU CENTENNIAL SPORTS HISTORY: DID YOU KNOW? Kyle Serba 03/29/10
NCCU, Duke Play Illegal, Racially-Integrated ‘Secret Game’ in 1944
DID YOU KNOW? On Sunday morning March 12, 1944, during a time of heated racial segregation, the men’s basketball team from the North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University) competed against a squad from the Duke School of Medicine on the campus of NCCU in the first racially integrated college-level basketball game in the South.

"Big Dog knocked down four-footers .... Boogie and Cootie ran cutaways"
Sunday March 31, 1996: JIM CROW LOSSES;The Secret Game
 
CHOWAN RALLIES FOR FIRST EVER CIAA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP  April J. Emory 11/08/09
CIAA Rookie of the Year Karina Monroe Named Tournament MVP
HAMPTON, VA- Chowan University captured the first CIAA championship in school history when their volleyball team defeated Fayetteville State University in five sets (17-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 15-11) Sunday afternoon at the Boo Williams Sportsplex.  File Video
Albany State’s baseball sets sight on SIAC championship under new coach
 Edythe Y. Bradley
Albany State University began a new era in its baseball program on Tuesday, Feb. 1, when Kenyan Conner makes his debut as interim head coach of Golden Rams.

February 9, 2011

Rams Pick Up 6-2 Win at Shaw

WSSU defense steps up to complete doubleheader sweep
Goodwin, Trevin Q.

RALEIGH, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (3-2, 2-0 CIAA) completed a doubleheader sweep with a 6-2 win over the Shaw Bears (0-2, 0-2 CIAA), Wednesday evening. The Rams played a smart, quality game to pick up the win, scoring six runs on only three hits in the game, which was ended in the sixth inning due to darkness.

Though the Rams managed just three hits in the game, the team had no trouble getting on the bases, drawing 10 walks and producing six runs to pick up the win. WSSU junior first baseman Brice Rivenbark led the way at the plate with a two-for-three effort at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Junior second baseman Jordan Graham added a one-for-one effort with three walks and a run scored. WSSU sophomore pitcher John Markley (1-0) picked up the pitching win, going all six innings and allowing six hits with only two earned runs. He also added nine strikeouts in six innings of action.

The Rams jumped ahead of the Bears early with four second-inning runs. Freshman outfield Jacob Pizzuto put the Rams on the scoreboard early when he hit an RBI sacrifice fly after a pair of walks to open the inning. Junior outfielder Dominique Fitzgerald added an RBI when he reached on a fielder’s choice that allowed freshman outfielder Andrew Smith to score. Rivenbark added an RBI single that allowed junior Michael Robbins to score. Fitzgerald also scored on the play.

The Rams added a pair of fifth inning scores as well with Smith drew an RBI walk, followed by another RBI sacrifice fly by freshman Joseph Herbert.

Defensively, the Rams played a strong game, allowing one run in the third and fifth inning. The Rams also posted no errors in the game.

The Rams will return to action this weekend when the team takes on the Saint Andrews Presbyterian Knights in Laurinburg, N.C.

February 9, 2011

Rams Roll in 11-2 Win at Shaw

WSSU takes nine-run win in CIAA Opener

RALEIGH, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (2-2, 1-0 CIAA) reintroduced themselves to Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) baseball in a big way with an 11-2 win over the Shaw Bears (0-1, 0-1 CIAA), Wednesday afternoon. The Rams turned in a great effort on both sides of the ball to pick the win in both teams’ conference openers.

As a team, the Rams had a solid day with eight hits and only two errors while holding the Bears to just a pair of runs and only four hits. WSSU junior outfielder Brice Rivenbark led the effort with a three-for-four effort at the plate and three runs scored. Sophomore infielder German Reyes added three RBI and a run scored on a one-for-three effort at the plate.

WSSU freshman Joseph Herbert (1-0) picked up the pitching win, going five innings and allowing just two runs, both unearned. He finished the day with nine strikeouts and only two hits allowed with five walks. Freshman Scott Wells picked up the save (1) with two innings of action and allowing only two hits and no scores. He also added a pair of strikeouts. 

The Rams wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, scoring runs in the first and second innings of the game. In the first inning, an RBI double by sophomore infielder Tyler Hickernell drove in Wells, who reached on a walk to put WSSU ahead 1-0. The Rams added another run in the second inning when junior outfielder Dominique Fitzgerald added an RBI double to center field that scored freshman infielder Jonathan Wells.

The Rams would turn up their efforts in the third inning when the team scored five runs. The Rams benefitted from three Shaw errors to score the runs. A Reyes two-RBI double did the most damage while the Rams added pair of runs on Shaw fielding errors. The inning put the Rams on top, 7-0, but the Bears would counter with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. 

In full control of the game, the Rams added three insurance runs in the sixth inning with a Reyes RBI sacrifice fly, a Herbert RBI double, and a sacrifice groundout by Jonathan Wells. In the end, the Rams held on for the 11-2 win after shutting the Bears out in the final inning.

The two teams would meet to close out the double-header later in the afternoon. For more information on Rams baseball log on to www.WSSURams.com.

February 9, 2011

Sherri Fillingham

Shaw Baseball Swept By WSSU In Season Opener

(Raleigh, NC) -  Shaw opened its baseball season by dropping both halves of a doubleheader to Winston-Salem State 11-2 and 6-2.   The second game was called after six innings because of darkness.

In the first game, Shaw was bitten by errors, committing five, which allowed six of the 11 runs to come in unearned. 

After scoring one run each in the first and the second inning, Winston-Salem State took advantage of Shaw errors, scoring five runs total, but only two of those earned.  They sent ten batters to the plate that inning.  They would score another run in the fourth and three more (two unearned) in the sixth.

Both of Shaw’s runs were unearned and came in the third inning of the contest.  With two outs, Franklyn Johnson reached on a walk and was moved to second when Alberto Johnson lined a hit into center field.  Jerrell Going reached on an error by the third baseman, loading the bases and keeping pitcher Joseph Herbert from getting out of the inning.  Herbert would then walk two batters – forcing in two runs – before getting out of the inning by catching Going in a rundown.

Herbert gave up only four hits in the first game. For Shaw, Alberto Johnson reached base three of four times he came to the plate:  twice on walks and once with a double.

In the second game, pitcher Donald Robertson gave up only three hits, but surrendered ten walks and four earned runs. 

The bulk of damage by the Rams was done in the top of the second, when they took advantage of four walks, a hit and an error to score four runs. 

Robertson retired the Rams in order in the third and fourth, but gave up another four walks and two runs in the fifth.

The Bears garnered six hits on the night, but could score only two runs.  After getting a single hit in each of the first three innings, the Bears put together three in the fifth, but could get only one run home.  Larry Johnson, who opened the inning with a single through the right side of the infield, eventually scored on Franklyn Johnson’s double.

The Bears’ other run came in the third, when Franklyn Johnson walked and was driven home by Jerome Herrington’s double. 

In game two, Herrington picked up two hits, while Franklyn Johnson reached base twice – once on a walk and once with the double.

On Friday, Shaw travels to Denmark, SC to take on Voorhees in a three-game series to be played Friday at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at noon.

For more information on Shaw athletics, visit www.shawbears.com.  

Basketball
 

TUCKER’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE LEADS VIKINGS PAST CHOWAN 69-59
April J. Emory 02/12/11

ECSU Picks Up Third Straight Division Win

MURFREESBORO, NC- Rondy Tucker tallied game highs of 25 points and 14 rebounds as the Elizabeth City State University Vikings defeated Chowan University 69-59 in a nationally televised contest Saturday afternoon.

In the first half Tucker’s 18 point, 7 rebound performance, helped the Vikings keep pace with the upstart Hawks, who got an added boost from the play of reserved guard Mark Brown. Brown came off the Chowan bench to go 6-8, including four three pointers in route to a 19 point first half. Behind Brown’s shooting, the Hawks grabbed a nine point lead with 6:38 to go before the break. ECSU did cut into the lead to trail 35-33 at the half.

Defense limited Brown to 1-6 shooting in the second half and with that went much of the Hawks’ momentum. Chowan shot 9-30 from the field and scored just 24 points in the second half. Brown finished the game with a team best 23 points

After a scoreless opening half, Paul Goldsmith led the charge for ECSU scoring all 9 of his points after the intermission.

As a team, the Vikings had one of their better days at the charity stripe going 20-25 for the game while outrebounding the Hawks (4-19, CIAA 3-12) 38-29.

ECSU (15-8, CIAA 9-6) will take on Virginia State University for WBCA Pink Zone night on Monday, February 14th at 7:30pm at the RL Vaughan Center.

 
Miss. Valley State earns hard-fought win over Alcorn State 75-74‏

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Figure this, earn SWAC Newcomer of the Week ... play tough against tough in-state rival.

Mississippi Valley State junior center Brittney Lakes finished with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists as the Devilettes earned a hard-fought 75-74 victory over the visiting Alcorn State Lady Braves.

For MVSU (9-14, 7-5), Alia Frank added 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while Ka'Neshia Smith finished with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.  De'Kisha Fondon tallied 13 points, four rebounds and two assists while Lenise Stalling had eight points off the bench.

For Alcorn State (8-13, 7-5), Kiara Ruffin had a game-high 26 points (15 in the second half)
 along with five rebounds and nine steals.  Carolinsia Crumbly added 16 points and five steals while Renelle Richmond had 12 points, four rebounds and three steals.

The first half saw MVSU jump out to an 11-0 lead within the first four minutes of play before Alcorn State climbed back into the game.  MVSU led at the half 28-25.

The second period saw MVSU build a 15-point lead with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation before the Lady Braves mounted a spirited comeback, forcing several tied scores and even taking a 74-73 lead with 12 seconds remaining.  However, Smith would sink two free throws with five seconds left in the game.  A last-second Alcorn State attempt would go long as the buzzer sounded.

Miss. Valley State now looks to host conference leader Southern on Monday night at 5:30 pm.  The Devilettes played hard against the Jaguars earlier this season, holding the lead for a good portion of the game, before Southern won the game at the buzzer.
Mississippi Valley State Athletic Communications

Rams Fade Late in 77-64 Loss at Shaw
Trevin Goodwin 02/12/11

Clutch shots by the Bears seal Rams loss

RALEIGH, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (16-5, 9-4 CIAA) battled hard, but ran out of gas in a hard-fought 77-64 loss at Shaw (15-7, 8-5 CIAA), Saturday evening. In a game that was much closer than the final score indicated, the Rams fought tooth and nail to get the win, but a late surge by the home team left the Rams with the tough loss.

The game was battle for both teams with big shots being made at both ends of the court, but in the end, the Rams just could not seem to get the key stops late in the tough loss. As a team, the Rams had a solid shooting effort with a 42.4% field goal percentage for the game. Junior guard Lamar Monger led the way for the Rams with 17 points while redshirt-senior Shelton Carter and senior forward Paul Davis scored 12 points each in the loss. Monger also led the Rams with a team-high six rebounds in the game.

“It seemed like every big shot they made was a dagger and they kept sticking it to us,” WSSU head men’s basketball coach Bobby Collins said. “They made the plays that they had to make down the stretch.”

The first half turned out to be a see-saw battle with momentum swinging both ways in the game. The first ten minutes of the first half belonged to the Bears who jumped out to a 25-8 lead midway through the half. The Bears had a scorching hot shooting performance that left the Rams reeling early. But the Rams had an answer with a great defensive effort for the remainder of the half. The final ten minutes of the half belonged to the Rams, who outscored the home team 25-11 over that span. The Rams would get a boost from Monger and Carter who combined for 16 first half points to lead the effort. The late surge paid off for the Rams, who went into the locker room trailing by only three points, 36-33 at halftime.

The momentum from the late first half carried over into the early second half when a Carter three-pointer at the 19:25 mark tied the game, 36-36. But the Rams would never claim the lead as the Bears answered every challenge in the second half. When WSSU senior guard Andrew Jackson hit a clutch three-pointer to pull the Rams to within two points, 41-39 at the 17:50 mark, the Bears answered with six unanswered points. The Rams would challenge once again, when a Monger three-pointer at the 14:23 mark pulled the Rams within three points, 47-44. The Bears responded pushing their lead to eight points, 55-47 with 11:01 left to play. The Rams would make their final push with just under five minutes left when a three-pointer by redshirt-junior guard Dominic Alston cut the WSSU deficit down to four points 64-60, but the Rams would get no closer as the Bears closed the game with a 13-4 run in the final five minutes.

“In the second half, they just picked us apart. They were a little bit more patient, they made us defend a little bit longer, and they made shots,” Collins added. “We forced shots. We pressed more in the second half. We were chasing them and that’s not the way we wanted to play. I thought we got out of character a little bit tonight.”

The Rams won’t have long to rest, however, as the team will return to action, Monday evening when the team heads to Salisbury, N.C. to take on the Livingstone Blue Bears.

Powerful Performances Lead Shaw Past WSSU 77-64
Sherri Fillingham
(Raleigh, NC) - Shaw got zero points from its bench Saturday night, but four of the five starters scored 17 points or more to lead the Bears past Winston-Salem State 77-64 in a CIAA divisional game played at C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

Shaw (15-7, 8-5 CIAA) built a big lead early, and while Winston-Salem State (16-5, 9-4 CIAA) tied the game with their first bucket in the second half, they did not hold a lead at any time in the game.

The Bears seemed equally comfortable from the arc and the paint, hitting nine of 23 three-point attempts and garnering 32 points in the paint (versus 22 for the Rams).

Coming off a career-high 27-point performance against Livingstone Monday night, Dwight Bell started the game hot – scoring Shaw’s first eight points, on the way to what would become a 16-2 lead with 14:40 remaining in the first.

The Bears built the lead to as many as 17 in the first, when Darryl Johnson hit a three with 11:18 left to make the score 25-8.

The Rams slowly but surely cut away at the lead, never going on long scoring sprees, but sporadically making a defensive stop and converting on the opportunity.

With 2:40 left in the first half, Devon Mclendon gave the Bears an eight-point lead when he hit a pair of free throws, but the Rams got a slam dunk and a three from Shelton Carter to cut the Shaw lead to only three at the half, 36-33.

WSSU tied the game with their first bucket of the half – another three from Carter – but Tony Smith answered for the Bears, retaking the lead that they would not surrender the rest of the game.

With 17:50 left in the game, Andrew Jackson hit a three for the Rams, to cut the Shaw lead to two, but the Bears scored the next six points, ending with a layup from Bell to give the Bears the 47-39 lead.

The two teams played evenly for much of the rest of the game. With 4:58 left, the Rams’ Dominic Alston drove through the lane for the layup to cut the Shaw lead to four, 64-60. The Bears would score the next five points, including Raheem Smith’s layup to take a nine-point lead.

Over the closing minutes of the game, Shaw would build the lead to 13, for the 77-64 final.

Bell led the Bears with 20 points. Mclendon had 18 and Johnson and Tony Smith had 17 apiece. Johnson led the Bears with eight rebounds and he and Tony Smith had seven assists each.

Lamar Monger had 17 points to lead WSSU. Carter and Paul Davis had 12 points apiece. Monger led the Rams with six rebounds and Marcus Wells had four assists.

The Bears travel to Charlotte Monday for a game against Johnson C. Smith. Tip is 7:30 p.m. Shaw returns home Saturday, February 19 for a matchup against Fayetteville State. Tip is 8:00 p.m. at C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium on the Shaw campus.

For more information on Shaw athletics, visit www.shawbears.com.
BRONCOS FINISH OFF BLUE BEARS WITH STRONG SECOND HALF
Robinson, Evans lead six players in double figures as FSU prevails 92-78
Alex Podlogar
FAYETTEVILLE, NC – It was one play, but Ariel Robinson had seen enough. The play didn’t even hurt the Broncos, because Sidney Evans was able to knock the entry pass out of bounds. But the play was shaping up too easily for Robinson’s taste, and as the officials retrieved the ball to set up the inbounds play, Robinson wheeled around on his heels and absolutely gave it to his teammates. Moments later, the Fayetteville State Broncos got the stop Robinson was looking for, and after scoring on their end, they held a six-point lead with 6 minutes to go. From there, the Broncos took control of the game, knocking off a ranked team for the second time in a week after beating Livingstone 92-78 on Saturday night at Felton J. Capel Arena. “Defense comes from having character and integrity,” said Fayetteville State head coach Alphonza Kee. “If a play goes against us, we don’t hang our heads. We get right back after it.” After a Darius Cox dunk with just over 6 minutes remaining in the game, Fayetteville State (11-10, 7-6, 3-3) held the Blue Bears (12-8, 7-5, 3-3) without a field goal for 4 minutes as the Broncos used a 9-2 run over that stretch to build an 81-71 lead with 2:19 remaining in the game. It was the decisive stretch. After failing to hold off Johnson C. Smith after leading late in the game on Monday night, the Broncos closed things out emphatically against Livingstone, which came into the game ranked 10th in the Atlantic Region. Seth Hawkins (So., Greensboro, NC), pressed into extra duty when starting point guard Andre Best (So., Raleigh, NC) fouled out, hit five of six foul shots down the stretch and made a pretty scoop shot in the waning minutes to preserve the victory for Fayetteville State. “Seth gave us some huge minutes,” Kee said of Hawkins, who made three of his four shot attempts for 13 points to go with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. “He showed great poise and great maturity.” The Broncos overcame a career-high 32 points by Cox, who scored 18 in the first half to lead Livingstone to a 46-42 lead at the half. The Blue Bears shot 55 percent from the floor in the opening period, but the Broncos limited Livingstone to just 28.6 percent shooting in the second half. And by holding a staggering 55-34 edge in rebounding, including a 21-12 edge on the offensive glass, Fayetteville State was able to pull away and finish off the Blue Bears. “After not finishing the game at Johnson C. Smith on Monday, to come back and do it here against a great team like Livingstone just shows how much our team has grown this season,” Kee said. And the Broncos were balanced throughout the lineup. Robinson (Sr., Coral Springs, FL) scored 14 points in just 15 minutes off the bench, hitting four 3-pointers, each of which seemed to come at a critical time in the game. Sidney Evans (Jr., Durham, NC) added 14 points, 10 of them in the second half, to go with nine rebounds. Tim Plummer (Jr., Apex, NC) had his second straight double-double after finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds, seven of which were offensive. John Herrington (Jr., Jacksonville, FL) had his fifth double-double of the season after 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. And Jarmel Baxter (Jr., Davidson, NC) shook off foul trouble to add 10 points. Carl Boswell and Omar Ford-Bey each had 11 points for Livingstone. The game was tight throughout, with 10 lead changes and eight ties. The teams traded the lead seven times in the first half alone, but Livingstone never led by more than four points. The Blue Bears led 59-55 with 13:14 remaining in the game, but Robinson buried two 3s and Evans slammed home an alley-oop, sparking a 13-3 Broncos run that handed them the lead back, 68-62, with 9:03 left. With the win – and after Shaw’s victory over Winston-Salem on Saturday night, Fayetteville State moves into a tie for second place in the Southern Division. The Broncos host St. Augustine’s at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at Felton J. Capel Arena. Alex Podlogar
Gold Nuggets increase GCAC regular-season win streak to 22
Ed Cassiere  February 12, 2011
TOUGALOO, Miss. -- Christina Warren scored 14 points Saturday to lead NAIA No. 12 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 55-32 women's basketball victory against Tougaloo.
    The Gold Nuggets (22-5, 4-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) earned their 22nd consecutive GCAC regular-season victory and allowed their fewest points in a GCAC game since a 92-32 home victory against Tougaloo on Feb. 5, 2001.
    Warren scored eight first-half points, four during a 19-0 run which turned a 10-7 deficit at 13:31 into a 26-10 Xavier lead with 3:14 remaining. Freshmen Carmen Holcombe, Paige Gauthier and Angelica Alexander combined for the first 11 points of the run -- those were their only points of the game -- and Tougaloo didn't score again until Victoria Jones' basket at 2:47.
    Xavier, winning for the eighth time in nine games, led 30-18 at halftime and held its biggest lead, 53-25, after Danielle Kennebrew's two free throws with 6:16 remaining.
    Jones led Tougaloo (8-14, 1-3) with 13 points and 10 rebounds -- her 17th double-double of the season and her 54th in three seasons.
    Xavier outshot the Lady Bulldogs 42.1 to 25.5 percent from the floor, gained 31 turnovers -- 17 by steals -- and committed 20. Xavier extended its school record by allowing less than 50 points for the 16th time this season.
    "We played outstanding defense," Xavier Coach Bo Browder said. "This was one of our best defensive games of the season. I was especially pleased because it came after a tough loss Monday at William Carey. Winning on the road is difficult at any level."
    Xavier's next game will start at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Mobile. END
MEN'S HOOPS RECAP: Miss. Valley State opens weekend with 91-83 win‏

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Needing a quality win to keep pace in the conference standings, the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils defeated the Alcorn State Braves 91-83 Saturday night at the R.W. Harrison Complex.

Leading the charge for the Delta Devils (10-15, 9-3) was Greenwood native Falando Jones, who finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals.  Senior Orlando Jones set a career high with 16 rebounds along with 18 points.  D'Angelo Jackson tallied 16 points while Terrence Joyner had 15 points, two assists and four steals off the bench.

For Alcorn State (3-19, 3-9), Jamar Ragland had team highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds while Marquiz Baker tallied 15 points and two steals.  Kendrick McDonald had 14 points, four assists and three steals while Korey Sanders and Willis Brownlee each finished with 13 points.  Sanders added nine rebounds.

MVSU opened the game on a 12-0 run over the initial 2:17 and continued to press both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court.  The Delta Devils built an 18-point lead at several instances before taking a 48-33 lead into intermission.

The second half saw Alcorn State score 50 points in the period, shooting 68 percent from the floor.  But the Braves could not overcome the first half deficit.

For the game, MVSU shot 41.9 percent from the floor (including 7-of-25 from three-point range).  MVSU out rebounded the Braves 43-35 while forcing 27 Alcorn State turnovers.

The Delta Devils will now host Southern Monday night at 7:30 pm.

Mississippi Valley State Athletic Communications

Williams Tallies 11 Against Virginia State
2/12/2011 | Women's Basketball
Virginia Union University's Lashira Williams tallied 11 points while teammates Leslie Slayton and LaTashia Robinson scored 10 points apiece, but Virginia State University stopped the Lady Panthers 86-60 on February 12 in Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.

VUU's Tiffany Clarke and Valentina Wheeler scored nine points apiece while Williams led the Lady Panthers with five rebounds.

Virginia State was paced by Rhon'Neisha Taylor's 24 points while three Lady Trojans had six rebounds apiece.

The loss dropped VUU to 2-17 overall and 2-10 in CIAA play.  VSU is now 14-7 overall and 8-5 in the CIAA.

VUU now faces Chowan University at 5:30 p.m. on February 14 in Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.
"BENNETT, MCKELTON, HOT SECOND HALF PUSH FAMU PAST UMES, 81-58"
Bennett scores 25, McKelton 21; Florida A&M shoots 57.7 percent in second half
UMES Sports
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Four Florida A&M players scored double figures led by Antonia Bennett with 25 and Tameka McKelton with 21 as the Lady Rattlers defeated the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team, 81-58, at the Al Lawson Center Saturday.

Bennett shot 10-for-18 and grabbed 10 rebounds and four steals for FAMU, which improved to 12-11 (7-4 MEAC) with its second straight win. UMES fell to 8-16 (5-6) with its second consecutive loss.

Chelsea Sanders (Rochester, N.Y.) paced three Lady Hawks in double digits with 15 6-of-12 from the field.  Amber Cook (Greensboro, N.C.) and Bria Jackson (Rochester, N.Y.) each recorded 10 points for UMES. The Lady Rattlers outscored the Lady Hawks, 47-33, in the second half to blow open nine-point game at halftime. FAMU shot 57.7 percent in the second half on 15-for-26 from the floor to finish the game at 53.7 percent (29-for-54).

LaKendra Wilkerson (Greensboro, N.C.) converted a layup to give UMES a 7-5 advantage over four
minutes in but Bennett ignited a 10-1 run for FAMU with three 3-pointers to push the Lady Rattlers ahead, 15-8, at the 9:47 mark.

A Sanders jumper from Wilkerson halted the run temporarily before Florida A&M extended the margin to 24-10 with 6:07 left with nine in a row, including five by McKelton.

UMES was able to finish the half strong with a Shanyce Stewart (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) jumper just inside the final minute and a Cook tip-in with seven second left to cut it to 34-25 at the break.

Bennett led all scorers with 17 points in the half.

Jackson hit a jumper at the 14:35 in transition to reduce it to a 45-38 game but UMES was held off the board for next 3:41 as the Lady Rattlers a 49-40 edge with less than 11 minutes left. McKelton registered a three- point play at 10:37 and Bennett tallied knocked in a jumper to make it 54-40 with 10 minutes left but UMES never got closer than 13 the rest of the way as Florida A&M averted a season sweep by the Lady Hawks win the win.

McKelton was 9-for-12 on the day with two rebounds, an assist and a steal. Shekeira Copeland (12 points) and Jasmine Grice (10) also scored double digits for Florida A&M.

The Lady Rattlers turned 23 UMES turnovers into 29 points whereas UMES scored just one off 13 FAMU miscues. FAMU also led in points in the paint, 24-16, and won the battle of the boards, 36-32.

UMES faces Bethune-Cookman Monday at 5:30 p.m.

LADY EAGLES SNAP 13-GAME LOSING SKID WITH WIN OVER MORGAN STATE

Three Lady Eagles Net Double Figures Topped by Nwachukwu’s Double-Double

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – Three Lady Eagles scored in double figures to lead North Carolina Central University to a come-from-behind 60-49 victory over Morgan State University on Saturday afternoon inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium, ending a 13-game losing skid.

The Lady Eagles last enjoyed the sweet taste of victory back to Dec. 18, 2010, when NCCU upset Big South power Liberty University, 50-48.

“This is a huge win for us,” NCCU head coach Joli Robinson said about ending the drought. “It’s just a great feeling for the players. It gives them the confidence in doing the things that we ask them to do to get the win. They deserve to celebrate this victory.”

NCCU (3-21) received contributions from a host of Lady Eagles. Senior Jori Nwachukwu recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while also securing a season-best six steals. Sophomore Chasidy Williams came off the bench to score 15 points, including 11 in the opening 20 minutes to keep the Lady Eagles close in the first half. Sophomore J’Mia Pollock collected 10 boards, her third double-digit rebounding effort this season, to go along with six points and two blocked shots. And freshman point guard Tenika Neely scored a season-high 10 points with two steals, three assists and only one turnover in 31 minutes of action.

“Tenika Neely came through for us,” Robinson said. “She created some things, she penetrated and she hit some big shots to give us the confidence and momentum to keep going.”

Morgan State (14-9) scored the first five points of the contest and led by as much as eight points (24-16 at 7:02) in the opening stanza. NCCU closed the first half with a 13-6 run, including seven points from Williams, to trim the deficit to 29-30 at intermission.

On the first possession out of the locker room, Neely nailed a three-pointer to give NCCU its first lead of the afternoon, 32-30 at 19:32, and the Lady Eagles never looked back.

NCCU used a 7-0 spurt, including five points courtesy of Nwachukwu, to open up a 43-33 cushion with 12:54 remaining.

The home team’s advantage was 48-37 with 7:24 left to play when Morgan State tallied seven unanswered points to make it a four-point contest (48-44) at 3:59.

The Lady Eagles responded by scoring the next 12 points to enjoy their largest lead of the night, 60-44 with 1:12 on the clock, and seal the victory.

Morgan State was topped by senior center Theresa Davis with 13 points, five rebounds and two rejections. Sophomore guard Jamesia Smith added 11 points, while junior Kyla Rollins came off the bench to contribute eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Lady Bears.

After connecting on 37.5 percent (9-for-24) of its field goal attempts in the first half, Morgan State hit only 18.5 percent (5-for-27) from the floor after the break, finishing the game shooting 14-of-51 (27.5%). NCCU, on the other hand, shot a steady 42.3 percent from the field, making 22-of-52 field goals.

The Lady Eagles also out-rebounded the visitors 40-36, and turned the ball over only 19 times compared to 21 miscues by MSU.

NCCU returns to the McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium hardwood on Monday night (Feb. 14) against Coppin State at 5:30.

 For schedule and ticket information, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
LIVINGSTONE DOWNS LADY BRONCOS AT HOME
LaQuasha Jordan leads FSU with career-high 28 points
Podlogar, Alexander
FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Khalia Boston scored 15 of her career-high 25 points in the first half to lead Livingstone to an 89-78 victory over the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos on Saturday night at Felton J. Capel Arena. Brittany Wright added 19 points and seven rebounds while Rashida Elbourne had 16 points, Montiya Harrison had 12 and Jasmine Murray had 10 and for the Lady Blue Bears (14-6, 8-4, 3-3). Fayetteville State (6-16, 4-9, 1-5), which got a career-high 28 points from LaQuasha Jordan (Jr., Greenville, NC), got off to a quick start in the game, rushing out to an 18-7 lead less than 7 minutes into the game. Jordan buried two 3-pointers and reigning CIAA Rookie of the Week Capricia Smalls (Fr., McLeansville, NC) had five points to help Fayetteville State get out of the gates early. The Lady Broncos made six of their first 10 shots to fuel the run, but quickly cooled off. And that’s when Boston began to heat up. She made three 3s in quick succession to spark a 12-3 run that tied the game at 19, and the Lady Blue Bears were off and running. By the end of the half, Livingstone had outscored the Lady Broncos 35-14 over the last 13:42 to take a 42-32 edge into the break. Fayetteville State managed to trim the deficit to seven early in the half, but that was as close as the Lady Broncos could get. Livingstone led by as much as 29 points in the second half, though FSU closed the game on an 18-0 run. “We didn’t quit, and that was really good to see,” said FSU head coach Eva Patterson-Heath. Jordan hit 7 of 11 shots, making four 3-pointers. Tiffany Haywood added 13 points and seven rebounds. Amanda Sinclair (Jr., Red Springs, NC) had a game-high 10 rebounds. Tierra Coleman (So., Cameron, NC) added eight points. Alex Podlogar
 

MURFREESBORO – The Chowan Men's Basketball team fell to Elizabeth City State University in a CIAA North matchup Saturday night, 69-59.  The Hawks fall to 4-19 on the season (3-12 CIAA, 3-6 North).  With the victory, the Vikings improve to 15-8 overall (9-6 CIAA, 5-4 North).

Elizabeth City State got off to a hot start, opening up a 10-5 lead 2:23 into the game. 
 Chowan cut the lead to 12-10 at the 14:23 mark on an Aaron Allen free throw.  From there, Mark Brown went off.  Connecting on two three pointers, a mid-range jumper, and two free throws, Brown scored the next 10 Hawk points. 

A Deandre Tyree layup with 6:38 remaining in the half put the Hawks up 30-21, giving them their largest lead of the first half.  The Vikings regained their composure and scored the game's next 10 points en route to a 31-30 lead at the 3:40 mark. 

Mark Brown scored the final three points for the Hawks in the half, giving his team a 35-33 advantage at the break.  Chowan shot 5-10 from beyond the arc in the half, including four from Brown.  Both squads shot over 48% from the field for the first 20 minutes.

The first five minutes of the second half were played very evenly as neither team led by more than three points.  A Paul Goldsmith dunk with 14:46 to go sparked a 9-0 Viking run to give them a 50-42 lead with 12:02 to play.  Two Mark Brown free throws at the 8:14 mark brought Chowan back within six, but the Elizabeth City attack proved too much to overcome.

Quinton McDuffie nailed a three with 41 seconds left to bring the Viking lead to 64-59, but ECSU scored the final five points of the game securing the road victory.

Mark Brown led Chowan with 23 points, including 19 in the first half.  Quinton MCDuffie (11) and Deandre Tyree (10) also scored in double figures for the Hawks.  The Vikings were led by Rondy Tucker who posted an impressive double-double with 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Chowan will travel to Virginia Union University on Monday for a 7:30pm tip-off.  Elizabeth City State will host Virginia State University on Monday night.  A 7:30 tip-off is scheduled.

 
David Hodge
Sports Information Director

LADY VIKINGS TOP HAWKS 57-51 IN OVERTIME

ECSU Rallies from Halftime Deficit to Take Division Road Win

April Emory  February 12, 2011

MURFREESBORO, NC- The Elizabeth City State University Lady Vikings earned a season split with Chowan University, handing the Hawks a 57-51 overtime loss Saturday afternoon at the Helms Center.

The Lady Vikings trailed 23-17 at the break but then rallied with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 29 apiece with 14:26 remaining in regulation. The Hawks regained the lead after a free throw by Courtney Knight was followed by a Talaya Lynch 3-pointer, giving the home team a 44-40 advantage with 3:39 to play.

Unfortunately for Chowan (12-11, CIAA 9-6) they went 0-4 from the floor after Lynch’s trey ball while four free throws, two apiece by Kenyatta Gill  (2:46 mark) and Shatara Jackson (1:25 mark) sent the game to an extra session knotted at 44.

In overtime ECSU went 3-4 from the field and 7-13 from the free throw line, outscoring Chowan 13-7. The Hawks struggled from the floor in the extra session, hitting only 2-10 attempts at the basket.

ECSU held a decisive edge in points off turnovers, 19-6 and held a 12-2 fast break advantage.

Lynch and Brittany Nicholson paced the Hawks with 13 points apiece while Gill and Shaquella Johnson shared the Lady Viking high honors with 11 points each.

ECSU (17-8, CIAA 10-5) will host Virginia State University for the WBCA Pink Zone game on Monday, February 14th at the RL Vaughan Center. Tip-off is slated for 5:30pm.

66th Annual CIAA Tournament – 99 Years in the Game
CIAA Remains in Charlotte through 2014, Corporate Sponsors Reveal 2011 Tournament Activations and Celebrity Appearances and Lincoln University (PA) and Winston-Salem State University Return

February 9, 2011

Benedict, Stillman, and Clark Atlanta Ranked in Latest NCAA Regional Rankings
Ben Baxter

Indianapolis, IN— Stillman and Clark Atlanta remain ranked while Benedict made their debut in the latest NCAA regional rankings.

Stillman, 15-5 overall (14-4 in the SIAC), fall from fourth to eighth in the south region while Clark Atlanta, 13-5 overall (12-4 in the SIAC), falls to ninth. Benedict, 15-5 overall (15-3 in the SIAC), made the biggest jump this week going from unranked to third in the region.

This is the first time that three SIAC men’s teams have been regionally ranked this season.

Fort Valley State, who was ranked ninth in the region last week, falls out of the women’s rankings this week.

Below are the complete men’s rankings for NCAA South Region:
 

SOUTH (MEN)                                                                            

1                      Alabama-Huntsville              20-2       19-2       

2                      Rollins                                14-4       11-3       

3                      Benedict                            14-5       14-5       

4                      Tampa                               13-4       11-4       

5                      Florida Southern                12-6       12-5       

6                      Arkansas Tech                   13-3       13-3       

7                      Harding                           15-3       15-3       

8                      Stillman                          14-4       14-4       

9                      Clark Atlanta                   12-5       12-5       

10                    Christian Brothers            13-6       13-6       

Ben Baxter

February 9, 2011

Rams Move Up to Third in NCAA Division II Atlantic Region

WSSU basketball continues to climb in regional rankings

The Winston-Salem State Rams (16-4) continued their climb up the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Rankings when the team was ranked third, Wednesday afternoon. Only fellow Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) member Bowie State and West Liberty are currently ranked ahead of the Rams.

The ranking came after the Rams posted a 1-1 record last week. The Rams bounced back from a tough 81-73 home loss to the Livingstone Blue Bears, who broke into the regional rankings at 10th place this week, with a dominant 61-54 win at Saint Augustine’s that saw WSSU control every aspect of the game.

The Rams will put their third-place ranking on the line, Saturday when the team heads to Raleigh, N.C. to take on the Shaw Bears. For more information on Rams basketball log on to www.WSSURams.com.

 
MEAC TO EXTEND BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT STAY IN WINSTON-SALEM (NC) THROUGH 2012    Ms. Sahar Abdur-Rashid

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., February 09, 2011 - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced a one-year extension for the City of Winston-Salem (NC) to host the annual men’s and women’s basketball tournament through 2012.
Mayor Allen Joines of the City of Winston-Salem and MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas made the official announcement during a press conference held in the main lobby of the Coliseum.
“The MEAC is extremely elated to extend our partnership with the City of Winston-Salem,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. “Special thanks to Mayor Joines and the City Council, Bucky Dames, Jocelyn Johnson, the Steering Committee and others for their efforts in extending this great partnership and providing the support needed to make the MEAC Basketball Tournament a tremendous success.”

The City of Winston-Salem has hosted the men’s and women’s Division I basketball tournament in 2009 and 2010. The 2011 Tournament is scheduled for March 7-12 and will be played at the Joel Coliseum.

Ticket books for the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament can be purchased at all 13 MEAC university ticket offices, Joel Coliseum Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, the MEAC Office and online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling the MEAC at (757) 951-2055 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

For more information about the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament including brackets, ancillary events, tickets and travel information, log on to www.MEAChoops.com.

About the MEAC Basketball Tournament

The MEAC Basketball Tournament is a single elimination championship playoff that involves Division I historically black colleges and universities located across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman, Coppin State, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Hampton, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central, Savannah State, and South Carolina State. A bonus game featuring the men’s teams from North Carolina Central and Savannah State will also highlight championship day.

The tournament is played at the Joel Coliseum. Both the men’s and women’s champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

About Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is located in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina, between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean beaches. It is easily accessible by car via Interstate 40, Business Interstate 40, Interstate 77, Interstate 85 and U.S. Highway 52. Scheduled air service is available through Piedmont Triad International Airport just 20 minutes east of Winston-Salem.

Accommodations range from bed and breakfast inns to luxury hotels. For more information on Winston-Salem, call 866.728.4200, go to www.visitwinstonsalem.com, or stop by the Winston-Salem Visitor Center, located at 200 Brookstown Avenue in the historic Brookstown Mill area just south of downtown Winston-Salem.

Ms. Sahar Abdur-Rashid

SECOND-HALF SURGE NOT ENOUGH TO OVERPOWER DEFENDING MEAC CHAMPIONS ON MONDAY
Freshman Display Confidence Against Hampton, Solomon Nets Season-High
 Ariel V. Germain, Sports Information Assistant
DURHAM, N.C. – Monday night’s contest did not have the outcome the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles battled for. But it was the freshmen class of the maroon and grey, led by a season-high outing by Sierra Solomon, that made the difference. Even through a 28-point second-half surge, the defending 2009-10 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champion Lady Pirates earned their fifth straight win by taking a 79-44 victory on Monday, Feb. 7 in the HU Convocation Center
PLUMMER DAZZLES, BUT DOES SO WITH SUBSTANCE FSU
guard is electrifying, but a winning component as well
FAYETTEVILLE, NC – As one of several new faces to the Fayetteville State Broncos program, it was Tim Plummer’s smile and personality that stood out among the others, not his slender 6-foot-2 frame. Before you see him play, it is Plummer’s charm and easy-going manner that most readily reflect his personality. And among the frontcourt recruits of 6-7 John Herrington, 6-7 Sidney Evans and 6-5 Tyrell Tate, size was never going to distinguish Plummer, who’s listed at a generous 185 pounds. But then he gets onto the court. “When I’m in the paint, I feel like I’m 6-8,” says Plummer, that wry grin not far behind. He plays like it, too. While Evans (Jr., Durham, NC) has been targeted for his fair share of alley-oop dunks, Plummer, a junior from Apex, NC, is the one who electrifies the Felton J. Capel Arena crowd. He soars for the high-arching passes point guard Andre Best (So., Raleigh, NC) knows only Plummer can reach, and throws the dunk down with a ferocity usually reserved for a big man. Plummer is a terror in the open floor, a mismatch on the wing due his angular quickness and speed with the ball. But he is also emerging as a solid rebounder for a team that ranks first in the CIAA in offensive rebounds and fourth in defensive rebounds. While Plummer’s scoring has increased steadily since he’s been awarded more playing time six weeks ago, so have his rebounding and defensive numbers. It’s that kind of production that has fueled the Broncos’ recovery in the CIAA after an 8-win season a year ago. “He’s a big proponent of the team concept,” Fayetteville State head coach Alphonza Kee says of Plummer, who transferred to FSU after an All-Conference season of averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds a game at the State College of Florida at Bradenton last season. “He’s a big-time athlete, a big-time defender, a big-time worker. Sometimes, he almost goes too hard. But if you have a guy who tries to go too hard, that’s a great problem to have.” Plummer leads the team in steals, averaging 2.0 per game, which ranks third in the CIAA. And while his 5.0 rebounds per game don’t show up in the league rankings, he’s upped his average by two full rebounds a game since he started playing about 24 minutes per game at the end of the December, eight games into the season. “I don’t really think size matters,” Plummer says of his rebounding ability. “It’s all about the hunger, and I want to be in there.” It shows. Over his last seven games, Plummer has had at least six rebounds in each game and at least eight in four of those games. In a come-from-behind win at St. Augustine’s last Saturday, Plummer enjoyed his first career double-double by matching his career high in scoring with 20 points and setting a new career high in rebounds with 10, four of which came on the offensive end. And you cannot discount Plummer’s raw scoring ability. Since garnering more minutes – Plummer was moved into the regular starting lineup on Jan. 13 against Lincoln and has started the eight games since – his scoring average has increased from 6.3 ppg to a season-high 9.9 ppg. He’s scored in double figures – hitting 20 points twice – in six straight games entering Saturday’s home game against Livingstone (7:30 p.m., Capel Arena). “The will was always there, and you knew he was going to work on his skill,” says Kee. “It was only a matter of time before he became a consistent player, and one of our better basketball players.” That was most evident on Jan. 29 when Fayetteville State stunned previously league-unbeaten Johnson C. Smith 77-73. Plummer scored the game’s first five points – the first two came on an alley-oop dunk, the next three on a 3-pointer after he came up with a steal only seconds after his dunk. His come-from-nowhere, one-handed tomahawk jam off a Broncos’ miss was easily the FSU play of the year, but his biggest shot came when he buried a mid-range jumper as the shot clock and game clock were winding down to preserve the victory. Plummer finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals as the Broncos beat the Golden Bulls for the first time since 2005. Plummer, along with the efforts of Tate (recently named the CIAA Rookie of the Week), Evans (recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 23 points and a season-high 19 rebounds on Saturday at St. Augustine’s) and Herrington (adds a consistent 9.1 ppg to go with nearly 7 rpg), have pushed Fayetteville State into the conversation as perhaps the most improved team in the CIAA. A year ago, without any of those players, the Broncos managed just eight total victories, five league wins and one road win. Entering Saturday’s game, Fayetteville State is 10-10 overall and 6-6 in the CIAA with five road wins to its credit. “I just like to bring energy,” Plummer says, almost shyly, albeit with the ever-present smile. It is a rare moment of understatement for Plummer. On or off the floor.
 Alex Podlogar
MVSU''s Lakes Named SWAC Newcomer of the Week ... for the second time.
MVSU Sports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mississippi Valley State’s Brittney Lakes was selected the SWAC Newcomer of the Week following her performance this past week. 

Lakes (C, 6-0, Jr., Drew, Miss.) averaged 11.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in two games for the Devilettes. She fell one rebound shy of a double-double in a win over Alabama A&M finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Lakes added seven points, three rebounds and two steals versus Alabama State.

This is the second award for Lakes this season, and it is the second time that the Devilettes have won back to back newcomer of the week awards.  Lakes, along with guard De'Kisha Fondon were named newcomer of the weeks in December with Lakes on the 21st and Fondon on the 29th.  Last week, Fondon was named newcomer of the week prior to this week's announcement.

On the season, Lakes is averaging 7.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists while shooting 49.7 percent from the floor.  In conference action, the center is tallying 9.4 points, 5.7 rebounds while shooting 50.0 percent from the field.
Mississippi Valley State Athletic Communications

CHOWAN SHOCKS BOWIE STATE LADY BULLDOGS WITH 53-51 WIN

(MURFREESBORO, N.C. –February 8, 2011) The Chowan Women's Basketball team overcame a 20 point first half deficit to pull off a shocking 53-51 win against the Bowie State Lady Bulldogs Tuesday night. With the win, Chowan improves to 11-10 overall (8-5 CIAA, 6-1 North) and takes sole possession of first place in the division. Following the loss, Bowie State falls to 12-8 overall (8-5 CIAA, 5-2 North).

Bowie State came out of the gates strong, scoring the first eight points of the contest. Their defense came ready as well, holding the Hawks scoreless until the 16:25 mark. The Lady Bulldogs run continued, as they opened up a 15-2 lead with 13:16 remaining in the half. A three by senior Brianna Taylor gave Bowie State a 20-3 advantage with 11:35 to go in the half. The Lady Bulldogs made it 24-7 at the 9:02 mark and appeared ready to run the Hawks out of the Helms Center.

Chowan then turned a switch and began to cut into the BSU lead. Two Najah Harris free throws with 2:52 remaining cut the lead to 30-14. Brittany Murphy nailed a three with just over a minute left to bring the Hawks within 13 at 32-19. Talaya Lynch ended the half with a three pointer of her own to make the score at the half 32-22. Chowan ended the half on a 15-6 run over the final nine minutes of play.


Chowan continued to have the momentum as the second half opened, scoring the first four points and cutting the Bowie State lead to four. Bowie State opened the lead back up to nine at the 15:58 mark of the half. Two Brittany Nicholson free throws and a Najah Harris layup brought Chowan within three at 39-36 with 9:49 remaining.

Ransheda Jennings finished a layup and the resulting free throw with 5:01 left to give Chowan their first lead of the game, 44-43. Bowie State responded with five consecutive points to take a four point lead at the 3:35 mark. Talaya Lynch hit her second three of the night with 1:31 left to make the score 50-49.

Courtney Knight hit two free throws with 46 seconds remaining to grab a 51-50 lead for Chowan. Bowie State senior Lakisha Walker hit one of two free throws for the Lady Bulldogs with 21 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 51. Knight took a pretty pass from Ransheda Jennings to nail the game winning layup with 13.9 seconds left to cap an amazing comeback. Chowan's defense did the rest of the work, forcing the Bowie State’s Chanita Jordan to take a contested shot.

Najah Harris led the Hawks' scoring attack with 14 points. Talaya Lynch finished the game with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Hawks shot 70.6% from the free throw line for the game, including going eight-of-nine in the second half.

Bowie State shot a dismal eight-of-22 from the field in the second half and committed 25 turnovers overall.

Jordan led Bowie State with 15 points and nine rebounds. Junior Juliette Turner scored nine points and senior Teaunsha Robinson added eight.

Bowie State will look to rebound from this setback when the Lady Bulldogs take on Elizabeth City State – Thursday (February 10) at 5:30 pm in ECSU’s R.L. Vaughan Center.

BULLDOGS FIND WAYS TO WIN IN 82-75 VICTORY AT CHOWAN

(MURFREESBORO, N.C. – February 8, 2011) Bowie State University, the NCAA’s 25th ranked team (2nd in the Atlantic Region), had to fight and claw their way to a 82-75 come from behind road win against the Hawks of Chowan University. With the win, Bowie State remains undefeated in CIAA North play at 7-0, and moves to 18-3 overall, 12-1 CIAA.

Deandre Tyree scored the first four points of the game for the Hawks, leading them to an early 11-6 lead. Charles Rhodes drained a layup and foul shot with 14:55 remaining in the half to give Chowan their largest lead of the half at 18-8. Bowie State responded by going on a 6-1 run over the next minute to cut the Chowan lead to five.

Chowan (3-18, 2-11 CIAA, 2-5 North) again extended their lead to eight when Tyree hit a layup with 10:16 left in the half. At the 3:32 mark, Charles Rhodes became the 8th player in Chowan history to reach the 1,000 point plateau when he drained a free throw. His free throw put the Hawks up 37-32 at that point.

Senior Eric Vann of Bowie State tied the game at 37-37 with 2:10 remaining. It was the first time the teams were tied since the 16:57 mark of the half. Going into intermission, the score was deadlocked at 39.

Neither team could go on a run as the second half began. Tyree hit a reverse layup at the 16:49 mark to put the Hawks ahead 47-45. Quinton McDuffie put Chowan ahead by four at 58-54 with a three pointer with 12:58 remaining in the half. Bowie State fought back to take their first lead of the half at the 59-58 with 11:58 remaining in the game.

Tyree hit a pair of free throws and tipped in an errant shot at the 7:02 mark to give Chowan the lead back at 67-64. Bowie State responded once again with four straight points to take a 68-67 lead. A jumper by junior Travis Hyman gave the Bulldogs a 78-75 lead with 2:41 left.

BSU sophomore Bryan Wilson hit a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining and junior Darren Clark added two free throws of his own with 10 seconds left to play to slam the door on Chowan.
Tyree led the Hawks with a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Mark Brown scored 15 points and Quinton McDuffie along with Charles Rhodes added 11 points each.

Sophomore Byron Westmorland came off the bench to lead Bowie State with 20 points, scoring 14 in the first half to keep the Bulldogs in the game. Four of five Bowie State starters scored in double figures with Hyman leading the starters with 19 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Vann and Wilson added 16 and 11 points respectively and Clark ended the night with 10 points.

Bowie State shot 24-of-29 (83 percent) from the free throw line for the game. Chowan shot 48 percent from the floor, which included 52 percent in the second half. Bowie State outscored Chowan 21-12 on second chance points and forced the Hawks into 25 turnovers.

“It’s never easy on the road and everybody brings their “A” game, especially when they’re at home”, said a somewhat satisfied BSU head coach Darrell Brooks. “We just have to be able to bring our “A” game for 40 minutes as well. We haven’t been playing our best basketball, but our guys are finding a way to put us into a position to win.”

Bowie State will take their longest win streak of the season (eight games) into Thursday’s (February 10th) rematch with Elizabeth City State on the Vikings’ home court. Tip time is 7:30 pm.
Bowie State defeats Chowan 82-75‏

MURFREESBORO – The Chowan Men's Basketball team lost a tightly contested game to CIAA North foe Bowie State University 82-75 Tuesday night. Chowan falls to 3-18 overall (2-11 CIAA, 2-5 North). With the win, Bowie State remains undefeated in CIAA North play at 7-0, and moves to 18-3 overall, 12-1 CIAA.
 
Deandre Tyree scored the first four points of the game for the Hawks, leading them to an early 11-6 lead. Charles Rhodes drained a layup and foul shot with 14:55 remaining in the half to give Chowan their biggest lead of the half, 18-8. Bowie State responded by going on a 6-1 over the next minute to cut the Chowan lead to five.
 
Chowan again extended their lead to eight when Deandre Tyree hit a layup with 10:16 left in the half.  At the 3:32 mark, Senior Charles Rhodes became the 8th player in Chowan history to reach the 1,000 point plateau when he drained a free throw. His free throw put the Hawks up 37-32 at that point. 
 
Eric Vann of Bowie State tied the game at 37-37 with 2:10 remaining. It was the first time the teams were tied since the 16:57 mark of the half. Going into intermission, the score was deadlocked at 39.
 
Neither team could go on a run as the second half began. Deandre Tyree hit a reverse layup at the 16:49 mark to put the Hawks ahead 47-45. Quinton McDuffie put Chowan ahead by four at 58-54 with a three pointer with 12:58 remaining in the half. Bowie State fought back to take their first lead of the half at the 11:58 mark, 59-58.
 
Deandre Tyree hit two free throws and tipped in an errant shot at the 7:02 mark to give Chowan the lead back at 67-64. Bowie State again responded once again with four straight points and took a 68-67 lead. A Travis Hyman jumper gave the Bulldogs a 78-75 lead with 2:41 left.
 
The score remained the same until there were 27 seconds left when Chowan forced BSU to take a contested shot. The Hawks had a shot on their next possession but failed to capitalize. Bowie State held on for the road victory.
 
Deandre Tyree led the Hawks with a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Mark Brown (15), Quinton McDuffie (11), and Charles Rhodes (11) also scored in double figures for Chowan. Byron Westmorland led Bowie State with 20 points. 
 
Bowie State shot 24-29 (82.8%) from the free throw line for the game. Chowan shot 48.2% from the floor, including 52.0% in the second half. Bowie State outscored Chowan 21-12 on second chance points.
 
Chowan continues their home stand on Thursday night when they host Lincoln University (PA). Tip-off is set for 7:30pm in the Helms Center. Bowie State travels to Elizabeth City State on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.
 
David Hodge
Sports Information Director
CU Women Come from Behind to Defeat Bowie State
Najah Harris led Chowan with 14 points Tuesday night
MURFREESBORO – What a way to take first place in the CIAA North. The Chowan Women's Basketball team overcame a 20 point first half deficit to pull off a shocking 53-51 win against the Bowie State Lady Bulldogs Tuesday night. With the win, Chowan improves to 11-10 overall (8-5 CIAA, 6-1 North) and takes sole possession of first place in the division. Following the loss, Bowie State falls to 12-8 overall (8-5 CIAA, 5-2 North).

Bowie State came out of the gates strong, scoring the first eight points of the contest. Their defense came ready as well, holding the Hawks scoreless until the 16:25 mark. The Lady Bulldog run continued, as they opened up a 15-2 lead with 13:16 remaining in the half. A Brianna Taylor three game Bowie State a 20-3 advantage with 11:35 to go in the half. The Lady Bulldogs made it 24-7 at the 9:02 mark.

Chowan then turned a switch and began to cut into the BSU lead. Two Najah Harris free throws with 2:52 remaining cut the lead to 30-14. Brittany Murphy nailed a three with just over a minute left to bring the Hawks within 13 at 32-19. Talaya Lynch ended the half with a three pointer of her own to make the score at the half 32-22. Chowan ended the half on a 15-6 run over the final nine minutes of play.

Chowan continued to have the momentum as the second half opened, scoring the first four points and cutting the Bowie State lead to four. Bowie State opened the lead back up to nine at the 15:58 mark of the half. Two Brittany Nicholson free throws and a Najah Harris layup brought Chowan within three at 39-36 with 9:49 remaining.

Ransheda Jennings finished a layup and the resulting free throw with 5:01 left to give Chowan their first lead of the game, 44-43. Bowie State responded with five consecutive points to take a four point lead at the 3:35 mark. Talaya Lynch hit her second three of the night with 1:31 left to make the score 50-49.

Courtney Knight hit two free throws with 46 seconds remaining to grab a 51-50 lead for Chowan. Lakisha Walker hit one of two free throws for Bowie State with 21 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 51. Knight took a pretty pass from Ransheda Jennings to nail the game winning layup with 14 seconds left to cap an amazing comeback. Chowan's defense did the rest of the work, forcing the Lady Bulldogs to take a contested shot.

Najah Harris led the Hawks' scoring attack with 14 points, while playing all 40 minutes. Talaya Lynch finished the game with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Hawks shot 70.6% from the free throw line for the game, including going 8-9 in the second half. Chanita Jordan led Bowie State with 15 points and 9 rebounds.

Chowan continues their home stand on Thursday night when they host Lincoln University (PA) for the annual Pink Zone game. Tip-off is set for 5:30pm in the Helms Center. Bowie State travels to Elizabeth City State on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30pm.  photo

Bowling

CIAA Women's Bowling Players of the Month

as of CIAA Roundup (Feb 4-6)

Northern Division

Bowler of the Month

Vera Diggs, Bowie State University, Senior, 5'1, Rt., Ft. Washington, MD

High Game: 300 (Perfect Game! First in CIAA history)

Event Average: 219.50

200 Games: 218, 201, 214, 279, 300, 214, 213, 202, 214

Rookie of the Month

Jasmin Douglass, St. Paul's College, Freshman, Washington, DC

High Game: 222

Event Average: 155.75

200 Games: 222, 204

Southern Division

Bowler of the Month

Miranda Day, Winston-Salem State University, So., 5’6, Rt., Winston-Salem, NC

High Game: 244

Event Average: 187.8

200 Games: 244, 231, 203, 204

Team Record: 9-9

Rookie of the Month

De’Andrea Bethea, Fayetteville State University, Freshman, Raleigh, NC

High Game: 197

Event Average: 169.0

200 Games: 0

Team Record: 12-6

 

CIAA Women's Bowling Players of the Month

as of CIAA Roundup (Jan 28-30 )

Northern Division

Bowler of the Month

Event rescheduled to Feb 18-20

Rookie of the Month

Event rescheduled to Feb 18-20

Southern Division

Bowler of the Month

Akira Turner, Fayetteville State University, Senior, 5’9, Detroit, MI

High Game: 236

Event Average: 214

200 Games: 204, 204, 224, 202, 236, 232, 234, 208, 214

Team Record: 15-0

Rookie of the Month

De’Andrea Bethea, Fayetteville State University, Freshman, Raleigh, NC

High Game: 277

Event Average: 187.6

200 Games: 204, 203, 277

Team Record: 15-0

Shera L. White
 

WSSU’s Miranda Day Named CIAA Southern Division Bowler of the Month

Lady Rams sophomore averages 187.8 to lead Lady Rams

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The news keeps coming for the Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams bowling team as WSSU sophomore Miranda Day was named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division Bowler of the Month, Monday afternoon.

For the month, Day averaged 187.8 pins per match and totaled 244 pins. She led the Lady Rams to a 9-9 effort at the CIAA Round-Up last weekend and recorded a high game of 244 pins.

Day and the Lady Rams will return to action on February 25th when the team takes part in the CIAA Southern Division Meet, the final meet of the regular season for the Lady Rams. For more information on Lady Rams bowling,  log on to www.WSSURams.com.  

Football

Kentucky State’s Davis Selected for NCAA Football Academy

Danielle R. Wright, Director  February 9, 2011

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recently announced that Kentucky State University’s (KSU) Greg Davis has been selected to attend the 2011 NFL and NCAA Football Academy. The Academy will take place February 13-16 in Orlando, Fla. at the Disney BoardWalk Inn.   Photo KSU

The Football Coaches Academy is designed to improve and reinforce various aspects of securing, managing and excelling in head football coaching positions at the intercollegiate level. Recognized football coaches, leaders in athletics and higher education will serve as faculty for the three-day workshop.

Davis, who serves as KSU’s Assistant Head Football Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach, just finished his second season at Kentucky State University. In his first season at KSU (2009), Davis led an offensive line that had two running backs, Anthony Boykins and Shannon Frieson, rush for over 1,000 yards.

Davis comes to KSU from Sul Ross State University in Texas, where he served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Prior to his stint at Sul Ross, Davis functioned for two seasons as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Henderson State University. During his tenure at Henderson, Davis had four offensive linemen selected to the Division II All-Southeast Region Team, three offensive linemen selected to the All-Gulf South Conference Team and one lineman selected as an All-American. Davis also coached a finalist for the 2007 Gene Upshaw Award, the highest award for a Division II offensive lineman.

For the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Davis was the offensive line coach at Upper Iowa University. After serving as the offensive line coach and strength coordinator at Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla., Davis became the assistant head coach, run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Independence Community College. Davis began his coaching career at Stephen F. Austin State University, a Division I-AA school.

Davis played college football at Texas Christian University from 1994-98. While at TCU, Davis participated in both the Independence and Sun Bowl game and earned a spot on the 1998 Sports Illustrated All-Bowl Team. Davis joined the New York Giants training camp in 1999 then played in the Arena Football League for two years (2000-2001) for the Houston Thunder Bears.

Davis earned a bachelor of science in psychology from TCU and a master of science in family and consumer sciences from Stephen F. Austin. A native of Kingsville, Texas, Davis and his wife, Karri, have two sons, Reed and Rece.

Albany State football coach, star athletes to be honored during award ceremonies

           The best in black college football will be honored during award ceremonies this weekend and Albany State University will be well represented.
Sheridan Broadcast Network will honor Albany State University as the winner of the 2010 SBN National Black College Football Championship during its 37th Annual Black College All-American Awards Weekend on Feb. 11-12, 2011, in Orlando, Fla. ASU head coach Mike White will accept the SBN Jake Gaither National Championship Trophy during the football awards luncheon on Saturday. The SBN Sports Network is a division of American Urban Radio Networks, the largest African-American-owned radio network company in the country.
Student athletes who play football at America’s HBCUs are recognized and celebrated for their academic and athletic achievements during the awards weekend. AURN will also honor SBN's Coach of the Year and SBN's Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, and the 24-member SBN Black College All-America Team, which includes Albany State’s star receiver Ronnie Childs. The 6-3 senior from Manchester, Ga. led the SIAC with 1005 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Childs led all wide receivers with 45 receptions while averaging 22.3 yard per catch. SIAC Defensive Player of the Year Derrin Nettles of Morehouse College and Stillman College punter Ronnie Partridge will also be honored.
Also this weekend, White and quarterback Stanley Jennings will be honored by The Pigskin Club, Inc. of Washington, DC during their 73rd Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, Feb. 11. The black-tie event will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. at 7:00 p.m.
Albany State was named the club’s National Black College Football Champions, and assistant head coach Rickey Alexander will accept the William G. Coward Award on behalf of Coach White and Albany State. White will be honored as the 2010 SIAC Coach of the Year and will receive the Charles B. Fisher Award. Jennings, who will be honored as the SIAC Player of the Year, will be presented the Oliver M. Thompson Award.
White has shaped the Golden Rams football program into one of the best in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II levels during his 11 seasons as head coach. He led the 2010 Golden Rams to a spectacular 11-1 overall record and a perfect 10-0 regular season finish, and an impressive appearance in the NCAA Division II Football Championships.
       A junior from Marietta, Ga., Jennings was named the SIAC’s 2010 Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. He was Super Regional Two finalist for the 2010 Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. He completed 139 of 253 passes for 2,392 yards and 26 TDs during his first season as a Golden Ram.
The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. is one of the oldest sports organizations in the United States. The organization has recognized and honored coaches and athletes from all levels of competition, and persons who have made significant contributions in the business and civic arenas for more than 65 years.
Last weekend, White and Jennings were honored by the 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta as the SIAC Coach and Player of the Year.
BROADWAY NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Brian Holloway
Broadway has won 75 percent of his games
GREENSBORO, February 3, 2011 – Director of Athletics Earl Hilton has announced the appointment of Rod Broadway to become North Carolina A&T’s new football coach. Broadway will become the school’s 18th head football coach		 HILTON NAMED DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Brian Holloway
GREENSBORO, February 3, 2011 – Chancellor Harold L. Martin has announced the appointment of Earl Hilton as the new North Carolina A&T intercollegiate director of athletics. “For the last three months, Mr. Hilton has served as interim athletics director,” said Martin.
 

Tennis

Rams Tennis Falls in 8-1 Loss at Guilford College
Trevin Goodwin 02/12/11

Hunter takes 6-0, 6-1 singles win

GREENSBORO, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (1-2) tennis team had a tough 8-1 loss at Guilford College, Saturday afternoon after a solid effort. The Rams were competitive in every set of play, but the team could not get the key points in the loss.

The Rams opened the day with three losses in doubles play falling 8-5, 9-8, and 8-3. The senior tandem of Ian Hunter and Maximillian Glodde had the best effort for the Rams, falling by just one point, 9-8.

In singles play, it was Hunter whose great play led the way for the Rams. He picked up the sole point of the day for the Rams with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win in singles play.

The Rams will return to action next Saturday when the team takes on Lenoir-Rhyne.

Lady Rams Tennis Picks Up 8-1 Win at Guilford College
Trevin Goodwin 02/12/11

WSSU allows just one point in dominating win

GREENSBORO, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (2-1) picked up their second straight road win in an 8-1 win over the Guilford College Quakers (0-1), Saturday. The Lady Rams had a great overall effort with some solid performances in both singles and doubles play.

The Lady Rams got things going early with three straight wins in doubles play, 8-2, 8-3, and 8-3. In singles play, the Lady Rams claimed wins at 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. WSSU Johanna Nunez picked up a shut out win with a 6-0, 6-0 singles win.

The Lady Rams will return to action next Saturday when the team takes on Lenoir-Rhyne in a home opener.

PEMBROKE DOWNS FSU IN WOMEN’S TENNIS
Fayetteville State opens new season with road match PEMBROKE,
Alex Podlogar
NC – UNC Pembroke picked up a tennis victory over Fayetteville State in the season-opener for the Lady Broncos on Tuesday. UNC Pembroke prevailed 9-0 in the match. Fayetteville State’s Brittany Williams was the Lady Broncos’ top player on the day, taking two games in her second-seeded singles match from Mia Winterbottom. Williams then teamed with Varia Love in the top-seeded doubles match. The duo fell 8-3 to Jenna McGary and Hannah Herlocker.  Alex Podlogar
Xavier teams do the splits with West Alabama
ed cassiere February 8, 2011
NEW ORLEANS -- Zach Taylor and Hassan Abbas scored in singles and doubles Tuesday to lead NAIA No. 14 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 6-3 men's tennis victory against West Alabama at the University of New Orleans.
West Alabama's defeated Xavier's 22nd-ranked women 6-3.
Taylor and Abbas defeated Juan Felipe Tellez and Lucas Cruz 8-6 at No. 1 doubles. Abbas beat Wade Covington 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3 singles, and Taylor clinched the second consecutive victory for the Gold Rush (2-1) with a 6-3, 6-1 decision over Tellez at No. 2.
The XU men got their other points from Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson in an 8-6 No. 2 doubles victory over Santiago Lopez and Covington, from Amir Rahbar in a 6-4, 6-1 singles victory over Kike Ruiz at No. 4, and from Jonathan Aubrey in a 6-0, 6-3 victory at No. 6 over Lucas Nunes. Rahbar and Aubrey are freshmen.
In the women's dual Melissa DeLoach of the Gold Nuggets (1-2) defeated Emily Gerding 6-4, 7-5 at No. 3 singles, and she teamed with younger sister Nicole for an 8-2 No. 2 doubles victory over Gerding and Katy Shoptaugh.
Carmen Nelson and Amber Brown also scored for the Nuggets with an 8-2 No. 1 doubles victory over Angy Cuellar and Natalia Cardenas. Xavier once again forfeited matches at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles because of only five available women, and Brown and Nicole DeLoach dropped three-set singles matches.
Both West Alabama teams are 1-1. The Tigers compete in NCAA Division II.
"Our men were a little sloppy overall in doubles. I wanted them to pick up their intensity in singles, and they did," XU Coach Alan Green said. "Our women played a hard-fought match. Even though they were outnumbered, they played well."
Xavier's men and women will travel next to Prairie View, Texas, for a combined five duals. Both teams will play Our Lady of the Lake at 11 a.m. Friday and Prairie View A&M at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the men will play Bethany (Kan.) at 6 p.m. Friday. The dual pairings differ slightly from what was announced last month.

Track

Day One Complete: 2011 CIAA Indoor Track & Field Championships
Shera L. White

Hampton, VA... Day One of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships, held at the Boo Williams Sportsplex, has concluded with final marks for Men’s and Women’s Long Jump, Men’s High Jump, Women’s Shot Put and the Distance Medley Relay.

Day Two picks up at 9:00am, with Women’s High Jump and Men’s Shot Put leading the schedule. The day will conclude with the Men’s and Women’s 4 X 400m relay; scheduled for 2:55pm.
WALSH BREAKS OWN 60M RECORD AT UMES INVITE
MAGGIE HAYON FEBRUARY 12, 2011

Hawks grab 17 first-place finishes on day

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - In the second and final home meet of the season for the
University of Maryland Eastern Shore indoor track and field team, the Hawks secured 17
first-place finishes and sophomore Andre Walsh (St. Catherine, Jamaica) broke the
school record in the 60m dash Saturday at the W.P. Hytche Athletic Center.

Walsh ran a 6.78, good for first place, and topping his previous mark of 6.81 set on Jan. 7
at the NYU Metropolitan Coaches Invitational in New York, N.Y.

Junior Damian Miles (Teaneck, N.J.) also competed in the 60m and finished in second
with a time of 6.85.

In the 60m hurdles, junior Ackeem Smith (St. Catherine, Jamaica) finished first with a
time of 8.08 while fellow junior Jermol Dix (Catonsville, Md.) was third in 8.22.

The Hawks finished one-two in the 200m with Miles first in a time of 22.01 and senior
Thomas Keane-Dawes (Camden, N.C.) second in 22.15.

UMES also finished in the top two spots in the 4x400 relay.  The "A" squad, consisting
of junior Paul Jones-Burden (Rahway, N.J.), Keane-Dawes, freshman Marcus Wallace
(Abington, Pa.) and Walsh took first place with a time of 3:28.39.  Junior Jermol Dix
(Catonsville, Md.), sophomore Codjo Gbedo (New Carrollton, Md.), freshman Alonzo
Jarmon (Bowie, Md.) and Miles ran a time of 3:29.99, good for second place for the "B"
squad.

In the men's field events, Dix finished first in the pole vault with a height of 3.05m (10').

Senior Charles Elmer (Columbia, Md.) and freshman Denvil Ruan (Anguilla B.W.I.)
finished first and second in the long jump with respective distances of 6.95m (22' 9.75")
and 6.81m (22' 4.25").

The Hawks also took gold and silver in the high jump in sophomore Rico Taylor (Silver
Spring, Md.) and freshman Owen Cain (Montgomery Village, Md.).  Taylor jumped a
height of 1.95m (6' 4.75") while Cain recorded a height of 1.90m (6' 2.75").

In the triple jump, Cain finished first with a distance of 14.51m (47' 7.25") while Ruan
marked a distance of 13.71m (44' 11.75").

In the women's field events, junior Vanessa Henry (Capitol Heights, Md.) and freshman
Lexia Robinson (White Plains, N.Y.) took home gold and silver in both the weight throw
and shot put.  Henry recorded a throw of 15.09m (49' 6.25") in the weight throw while
Robinson recorded a distance of 14.07m (46' 2.00").  In the shot put, Henry marked a
distance of 14.22m (46' 8.00") and Robinson threw a 12.86m (42' 2.25").

In the long jump, sophomore Courtney Gray (Frederick, Md.) finished first with a
distance of 5.35m (17' 6.75") and freshman Geranda Williams' (Waldorf, Md.) finished
second with a 5.27m (17' 3.50").

The medals were reversed in the triple jump as Williams took the gold with a distance of
11.74m (38' 6.25") and Gray jumped a 11.33m (37' 2.25").

In the women's track events, sophomore Melina Gallas (Paris, France) took gold in both
the 400m (57.73) and the 200m (25.31).

Junior Monique Hawkins (Randallstown, Md.) finished second in the 200m with a time
of 25.52 while sophomore Jennell Wade (White Plains, Md.) was third in 25.54.

Junior Cynthia Anais (Martinique, France) took gold in the 800m with her time of
2:08.61.

Sophomore Emilie Ducados (Paris, France) and junior Eunice Jones (Lanham, Md.)
finished first and second in the Mile with respective times of 5:13.96 and 5:14.19.

The 4x400 relay squad "A" consisting of sophomore Kenesha Abrams (Brooklyn,
N.Y.), Anais, Ducados and Wade finished first with a time of 4:04.65.

UMES next competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships, set for
Thursday through Saturday in Landover, Md.
 

Danielle R. Wright February 9, 2011

 Kentucky State Indoor Track Teams Continue with High Rankings

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for NCAA Division II teams released its weekly rankings yesterday and Kentucky State University’s Men’s Indoor Track and Field remains ranked 25th in the nation, receiving 31.70.

In the regional polls, both KSU’s men and women remain atop the South Region. The men’s points totaled 485.74, while the women earned 515.58. Both the men and women competed in two meets over the weekend – the Findlay Open on Friday, February 4 and the DII Challenge on Saturday, February 5. While the Open was not a team-scored meet, the men placed 15th and the women 16th at the DII Challenge. 

The Thorobreds have remained ranked No. 25 nationally and No. 1 regionally, and the Thorobrettes have remained the top team in the South Region the entire indoor season. With two weeks left in their regular season, KSU’s track teams are looking to have more student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championship. This year’s championship will be held March 11-12, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

For this week’s complete rankings, visit http://www.ustfccca.org/rankings/division-ii-rankings.

Volleyball
Taylor ReutherDominican standout Reuther signs with Gold Nuggets
NEW ORLEANS — Taylor Reuther, a three-time All-State performer for St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans, signed a women's volleyball scholarship Wednesday with Xavier University of Louisiana.

Softball

Lady Rams Take Tough 3-2 Loss at North Carolina Central

Early struggles prove costly in one-run loss

 Goodwin, Trevin Q

DURHAM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (1-3) couldn’t overcome a slow start as the team took a tough 3-2 loss to the North Carolina Central Lady Eagles (2-0), Saturday afternoon. The Lady Rams played some shutdown defense in the final six innings of the game, but three early runs proved costly in the heartbreaking loss.

The game was a defensive struggle for both teams as the Lady Rams and Lady Eagles combined for nine hits. The Lady Rams had a tough day at the plate with only three hits in the game. WSSU sophomore infielder Nikki Lynch was the only Lady Ram with more than one hit in the game. She finished the game with a two-for-three performance with an RBI.

The Lady Rams began the game on a high note with a first inning run, but struggled defensively as the Lady Eagles answered with three first-inning runs. Both teams would turn up the defense as a seventh-inning run by the Lady Rams were all that either team could muster in the defensive effort.

WSSU sophomore Tiffany Burgess (0-1) took the pitching loss, but only completed one inning as fellow sophomore Brittany Lane stepped in for the remaining six innings of action. She finished the game with three hits allowed and eight strikeouts.

The Lady Rams will return to action tomorrow when they close out the 2011 NCCU Lady Eagle Invitational against Saint Paul’s and Peace College. For more information on Lady Rams softball log on to www.WSSURams.com.

LADY EAGLES SOFTBALL OPENS THE SEASON WITH TWO WINS

McPeak holds down the mound as the two-game winning pitcher

Written by Ariel V. Germain, Sports Information Assistant and Andrea Wheeler, Sports Information Intern

CARY, N.C. (Thomas Brooks Park) – North Carolina Central University head softball coach launched his fourth season with two wins on the first day of competition during the 2011 Lady Eagles Softball Invitational beginning on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C.

The Lady Eagles began the chilly morning with a 9-0 win over Saint Paul’s College and concluded the afternoon with a 3-2 victory over Winston-Salem State University.

GAME 1

NCCU junior Andrea Searls RBI double in the fifth inning sealed the Lady Eagle’s first win of the season.  Kayla McPeak received the win for the Lady Eagles while only allowing one hit in the first inning, starting off her sophomore campaign with a 1-0 record. Sophomore Shamika Chavis-Hodge entered the game for the Lady Eagles in the fourth inning, finishing out the game with no hits and four strikeouts.

On the offensive end, seniors Nadia Jefferies and Ashanti Stroud led the way with two hits each; Jefferies scored three of the Lady Eagles nine runs. Freshmen Regina Diaz and Cember Carmichael both made their college debuts with a hit and run apiece.

GAME 2

The Lady Eagles took on former Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association foes Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) in their second game of the day. WSSU started the game off scoring a sole run putting them ahead 1-0. NCCU answered in the bottom of the first inning, scoring two quick runs before the Lady Rams made a pitching substitution. The Lady Eagles finished the inning with three runs, putting them up 3-1.

With the next five innings remaining scoreless between both teams, the Lady Eagles maintained their lead entering the seventh inning. WSSU gave one last effort at adjusting the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning; Candice Spinks narrowed the lead to just one. Winston-Salem State’s Kayla Woodbury hit a fly ball to Nadia Jefferies to end the game for the Lady Eagles second victory of the day.  McPeek brought home the win for the Lady Eagles giving her and her Lady Eagles both a 2-0 record for the start of the 2011 season.

NCCU continues the 2011 Lady Eagle Softball Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 13 facing Western Carolina at 10 a.m.  Ariel Germain

Lady Rams Pick Up 7-0 Win Over Maryland-Eastern Shore

Lane pitches seven-inning shutout over NCAA Division I foe

DURHAM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (1-2) opened the 2011 NCCU Lady Eagle Invitational on a high note with a 7-0 win over the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore Lady Hawks (0-1), Saturday morning. The Lady Rams posted a strong defensive effort and took advantage of several UMES errors to pick up their first win of the season.

As a team, the Lady Rams had a solid effort in the game with eight hits while allowing just five hits to the Lady Hawks. The Lady Rams were also opportunistic, taking advantage of five UMES fielding errors that led to five unearned runs. WSSU sophomore infielder Nikki Lynch led the way for the Lady Rams with a two-for-three effort at the plate with a triple and two runs scored.

Sophomore Brittany Lane (1-2) picked up the pitching win , going all seven innings and allowing just five hits and no earned runs,. She also finished the day with nine strikeouts.

The Lady Rams will return to action this afternoon when the team takes on the host North Carolina Central Lady Eagles in their second game of the day. For more information on Lady Rams softball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSRUams.com.

"UMES FALLS TO WINSTON-SALEM STATE AND WESTERN CAROLINA
TO START SEASON"
Gurrola goes 4-for-6 with one run on day
MAGGIE HAYON
CARY, N.C.  - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team began their
season Saturday morning with a 7-0 loss to Winston-Salem State followed by a 15-7 loss
to Western Carolina at the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles Tournament at
Thomas Brooks Park.

Sophomore Carmen Gurrola (Arleta, Calif.) made an immediate impact at the plate for
her new team as she went 4-for-6 on the day with one run scored.  She recorded two hits
in each contest for the Lady Hawks.

Freshman Charlise Castro (Saugerties, N.Y.) tallied one hit on the day, but made it a big
one as she slugged a grand slam in the third inning of the game against the Catamounts.

Also recording extra bases on the day was returning sophomore Jasmine James
(Willingboro, N.J.) who went 1-for-5 with a triple to start the season.

Senior Kyrus Whitehurst (Virginia Beach, Va.) started the day immediately with
leadoff single through the left side of the field.  Gurrola followed with a single to
centerfield but both runners were left stranded in the inning.

UMES received another hit in the fifth inning from junior McKenzie Davis (Salisbury,
Md.) but the Lady Rams countered with three runs off of two hits to take a 7-0 lead.

The Lady Hawks looked for an answer but stranded two more runners in the sixth and
seventh innings to give WSSU a 7-0 win.

In the second game of the day for UMES, Western Carolina held a 3-0 advantage after
their half of the third inning.

Freshman Amber Corrigan (Montgomery, N.Y.) and Whitehurst both reached base in
the bottom half of the third with singles to right field.  Each runner then stole their


respective base before Gurrola walked to load the bases.  Castro responded with a grand
slam off of the Catamounts' Bekah Burkett to take a 4-3 lead.

WCU regained the lead in the top of the fourth as they scored three runs on three hits and
one error.

The Lady Hawks looked to make a run in the bottom of the fourth as senior Ashley
Johnson (Temple Hills, Md.) walked to leadoff the inning.  With Corrigan batting
second, both Johnson and Corrigan scored unearned runs on an error by catcher Haley
Pace to tie the game at six-apiece.

The Catamounts scored another run in the top of the fifth but UMES responded with a
run of their own from an RBI by Johnson to score freshman Lauren Robertson
(Brandywine, Md.) to make things 7-7.

WCU hit a hot streak in the top of the sixth with eight runs on five hits and two errors to
close out the Lady Hawks, 15-7.

UMES wraps up the Lady Eagles Tournament on Sunday with a 10 a.m. contest against
Barton College and noon game against Western Carolina at Thomas Brooks Park.

University of Tampa Softball Sweeps Bowie State
 Gregory C. Goings ‏
(TAMPA, FL)  The University of Tampa made it a sweep of the Bowie State University softball team, shutting out the Lady Bulldogs 8-0 in game one and wining game two 7-1.  Senior Danielle McClay (Silver Spring, MD, Montgomery Blair), sophomore Justine Smith (Silver Spring, MD, James Hurbert Blake) and freshman Haley Snyder (Pennsauken, NJ, Pennsauken) were the only Bowie State players to get a hit in the non-conference doubleheader.  Bowie State (1-3) will return to the diamond tomorrow (2/13) at the Florida Institute of Technology.