HOWARD PICKED TO WIN MEAC MEN'S BASKETBALL TITLE

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Thu, October 27, 2016

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Howard senior James Daniel, IIIwas selected Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, the conference announced today.Howard was predicted to win the regular season title.

The preseason poll and all-conference teams are selected by the conference’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Daniel, the 2016 MEAC Player of the Year, led the nation in scoring, averaging 27.1 points per game, and ranked first in the nation in free-throws made (280) for the Bison last season. A six-time MEAC Player of the Week, Daniel recorded nine 30-point games, including a career-high 39 points in the win against William & Mary. He was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches 2015-16 Division I All-District First Team. He currently ranks 10^thall-time in scoring amongst MEAC players and needs 377 points to surpass Delaware State’s Tom Davis (1987-91) as the all-time leading scorer. His 21.5 points per game career scoring average ranks second

Howard earned 13 first-place votes and 286 points to be named as favorites for the regular season title. The Bison were 6-10 in conference play and 12-20 overall last year. Howard opens its season on Nov. 11 in Ann Arbor, Mich. against the University of Michigan.

Under the guidance of head coach Kevin Nickelberry, the Bison enter the season with high expectations as it has been 30-plus years since the Bison entered as heavy favorites. During a stretch from 1975-87, the Bison captured three MEAC regular season championships and two MEAC Tournament titles. They also finished in third place or higher in 10 of those 11 seasons. The team’s last MEAC Regular Season and Tournament Championship both occurred in 1992.

In addition to the accolades, the team will also be featured throughout the season on ESPN’s The Undefeated beginning with a forum featuring NBA Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson and Howard’s James Daniel, III on Oct. 27 at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

South Carolina State was predicted to finish second with nine first-place votes and 292 points. The Bulldogs made it to the finals of last year’s MEAC Basketball Tournament before falling to Hampton. SCSU recorded a 19-15 overall record and a 12-4 mark in MEAC play.

Hampton, the 2015-16 MEAC Tournament and regular season champions, received two first-place votes and was predicted to finish third, while North Carolina Central was selected to finish fourth. Norfolk State received fifth place with Bethune-Cookman at sixth place. North Carolina A&T State (7^th), Maryland Eastern Shore (8^th), Morgan State (9^th), Coppin State (10^th), Savannah State (11^th), Delaware State (12^th) and Florida A&M (13^th) round out the 2016-17 preseason poll.

Joining Daniel on the preseason All-MEAC First Team is teammate Marcel Boyd, South Carolina State’s Eric Eaves, Bethune-Cookman’s Jordan Potts and North Carolina A&T State’s Sam Hunt.

The 2016-17 MEAC men’s basketball season tips off on Friday, Nov. 11 with 12 MEAC teams in non-conference action.

The 2017 MEAC Basketball Tournament is scheduled for March 6-11 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.

2016-17 MEAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Predicted Order of Finish

As voted on by the MEAC’s head men’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

(First place votes in parenthesis)

                                        Team                                                  Points
                                        1. Howard (14)                              299
                                        2. South Carolina State (9)              292
                                        3. Hampton (2)                             250
                                        4. North Carolina Central                 234
                                        5. Norfolk State                             203
                                        6. Bethune-Cookman                      182
                                        7. North Carolina A&T State             141
                                        8. Maryland Eastern Shore              140
                                        9. Morgan State                             136
                                        10. Coppin State                            123
                                        11. Savannah State                        121
                                        12. Delaware State                        104
                                        13. Florida A&M                             50

2016-17 MEAC Men’s Basketball Preseason All-MEAC Teams

As voted on by the MEAC’s head men’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Preseason Player of the Year: James Daniel, III, Howard
First Team

Name	School	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
James Daniel, III	Howard	G/F	6-0	175	Sr.	Hampton, Va.
Eric Eaves	South Carolina State	G	6-3	195	Sr.	Columbia, S.C.
Jordan Potts	Bethune-Cookman	G	5-10	185	r-Sr.	Columbus, Ohio
Sam Hunt	North Carolina A&T	G	6-2	175	r-Jr.	Greensboro, N.C.
Marcel Boyd	Howard	G	6-10	230	Sr.	Accokeek, Md.

Second Team

Name	School	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
Patrick Cole	North Carolina Central	G	6-5	210	r-Sr.	Newark, N.J
Edward Stephens	South Carolina State	G	6-2	185	Jr.	Columbia, S.C.
Phillip Carr	Morgan State	F	6-8	200	Jr.	Brooklyn, N.Y.
Devin Morgan	Delaware State	G	5-10	180	So.	Chester, Va.
Bakari Copeland	Maryland Eastern Shore	F	6-6	235	Sr.	Decatur, Ga.

Third Team

Name	School	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
Troyce Manassa	Savannah State	G	6-4	215	Sr.	Mobile, Ala.
Terry Harris, Jr.	Coppin State	F	6-8	205	Sr.	Baltimore, Md.
Jordan Butler	Norfolk State	F	6-6	240	Jr.	Hartford, Conn.
DeAndre Haywood	Delaware State	G	6-2	200	Sr.	Paterson, N.J.
Damon Collins	Howard	G/F	6-5	180	Sr.	Grand Prairie, Texas

Toyota SWAC Football Championship Events announced

The Southwestern Athletic Conference renewed its contract with NRG Stadium for three more years which means the 2016 SWAC Football Championship is set to return to Houston, Texas. The winner of the East and West Divisions will meet for Judgment Day Saturday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. CT.
Last season, Alcorn State earned back-to-back championships after defeating Southern University in 2014 and Grambling State in 2015.

There will be special events around the football championship weekend starting with its annual SWAC Hall of Fame reception Thursday, Dec. 1. On gameday, the annual SWAC Battle of the Bands, featuring performances from the respective division winners, culminates with Judgment Day at halftime.  Traci Steele and Big Tigger will serve as the official host.
Tickets range from $15 - $55 (plus applicable TM fees) and increase of $5 the day of game.
The champion will earn the conference title and a chance to play in the annual Air Force Reserve Celebration BowlSaturday, Dec. 17 in Atlanta, Ga.
About SWACFounded in 1920, the Southwestern Athletic Conference - made up of historically black colleges and universities - and its members are committed to the philosophy of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the overall educational program. The conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental principles of amateurism, institutional control, sound academic standards, financial aid, recruiting, and ethical conduct that govern intercollegiate athletics, and the enforcement of rules and regulations as adopted by the NCAA. Sponsoring 18 sports, the SWAC ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni playing with professional sports teams- particularly in football.
Thursday, December 1
· SWAC Hall of Fame Reception 6:00 p.m. (Invitation Only) *
Friday, December 2
· SWAC Football Championship Press Conference at NRG Stadium 10 a.m. (Media Members Only) *

Saturday, December 3     · 2016 SWAC College Expo at NRG Stadium 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
     · 2016 Halftime Battle of the Bands
· 2016 Toyota SWAC Football Championship at NRG Stadium 3:00 p.m.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE PREDICTED TO WIN MEAC TITLE

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Thu, October 27, 2016

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

NORFOLK, Va. — Hampton senior Malia Tate-DeFreitas was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, the conference announced today. North Carolina A&T State was picked to win the regular season title.
The preseason poll and all-conference teams are selected by the conference’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.
Tate-DeFreitas led the conference in scoring last season, averaging 21.4 points for the Lady Pirates. She ranked seventh nationally in field-goal attempts and 16^th in points per game. Tate-DeFreitas recorded five 30-point games and notched a triple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against Bethune-Cookman last year. She was also named the 2016 MEAC Player of the Year and BoxToRow’s Player of the Year.
North Carolina A&T State tallied 13 first-place votes and 317 points to earn the top spot. Last season, the Aggies earned a share of the MEAC regular season title with a 12-4 mark and an 19-12 overall record. Also, N.C. A&T State won the MEAC Women’s Basketball Tournament championship with a win over Coppin State. The Aggies open the season on November 11 in Statesboro, Ga. against Georgia Southern.
Bethune-Cookman, the 2016 regular season co-champion, was picked to finish second with 292 points and five first-place votes. The Lady Wildcats recorded an 18-13 overall record and a 12-4 mark in MEAC play.
Hampton (297) received four first-place votes and was predicted to finish third, while Maryland Eastern Shore (216) garnered two first-place votes and Morgan State (201) rounded out the top five preseason predictions.
Florida A&M was chosen to finish sixth, followed by Coppin State (7^th), Savannah State (8^th), Howard (9^th), South Carolina State (10^th), Delaware State (11^th), Norfolk State (12^th) and North Carolina Central (13^th).
Joining Tate-DeFreitas on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team is Bethune-Cookman’s Kendra Cooper and Kailyn Williams, Maryland Eastern Shore’s Moengaroa Subritzky and Delaware State’s NaJai Pollard.
The 2016-17 MEAC women’s basketball season tips off on Friday, Nov. 11 with 12 MEAC teams in action.
The 2017 MEAC Basketball Tournament is scheduled for March 6-11 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.

2016-17 MEAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Predicted Order of Finish

As voted on by the MEAC’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

(First place votes in parenthesis)

Team	Points
1. North Carolina A&T State (13)	317
2. Bethune-Cookman (5)	305
3. Hampton (4)	297
4. Maryland Eastern Shore (2)	216
5. Morgan State	201
6. Florida A&M	174
7. Coppin State	171
8. Savannah State (2)	151
9. Howard	141
10. South Carolina State	131
11. Delaware State	124
12. Norfolk State	92
13. North Carolina Central	46

2016-17 MEAC Women’s Basketball Preseason All-MEAC Teams

As voted on by the MEAC’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Preseason Player of the Year: Malia Tate-DeFreitas, Hampton

First Team

Name	Pos.	Cl.	School	Hometown
Malia Tate-DeFreitas	G	Sr.	Hampton	Harrisburg, Pa.
Kendra Cooper	G	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Spring, Texas
Moengaroa Subritzky	G/F	r-Jr.	Maryland Eastern Shore	Auckland, New Zealand
NaJai Pollard	F	So.	Delaware State	Richmond, Va.
Kailyn Williams	C	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	New Orleans, La.

Second Team

Name	Pos.	Cl.	School	Hometown
Dana Brown	G	r-Sr.	North Carolina A&T State	Willow Springs, N.C.
Braennan Farrar	G	Jr.	Morgan State	St. Louis, Mo.
Kenyata Hendrix	G/F	Sr.	Savannah State	Carrollton, Ga.
Kayla Roberts	F	Jr.	Norfolk State	Miami, Fla.
Kaylah Lupoe	C	Jr.	Hampton	Phoenix, Ariz.

Third Team

Name	Pos.	Cl.	School	Hometown
Keena Samuels	G	Sr.	Coppin State	Upper Marlboro, Md.
K’Lynn Willis	G	So.	Hampton	Detroit, Mich.
Sydni Johnson	G/F	Sr.	Howard	Homewood, Ill.
Taylor Houston	F	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Raleigh, N.C.
Tiyonda Davis	C	Sr.	Savannah State	Athens, Ga.

MEAC: Fight against breast cancer bonds Morgan State football coach, player

Fight against breast cancer bonds Morgan State football coach, player

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Wed, October 26, 2016

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

BALTIMORE - Even before the sun rises, the Morgan State football team is hard at work.
Wins on the field provide the fuel for the bulk of the Bears. But for assistant head coach and running backs coach Kenny Lucas, his inspiration comes from another place this time of year.

Joe, Porcher Named To 2017 Black College Football Hall of Fame Class

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Joe, Porcher Named To 2017 Black College Football Hall of Fame Class

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Wed, October 26, 2016

Former Florida A&M head coach Billy Joe and South Carolina State standout Robert Porcher were selected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) Class of 2017 today.

Porcher played two seasons at SC State and was selected by the Detroit Lions as the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Porcher was a three-time First Team All-Pro (1997, 1999, 2001) and the Lions' all-time leader in sacks (95.5). The Lions' Annual Man of the Year Award is named in honor of Porcher and he has jersey retired by SC State.

Joe spent 11 years at Florida A&M as its head coach and won five championships during his tenure. He participated in six NCAA I-AA Playoffs with the 1999 playoffs the most memorable run as the Rattlers finished 2-1 and fell 27-24 to Youngstown State in the semifinals. Joe also led FAMU to the 1993 and 1995 Heritage Bowls. He was also indicted into the 2007 College Football Hall of Fame.

Votes were tallied from the 12-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from previous BCFHOF inductees to determine the Inductees.
The Class of 2017 will be honored at the Eighth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on February 25, 2017. The Induction Ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Inductees will also be recognized at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 17. For more information please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.

SWAC: Football Weekly Release - Week 9

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org

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Football Weekly Release - Week 9

Courtesy SWAC.org

Wed, October 26, 2016

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Prairie View A&M at Jackson State
Jackson, Miss.
2 p.m.

Southern at Alcorn State
Lorman, Miss.
2 p.m.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Grambling State
Grambling, La.
2 p.m

Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State
3 p.m.
ESPN 3

Texas Southern at Sam Houston State
6 p.m.
ESPN 3

CONFERENE NEWS AND NOTES

• Southern running back Lenard Tillery is 114 yards shy of breaking the SWAC’s All-Time rushing record set by Destry Wright of Jackson State. The Jaguars are set to face Alcorn State this Saturday, a team that Tillery racked up 151 yards against last season.

• Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s last win at Grambling came in 2012. The Golden Lions also won the SWAC Championship that same season

• Khalid Thomas can become one of only six players in Alabama State history to rush for 2,100 career yards with four more rushing yards this Saturday. Thomas is also 267 yards away from passing former ASU tailback Keldrick Williams, who rushed for 2,362 yards from 2003-2005 a former transfer of the University of Tennessee

• Exactly one year ago, Alcorn State broke a school record finishing with 484 yards rushing against Southern. Backup quarterback Lenorris Footman started for an injured John Gibbs Jr. and ran for 274 yards on 16 carriers to go along with four touchdowns. Footman only attempted seven passing attempts

• Magic City Classic Fact: Alabama A&M has won the last six meetings when the game has been decided by three points or less. The last such victory for Alabama State was a 14-11 win in 1992

• Grambling State owns the league’s longest conference winning streak with 13 in a row. They will put that streak on the line Saturday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff which is also the only team to beat Alcorn State at home this season

• Brothers Hurts: Texas Southern starting quarterback Averion Hurts is the older brother of Jalen Hurts, starting QB at the University of Alabama. The two have combined for 28 TD’s through seven weeks.

• The Alabama State rushing attack is No. 1 in the SWAC with an average of 195 yards per game.

FULL NOTES

SWAC: Volleyball Players of the Week: October 26

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org

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Volleyball Players of the Week: October 26

Courtesy SWAC.org

Wed, October 26, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference honored Prairie View A&M’s Taylor Goudeau and Alabama State’s Jamie Coleman and Justus Tuiolosega as volleyball players of the week for their performance in competition from Oct. 19-25.
Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Week - Goudeau
Prairie View A&M
Outside Hitter
Jr. | 6-2 | Clear Lake, Texas
The junior outside hitter smacked down 27 kills (4.5 per set) and chipped in 15 digs and two assists in a two match, six-game sweep last week versus Mississippi Valley State and Jackson State. Goudeau had 19 kills, eight digs and two services aces against MVSU and the next day, she totaled eight kills, seven digs, and two assists in a win over the Tigers. Goudeau’s 3.98 kills per frame and 4.45 points per set both rank her second in the league, and she is third in hit percentage (.247).

Defensive Player of the Week - Coleman
Alabama State
Defensive Specialist/Libero
Sr. | 5-6 | Farmington Hills, Mich.
Coleman took home her fifth defensive player of the week accolade as she recorded 32 total digs in victories over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State. She added five helpers and one ace as well. The conference’s leader in total digs (333), the senior ranks No. 2 in the SWAC in touches per set (4.5).

Setter of the Week - Tuiolosega
Alabama State
Setter
Jr. | 5-7 | Moreno, Calif.
Tuiolosega was a key cog in Alabama State’s league-leading offense, posting 41 combined assists as the Hornets downed Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State to remain unblemished in league play. She also added in 11 digs, one kill, and two aces to bring her conference-leading total to 34. On the year, the junior has put up 419 assists, third-most in the SWAC.

2016-17 SWAC basketball television schedule announced

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org

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2016-17 SWAC basketball television schedule announced

Courtesy SWAC.org

Wed, October 26, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2016 basketball television schedule, highlighted by nine of the 10 member institutions being featured across six different networks and six contests to be shown through the SWAC Digital Network (SDN).
League schools are set to square off against foes from the Big 12, Pac 12, Southeastern, Atlantic Coast and Big 10 conferences. Prairie View A&M tips off the slate with a trip to the Pacific Northwest to face Oregon State on Nov. 11.
Nov. 14 sees a double dip of coverage, as Alabama State faces TCU on Fox Sports Southwest, and new Mississippi Valley State women’s coach Jessica Kern takes the Devilettes to Tuscaloosa for a ladies’ tilt with Alabama, streaming on SEC Network + via WatchESPN and the ESPN app.

On Nov. 27, the SWAC makes its season debut on ESPN, as the Panthers take on Big 10 contender Wisconsin on ESPN3. Perhaps the marquee contest of the league’s non-conference slate takes place on Dec. 10, when All-American Derrick Griffin and the defending regular-season conference champion Texas Southern Tigers take on perennial national title contender Louisville. The contest will be available as an ACC Network Extra event via WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
All games aired on an ESPN network will be available through WatchESPN, accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and streaming devices to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
On Dec. 14, SWAC tournament champion Southern gets an ESPNU showcase as it takes on Big 12 opponent Baylor.
The conference’s digital network broadcast ledger – which will feature men’s and women’s double-headers -- begins with Alabama State taking on Mississippi Valley State on Jan. 9, and the next week, ESPNU will show a potential SWAC tournament final preview, as 2016 runner-up Jackson State tangles with Texas Southern on Jan. 16.

On Feb. 6, a rematch of the SWAC Tournament Championship takes center stage with Jackson State and Southern going at it on ESPNU. Feb. 20 sees defending conference champion Alabama State Lady Hornets head to Baton Rouge to face Southern prior to the men’s contest, and the television schedule caps off with a double-header between Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Feb. 25 on SDN.
All games set to be shown are listed below, and more games may potentially be added as the season progresses.

FULL LISTING

MEAC: Volleyball Recap: October 25

Courtesy Courtesy of FAMU Sports Information

Volleyball Recap: October 25

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Tue, October 25, 2016

Tuesday’s MEAC Women’s Volleyball Results

Florida A&M 3, North Florida 0

VCU 3, Norfolk State 0

Florida Gulf Coast 3, Bethune-Cookman 1

Florida A&M 3, North Florida 0

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The FAMU Women’s Volleyball team extended their winning streak to nine matchesTuesday night with a 3-0 non-conference victory over visiting North Florida at the Al Lawson Center.

FAMU (12-11) avenged a five-set defeat to UNF (15-10) back in September – their last loss – with Tuesday’sstraight set win by scores of 25-18, 25-16 and 25-21.

It was FAMU’s eighth straight set win during the nine-win streak, as the Rattlers dropped one set on the road in a 3-1 win over Troy University.

Freshman Nicole Abreu led the Rattlers with 14 kills, while first year hitter Maria Yvette Garcia added 10 kills. Both players had seven digs, behind sophomore Valentina Carrasco’s match high 16 digs.

VCU 3, Norfolk State 0

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. - VCU held the Norfolk State volleyball team in check in a 3-0 victory over the Spartans on Tuesday night in a non-conference matchup at the Siegel Center.

The Rams held NSU to a negative hitting percentage in all three sets in a 25-13, 25-13 and 25-15 sweep. VCU improved to 16-10 on the year, while the Spartans dropped to 6-16 in their last non-conference match of the season.

Senior Jessica Johnson led all players with nine kills but also had 11 of NSU's 23 errors. The Spartans hit -.053 for the match, while the Rams ended the night with a .277 attack percentage.

Vicki Giommarini had eight kills to lead VCU, although she tallied eight of her team's 15 attack errors. She was also one of two players in double figures in digs, tallying 11 while teammate Madalon Simpson led all players with 13. The Rams held a 44-30 edge in digs for the match.

For NSU, junior Melvina Brown had eight digs.

Full Story

SWAC: Volleyball Recap: October 25

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org

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Volleyball Recap: October 25

Courtesy SWAC.org

Tue, October 25, 2016

Austin Peay 3, Alabama A&M 0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-11)
Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Alabama A&M fell in straight sets during road action at Austin Peay Tuesday evening.

The Bulldogs (7-18) were forced to play catchup from the start, as APSU jumped out to a quick 9-4 lead in the opening set, ultimately leading by as many as 13 in the opening frame. AAMU flew out of the gate in set two, scoring six of the frame's first eight points en route to a 12-9 lead.

However, the Bulldogs surrendered an 8-3 run to take the lead. Despite getting to within one on several occasions, AAMU was never able to overcome Austin Peay, who coasted to a one-sided set three victory to complete the sweep.
Ashundria McNeal posted 10 kills and four digs for AAMU.

SWAC: Soccer Player of the Week - October 25

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org

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Soccer Player of the Week- October 25

Courtesy SWAC.org

Tue, October 25, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama State’s Ariela Lewis and Howard’s Gabrielle Emilien and Kendall Hamilton have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference as Soccer Players of the Week for their outstanding performance in competition during October 21-23.
Offensive: Ariela Lewis – Alabama StateSenior forward Ariela Lewis tallied two goals and three assists over the weekend in Alabama State's victories against Mississippi Valley State (won 3-1) and Alcorn State (won 9-2). The Anchorage, AK native leads the conference in goals scored (12) and points (32). She scored in Friday's win against MVSU and then added one goal and a team-high three assists in Sunday's win against Alcorn State.
Goalkeeper: Gabrielle Emilien – Howard
Emilien picked up a pair of wins over Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff this past weekend. She posted eight saves through two games, including five against GSU and notched a 1.000 saves percentage and 0.00 goals against average.
Defense: Kendall Hamilton – Howard
Hamilton helped the Bison tally a pair of shutouts against Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff limiting its opponents to 10 shots through two games

Game Time: DeSoto Eagles vs Irving Nimitz Vikings LIVE Friday at 7:30pm CST

Radio Broadcast Will Begin at 7:30pm CST

Live Streaming Api

The Late Shift Blog - Opening Night! Cavs Roll, Spurs Spank Warriors

Image result for lebron james cavs ring ceremony banner

The Late Shift Blog is daily recap of all things NBA

by Rodney Fisher

We are back!

The 2016-17 NBA Season opened just as the season ended...with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tonight was the city of Cleveland's biggest sports night in history. The Cavs raise a championship banner while the Indians start the World Series a few blocks away.

LeBron James celebrates his third ring with a triple-double performance (19 points, 11 boards, 14 assists) as the Cavs rout the New York Knicks 117-88.

Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 29 points.

For the Knicks, the trio of Kristaps Porzingis, Carmelo Anthony, and Derrick Rose were the only players in double digits for points. Joakim Noah played 19 minutes with 0 points and 0 blocks. So much for the new and improved...

Nothing is for Certain

So, the Golden State Warriors open the season with a 29 point LOSS to the San Antonio Spurs. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry had 27 and 26, but my sleeper pick for MVP Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 35 points.

LaMarcus Aldridge 26 and 14. Jonathon Simmons came off the bench to hit 20, including not missing a shot the first three quarters. He also had a chase-down block on Curry in the third quarter.

There is no doubt the Warriors will be a great team, but having the best starting 4 in the game today does nothing to replace the rebounding and defense you lost with Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. The seven new players in the Bay will need more time to get it together.

The young Spurs have established themselves as THE team to beat in the West...Early.