Williams and Theus make up two of the 19 head coaches in Division One basketball who once played in the NBA. Both coaches are one win away from appearing in the SWAC Championship game after impressive regular season efforts. The two are the only former NBA players who are Division I HBCU basketball head coaches.

Mo Williams led JSU to a 14-4 record in the SWAC this season including two wins over Bethune-Cookman. Reggie Theus has improved Bethune-Cookman’s conference record in each of his four seasons at the helm in Daytona Beach. Bethune-Cookman finished just behind the Tigers with a 13-5 conference record.

Both teams are the two hottest teams in the SWAC heading into Friday’s game. Jackson State is riding a seven-game winning streak, while BCU has won six in a row.

The Tigers are led by former McDonald’s All-American Daeshun Ruffin, a transfer from Ole Miss. The junior guard averages 15.6 points per game, fourth in the SWAC. The inside is bolstered by All-SWAC second team selection Shannon Grant. The FAMU transfer averages 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

For Bethune-Cookman the offense runs through All-SWAC first team selection Trey Thomas. The Hampton transfer has scored 525 total points this season, the most of any player, and his scoring average is third at 16.4 points per game.

Thomas struggled from the field in BCU’s opening game against Alcorn State but his teammates filled the void throughout the game. Brayon Freeman led the Wildcats in scoring off the bench on Thursday scoring 19 off the bench in the 69-60 win over Alcorn State.

Jackson State won its opening-round game against Florida A&M, 91-76. Friday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 8:30 pm EST.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Football is set to begin its third season of the Raymond Woodie Jr. era with a challenging 2025 football schedule that includes five home contests at Daytona Stadium, six away games, concluding with the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic matchup against its fiercest HBCU football rival, the Florida A&M Rattlers.

The Wildcats will open the 2025 football schedule on August 30 at Pitbull Stadium against Florida International. The last matchup between the Wildcats and the Panthers occurred in 2014 when B-CU claimed a 14-12 win over the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent – the second of its kind in as many years against the Panthers. The Panthers are looking for a fresh start under new head coach Willie Simmons. Before spending the 2024 season as an assistant coach at Duke, Simmons spent six years (2018-23) at the helm of Florida A&M, where he owned a record of 45-13 overall, culminating with a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Cricket Celebration Bowl title in 2023.

Week two sees the Wildcats return to Miami for the second time in as many weeks. They will take on the University of Miami in what will be the eighth installment of the series against the Hurricanes since 2011. The last time the Wildcats played the Hurricanes was in 2023.

Bethune-Cookman stays on the road in week three for a trip to the “Palmetto State”—facing an old HBCU foe in the form of South Carolina State for the first time since 2022. B-CU has a storied history with former conference mate South Carolina State, dating back to their time in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The teams have played 58 times since 1959, with SCSU owning a 34-24 edge all-time.

Schedule breakdown

The 2025 home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 20, against the Tigers of Edward Waters. The last time the Wildcats faced off against EWU was back in 2010, ending in a 70-10 win for the Wildcats at home.

The Cats open SWAC play the following week, hosting the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M. Bethune-Cookman claimed a 31-14 win over AAMU in the Bulldogs’ last trip to Daytona Stadium in 2023.

After a bye week, B-CU plays seven consecutive weekends to close the campaign, beginning with a visit to Alabama State (October 4).

On October 11, Southern (La.) will come to Daytona Beach for the first time since 1988 when the Jaguars descend upon Daytona Stadium. Last season, the two teams participated in the second-longest game in Wildcats history—a five-overtime thriller that saw the Cats fall 25-23 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Homecoming 2025 features Bethune-Cookman hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff (October 25) to Daytona Beach for the first time as a member of the SWAC and the first time since 2005, when the Cats downed the Golden Lions, 31-17.

B-CU opens the month of November with a visit from Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 1) and new head coach Terrell Buckley. The Wildcats have won three consecutive contests against the Delta Devils, with a pair of victories coming on the road in Itta Bena, Mississippi, including last year’s 20-10 triumph on an MVSU Homecoming weekend.

The HBCU football season concludes with trips to Grambling State (November 8) and defending SWAC and Cricket Celebration Bowl champion Jackson State (November 15). The Florida Blue Florida Classic against FAMU is scheduled for November 22 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Click HERE to view the complete 2025 football schedule. Ticket information will be released in the coming weeks.

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The Panthers advance to the second round of the SWAC tournament and will face No. 2 seed Texas Southern (15-14, 14-4) on Wednesday. With 13 seconds to play in regulation, Panthers guard Nyam Thornton converted one of two free throws, giving Prairie View A&M a 45-42 advantage but leaving the door open for the Wildcats to tie the game.

Ten seconds later, Wildcats guard Daimoni Dorsey drilled a corner 3-pointer – her first of four attempts in the contest – to tie the game at 45 and force overtime inside Gateway Center Arena. However, with a spot in the second round of the HBCU women’s basketball conference tournament on the line, the Panthers took their play to higher gear behind the play of Williams and free throws from guard CJ Wilson to seal the victory.

“We’re happy to be marching on,” said Prairie View A&M head coach Sandy Pugh on the ESPN+ broadcast following the game. “I haven’t been past the opening round for a while now…We are proud to be here.”

Prairie View lost to Texas Southern twice during the HBCU hoops regular season, with the last meeting resulting in a 64-60 home loss on Saturday. However, Thornton said the Panthers are energized and ready for the third matchup against their in-state rival.

“They know what’s coming,” Thornton said. The game will begin at 11 a.m. ET.

Women’s SWAC tournament games

All times listed Eastern Standard Time (EST)

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The win marked the program’s first A-10 tournament championship and earned GMU its first trip to the women’s NCAA tournament in program history. As Blair-Lewis cut a piece of the net and celebrated with her players at Henrico Sports & Events Center, her father – Robert Blair – sat at the front of her mind.

Before establishing a winning culture at GMU, Blair-Lewis coached at Daytona-Beach, FL HBCU Bethune Cookman for 13 years and started her coaching career as an assistant at her alma mater, Largo High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland. After Sunday’s win, Blair-Lewis devoted the championship win to her father.

“My dad is in hospice right now,” Blair-Lewis said in the postgame news conference. “I FaceTimed him before the game; he said, ‘Go win.’ He’s not just my dad. He’s my coach; he’s a big part of the DMV coaching area. I really wish he could have been here and I knew he was here in spirit. … That’s what I thought about in the last minute. This was for my dad.”

GMU finished the regular season – including the tournament – with 27 wins, the most in program history. Much like Blair-Lewis’ success in reviving GMU, she led Bethune Cookman to its first women’s NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019.

The four-time MEAC Coach of the Year led the Wildcats to a 196-168 record overall, produced six winning seasons, and restored a Bethune Cookman program that generated only two winning campaigns in 19 HBCU basketball seasons before she arrived in Daytona Beach, Florida.

About Vanessa Blair-Lewis

Vanessa Blair-Lewis is an accomplished basketball coach with a strong women’s college basketball track record. She began her head coaching career at Mount St. Mary’s University (1998–2007), where she led the team to multiple winning seasons and was named Northeast Conference Coach of the Year in 1999. She later took over as the head coach at Bethune-Cookman University (2008–2021), transforming the program into a perennial contender and securing multiple MEAC regular-season titles and a tournament championship in 2019. In 2021, Blair-Lewis became the head coach at George Mason University, continuing her leadership and player development legacy. Known for her defensive strategies and ability to rebuild programs, she remains a respected figure in women’s college basketball.

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Bethune-Cookman secured a thrilling 70-69 victory over the Jaguars in Daytona Beach. The Wildcats (14-15, 11-5 SWAC) started strong with an 11-2 run, but Southern (18-10, 13-2 SWAC) battled back, briefly taking the lead before halftime. A last-second jumper by David Onanina gave B-CU a 38-37 edge at the break. Southern built a 13-point second-half lead, but Bethune-Cookman stormed back in the final minutes. Kalil Camara’s clutch offensive rebound and game-winning free throw with two seconds left sealed the upset. Camara’s heroics capped an intense comeback, handing Southern just its second SWAC loss.

Reggie Theus had a productive 13-year NBA career (1978–1991) as a dynamic shooting guard and small forward. Drafted ninth overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1978, he made an immediate impact, earning two All-Star selections (1981, 1983). Known for his scoring and playmaking, Theus averaged 18.5 points and 6.3 assists per game. He played for Chicago, Kansas City/Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic. A versatile offensive threat, he surpassed 19,000 career points. After retiring, Theus transitioned into coaching. His flashy style and scoring ability made him a fan favorite and a key contributor during his NBA tenure.

The upcoming SWAC Basketball Tournament in Atlanta will offer a homecoming for the former Atlanta Hawk. Theus played for Atlanta during the 1988-89 season and averaged 15.8 points per game. The SWAC Tournament will mark two consecutive weeks of HBCU basketball in Atlanta. The SIAC Tournament will be played at Morehouse College March 5-8. The SWAC Tournament will be at the Gateway Center Arena March 11-15.

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A Proven Leader

Donte Pimpleton’s football journey began in Louisville, Kentucky, where he excelled as an all-state quarterback at Fern Creek High School. During his senior year, he set a school record with 1,551 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, complemented by over 700 rushing yards. His dual-threat capabilities laid the foundation for a successful collegiate career at Western Kentucky University (WKU).

At WKU, Pimpleton showcased versatility by playing both quarterback and wide receiver from 1997 to 2001. He amassed 1,425 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns and recorded 13 receptions for 165 yards and four touchdowns. His performance was instrumental in leading the Hilltoppers to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship in 2000. He earned honorable mention All-Gateway Conference honors in 2001.

Coaching Career

Transitioning from player to coach, Pimpleton began his coaching career in Louisville’s high school circuit before advancing to collegiate positions. His early roles included offensive quality control assistant at the University of Louisville in 2009 and wide receivers coach at WKU in 2012, where he contributed to the program’s first bowl game appearance.

Pimpleton’s coaching trajectory continued with positions at Kentucky Wesleyan College as Offensive Coordinator in 2014 and running backs coach at the University of South Florida (USF) from 2015 to 2016. He developed a formidable running back unit at USF that ranked second nationally with an average of 6.51 yards per carry. His mentorship was pivotal in the growth of Marlon Mack, who set multiple school records under Pimpleton’s guidance.

Furthering his career, Pimpleton served as running backs coach at the University of Oregon in 2017 and Florida State University in 2018 and 2019. At Florida State, he coached Cam Akers, who achieved consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and was subsequently drafted into the NFL.

Before his current tenure at Bethune-Cookman. Pimpleton was part of the coaching staff at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in 2022. He coached Larry McCammon to a 1,000-yard season there, marking the first such achievement for an FAU running back since 2018.

Impact on Bethune-Cookman

Since joining Bethune-Cookman University, Pimpleton has been instrumental in enhancing the team’s offensive strategies. His promotion to Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Quarterbacks Coach is a testament to his expertise and the positive influence he has had on the program. As he steps into these expanded roles, Pimpleton is poised to lead the Wildcats to new heights, further solidifying Bethune-Cookman’s standing in HBCU football.

In his first two years in HBCU football at Bethune-Cookman, Pimpleton served as Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs coach. The Wildcats turned in the conference’s sixth-best offensive efficiency mark in 2024, as well as coaching one of Bethune-Cookman’s best freshman running backs in a decade in the form of Daniel Palmer (706 yards / 5 TDs).
 
The 2023 squad was the least penalized team in program history, leading the SWAC in that department. Also, in 2023, Jimmy Robinson III finished ninth in the league in rushing (51.8 yards per game).
 

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The check presentation will take place at 4:30 p.m. at the Bethune-Cookman Performing Arts Center, located at 698 W. International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach, Florida. University administrators will be in attendance to accept the contribution, while a USTA Florida representative will highlight the importance of this investment in the university’s athletic future.

For Bethune-Cookman, this funding represents a transformative step forward in expanding its athletic facilities and creating new opportunities for students. Without dedicated on-campus courts, the Wildcats’ tennis teams have had to train and compete off-site, presenting logistical challenges and limiting student engagement with the program. With these new courts, B-CU aims to enhance recruitment efforts, improve player development, and strengthen its championship culture.

The USTA’s investment underscores its commitment to fostering tennis at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By funding new facilities at B-CU, the organization is helping to promote the sport at a grassroots level and provide young athletes with the resources they need to compete at a high level.

Friday’s event will provide a valuable opportunity to speak with university officials about how the new courts will impact student-athletes and the broader campus community. Additionally, attendees will hear from USTA Florida on why supporting HBCU tennis programs is an essential part of growing the sport nationwide.

The BCU women’s team fielded a doubles team and two singles players in this year’s edition of the HBCU National Championships which was held in September in Atlanta. The team also participated in the SWAC Fall Tournament in October before the season resumed with the winter portion of the schedule in January. The season concludes in April with the SWAC Championship in New Orleans.

This donation follows an earlier $100,000 donation this month in the HBCU tennis community. Tennis champion Coco Gauff donated the money to the UNCF to provide scholarships for HBCU students playing competitive tennis.

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Gordon, one of the most decorated players in women’s basketball history, has been a transformative figure at Florida A&M. Before stepping into coaching, she was a dominant force on the court, winning two NCAA championships with the University of Tennessee and earning MVP honors in the 1989 Final Four. Gordon’s stellar collegiate career paved the way for her selection to the U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team in 1988, where she won a gold medal. Her induction into the Hall of Fame would highlight her ongoing commitment to the sport, particularly at HBCUs, where she works to uplift and inspire young women through basketball.

On the men’s side, Reggie Theus brings similar star power and leadership to HBCU Bethune-Cookman University. Known for his dazzling playmaking ability, Theus had a storied career in the NBA, playing 13 seasons and earning two All-Star selections. He also starred at UNLV, where his dynamic scoring helped make the program a national powerhouse. As a coach, Theus has brought his extensive basketball knowledge to HBCUs, emphasizing the importance of both athletic and academic excellence for his student-athletes. His dual role as head coach and athletic director demonstrates his dedication to strengthening Bethune-Cookman’s athletic program as a whole.

The potential induction of Gordon and Theus would be a historic moment for HBCUs, shining a spotlight on their willingness to help increase diversity in the coaching ranks via legends. Both coaches have not only cemented their legacies as players but also as leaders, continuing to inspire the next generation of athletes at historically Black colleges and universities. Their recognition would underscore the vital role HBCUs play in shaping the fabric of basketball history.

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TAMPA, FL– The University of South Florida only led for a total of 28 seconds as Daytona Beach, FL HBCU Bethune-Cookman upset the American Conference opponent on the road, 77-69, Wednesday night at the Yuengling Center. It is the first win over South Florida for the Wildcats since 2005.  The victory was punctuated by a monster dunk that made ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.

The Wildcats (3-8) raced out to a 7-0 lead immediately thanks to five early points by Reggie Ward Jr. The Bulls (5-6) caught up with a Jimmie Williams layup at the 10-minute mark that made it 14-10, B-CU, but a missed USF three turned into a fast break dunk by Ward to bring the HBCU program’s lead back up to nine at 21-12. 

The offenses slowed a bit for each team, but three-pointers down the stretch from Trey Thomas and Seneca Willoughby kept the Cats in front as they headed into halftime up 32-29. Neither side shot better than 40 percent in the first half, but a B-CU’s 4-7 mark from three was the difference over just 2-12 from deep for the Bulls. 

A quick Bulls three, followed by a steal and dunk by Jamille Reynolds trimmed the Wildcat lead to just one at 35-34 two minutes into the second half. A USF three by Jayden Reid gave the Bulls their first – and only – lead of the night at 37-35, but B-CU took that bucket back as Ward’s fastbreak layup made it 37-all. 

From there, the Wildcats ran up an 11-1 run, closed out by 8 straight from Thomas, to go in front, 48-37 with 14 minutes to play. USF would come as close as 58-54 with eight to go, but an emphatic dunk by Ward put an exclamation point on a dominant second half that saw the Wildcats cruise to the 77-69 win and put HBCU hoops on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays as Ward’s dunk came in at No. 7 on the top 10 countdown. 

GAME NOTES

• For the second straight game, four Bethune-Cookman Wildcats scored in double figures on the night. This time, it was Ward leading the way with 19 on 7-10 shooting, followed by Thomas and Freeman with 18 each, and Rouzan with 12.
• Ward posted his fourth double-double of the year, adding to his 19-point outing 10 rebounds, as well as an assist and four steals.
• Freeman, Rozan, Carralero-Martin, and Ward each grabbed at least five boards.
• Trey Thomas dished out six assists, Freeman chipped in five.
• Jesus Carralero Martin blocked four shots on the night.
• B-CU made 22 of 24 free throws on the night. 
• USF shot just 26 percent from three. 
• B-CU scored 15 points on the fast break.

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Game Notes
» Franklin and Dean all rushed for over 100 yards for the Rattlers.
» FlAMU outgained Bethune-Cookman 485-416, including a 305-183 advantage on the ground.
» Florida A&M had their highest scoring quarter in the fourth period when they put up 14 points.
» FAMU converted 6 of 12 third downs while Bethune-Cookman was successful on 8 of 15.
» The Rattlers had three players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Jenkins, who had 12.
» Florida A&M forced one red zone turnover in the contest.
» FAMU won the time of possession battle 35:23 to 24:37.
» Richardson completed 70% of his passes on the day, going 14-for-20 while averaging nine yards per attempt.
» Cam Ransom led the Wildcats passing attack, completing 11 of his 21 attempts for 196 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
» Dennis Palmer led the Bethune-Cookman rushing attack with 178 yards and three touchdowns.

The victory improved Florida A&M’s record to 6-5 (4-3) on the season and marked another successful chapter in the historic rivalry. The Rattlers’ offense showed its explosiveness, accumulating 485 total yards while controlling the clock with over 35 minutes of possession time.

Bethune-Cookman wide receiver and return-man Maleek Huggins did a bit of everything in his first-ever Florida Classic. He opened the scoring for B-CU with a 77-yard punt return touchdown to tie things at 7-7. It was the first return touchdown of his career, and third total touchdown of his Wildcat career. He followed that up with a 56-yard touchdown snag to give B-CU its first lead of the game at 20-17 late in the first half. Huggins finished his night with a team-high seven receptions for a career-high 177 yards – the most in a game by a B-CU WR this year – and the two touchdowns. His previous high in yards was 97 last week at Texas Southern. He was named team MVP.

In a thrilling edition of the Florida Classic, the Florida A&M Rattlers emerged victorious over rival Bethune-Cookman, securing a 41-38 win in front of 56,453 fans at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

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ORLANDO, Fla. –– In a thrilling edition of the Florida Classic, the Florida A&M (FAMU) Rattlers emerged victorious over rival Bethune-Cookman, securing a 41-38 win in front of 56,453 HBCU football fans at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Running back Thad Franklin Jr. led the way with a spectacular performance, rushing for 195 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries, including a momentum-shifting 70-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The Rattlers’ ground game was dominant throughout, as Kelvin Dean added 103 yards and a touchdown, helping FAMU amass 305 rushing yards on the day.

FAMU struck first when Franklin scored on a 17-yard run in the opening quarter, but the Wildcats answered with Maleek Huggins’ 77-yard punt return touchdown. The back-and-forth HBCU football affair saw multiple lead changes, with FAMU taking a 17-7 advantage in the second quarter after Daniel Richardson connected with Jamari Gassett for a 12-yard touchdown pass.

Richardson finished an efficient 14-of-20 for 180 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Quan Lee led the receiving corps with 79 yards on four catches.

Defensively, the Rattlers were led by linebacker Aric Horne and Nay’Ron Jenkins, who each recorded 12 tackles. Jenkins also added an interception, while Davion Westmoreland registered the team’s only sack.

The game remained tight throughout the second half, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. FAMU’s special teams came up big, with kicker Cameron Gillis converting all five extra points and both field goal attempts, including a crucial 31-yarder late in the third quarter.

The victory improved Florida A&M’s record to 6-5 (4-3) on the season and marked another successful chapter in the historic HBCU football rivalry. The Rattlers’ offense showed its explosiveness, accumulating 485 total yards while controlling the clock with over 35 minutes of possession time in the Florida Classic.

Game Notes
» Franklin and Dean all rushed for over 100 yards for the Rattlers.
» Florida A&M outgained Bethune-Cookman 485-416, including a 305-183 advantage on the ground.
» Florida A&M had their highest scoring quarter in the fourth period when they put up 14 points.
» Florida A&M converted 6 of 12 third downs while Bethune-Cookman was successful on 8 of 15.
» The Rattlers had three players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Jenkins, who had 12.
» Florida A&M forced one red zone turnover in the contest.
» Florida A&M won the time of possession battle 35:23 to 24:37.
» Richardson completed 70% of his passes on the day, going 14-for-20 while averaging nine yards per attempt.
» Cam Ransom led the Wildcats passing attack, completing 11 of his 21 attempts for 196 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
» Dennis Palmer led the Bethune-Cookman rushing attack with 178 yards and three touchdowns.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Six HBCU women’s basketball players scored in double figures for Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday afternoon in helping the Wildcats roll past visiting Trinity Baptist, 117-34 at Richard V. Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Eleven schools from the Volusia County area were in attendance for the game as it was “Education Day”.
 
Bethune-Cookman (2-3) scored the first 25 points of the game en route to the Wildcats’ second 100-point game at home this season. The Cats led 37-8 after the opening quarter behind a 16-for-24 shooting mark from the field for the Maroon and Gold in the opening period.
 
Due to injury, Trinity Baptist (0-2) – playing with just six players in the game, answered with two (2) three-pointers in the first quarter behind Ranajala Brown and Laila Harvey.
 
The Cats widened the lead 61-23 at the half with B-CU shooting 60.9 percent from the field overall through the first 20 minutes. Defensively, the Eagles of Trinity Baptist bounced back to shoot 40 percent from the floor in the second quarter with 15 points.
 
In the third quarter, Bethune-Cookman outscored the Eagles, 33-2 limiting the visitors to just one field goal – that coming from Jaedin Houston with 7:02 remaining in the quarter.

 
In the game, the Cats outscored Trinity Baptist, 90-2 for points in the paint. Additionally, the Cats scored 38 fastbreak points, while the B-CU bench scored 46 points as compared to the Eagles’ four.
 
Brown led the Eagles in scoring with 12 points including four (4) three-pointers.
 
Bethune-Cookman had six players in double-figures scoring led at the top by Kayla Clark’s double-double effort with 21 points and 12 rebounds (seven offensively). Asianae Nicholson had 18 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for her second double-double of the campaign.
 
Chanelle McDonald finished the day with 18 points and eight rebounds, while freshman Jordan Brooks turned in 14 points. Janessa Kelley added 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor. And Daimoni Dorsey scored 12 points and eight rebounds.
 
Bethune-Cookman next faces Virginia out of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m., in Charlottesville, Virginia in an HBCU vs ACC matchup.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats avoid a winless season at home with a 14-point HBCU football comeback to pull the upset win over Grambling State, 24-21, on Saturday afternoon on senior day at Daytona Stadium. With the win, the Wildcats jump Alabama A&M for the fourth-place spot in the SWAC East standings at 2-3 in conference play. 

Grambling State (4-5, 1-4 SWAC) won the toss, electing to defer, handing the ball to Bethune-Cookman out of the gate. The opening drives for both squads stalled before B-CU starting quarterback Luke Sprague was forced out of the game with an injury following a second-and-20 sack that forced the senior to limp off the field. He would not return to the game. 

The Tigers jumped on the board first after a 39-yard pass play set up a 22-yard rushing score by Keilon Elder. The HBCU Wildcats (2-7, 2-3 SWAC), now under the leadership of Cam’Ron Ransom at QB, managed another short drive before punting it away once more to end the first quarter of play. The Tigers opened the second quarter with another drive deep into Bethune-Cookman territory, marching all the way down to the B-CU two-yard line. A fourth-and-one run play was quickly snuffed out by a host of Wildcats, forcing a turnover on downs. 

As the Wildcats offense continued to struggle before an Anthony Frederique punt turned into a 72-yard house call by Javon Robinson that put Grambling in front 14-0 with six minutes until the half. B-CU was finally able to answer the Tiger attack as Ransom marched the Cats down the field on eight plays, finding tight end Thomas Nance for a 14-yard score – the first of Nance’s career as a Wildcat and the first touchdown to a tight end on the year for B-CU – to send B-CU into the half down only a score at 14-7. 

Grambling, receiving the ball out of the half, immediately went up two scores again on a nine-yard rushing score from Deljay Bailey to make it 21-7. The B-CU offense found some success again as Cade Hechter connected on a 40-yard field goal to inch closer at 21-10 in the HBCU football contest. 

The Bethune-Cookmandefense stepped up for another massive fourth-down stop with just under seven to play in the third, as a QB keeper was snuffed out by Dallaz Corbitt and Earl Miller Jr. to give the Cats the ball at their own 40. Ransom made the Tigers pay immediately, finding dynamic return man Darnell Deas for a 58-yard bomb to inch the Wildcats to within 21-14 with three minutes to play in the third. 

After another great defensive sequence, B-CU moved in front for the first time on the afternoon one drive later as freshman rusher Dennis Palmer found a huge hole in the Tiger front for a 42-yard touchdown run that put the Cats up, 24-21. Grambling State opened the fourth with a three-and-out, following it up with a drive down to the Bethune-Cookman 39 before a Baily pass found Wildcat hands as nickelback Caleb Blake came up with the ball, his first HBCU football interception as a Wildcat. 

The Wildcats moved to the Tiger 21-yard line before attempting a 21-yard field goal that was blocked to keep Grambling to within a field goal with 1:50 on the clock. A fourth-down pass interference call kept the Tigers alive at their own 36 with 1:37 to play, but an Orin Patu sack and a pair of incomplete passes quickly brought up fourth down again. With 20 yards to go for the first, Baily looked downfield, and B-CU’s Joshua Thornhill came up with the Cats’ second pick of the night to ice the SWAC win at 24-21. 

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This year is no different.  While Florida A&M has had quite an interrupted season with three off weeks so far and a game scheduled for after the FBFC and Bethune-Cookman hasn’t had the season they expected, none of that matters when that coin goes up, the ball is placed on the tee, and the pigskin is hurled through the air.

The fans battle, the bands battle, families battle…it’s all-out war for those 60 minutes.

However, right before kickoff and right after kickoff, FAMU and Bethune-Cookman are family.  The universities partner for academic success.  When former FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson returned to FAMU after serving President Barack Obama on the NOAA staff, they shared parts of the $30 million grant he brought home with B-CU.  There is a pipeline to allow B-CU students entry into the FAMU College of Law.  There are several collaborations that extend beyond being business partners in the biggest institution-owned HBCU football classic in the world.

The classic is organized by the administration of both schools

B-CU and FAMU administrations combine with Florida Citrus Sports to form the Florida Classic Consortium. That unit makes all of the decisions about the game and all official ancillary events associated with Florida Classic Week.  The consortium represents major parts of the universities as although it is a football game that draws the people to Central Florida, there are a week of events that involve students, alumni, friends and fans.

There is a job fair, massive recruiting by both institutions, receptions, breakfasts, conferences and much more arranged by each school to capitalize off the influx of people who have traveled to Orlando.

The marching bands have their own showcase

On Friday, Nov. 22, Dr. Donovan Wells will display his Marching Wildcats and Dr. Shelby Chipman will do the same with his Marching “100.”  They square up at the Amway Center for one of the largest battle of the band showcases in the country.  High schools from all over the country flock to perform in the structured battle.  It’s a critical function for Wells and Chipman as their fight for the best instrumentalists goes as deep as the scuffle for the best football players.

The FBFC halftime show is the one time everyone at the Florida Blue Florida Classic is sitting still.  There is banter throughout the game and fraternizing under the stands during the football portion.  But, once the first 30 minutes of football are played, all attention is on midfield as the entrance of the drum majors leading two of the best bands in the entire country for a show that never disappoints.

Florida A&M Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs, far right, and 220 Quarterback Club CEO Dr. Jerrlyne Jackson, left, embrace B-CU head women’s volleyball coach Brittany Williams at a social for the players following their matches on Sunday in Tallahassee at The Lawson Center,

FAMU lends a hand in a time of need

Daytona Beach was flooded last week in the wake of hurricane Milton.  Ahead of the storm, the B-CU volleyball team evacuated to Tallahassee as they had a mid-week game against the Rattlers.  

With campus still uninhabitable, the Rattlers and Wildcats consulted with the SWAC and decided to host their home games for Oct. 13 and 14 in FAMU’s Lawson Center.

FAMU Vice President and Director of Athletics and her staff organized a dual home hosting for Sunday and Monday.  Southern University and Alcorn University would remain in Tallahassee as well, as opposed to their scheduled travel to Daytona Beach.

FAMU pulled out all stops to make it feel like a B-CU home game, besides the obvious orange and green of the Lawson Center arena.  The B-CU hype video was played and the team anthem “Let’s Go Wildcats” blared through the Lawson Center speakers as B-CU was introduced.  It’s something you would never expect from rivals, but FAMU and B-CU are so intertwined that it was what had to be done.

Again, that attitude will not exist for those 60 minutes on Nov. 23 at Camping World Stadium. The Florida Blue Florida Classic will be decided on the field and not before.  Numerous times the team highly-expected to win the game has gone down in defeat.  In the words of former NFL coach Herman Edwards “That’s why they play the game.”

For more information on the Florida Blue Florida Classic, got to FloridaClassic.org

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First Quarter – Bethune-Cookman Dominates Early

Bethune-Cookman opened the game in explosive fashion. Quarterback Cam Ransom connected with Courtney Reese for a 29-yard touchdown to cap off a 71-yard drive, giving BCU a 7-0 lead with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter. Just two minutes later, Ransom added to the lead with a 7-yard rushing touchdown, making it 14-0 after a short 7-yard drive set up by a CAU turnover.

The Wildcats kept rolling, as Ransom found Darnell Deas for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 4:25 left in the first quarter, pushing the score to 21-0. Clark Atlanta finally responded with a touchdown of their own when David Wright III connected with David Martin for an 11-yard score, cutting the deficit to 21-7.However, BCU wasn’t done. Ransom threw his third touchdown of the quarter, this time a 54-yard bomb to Kobe Stewart with just five seconds left in the period, extending the lead to 28-7.

Second Quarter – Clark Atlanta Begins to Fight Back

BCU added to their lead early in the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal from Cade Hechter, pushing the Wildcats’ advantage to 31-7.

Clark Atlanta responded with a sustained drive, marching 89 yards in 15 plays. Wide receiver Armone Harris threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Delancey Tolliver, narrowing the gap to 31-14 with 1:47 left in the half. But BCU quickly drove down the field, setting up another Hechter field goal, this one from 27 yards, as time expired to give the Wildcats a 34-14 lead at halftime.

Third Quarter – The Panthers Mount a Comeback

The second half saw Clark Atlanta begin their dramatic comeback. Early in the third quarter, Wright III led the Panthers on a 98-yard drive, culminating in a 28-yard touchdown pass to Harris, making the score 34-21. On their next possession, Wright III engineered another long drive, this time covering 99 yards, and connected with Harris again for a 27-yard touchdown. Suddenly, the Panthers were within six points, 34-28.

Bethune-Cookman briefly halted Clark Atlanta’s momentum with a 37-yard field goal by Hechter late in the third quarter, extending their lead to 37-28.

Fourth Quarter – Clark Atlanta Seals the Win

With just over four minutes remaining in the game, Clark Atlanta completed their comeback against their Division I opponent from the SWAC. Wright III delivered his fourth touchdown pass of the night, a 7-yard strike to Harris, capping off a 62-yard drive to pull the Panthers within two points at 37-35.

Bethune-Cookman tried to run out the clock, but CAU’s defense stepped up, forcing a punt and giving their offense one last chance with just over a minute left. Wright III led the Panthers down the field, setting up Cabrera for a 55-yard field goal attempt as time expired. Cabrera drilled the kick, delivering an improbable 38-37 victory for Clark Atlanta.

Key Players:

• David Wright III (CAU): 4 passing touchdowns, including three to Armone Harris.
• Armone Harris (CAU): 3 receiving touchdowns, crucial in the comeback effort.
• Cam Ransom (BCU): 4 total touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing).
• Leonardo Cabrera (CAU): Game-winning 55-yard field goal as time expired.

This win marks a significant moment for Clark Atlanta, showing incredible resilience to overcome a 21-point deficit and stun Bethune-Cookman in a game that will be remembered for Cabrera’s last-second heroics and extraordinary play from David Wright III. Bethune-Cookman is now 0-4 with SWAC play set to begin next week versus Alabama State.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Under the direction of Head Coach Reggie Theus, Bethune-Cookman Men’s Basketball announced a significant roster overhaul for the fast-approaching 2024-25 season, announcing a total of 11 new players while retaining four contributors from last year’s squad that qualified for the 2024 Ro College Basketball Invitational (CBI) in Daytona Beach, Florida. It marked the second postseason berth for the Wildcats in program history, and the first since 2011, when B-CU participated in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

Head Coach Reggie Theus, who also serves as the university’s athletics director, has assembled a diverse group of talent, blending together experienced transfers who look to bolster the Wildcats’ lineup.

Theus expressed optimism about the team’s potential for the upcoming year, hoping to stem from last year’s success both in and out of the conference.

“We’ve brought in a mix of experience and young talent that we believe will elevate our program,” commented Theus. “Our program has improved with each year that I have been on campus, but our goal remains the same — to build on last season’s success and compete for the SWAC championship. And I believe this crop of young men will bring exactly what we need in order to try and do just that — win a SWAC title.”

The new signings include the following:

• Brayon Freeman, a 6-foot-2 guard from Washington D.C., transfers from Coastal Carolina. The three-level scorer averaged 7.0 points this past season after stints at Rhode Island (14.3 PPG in 22-23) and George Washington (10.3 PPG in 21-22).

• Gianni Hunt, a 6-foot-4 graduate student transferring in from CSUN, is a versatile point guard that started 21 games last season for the Matadors, averaging 10.2 points per game, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists across the campaign. The leader on the floor brings real Division I experience to B-CU, led by a solid foundation defensively.

• Trey Thomas, a 6-foot-2 guard from Washington, D.C., transfers from Hampton University (6.6 points per game in 23-24), bringing a scoring threat with experience, leadership, and a hyper-competitive spirit to the backcourt.

• Antwann Jones, a 6-foot-6 athletic scoring wing originally from Orlando, brings Power Five experience after playing at UCF this past season (4.3 points per game) along with Memphis, Creighton, and Louisiana, respectively. Jones is a matchup nightmare who has the ability to play multiple positions on either side of the ball.

• Kalil Camara, a 6-foot-7 forward transferring in from West Virginia State, arrives as a graduate student with size out of the Bronx, New York. In addition to his length, Camara shot 46.1 percent from beyond the arc this past season.

• Jarrell Love, a 6-foot-7 athletic forward from Fort Worth, Texas, transfers from Baton Rouge CC where showcased his versatility with 10.8 points per game and 5.3 rebounds at the JUCO level.

• William Gonzalez, a 6-foot-5 small forward from Chicago, brings great upside with his shooting as he arrives as a freshman from Curie High where he turned in double-digits scoring average as a senior.

• Jesus Carralero-Martin, a 6-foot-7 Spanish forward, joins after stints at Campbell (10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 22-23) and most recently Missouri. The point forward brings an understanding of the game with the ability to contribute in a number of ways with his scoring, passing, and basketball IQ.

• Daniel Rouzan, a 6-foot-8 junior forward from Las Vegas, is a back to the basket and face-up threat that arrives to Daytona Beach from Manhattan College, where he played and started in 27 games a season ago averaging 11.4 points per game with 4.6 rebounds while shooting 52.7 percent from the field. His ability to contribute from multiple positions adds another level of versatility to the floor for B-CU.

• Jerome Beya, a 6-foot-9 five-man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, transferring in from Tennessee Tech, brings international experience and shot-blocking ability to the frontcourt. The hyper-athletic Beya also adds a talented lob threat to the Wildcats arsenal.

• David Onanina, a 6-foot-8 center from Yaoundé, Cameroon, is transferring into Bethune-Cookman from Eastern Kentucky after two seasons with the program, adding height and rebounding ability on the inside. The strong, athletic Onanina also brings an excellent touch around the rim for a big man.

Bethune-Cookman basketball also returns senior guard Reggie Ward Jr., after the Chicago native amassed 9.6 points per game last year, arriving from Riverside CC. It will be a reunion, of sorts, with incoming freshman Gonzalez from their days at Curie High. Seneca Willoughby, a rising junior from Philadelphia, also returns to the Wildcats backcourt, along with Simeon Womack. Mason Dorsey also returns for the Maroon and Gold, as the 6-foot-5 guard from Los Angeles saw limited time as a true freshman in 2023-24.

Reggie Theus and Wildcat basketball aim to improve upon their performance from the previous season, where they secured a spot in the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament for the first time in school history.

“We entered the offseason tasked with essentially retooling our entire roster,” Reggie Theus said. “Our staff has worked incredibly hard to address a number of different areas this summer, and I think we have been able to bring in what we need in these key areas. The opportunity to coach this team with the talent we’ve brought in, it’s exciting to think about, and I can’t wait to get out on the court with these guys.”

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Reed, the Hall of Fame safety, attempted to clear the air about his short stint as the coach-in-waiting at Bethune-Cookman University. He did so with his former Miami football teammate and fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer on the “Create The Life Podcast.”

“I was to be the coach – I was never the coach,” Reed said of the few weeks in late 2022/early 2023. “I never signed a contract. I never got fired like everybody said.”

Reed talked about how he planned to get his program running. He said he realized that football culture involves ‘farming’ – meaning that some players will leave the program with success. He said it was something he was prepared for, and was ready to prepare his players for. 

“I told those kids – if someone come there and get you from Power Five – man go! I want you to go!” 

Ed Reed claims there was an agenda amongst the administration at the Daytona, FL-based HBCU, claiming that there were ‘moles’ enlisted to report back to higher ups. He also spoke about the president of the school at the time being gone to a different school, and interjected that the would take that university down as well. 

“They recycle bad coaches. They just put ‘em somewhere else,” Reed said. “They recycle bad administrations and put them somewhere else and they do the same stuff,” Reed told Ederrgin James.

Edgerrin James’ son is a running back at an HBCU. Eden James is headed into his third season as a running back at Howard University. James explained his approach to having his son play at an HBCU after having gone the Power Five route.

“It’s different – but you have to go into it with the mindset and the purpose. Because if you don’t stand on purpose and the reason why you’re here – you’re going to find all the negatives. But we’re committed to being an example or being where we can make things better – but also – not shortchanging ourself.”

The two former Miami teammates talked about people who were planning on investing in the school, and the surrounding area, during Reed’s short stint. 

“I was actually going to purchase a building on the campus because you were there,” James said. “I was actually looking forward to supporting the situation…”

Bethune-Cookman officials eventually rescinded the offer for Ed Reed, ultimately hiring Ray Woodie Jr. as head coach.

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“I get a call on a Tuesday from coach (Prime), to go coach at the school he left (Jackson State) before he came here (Colorado). I said ‘I would, man, but I got a call yesterday from another school,” Reed told the football squad in a speech filmed by Thee Pregame Show.

Of course, Ed Reed would accept the job at Bethune-Cookman, but it would be short-lived as he would be dismissed before signing a contract. Reed recounted his version of the story for the players, including the players who committed to playing for him at the HBCU. One of those players was quarterback Dominiq Ponder who redshirted at Bethune-Cookman last year.

Ponder is now a backup quarterback for Deion Sanders at Colorado football. 

“You never know where God’s gonna take your life, young men!” Reed told the players. 

Watch the full video on Thee Pregame Show.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Under the direction of second-year head coach Raymond Woodie Jr., Bethune-Cookman Football went through more than 60 plays Saturday afternoon in the team’s second scrimmage to close fall camp at Daytona Municipal Stadium.

“I saw so much improvement from last weekend, and that’s what I am thrilled about with today’s scrimmage,” said Coach Woodie afterwards. “Guys were ready to play, ready to work, ready to hit. Everyone we put in for any situation, they embraced it and used the opportunity to his advantage.”

The scrimmage began with drives starting 70 yards from the end zone with five different quarterbacks stepping under center for the Maroon and Gold. Returning signal callers Tylik Bethea and Luke Sprague took turns at the start, while transfer Micah Bowens from Charlotte saw action as well.

Sprague connected with running back Terry Lindsey out of the backfield for a big 23-yard gain, while newcomer Cross Patton — a highly-touted running back transferring in from Oregon, had a number of big runs for the Wildcats. The former Ducks tailback broke off a 27-yard gain early-on, before tacking on a touchdown with a 10-yard run on the right side in red zone situation. He came back just before the end of the scrimmage with a 32-yard gain down the left sideline — the longest run from scrimmage on the afternoon.

Terry Lindsey added a five-yard score up the middle with a huge push from the offensive line.

“It’s all about execution, and doing things the right way,” remarked Woodie. “The right way is handling your business. Walter Simmons went through about 70 assignments in two days, and that’s how you handle your business. No excuses, and just grinding for the team in every capacity.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line was able to get to the quarterbacks seven times for sacks. A touchdown-saving deflection on a pass in the back of the end zone from Tylik Bethea capped that defensive drive.

Earlier in the day, transfer Terrance Alexander picked off Sprague on a rollout.

In special teams action, Cade Hechter connected on a 40-yard field goal down the middle for a score.

“This coaching staff continues to work hard every day making sure we understand where we need to be on every down, every play,” said Woodie. “Hard work. It’s all about attention to details, hard work, and as I always say — making sure we get better by one percent every day.”

Bethune-Cookman wraps up fall camp and will now move to a “game week” schedule ahead of the season-opening contest away to South Florida on August 31, at 7 p.m.

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PARIS — Making her Paris Olympics debut, former HBCU Track & Field student-athlete Monae’ Nichols of Bethune-Cookman advanced to the finals of the Women’s Long Jump following Tuesday’s semifinals on August 6, at the Stade de France.
 
Nichols recorded a jump of 6.64 to book a place in the final of the Women’s Long Jump. Similar to her Olympic qualification, it was Nichols’ final jump in the semifinals that saw her through to the final with the eighth-best overall performance in the round.
 
She will serve as one of 12 participants in the finals.
 
Before transferring to Texas Tech, Nichols competed for Daytona Beach, FL HBCU Bethune-Cookman from 2018-21, while she would finish her senior season in Lubbock, Texas, with B-CU Athletics suspended for the duration of the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
In her time as a Wildcat, Nichols competed in the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Nationals in the long jump, while also competing in the 2019 NCAA East Preliminaries in the 4×100. She was the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion in the long jump during the outdoor season and took home top honors in the MEAC during the 2018 indoor season as well, completing back-to-back individual titles across the campaign.

 
The finals of the Women’s Long Jump for the Paris 2024 Olympics are scheduled for Thursday, August 8, at 2 p.m. EST.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Track & Field on Twitter (@BCUTrackXC) and Instagram (@BCUXCTF) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.

Monae’ Nichols at Bethune Cookman (2018-20)
2019 NCAA OUTDOOR NATIONAL PARTICIPANT (LONG JUMP, 18TH)
2019 NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY (4X100 RELAY, 24TH)
2019 NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY (LONG JUMP, 8TH)
2019 MEAC INDOOR WOMEN’S LONG JUMP CHAMPION
2018 NCAA OUTDOOR NATIONAL PARTICIPANT (4X100, 21ST)
2018 NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY (4×100 RELAY, 12TH)
2018 NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY (LONG JUMP, 14TH)
2018 MEAC OUTDOOR WOMEN’S LONG JUMP CHAMPION

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“I ain’t playing,” Tia Kemp stated via TikTok. “I need you to call your daddy right now. You tell him. You screenshot this right now, that right there and you tell him that’s how much I need in my bank account.”

The bill appears to be for equipment for the team – not for tuition.

Kemp and Rick Ross’ tumultuous relationship has included several public spats in recent months – including one over the ending of Ross having to pay child support last month. 

Roberts III played his high school ball at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He began getting offers back in 2021. Miami, Syracuse, Florida International, Texas A&M, Colorado, and Albany State all offered him as a freshman.

The 6-foot-2 270-pound Offensive lineman chose the Daytona Beach HBCU over Power 5 offers from Colorado, Marshall, Florida International, and Miami.

William Roberts III’s High School St. Thomas Aquinas is known for not only being one of the top schools in the country in football but is one of the top NFL-producing high schools as well.

HBCU Gameday reached out to Bethune-Cookman, but officials declined to confirm whether or not he is on scholarship.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bethune-Cookman Athletics announced today a partnership with Influxer on Monday, providing HBCU student-athletes the opportunity to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) via high-quality, personalized merchandise that allows fans to support in style.

Influxer is an officially licensed vendor, creating co-branded apparel customized with players’ names and numbers. Through this partnership, Influxer will provide education and training on marketing, entrepreneurship, and personal branding.

“The NIL landscape is constantly evolving and working with Davitta Miller and Jason Pompey has been an amazing opportunity to see the vision they have for Bethune-Cookman, providing great options through Influxer for their student-athletes. They see this as not simply a transactional opportunity but as an opportunity to develop long-term skills for life.”

Each B-CU student-athlete from every team will have the opportunity to create his or her own webpage that showcases their personalized gear available for purchase. 

In addition to the online store, the Influxer team oversees all fulfillment and customer service, while collaborating with Bethune-Cookman and its HBCU student-athletes on creative elements and marketing.

Influxer is partnered with more than 100 universities, including Oklahoma, LSU, Houston, and SMU. 

Wildcat fans can visit https://influxermerch.com/athletes/bethune-cookman-university/all to purchase co-branded apparel.

About Influxer – FOR ATHLETES. BY ATHLETES.

As former collegiate athletes ourselves, we know the ups and downs that collegiate athletes face – practice, games, weights, recovery, classes, social life and more.

That’s why we believe that we’re well-equipped to put our athletes in the best position to achieve their goals and capitalize on their name, image and likeness (NIL).

About Bethune-Cookman University

Bethune—Cookman University is a private historically black university (HBCU) in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bethune—Cookman University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The primary administration building, White Hall, and the Mary McLeod Bethune Home are historic venues.

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“Bethune College is like a special ed HBCU,” Charleston White said. “Ain’t no muth****in’ college you jump up and say ‘say that boy going to the NFL.  Nowhere in the history of Bethune College have anybody made it to the NFL. 

Well, besides the fact that the school has not ever been named “Bethune College” – it was once known as Bethune-Cookman College – he was also dead wrong about the Bethune-Cookman alumni in the NFL. 

A total of 40 players, according to Football Reference, have played in the NFL. Thirty-two of them have been drafted. One of them, Larry Little, is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Who is Charleston White

Charleston White is a social media personality, community activist, and speaker known for his outspoken and often controversial views on social issues, particularly those affecting the African American community. Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, White has gained significant attention for his candid commentary on topics such as crime, gang culture, and the challenges faced by young people in urban environments. His background includes a troubled youth and time spent in the criminal justice system, experiences that have deeply informed his perspectives and fueled his passion for advocacy.

Charleston White’s platform is marked by his raw and unfiltered delivery, which he attempts to use to challenge norms and provoke thought among his followers. He often shares personal anecdotes and insights, aiming to inspire others to make positive changes in their lives and communities. While his approach has garnered both praise and criticism, White remains a prominent voice in discussions about social reform, youth empowerment, and the impact of systemic issues on marginalized populations. His work underscores the importance of personal accountability and community involvement in addressing societal challenges.

This isn’t the first time Charleston White has had something to say about HBCUs. He spoke about Deion Sander’s departure from Jackson State last year. 

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DENMARK, S.C. — Garon Jackson, the Director of Track & Field at Daytona Beach, FL HBCU Bethune-Cookman, has been announced to the 2024 class of the Voorhees University Athletics Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place during Homecoming weekend in September. Voorhees University is a private career-oriented HBCU in Denmark, South Carolina.
 
Jackson, a 1999 HBCU graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, left an indelible mark on the institution’s track and field program during his tenure as a student-athlete. His exceptional performances and leadership on the track paved the way for a stellar coaching career that has spanned nearly two decades.
 
“This is a great honor,” said Jackson, who returned to Bethune-Cookman as the Director of Track & Field during the 2023-24 season. “God has truly blessed me and my family and continues to shine light and grace upon my family. I definitely appreciate the coaches that coached me over the years; the athletes that I’ve sowed into over the years and my college teammates that created a winning culture at Voorhees University, and those that are doing great things after graduating.”
 
During his time at Voorhees, Jackson competed as a middle/long distance runner for the Tigers.  He still holds the Voorhees and Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC) records in the 800, 1500, 5000, and 10000 meters in addition to cross country records. Jackson was the EIAC Most Valuable Runner for four years in cross country and three years in Track and Field, finishing undefeated at the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC) Championships throughout his entire collegiate career.
 
Jackson also served as head coach at his alma mater for track & field, where he spent five years at the helm of the Tigers program. During his stint at Voorhees, Jackson produced several National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Qualifiers as well as All-Americans and an NAIA National Champion.

 
“I want to thank Voorhees University for taking a chance on a young man from Sumter, South Carolina, and creating a foundation in me — one that everything I am as a person is built upon,” said Jackson.
 
In 2020, he took the helm as track & field head coach at Claflin in his home state of South Carolina. In just three seasons, Jackson guided the Panthers to their first-ever Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s Indoor Track & Field Championship in 2023. That led to Jackson being tabbed CIAA Men’s Indoor Coach of the Year.
 
Jackson was named to the Sumter Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
 
The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Jackson will be one of five inductees in this year’s class, joining a distinguished group of alumni who have made significant contributions to athletics at Voorhees and beyond.
 
For more information about the 2024 Voorhees Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, please visit VoorheesAthletics.com.

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Director Reggie Theus was honored as City Champion at the inaugural Inglewood State of the City 2024, using his platform to highlight the importance of Historically Black Colleges (HBCU) in front of an impressive panel of individuals.

The event was held at the Intuit Dome, which is set to open later this summer. The presentation, hosted by Inglewood Mayor James Butts and Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, discussed the city’s growth and the major projects over the past year, including local small businesses. 

Other big names highlighting the event included entertainment executive Casey Wasserman of Wasserman Media – who was largely responsible for a successful Los Angeles bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics – businessman and inventor Patrick Soon-Shiong, minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Stan Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Arsenal F.C, among many other successful professional sports franchises. 

Moderated by former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, others on the economic panel included former NFL offensive lineman and current CEO of tech company Cosm, Jeb Terry, Los Angeles Rams President Kevin Demoff, and Los Angeles sports radio anchor Fred Roggin.

Others honored as Community Champions included activist Mari Morales, founder of nonprofit One for All Kids, Derek Steele, of the Social Justice Learning Institute, Doris Obih, program director of ACEing Autism and CEO of the 40 Love Foundation, and fellow NBA player and coach Byron Scott. 

Reggie Theus, recently completing his third year at the wheel of the Wildcats Department of Athletics, while also serving as Men’s Basketball Head Coach, emphasized the unique position of HBCUs in providing opportunities for students who might otherwise be overlooked by larger institutions. He cited his own experiences as a young man in Inglewood as a driving force behind his commitment to HBCU athletics.

The 13-year veteran of the NBA spoke about growing up in Inglewood, and doing something bigger than himself while growing up in a time of segregation and being one of the first black students to integrate Inglewood High School in 1972. Reggie Theus called on local businesses, alumni, and community leaders to increase their support for HBCU, stressing the institutions’ economic and cultural impact on their surrounding areas.

“HBCUs are worthy of the conversation in this country,” remarked Theus. “They give an opportunity to first generation graduates, and we have to support them. [HBCUs] need your help.”

The summit also highlighted some major events coming to Inglewood, including NBA All-Star Weekend and FIFA World Cup in 2026, Super Bowl LVI in 2027, and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

“I take on the responsibility to give back, and it’s one of the reasons why I went to Bethune-Cookman” continued Theus, a member of the first NBA All-Star Game in 1981. “I wanted to do something that was bigger than myself. And I go back to having the chance to walk at Inglewood High School and walk down Manchester [Avenue], and it’s what grew me into what I am today.

“So, I thank the city of Inglewood in raising me the right way. And Mayor Butts is such a great leader. Thank you, Inglewood, for all of your support.

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The three-part series will air on the first three Mondays of July.  On July 1, the conversation with FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson will kick off the series.  On July 8, the interview with B-CU interim President Dr. William Berry will debut.  On July 15. The series finale with Edward Waters University President Dr. A Zachary Faison, Jr. will air on July 22.

The series is about the general health, wealth, and missions of the HBCUs in Florida.  The conversations go into student life, campus achievements, and the growth and sustainability of each university.

We wouldn’t be HBCU Gameday if we didn’t delve into athletics.  From the reigning HBCU football national champion Rattlers to the resurgent Wildcats and the emerging Tigers, athletics in Florida’s HBCUs is a staple in the school’s images.

Full episodes will air exclusively on HBCU Gameday’s YouTube page and you will be able to find featured moments on all our social media channels.

About HBCU Gameday Youtube Platform

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Mack played himself into contention to make the 36-hole elimination cut. As with many professionals, the pin placement and lightning fast greens on cut day left no room for error resulting in Mack being eliminated from contention.

He would end his run with a 10-over-par 80 in the second round of the 2022 U.S. Open.  Mack was just unable to get things going in the right direction, and with the holes’ challenges, mistakes ended up compounding before things got better.

After qualifying for the tournament in the play-in, Mack became a fan favorite as the story of his irregular journey to even pursue a career in golf became public.  While the B-CU alum was honored with the opportunity to play in the U.S. Open, with his experiences on the APGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA Tour, he is far beyond taking symbolic victories and is working to secure the ability to compete on the PGA Tour on a regular basis.

Not since Jackson State’s Tim O’Neil qualified for the U.S. Open in 2015 had an HBCU alum made their way to the competition. At that time, JSU had one of the best golf programs in the country under coach Eddie Payton.

The front nine was a challenge within itself on Friday.  Willie Mack III would card three birdies and six pars on the front en route to a 3-over-par score of 38.  The back nine is where things fell apart.  Mack simply wouldn’t be able to keep things going as he carded a 42, which in itself was 7-over-par.  He would tally an 11-over-par total for the tournament after hanging within the cut line for the entire front nine.

The U.S. Open is made to be a tournament that challenges golfers to make par.  This year’s tournament challenged most of the field to do just that.  Several big names like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Rickie Fowler also failed to make the cut.  Mack bested most of their scores until the final nine holes simply took his momentum.

Support for Mack’s run was rampant on social media.  A Facebook group called Black Golf Alliance had several posts supporting Mack’s run and was active in detailing their experiences with Mack during his career.  HBCU groups also noted Mack’s run, though many only knew of his attending B-CU but were not aware of his career since he turned pro.

Nevertheless, while Willie Mack will likely kick himself for how close he came to the pinnacle of his career, he has gained many casual fans in the process.  The resilient journeyman will continue his career in much the same manner as he has made for himself, by grinding his was to every opportunity.  All the way, making the HBCU nation proud.

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Maldonado. a 6-foot-4 right-hander from West Palm Beach, Florida fared pretty well in his debut. He ended the night with three scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals, allowing just three hits with no walks and a pair of strikeouts. He threw 36 pitches with 23 going for strikes. The Marlins could not hold on however, losing to the Nationals 3-1. 

Maldonado got the call up from the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, where he’s a standout closer for the Triple-A squad. He’s held on to a 2.31 ERA through eight appearances so far this season. But the Marlins had to go with a bullpen game on Friday after placing placing left-hander Jesús Luzardo on the 15 day injured list with left elbow tightness.

His family led the raucous cheers following a double play to end the inning on his first start. Maldonado told MLB.com that was a pretty awesome moment for him.

“I heard them going crazy, and looking up and seeing my friends and family and fiancée cheer, it meant a lot,” Maldonado said, “I gave them a point so they knew I saw them. So that was really cool.”

Maldonado, played for the Wildcats from 2017-19, as one of the top players in HBCU baseball. He earned two First Team Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) selections, while going on to be named 2018 MEAC Pitcher of the Year. During his freshman season in 2017, Maldonado was a part of a Bethune-Cookman side that advanced to the NCAA Gainesville [Fla.] Regional final against eventual national champion Florida. That same season, he was a First Team All-MEAC choice, while going on to post a 7-3 record across the campaign.

He is currently ranked as the No. 18 prospect for the Miami Marlins. Fortunately for Maldonado this wasn’t his first appearance at loanDepot Park. He threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for Team Puerto Rico against Nicaragua at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

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Ryan Davis, Sr. was a standout defensive lineman for HBCU Bethune-Cookman from 2008 to 2011 where he was a difference-maker for the Wildcats for all four of his years in Daytona Beach.

As the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in his senior season, he led the MEAC with 12 sacks, (10th in FCS) 21.5 tackles for loss (7^th in FCS), and 65 total tackles (40 solo). He also finished the year with 17 quarterback hurries, eight forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a safety. Making him a top HBCU football prospect in his draft class.

Davis’ path to playing in the NFL is a story of perseverance, after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ryan Davis found himself waived and resigned several times with numerous stints on the practice team and active roster during his rookie season.

It wasn’t until November of the 2013 season that Ryan Davis Sr. began to make a name for himself in the NFL. The Jaguars played the Houston Texans in November and Davis made a game-ending interception. Then in December, Davis sacked Houston quarterback Matt Schaub while the Texans were out of timeouts to give his team another win over their division foe.

By the end of the 2014 season, Davis was a key figure on the Jags defense, being active for all 16 games and posting 17 tackles (7 for loss), 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 special teams tackles.

During his six-year NFL career, Ryan Davis played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and the Los Angeles Rams. He appeared in 63 games where he totaled 14 sacks, 44 solo tackles, and 4 forced fumbles.

After his playing career was over Davis returned to Jacksonville where he began his coaching career after being offered a spot in the NFL & NCAA Coaches Academy in Indianapolis in 2023.

“I was so happy when I got that call. I had a huge smile on my face,” Davis told the Jaguars Senior Correspondent, Brian Sexton. “It’s another opportunity, you know? Just getting onto an NFL roster was tough, making it and then finding a way back is tough, too. A lot of people ask; ‘why aren’t you coaching college football?’ Coaching is a process and I’m going through it, and I reach out to people and some things might not be available when I want them. So, I just keep going and pushing the envelope, and then the Jags call and here I am.”

And just like he did as an HBCU football player, Davis has taken that opportunity and made the most out of it, parlaying his time at the NFL & NCAA Coaching Academy into an internship with the New York Jets for the 2023 season.

“I wasn’t a five-star guy or even a drafted player, but that didn’t really matter,” he told Sexton in the 2023 interview. “I had to cut my teeth wherever I went in order to get where I wanted to go. You don’t get very far without a passion for the game and plan. I’m still that guy now, as someone who wants to coach, as I was when I was that guy who wanted to play. Nothing has changed except where I line up.”

Ryan Davis Sr. is set to begin his first season as an NFL coach in 2024 as a Defensive Assistant with the New York Jets, and if his past is any indication, this is only the start of what is sure to be a bright future coaching career. Proving that you can go anywhere from an HBCU.

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WOMEN’S

NORFOLK STATE VS DELAWARE STATE

Norfolk State snapped Delaware State’s two-game win streak on Saturday afternoon, handing it a 65-51 loss at Memorial Hall. The Spartans went into halftime with a 40-22 lead and were able to hold off the Hornets for the final 20 minutes.

Diamond Johnson scored 20 points to lead the way for Norfolk State. Johnson was particularly effective from three-point land, knocking down 4-of-7 attempts. The transition game was a big factor in the Spartans’ success, as 12 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.01 points scored per possession on 51% true shooting.

Savannah Brooks scored 18 points, while Deyonce Thompson added another 13 to lead the way for Delaware State. As a team, the Hornets had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.79 points per possession on 33% shooting from the field. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 31% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• Norfolk State outscored Delaware State in the paint 36 to 16
• Delaware State was plagued by seven unforced turnovers (11% of possessions)
• There were zero lead changes or ties, with the Spartans leading the entire game

Both teams have their next games on March 4. Norfolk State takes on UMES at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall, where the Spartans will look to continue their solid play in their return home. Meanwhile, Delaware State will hope for a better result on the road when they head to Burr Gymnasium for a battle with Howard.

HOWARD VS MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

Howard earned an impressive MEAC win on Saturday afternoon, taking down UMES by a score of 64-48. The Bison got out to a 36-31 lead by halftime, and then came out and outscored the Hawks again in the second half to come away with the victory.

Iyanna Warren and Kaiya Creek scored 18 and 17 points, respectively, to lead the way for Howard. The transition game was a big factor in the Bison’s success, as 13 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.93 points scored per possession on 51% true shooting.

Ariana Seawell scored 16 points, while Ja’la Bannerman added another seven to lead the way for UMES. Collectively, the Hawks were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 28% of field goal attempts and 20% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, UMES went 13-of-18.

• 52% of HU’s field goals were assisted
• UMES’s bench outscored HU’s bench 34 to 18
• The game had one lead change and one tie

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on March 4. Howard takes on conference rival Delaware State at Burr Gymnasium, where the Bison will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, UMES will hope for a better result on the road when they meet winning-streak riding Norfolk State at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS COPPIN STATE

North Carolina Central ended its three-game losing skid, defeating Coppin State in a 52-44 contest on Saturday afternoon at Physical Education Complex. The Eagles went into halftime trailing 20-18 but outscored the Eagles by 10 points in the second half to come back and win.

Morgan Callahan scored 19 points to lead the way for North Carolina Central. That performance included an impressive 14 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. North Carolina Central’s offense as a whole came out of the break with new energy. They shot 46% from the field in the second half, scoring 1.04 points per possession. This was a big improvement from their 25% shooting and 0.56 points per possession in the first half.

Angel Jones recorded 13 points and six rebounds, and Mossi Staples contributed another nine points to pace Coppin State. Collectively, the Eagles were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 25% of field goal attempts and 11% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, Coppin State went 11-of-13.

• The game pace (possessions per 40 minutes) of 67.9 was a season-low for North Carolina Central
• Coppin State was plagued by nine unforced turnovers (13% of possessions)
• The game had seven lead changes and four ties

Both teams have their next games on March 4. North Carolina Central takes on conference rival Morgan State at Hill Field House, where the Eagles will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Coppin State will try to rebound when they take on MEAC foe South Carolina State at Physical Education Complex.

MORGAN STATE VS SOUTH CAROLINA STATE

Morgan State broke its streak of five consecutive losses, defeating South Carolina State in a 61-29 rout on Saturday afternoon at Hill Field House. The Lady Bears went into halftime with a 61-29 lead and were able to hold off the Lady Bulldogs for the final 20 minutes.

Laila Fair and Nakilah Johnson each scored 12 points to lead the way for Morgan State. As a whole, the Lady Bears were less than impressive on the offensive side of the ball, scoring just 0.94 points per possession on 32% shooting from the field. However, they did maximize their opportunities, turning the ball over just 11 times (12% of possessions).

South Carolina State was led by Jada Morgan, who scored eight points while collecting five boards. As a team, the Lady Bulldogs had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.45 points per possession on 21% shooting from the field. Even the uncontested attempts were not falling, as the team went a paltry 11-of-19 from the free throw line.

• Morgan State scored a season-high 39 points off the bench
• SC State’s 21% field goal percentage marked a season-low
• The Lady Bears led from start to finish; there were zero lead changes or ties

Each team has its next game on March 4. Morgan State faces North Carolina Central at Hill Field House, where the Lady Bears will look to earn another win at home. Meanwhile, South Carolina State will try to turn things around when they take on Coppin St. at Physical Education Complex.

SOUTHERN VS BETHUNE-COOKMAN

Southern defeated Bethune-Cookman in a 65-59 overtime thriller at the F.G. Clark Activity Center on Saturday afternoon. Southern went into halftime with a 27-23 lead, but Bethune-Cookman fought back to tie things up at the end of regulation. The Wildcats could not finish the job though, as they were outscored 15-9 in overtime.

Raven White and Aniya Gourdine led the scoring for Southern, each contributing 11 points. As a whole, the Lady Jaguars were less than impressive on the offensive side of the ball, scoring just 0.76 points per possession on 32% shooting from the field. Their shooting woes were alleviated by a relentless pursuit on the boards. Their 13 offensive rebounds led to 14 big second chance points.

Karianna Woods scored 16 points, while Kayla White added another 14 to lead the way for Bethune-Cookman. As a team, the Wildcats had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.72 points per possession on 36% shooting from the field. Those numbers include 17-of-45 on two-pointers, 3-of-11 on three-pointers, and 16-of-24 on free throws.

• Southern outhustled Bethune-Cookman, outscoring them 14 to 1 on second chance points
• Bethune-Cookman recorded assists on 60% of attempted field goals
• Genovea Johnson recorded a game-high +9 plus-minus

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on March 4. Southern meets Florida A&M at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, where the Lady Jaguars will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman will hit the road once again when they head to the FCH Assembly Center for a battle with Grambling State.

ALABAMA A&M VS ALABAMA STATE

Alabama A&M handed Alabama State its eighth consecutive loss in a 58-47 contest at the Event Center on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs went into the break leading by two points, and then outscored the Lady Hornets 34-25 over the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Darian Burgin scored 14 points while grabbing a season-high six boards to lead the way for Alabama A&M. Despite Burgin’s performance, the team collectively struggled shooting the ball. They shot 30% from the field while scoring just 0.83 points per possession. They found an advantage on the fast break though, accumulating 16 points in transition.

Solangelei Akridge scored 15 points, while Cordasia Harris added another 10 to lead the way for Alabama State. Collectively, the Lady Hornets were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 35% of field goal attempts and 32% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, Alabama State went 7-of-10.

• AAMU’s defense buoyed their offense, scoring 17 points off of 23 Alabama State turnovers
• Alabama State scored below 50 points for the 17th time this season
• Four lead changes and four ties were recorded in the game

Both teams have their next games on March 7. Alabama A&M takes on Grambling State at the Event Center, where the Bulldogs will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Alabama State will try to rebound when they take on Southern at Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

GRAMBLING STATE VS FLORIDA A&M

Grambling State recorded its seventh straight win, handing Florida A&M a 65-54 loss at the FCH Assembly Center on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Tigers went into the break leading by one point, and then outscored the Lady Rattlers 31-21 over the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Jazmyne Jackson scored 24 points to lead the way for Grambling State. Jackson was dangerous from three-point land, connecting on 4-of-7 attempts. The Lady Tigers’ offense was able to overcome shooting struggles in this one, accumulating their 65 points on 30% shooting from the field. Their cold shooting did not stop them from attacking, though. They drew 25 fouls on the defense, which ultimately led to 26 points on 81% shooting from the free throw line.

Olivia Delancy recorded 24 points and eight rebounds, and Nashani Gilbert contributed another 10 points to pace Florida A&M. Collectively, the Lady Rattlers were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 25% of field goal attempts and 6% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, Florida A&M went 19-of-23.

• GSU’s bench outscored FAMU’s bench 21 to 7
• Florida A&M recorded a new season-high with 58 total rebounds
• The game had 10 lead changes and 11 ties

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on March 4. Grambling State meets Bethune-Cookman at the FCH Assembly Center, where the Lady Tigers will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Florida A&M will hit the road once again when they meet a Southern side riding the momentum from a win in its last outing. That one will be played at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

JACKSON STATE VS TEXAS SOUTHERN

Jackson State recorded its 15th straight win in dominating fashion, handing Texas Southern a 101-51 loss at Health & P.E. Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Tigers started by building up a 22-point halftime lead, and sealed the game by outscoring the Lady Tigers 55-27 over the final 20 minutes.

Miya Crump was an efficient machine, contributing 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field to lead the way for Jackson State. Crump led what was a complete offensive performance for the Lady Tigers. The team shot 52% from the field while scoring 1.34 points per possession. The transition game was a big factor in their success, 21 of the team’s points came on the fast break.

Tatyanna Clayburne scored 15 points, while Maci Quiller added another eight to lead the way for Texas Southern. Collectively, the Lady Tigers were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 25% of field goal attempts and 26% of three-point attempts. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 12% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• Jackson State set a season-best in field goal percentage at 52%
• Texas Southern was plagued by five unforced turnovers (7% of possessions)
• The teams combined to hit 16 threes

Both teams have their next games on March 4. Jackson State takes on a confident Prairie View A&M squad at William Nicks Building, where the Lady Tigers will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Texas Southern will try to rebound when they take on SWAC foe Alcorn State at Health & P.E. Arena.

ALCORN STATE VS PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

Alcorn State snapped Prairie View A&M’s two-game win streak in thrilling fashion on Saturday afternoon, handing it a 55-53 loss at William Nicks Building. The Lady Braves went into halftime with a seven-point lead, which was enough to survive the Lady Panthers’ second half push.

Zy’Nyia White scored 17 points to lead the way for Alcorn State. That performance included an impressive 14 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. As a team, Alcorn State shot 6-of-21 from the field in the second half, scoring 0.77 points per possession on average.

Amauri Williams scored 11 points, while Jada Roberson added another nine to lead the way for Prairie View A&M. As a team, the Lady Panthers had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.8 points per possession on 36% shooting from the field. Those numbers include 18-of-46 on two-pointers, 3-of-12 on three-pointers, and 8-of-13 on free throws.

• Alcorn State recorded assists on a season-low 35% of made field goals
• PVAMU’s bench outscored Alcorn’s bench 24 to 7
• The game had four lead changes and five ties

Both teams have their next games on March 4. Alcorn State heads to Health & P.E. Arena to take on Texas Southern, where the Lady Braves will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M will try to turn its home stand around when they meet winning-streak riding Jackson State at William Nicks Building.

ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF VS MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

Arkansas-Pine Bluff were dominant in victory, powering past Mississippi Valley State University by a final score of 78-57 at H.O. Clemmons Arena on Saturday afternoon. The teams played a competitive first half, but the Lady Lions came out hot after the break, outscoring the Devilettes 56-39 over the final 20 minutes.

UAPB’s win was spearheaded by a balanced scoring effort. Coriah Beck led the scoring with 21 points, while Tia Morgan and Maya Peat added 11 points each. The Lady Lions’ ability to generate opportunities at the charity stripe was crucial to their success. They drew 25 personal fouls on the defense, which led to 21 points (66% shooting) from the free throw line. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.1 points scored per possession on 56% true shooting.

Mississippi Valley State University was led by Lizzie Walker, who scored 14 points while collecting eight boards. Collectively, the Devilettes were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 30% of field goal attempts and 25% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, Mississippi Valley State University went 18-of-25.

• 92% of UAPB’s field goals were assisted
• Mississippi Valley State University scored below 60 points for the 17th time this season
• There were zero lead changes or ties, with the Lady Lions leading the entire game

Both teams have their next games on March 7. Arkansas-Pine Bluff faces Jackson State at the Williams Center, where the Lady Lions will hope their success follows them. Meanwhile, Mississippi Valley State University will hit the road once again when they head to Davey L. Whitney Health & Physical Education Complex for a battle with Alcorn State.

MEN’S

HOWARD VS MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

Howard recorded its third straight win, handing UMES a 70-66 loss at the Hytche Center on Saturday evening. The Bison went into halftime with a 38-30 lead and were able to hold off the Hawks for the final 20 minutes.

Jordan Hairston scored 19 points in an incredibly efficient 6-of-9 shooting performance to lead the way for Howard. The Bison were relentless on the offensive boards, securing 16 extra possessions which they converted into 17 second chance points. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.14 points scored per possession on 55% true shooting.

The Hawks’ offensive efficiency was impressive despite the result. They averaged 1.09 points per possession on 57% true shooting. Kelechi Okworogwo led the way, putting up 20 points to go along with eight boards. Elijah Wilson also contributed, adding another 16 points.

• The game pace (possessions per 40 minutes) of 61.1 was a season-low for Howard
• The game pace (possessions per 40 minutes) of 61.1 was a season-low for UMES
• The game had zero lead changes and three ties

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on March 4. Howard faces Delaware State at Burr Gymnasium, where the Bison will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, UMES will hope for a better result on the road when they take on Norfolk State at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.

DELAWARE STATE VS NORFOLK STATE

Delaware State snapped Norfolk State’s four-game win streak on Saturday evening, handing it an 85-71 loss at Memorial Hall. The Hornets went into halftime with a 23-point lead. Despite being outscored 46-37 in the second half, they were able to fend off the Spartans and hold on for the win.

Deywilk Tavarez was an efficient machine, contributing 31 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field to lead the way for Delaware State. As a whole, the Hornets were elite on the offensive side of the ball, racking up 1.14 points per possession on 54% shooting from the field. Three-point shooting was clearly a significant component of the offensive gameplan, as they knocked down 10-of-22 attempts from deep.

Norfolk State was led by Allen Betrand, who put up 15 points. The Spartans shot 26-of-59 (44%) from the field in this one, including 7-of-26 (27%) from the three-point line. That contributed to their game average of 0.96 points per possession on 53% true shooting.

• Delaware State recorded assists on a season-high 80% of made field goals
• Norfolk’s bench outscored Del State’s bench 38 to 11
• The teams combined to hit 17 threes

Each team has its next game on March 4. Delaware State heads to Burr Gymnasium to take on Howard, where the Hornets will hope their success follows them. Meanwhile, Norfolk State will be thankful to return home when they face struggling UMES at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS COPPIN STATE

North Carolina Central recorded its third straight win in dominating fashion, handing Coppin State an 83-58 loss at Physical Education Complex on Saturday evening. The Eagles started by building up a 14-point halftime lead, and sealed the game by outscoring the Eagles 45-34 over the final 20 minutes.

Keishon Porter led the way for North Carolina Central, putting up a game-high 21 points. Porter was not the sole contributor though. The Eagles’ offense delivered from many fronts, pouring in 1.33 points per possession on 52% shooting from the field. Three-point shooting was clearly a significant component of the offensive gameplan, as they knocked down 10-of-19 attempts from deep.

Malik Battle scored 16 points, while Justin Winston added another 13 to lead the way for Coppin State As a team, the Eagles had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.95 points per possession on 37% shooting from the field. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 24% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• North Carolina Central recorded assists on a season-high 79% of made field goals
• Coppin State recorded assists on 58% of attempted field goals
• There were zero lead changes or ties, with the Eagles leading the entire game

Both teams take the floor again on March 4. North Carolina Central takes on struggling Morgan State at Hill Field House, where the Eagles will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Coppin St. will try to turn its home stand around when they meet winning-streak riding South Carolina State at Physical Education Complex.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN VS SOUTHERN

Bethune-Cookman recorded its third straight win in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, defeating Southern 67-61. The Wildcats were down by two at the break and trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half, but they were still able to pull off the comeback.

Dhashon Dyson scored 23 points to lead the way for Bethune-Cookman. Zion Harmon was pivotal as well, shooting 4-of-5 in the second half for 17 points to power the Wildcats forward after the break. As a team, Bethune-Cookman shot 9-of-22 from the field in the second half, scoring 1.11 points per possession on average.

Southern was led by Derrick Tezeno, who recorded 12 points and seven boards. The Jags shot 22-of-49 from the field and 3-of-15 from behind the arc. That contributed to their game average of 0.89 points per possession on 50% true shooting.

• Bethune-Cookman outran Southern, outscoring them in transition 23 to 5
• Southern outscored Bethune-Cookman 32 to 14 in the paint
• The attendance of the game at the F.G. Clark Activity Center was 4,289

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on March 4. Bethune-Cookman heads to the FCH Assembly Center to take on Grambling State, where the Wildcats will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Southern will try to turn its home stand around when they host Florida A&M at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

ALABAMA A&M VS ALABAMA STATE

Alabama A&M broke its streak of two consecutive losses, defeating Alabama State in a 58-53 thriller on Saturday evening at the Event Center. The Hornets went into halftime with a one-point lead, but the Bulldogs would not go down without a fight. The sides exchanged the lead five times over the final 20 minutes, with Alabama A&M able to do just enough to come out on top.

Cameron Tucker scored 12 points to lead the way for Alabama A&M. As a whole, the Bulldogs were less than impressive on the offensive side of the ball, scoring just 0.91 points per possession on 37% shooting from the field. The transition game was a bright spot though, as 11 of the team’s points came on the fast break.

Isaiah Range recorded 17 points and five rebounds, and Antonio “TJ” Madlock contributed another 14 points to pace Alabama State. Collectively, the Hornets were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 27% of field goal attempts and 37% of three-point attempts. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 19% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• The game pace (possessions per 40 minutes) of 64.5 was a season-low for Alabama A&M
• Alabama State hit a new season-high 10 threes
• 6,389 cheering fans showed up to the Event Center in attendance

Both sides have until March 7 to rest up and practice. Alabama A&M takes on conference rival Grambling State at the Event Center, where the Bulldogs will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Alabama State will be thankful to return home when they meet winning-streak riding Grambling State at Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

GRAMBLING STATE VS FLORIDA A&M

Grambling State recorded its fourth straight win, handing Florida A&M a 75-68 loss at the FCH Assembly Center on Saturday evening. The Tigers went into halftime with a 42-32 lead and were able to hold off the Rattlers for the final 20 minutes.

Antwan Burnett and Jourdan Smith led the scoring for Grambling State, each contributing 18 points. As a whole, the Tigers were elite on the offensive side of the ball, racking up 1.12 points per possession on 55% shooting from the field. They put a particular emphasis on generating easy looks close to the hoop, shooting 26-of-40 on two-pointers, including 20-of-29 in the paint.

Offense was not the issue for the Rattlers. They scored their 68 points on 45% shooting from the field. Keith Lamar led the way, putting up 24 points to go along with five boards. Shannon Grant also contributed, adding another 14 points.

• Grambling State recorded a new season-low one steal
• Florida A&M was plagued by nine unforced turnovers (14% of possessions)
• The game had four lead changes and three ties

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on March 4. Grambling State takes on Bethune-Cookman at the FCH Assembly Center, where the Tigers will look to earn another win at home. Meanwhile, Florida A&M will hit the road once again when they face struggling Southern at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

TEXAS SOUTHERN VS JACKSON STATE

Texas Southern recorded its fourth straight win, handing Jackson State an 80-70 loss in a back-and-forth contest at Health & Physical Education Arena on Saturday evening. The Tigers went into halftime with a one-point lead, but the Tigers would not go down without a fight. The sides exchanged the lead 13 times over the final 20 minutes, with Texas Southern able to do just enough to come out on top.

PJ Henry scored 20 points to lead the way for Texas Southern. Henry was dangerous from three-point land, connecting on 4-of-8 attempts. Henry was not the sole contributor though. The Tigers’ offense delivered from many fronts, pouring in 1.13 points per possession on 48% shooting from the field. Three-point shooting was clearly a significant component of the offensive gameplan, as they knocked down 11-of-28 attempts from deep.

The Tigers’ offensive efficiency was impressive despite the result. They averaged 1.05 points per possession on 56% true shooting. Ken Evans led the way, putting up 19 points to go along with six boards. Rebounding was a different story entirely, as Jackson State was outrebounded 38-30 overall, and only 18% of the team’s missed shots resulted in second chances.

• Texas Southern outhustled Jackson State, outscoring them 14 to 4 on second chance points
• Jackson State recorded assists on 23% of attempted field goals
• The teams combined to hit 18 threes

Both teams take the floor again on March 4. Texas Southern faces Alcorn State at Health & Physical Education Arena, where the Tigers will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Jackson State will try to turn things around when they take on SWAC foe Prairie View A&M at William J. Nicks Building.

ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF VS MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated SWAC rival Mississippi Valley State University by a score of 78-69 on Saturday evening. The Golden Lions went into the break leading by one point, and then outscored the Delta Devils 44-36 over the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Rashad Williams scored 21 points to lead the way for Arkansas-Pine Bluff. That performance included an impressive 16 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s offense as a whole came out of the break with new energy. They shot 52% from the field in the second half, scoring 1.25 points per possession. This was a big improvement from their 41% shooting and 1.04 points per possession in the first half.

Mississippi Valley State University was led by Rayquan Brown, who recorded 39 points and eight boards. The Delta Devils shot 26-of-62 (42%) from the field in this one, including 10-of-32 (31%) from the three-point line. That contributed to their game average of 0.94 points per possession on 52% true shooting.

• Arkansas-Pine Bluff recorded assists on a season-high 100% of made field goals
• Mississippi Valley State University hit a new season-high 10 threes
• The teams combined to hit 24 threes

Both teams have their next games on March 7. Arkansas-Pine Bluff takes on Jackson State at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center, where the Golden Lions will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Mississippi Valley State University will hit the road once again when they take on Alcorn State at Davey L. Whitney Health & Physical Education Complex.

ALCORN STATE VS PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

Alcorn State handed Prairie View A&M its fifth consecutive loss in a 73-65 contest at William J. Nicks Building on Saturday evening. The Panthers went into halftime with a 33-30 lead, but were unable to hang on, as they were outscored by 11 points in the second half.

Jeremiah Gambrell scored 21 points to lead the way for Alcorn State. Dekedran Thorn was pivotal as well, shooting 3-of-4 in the second half for 10 points to power the Braves forward after the break. Alcorn State’s offense as a whole came out of the break with new energy. They shot 65% from the field in the second half, scoring 1.24 points per possession. This was a big improvement from their 37% shooting and 0.89 points per possession in the first half.

Prairie View A&M was led by Brian Myles, who recorded 22 points and 13 boards. As a team, the Panthers shot 43% (23-of-54) from the field and 31% (4-of-13) from distance. That netted out to an average of 0.98 points per possession.

• Alcorn’s bench outscored PVAMU’s bench 24 to 1
• Prairie View A&M recorded a new season-high six blocks
• One lead change and zero ties were recorded in the game

Both teams have their next games on March 4. Alcorn State takes on a confident Texas Southern squad at Health & Physical Education Arena, where the Braves will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M will try to turn its home stand around when they take on Jackson State at William J. Nicks Building.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T VS CAMPBELL

North Carolina A&T loss a nail-biter to Campbell on Saturday evening in a hard-fought 64-62 contest. The score was level after 20 minutes of play in a dynamic game that saw 14 different lead changes. The Fighting Camels had an edge in the second half, though, outscoring the Aggies 31-29.

Camian Shell scored 22 points while dishing out six assists to lead the way for North Carolina A&T. The Aggies shot 24-of-62 (39%) from the field in this one, including 9-of-27 (33%) from the three-point line. That netted out to an average of 0.96 points per possession.

Jasin Sinani and Anthony Dell’Orso led the scoring for Campbell, each contributing 14 points. As a team, the Fighting Camels found a groove shooting from distance. They converted 11-of-30 three-pointers, with those 11 made threes establishing a new one-game season best. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.01 points scored per possession on 51% true shooting.

• Campbell recorded assists on a season-high 79% of made field goals
• North Carolina A&T was plagued by five unforced turnovers (8% of possessions)
• The teams combined to hit 20 threes

Campbell earned a good win against a tough CAA rival. The Fighting Camels’ next matchup is a March 9 game against Monmouth at D.C. Entertainment and Sports Arena. NC A&T’s recent struggles continued with its loss this evening. The Aggies’ next contest is a March 8 neutral court matchup with William & Mary in Washington.

HAMPTON VS WILLIAM & MARY

Hampton falls to William & Mary in an 85-73 contest on Saturday afternoon at Kaplan Arena. The Tribe got out to a 43-35 lead by halftime, and then came out and outscored the Pirates again in the second half to come away with the victory.

The Pirates played well offensively in this one. They averaged 1.05 points per possession on 43% shooting from the field. Ja’Von Benson led the way, putting up 19 points to go along with nine boards. Despite shooting well overall, Hampton dug themselves an early hole. The team went down as much as 14 in the first half, and were ultimately unable to catch back up and push past William & Mary.

This win was led by a balanced scoring effort for William & Mary. Trey Moss led the scoring with 20 points. Gabe Dorsey added 19, while Sean Houpt also contributed 16 points. As a team, the Tribe went 29-of-64 from the field, while converting 12-of-18 at the free throw line. They relied on their deep shots, hitting 15-of-35 three-point attempts, including 14-of-33 from above the break.

• 69% of William & Mary’s field goals were assisted
• HU’s bench outscored William & Mary’s bench 41 to 10
• The teams combined to hit 21 threes

Both sides have until March 8 to rest up and practice. William & Mary takes on struggling North Carolina A&T at D.C. Entertainment and Sports Arena, where the Tribe will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Hampton will try to rebound when they take on Elon at D.C. Entertainment and Sports Arena.

TENNESSEE STATE VS UT MARTIN

Tennessee State loses to UT Martin in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center, defeating the Tigers 96-87. The Skyhawks trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half but made an improbable comeback to win the game.

Offense was not the issue for the Tigers. They scored their 87 points on 50% shooting from the field. Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. led the way, putting up 18 points and five assists. EJ Bellinger also contributed, adding another 15 points.

Jordan Sears scored 34 points to lead the way for UT Martin. That performance included an impressive 29 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. As a team, UT Martin shot 27-of-63 from the field and 32-of-34 from the line to put up an average of 1.29 points per possession.

• UT Martin outran Tennessee State, outscoring them in transition 31 to 17
• Tennessee State outscored UT Martin 34 to 20 in the paint
• The teams combined to hit 19 threes

UT Martin earned a good win against a tough OVC rival. The Skyhawks will face their next opponent, TBA, at the Ford Center on March 8. This afternoon’s defeat was another tough result for Tennessee State. It had lost in its last outing against Little Rock and was looking to rebound. The Tigers will look for redemption in their next game against Southern Ind., which has been struggling recently. That one is on March 6 at the Ford Center.

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WOMEN’S

MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE VS NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL

UMES took down North Carolina Central, one of the MEAC’s top teams, by a score of 71-64 on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks went into halftime with a 45-35 lead and were able to hold off the Eagles for the final 20 minutes.

Mya Thomas scored a game-high 15 points to lead the way for UMES. As a whole, the Hawks were less than impressive on the offensive side of the ball, scoring just 0.96 points per possession on 38% shooting from the field. Their cold shooting did not stop them from attacking, though. They drew 19 fouls on the defense, which ultimately led to 19 points on 76% shooting from the free throw line.

Tippy Robertson put up 13 points to lead North Carolina Central. The Eagles shot 23-of-55 from the field and 3-of-15 from behind the arc. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. North Carolina Central only mustered 0.86 points per possession on 47% true shooting.

• UMES committed 12 unforced turnovers (16% of possessions)
• North Carolina Central recorded assists on 57% of attempted field goals
• Mahogany Lester led all game players in plus-minus with a +18

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on Feb. 26. UMES takes on South Carolina State at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, where the Hawks will look to continue their road success. Meanwhile, North Carolina Central will try to turn things around when they take on MEAC foe Delaware State at McDougald-McLendon Arena.

HOWARD VS MORGAN STATE

Howard claimed a commanding 70-47 victory over Morgan State on Saturday afternoon. The Bison started by building up a 10-point halftime lead, and sealed the game by outscoring the Lady Bears 35-22 over the final 20 minutes.

Tyana Walker scored 21 points to lead the way for Howard. Walker was particularly effective from three-point land, knocking down 5-of-12 attempts. The transition game was a big factor in the Bison’s success, as 18 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.07 points scored per possession on 53% true shooting.

Morgan’s offense was led by Joelle Johnson, who scored 20 points. As a team, the Lady Bears shot 41% (19-of-46) from the field and 14% (1-of-7) from distance. A major factor in the loss was their subpar offensive efficiency. They scored just 0.7 points per possession on 45% true shooting.

• HU’s bench outscored Morgan’s bench 29 to 12
• Morgan State scored below 50 points for the 10th time this season
• One lead change and one tie were recorded in the game

Both teams take the floor again on Feb. 26. Howard takes on Coppin State at Burr Gymnasium, where the Bison will look to earn another win at home. Meanwhile, Morgan State will try to rebound when they host Norfolk State at Hill Field House.

ALABAMA A&M VS BETHUNE-COOKMAN

Alabama A&M handed Bethune-Cookman its fourth consecutive loss in a 63-58 contest at Moore Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs went into halftime with a 26-19 lead and were able to hold off the Wildcats for the final 20 minutes.

Amiah Simmons led the way for Alabama A&M, putting up a game-high 26 points. The Bulldogs’ offense was able to overcome shooting struggles in this one, accumulating their 63 points on 35% shooting from the field. Their shooting woes were alleviated by a relentless pursuit on the boards. Their 19 offensive rebounds led to 15 big second chance points.

Chanel Wilson scored 14 points, while Kayla Clark added another 12 to lead the way for Bethune-Cookman. As a team, the Wildcats had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.78 points per possession on 32% shooting from the field. It was a forgettable game from three-point range as the team collectively shot 3-of-16 from deep.

• 55% of AAMU’s field goals were assisted
• Bethune-Cookman outscored Alabama A&M 32 to 20 in the paint
• Amiah Simmons led all game players in plus-minus with a +9

Each team has its next game on Feb. 26. Alabama A&M meets Florida A&M at the Al Lawson Center, where the Bulldogs will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman will try to rebound when they face struggling Alabama State at Moore Gymnasium.

FLORIDA A&M VS ALABAMA STATE

Florida A&M ended its two-game losing skid, defeating Alabama State in a 70-66 contest on Saturday afternoon at the Al Lawson Center. The Lady Rattlers went into halftime with a 38-32 lead and were able to hold off the Lady Hornets for the final 20 minutes.

Sydney Hendrix secured their first 20-point scoring game of the season, putting up 22 points to lead Florida A&M. The Lady Rattlers’ ability to generate opportunities at the charity stripe was crucial to their success. They drew 15 personal fouls on the defense, which led to 16 points (76% shooting) from the free throw line. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.97 points scored per possession on 49% true shooting.

Alabama State was led by Cordasia Harris, who recorded 20 points and nine boards. The Lady Hornets shot 22-of-56 from the field and 3-of-12 from behind the arc. A major factor in the loss was their subpar offensive efficiency. They scored just 0.9 points per possession on 49% true shooting.

• Florida A&M recorded a new season-high five blocks
• Alabama State scored a season-high 32 first half points
• The game had three lead changes and four ties

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on Feb. 26. Florida A&M welcomes Alabama A&M to the Al Lawson Center, where the Lady Rattlers will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Alabama State will try to rebound when they take on SWAC foe Bethune-Cookman at Moore Gymnasium.

GRAMBLING STATE VS SOUTHERN

Grambling State earned an impressive SWAC win on Saturday afternoon, taking down Southern by a score of 59-57. The Lady Tigers went into halftime trailing 33-27 but outscored the Lady Jaguars by eight points in the second half to come back and win.

This win was led by a balanced scoring effort for Grambling State. Zayla Tinner led the scoring with 13 points. Jordyn Carter added 12, while Kahia Warmsley also contributed 10 points. The Lady Tigers’ ability to generate opportunities at the charity stripe was crucial to their success. They drew 21 personal fouls on the defense, which led to 14 points (58% shooting) from the free throw line. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.88 points scored per possession on 52% true shooting.

Aleighyah Fontenot scored nine points, while Taylor Williams added another nine to lead the way for Southern. Collectively, the Lady Jaguars were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 37% of field goal attempts and 45% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, Southern went 10-of-15.

• Grambling State committed 11 unforced turnovers (16% of possessions)
• SU’s bench outscored GSU’s bench 26 to 16
• 4,689 cheering fans showed up to the F.G. Clark Activity Center in attendance

Both teams have their next games on March 2. Grambling State takes on Florida A&M at the FCH Assembly Center, where the Lady Tigers will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Southern will try to rebound when they take on Bethune-Cookman at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M VS ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF

Prairie View A&M ended its five-game losing skid, defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a 66-57 contest on Saturday afternoon at H.O. Clemmons Arena. The Lady Panthers got out to a 32-24 lead by halftime, and then came out and outscored the Lady Lions again in the second half to come away with the victory.

Kayla Smith scored 20 points in an incredibly efficient 8-of-11 shooting performance to lead the way for Prairie View A&M. As a team, the Lady Panthers shot 52% from the field, 40% from behind the arc, and 45% from the free throw line. They were particularly effective at the rim, converting on 15-of-17 close range field goal attempts.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff was led by Maya Peat, who recorded 14 points and seven boards. As a team, the Lady Lions shot 39% (19-of-49) from the field and 25% (3-of-12) from distance. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Arkansas-Pine Bluff only mustered 0.85 points per possession on 46% true shooting.

• Prairie View A&M recorded assists on a season-high 72% of made field goals
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff was plagued by five unforced turnovers (7% of possessions)
• Eight lead changes and six ties were recorded in the game

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 26. Prairie View A&M takes on Mississippi Valley State University at Harrison HPER Complex, where the Lady Panthers will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Arkansas-Pine Bluff will try to turn things around when they face a Texas Southern team also coming off a loss. They will meet at H.O. Clemmons Arena.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE VS TEXAS SOUTHERN

Mississippi Valley State University handed Texas Southern its third consecutive loss in a 71-65 contest at Harrison HPER Complex on Saturday evening. The Devilettes went into halftime with a 37-26 lead and were able to hold off the Lady Tigers for the final 20 minutes.

Sh’Diamond McKnight was electric in this one, scoring 31 points to lead the way for Mississippi Valley State University. Despite McKnight’s performance, the team collectively struggled shooting the ball. They shot 36% from the field while scoring just 0.86 points per possession. Their shooting woes were alleviated by a relentless pursuit on the boards. Their 19 offensive rebounds led to 17 big second chance points.

Jaida Belton recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead the way for Texas Southern. As a team, the Lady Tigers shot 39% (24-of-61) from the field and 24% (4-of-17) from distance. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Texas Southern only mustered 0.78 points per possession on 45% true shooting.

• MVSU’s defense buoyed their offense, scoring 28 points off of 25 Texas Southern turnovers
• Texas Southern recorded assists on 29% of attempted field goals
• The Devilettes led from start to finish; there were zero lead changes or ties

Each team has its next game on Feb. 26. Mississippi Valley State University faces Prairie View A&M at Harrison HPER Complex, where the Devilettes will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Texas Southern will try to turn things around when they take on SWAC foe Arkansas-Pine Bluff at H.O. Clemmons Arena.

TENNESSEE STATE VS SIU EDWARDSVILLE

Tennessee State handed SIUE its third consecutive loss in a 75-65 contest at Gentry Center Complex on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Tigers went into the break leading by two points, and then outscored the Cougars 38-30 over the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Sanaa’ St. Andre scored 24 points while grabbing a season-high six boards to lead the way for Tennessee State. The Lady Tigers put a particular emphasis on generating easy looks close to the hoop, shooting 26-of-55 on two-pointers, including 40 points scored in the paint. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.98 points scored per possession on 50% true shooting.

Sofie Lowis recorded 14 points and five rebounds to lead the way for SIUE. As a team, the Cougars shot 38% (23-of-60) from the field and 39% (9-of-23) from distance. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. SIUE only mustered 0.84 points per possession on 49% true shooting.

• Tennessee State recorded a new season-high six blocks
• SIUE collected 11 steals, a season-best
• Lyric Cole led all game players in plus-minus with a +14

Tennessee State earned a good win against a tough OVC rival. The Lady Tigers will head to Little Rock for their next contest, a Feb. 29 matchup with Little Rock. SIUE’s recent struggles continued with its loss this afternoon. A Feb. 27 matchup with conference rival Eastern Ill. in Charleston is the Cougars’ next shot at a win.

MEN’S

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

North Carolina Central broke its streak of three consecutive losses, defeating UMES in an 88-55 rout on Saturday evening at McDougald-McLendon Arena. The Eagles started fast, accumulated a 14-point lead into the break. They didn’t let up in the second half either, increasing their lead to as large as 35 points.

Keishon Porter scored 22 points in an incredibly efficient 8-of-12 shooting performance to lead the way for North Carolina Central. The transition game was a big factor in the Eagles’ success, as 17 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.26 points scored per possession on 54% true shooting.

Troy Hupstead recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Devon Ellis contributed another 14 points to pace UMES. Collectively, the Hawks were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 36% of field goal attempts and 14% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, UMES went 12-of-14.

• North Carolina Central outran UMES, outscoring them in transition 17 to 6
• UMES scored below 60 points for the eighth time this season
• The Eagles led from start to finish; there were zero lead changes or ties

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 26. North Carolina Central takes on conference rival Delaware State at McDougald-McLendon Arena, where the Eagles will look to earn another win at home. Meanwhile, UMES will try to rebound when they head to the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center for a battle with South Carolina State.

NORFOLK STATE VS COPPIN STATE

Norfolk State recorded its third straight win, handing Coppin State a 68-66 loss at Physical Education Complex on Saturday evening. The Spartans’ lead was as large as 16 points in the first half, but they weren’t able to extend it any further. After a rough start, the Eagles played a competitive second half.

Tyrese Jenkins scored 21 points to lead the way for Norfolk State. Jenkins was particularly effective from three-point land, knocking down 7-of-10 attempts. The transition game was a big factor in the Spartans’ success, as 16 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.03 points scored per possession on 57% true shooting.

Malik Battle put up 27 points to lead Coppin State. The Eagles shot 16-of-49 (33%) from the field in this one, including 11-of-29 (38%) from the three-point line. That netted out to an average of 1.02 points per possession.

• Norfolk State recorded assists on a season-high 65% of made field goals
• Coppin State hit a new season-high 11 threes
• The teams combined to hit 20 threes

Both teams take the floor again on Feb. 26. Norfolk State takes on conference rival Morgan State at Hill Field House, where the Spartans will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Coppin State will try to turn things around when they meet a Howard side riding the momentum from a win in its last outing. That one will be played at Burr Gymnasium.

HOWARD VS MORGAN STATE

Howard defeated Morgan State by a score of 78-72 at Burr Gymnasium on Saturday evening. The Bison went into halftime trailing 37-35 but outscored the Bears by eight points in the second half to come back and win.

Shy Odom, Seth Towns, and Bryce Harris led the way for Howard, contributing 16, 15, and 12 points, respectively. The Bison’s ability to generate opportunities at the charity stripe was crucial to their success. They drew 22 personal fouls on the defense, which led to 24 points (86% shooting) from the free throw line. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.02 points scored per possession on 59% true shooting.

Morgan State was led by Kamron Hobbs, who put up 15 points. The Bears shot 26-of-57 (46%) from the field in this one, including 4-of-11 (36%) from the three-point line. That contributed to their game average of 0.94 points per possession on 54% true shooting.

• HU’s bench outscored Morgan’s bench 23 to 13
• Morgan State outscored Howard 26 to 16 on points off turnovers
• 2,064 cheering fans showed up to Burr Gymnasium in attendance

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 26. Howard takes on conference rival Coppin State at Burr Gymnasium, where the Bison will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Morgan State will be thankful to return home when they take on Norfolk State at Hill Field House.

FLORIDA A&M VS ALABAMA STATE

Florida A&M broke its streak of six consecutive losses, defeating Alabama State in a 73-65 thriller on Saturday evening at the Al Lawson Center. The Hornets went into halftime with a six-point lead, but the Rattlers would not go down without a fight. The sides exchanged the lead five times over the final 20 minutes, with Florida A&M able to do just enough to come out on top.

Keith Lamar scored 22 points to lead the way for Florida A&M. That performance included an impressive 18 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. Florida A&M’s offense as a whole came out of the break with new energy. They shot 60% from the field in the second half, scoring 1.3 points per possession. This was a big improvement from their 29% shooting and 0.71 points per possession in the first half.

Alabama State was led by Antonio “TJ” Madlock, who scored 20 points while collecting eight boards. As a team, the Hornets had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.93 points per possession on 32% shooting from the field. It was a forgettable game from three-point range as the team collectively shot 3-of-20 from deep.

• Florida A&M recorded a new season-high six blocks
• Alabama State outscored Florida A&M 15 to 5 on second chance points
• The game had six lead changes and five ties

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 26. Florida A&M takes on conference rival Alabama A&M at the Al Lawson Center, where the Rattlers will look to earn another win at home. Meanwhile, Alabama State will try to rebound when they take on Bethune-Cookman at Moore Gymnasium.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN VS ALABAMA A&M

Bethune-Cookman snapped Alabama A&M’s three-game win streak in thrilling fashion on Saturday evening, handing it a 63-61 loss at Moore Gymnasium. The Wildcats went into halftime with an eight-point lead, which was enough to survive the Bulldogs’ second half push.

Zion Harmon scored 15 points to lead the way for Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats’ offense was able to overcome shooting struggles in this one, accumulating their 63 points on 35% shooting from the field. However, they did maximize their opportunities, turning the ball over just 11 times (14% of possessions).

Jayland Randall led the way for Alabama A&M, scoring 17 points. The Bulldogs shot 21-of-42 (50%) from the field in this one, including 4-of-9 (44%) from the three-point line. That netted out to an average of 0.93 points per possession.

• 53% of BCU’s field goals were assisted
• Alabama A&M recorded assists on a season-high 90% of made field goals
• Zion Harmon recorded a game-high +7 plus-minus

Each team has its next game on Feb. 26. Bethune-Cookman takes on conference rival Alabama State at Moore Gymnasium, where the Wildcats will look to earn another win at home. Meanwhile, Alabama A&M will try to rebound when they meet a Florida A&M side riding the momentum from a win in its last outing. That one will be played at the Al Lawson Center

ALCORN STATE VS JACKSON STATE

Alcorn State defeated Jackson State on Saturday afternoon in a dynamic 87-73 overtime affair. Alcorn State went into halftime with a 36-34 lead, but Jackson State fought back to tie things up at the end of regulation. The Tigers could not finish the job though, as they were outscored 22-8 in overtime.

Byron Joshua scored 21 points to lead the way for Alcorn State. That performance included an impressive 10 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. As a team, Alcorn State shot 30-of-59 from the field and 20-of-23 from the line to put up an average of 1.23 points per possession.

Keionte Cornelius put up 19 points to lead Jackson State. The Tigers shot 28-of-57 from the field and 8-of-21 from behind the arc. That netted out to an average of 0.97 points per possession.

• Alcorn State recorded a new season-high five blocks
• Jackson State struggled on the boards with just 23 total rebounds, a season-worst
• Jeremiah Kendall recorded a game-high +18 plus-minus

Both teams take the floor again on March 2. Alcorn State meets Prairie View A&M at William J. Nicks Building, where the Braves will hope their success follows them. Meanwhile, Jackson State will try to rebound when they head to Health & Physical Education Arena for a battle with Texas Southern.

TEXAS SOUTHERN VS MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

Texas Southern claimed a commanding 73-52 victory over Mississippi Valley State University on Saturday evening. The Tigers started fast, accumulated a 12-point lead into the break. They didn’t let up in the second half either, increasing their lead to as large as 23 points.

PJ Henry scored 16 points to lead the way for Texas Southern. Henry was particularly effective from three-point land, knocking down 4-of-6 attempts. The transition game was a big factor in the Tigers’ success, as 17 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.05 points scored per possession on 60% true shooting.

Danny Washington put up 17 points to lead Mississippi Valley State University. The Delta Devils shot 17-of-45 (38%) from the field in this one, including 3-of-15 (20%) from the three-point line. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Mississippi Valley State University only mustered 0.78 points per possession on 46% true shooting.

• Texas Southern recorded a new season-high 12 steals
• Mississippi Valley State University was plagued by eight unforced turnovers (12% of possessions)
• Grayson Carter led all game players in plus-minus with a +19

Each team has its next game on Feb. 26. Texas Southern takes on conference rival Arkansas-Pine Bluff at H.O. Clemmons Arena, where the Tigers will look to continue their road success. Meanwhile, Mississippi Valley State University will try to turn its home stand around when they face struggling Prairie View A&M at Harrison HPER Complex.

GRAMBLING STATE VS SOUTHERN

Grambling State recorded its third straight win in dramatic fashion on Saturday evening at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, defeating Southern 63-57. The Tigers trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half but made an improbable comeback to win the game.

Terrence Lewis scored 16 points to lead the way for Grambling State. Tra’Michael Moton was pivotal as well, shooting 4-of-9 in the second half for 10 points to power the Tigers forward after the break. Grambling State’s offense as a whole came out of the break with new energy. They shot 54% from the field in the second half, scoring 1.31 points per possession. This was a big improvement from their 43% shooting and 0.73 points per possession in the first half.

Brandon Davis led the way for Southern, scoring 12 points. The Jags shot 21-of-51 (41%) from the field in this one, including 8-of-21 (38%) from the three-point line. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Southern only mustered 0.94 points per possession on 49% true shooting.

• Grambling State recorded assists on a season-high 73% of made field goals
• Southern recorded a new season-low three steals
• 7,198 cheering fans showed up to the F.G. Clark Activity Center in attendance

Both teams take the floor again on March 2. Grambling State faces Florida A&M at the FCH Assembly Center, where the Tigers will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Southern will try to turn its home stand around when they take on Bethune-Cookman at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF VS PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

Arkansas-Pine Bluff handed Prairie View A&M its third consecutive loss in a 72-59 contest at H.O. Clemmons Arena on Saturday evening. The Golden Lions went into the break leading by 12 points, and then outscored the Panthers 33-32 over the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Ismael Plet, Rashad Williams, and Lonnell Martin led the way for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, contributing 15, 13, and 12 points, respectively. The Golden Lions’ ability to generate opportunities at the charity stripe was crucial to their success. They drew 20 personal fouls on the defense, which led to 18 points (86% shooting) from the free throw line. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.97 points scored per possession on 58% true shooting.

Charles Lane Jr. led the way for Prairie View A&M, scoring 24 points. The Panthers shot 22-of-57 (39%) from the field in this one, including 5-of-23 (22%) from the three-point line. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Prairie View A&M only mustered 0.84 points per possession on 46% true shooting.

• Arkansas-Pine Bluff outscored Prairie View A&M in the paint 28 to 18
• Prairie View A&M scored below 60 points for the sixth time this season
• There were zero lead changes or ties, with the Golden Lions leading the entire game

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on Feb. 26. Arkansas-Pine Bluff welcomes Texas Southern to H.O. Clemmons Arena, where the Golden Lions will look to earn another win at home. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M will try to rebound when they face a Mississippi Valley State University team also coming off a loss. They will meet at Harrison HPER Complex.

HAMPTON VS NORTHEASTERN

Hampton’s two-game win streak was snapped by Northeastern on Saturday afternoon, losing 70-62 loss at Matthews Arena. The Huskies went into halftime with an 18-point lead. Despite being outscored 40-30 in the second half, they were able to fend off the Pirates and hold on for the win.

Tedrick Wilcox Jr. scored 19 points, while Ja’Von Benson added another 18 to lead the way for Hampton. Collectively, the Pirates were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 32% of field goal attempts and 24% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, Hampton went 15-of-18.

Chris Doherty scored 21 points in an incredibly efficient 8-of-12 shooting performance to lead the way for Northeastern. As a team, the Huskies shot 46% from the field, 22% from behind the arc, and 89% from the free throw line. They were particularly effective at the rim, converting on 16-of-22 close range field goal attempts.

• Northeastern outscored Hampton in the paint 36 to 24
• Hampton started slow, scoring a season-low 22 first half points
• The game had two lead changes and two ties

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 29. Northeastern meets Delaware at the Bob Carpenter Center, where the Huskies will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Hampton will try to rebound when they take on CAA foe Monmouth at the Convocation Center.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T VS MONMOUTH

North Carolina A&T falls to Monmouth 83-67 on Saturday afternoon. It was even more one-sided than the score line indicates, as the Hawks led by as many as 22 points.

North Carolina A&T was led by Landon Glasper, who scored 27 points while collecting five boards. Collectively, the Aggies were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 28% of field goal attempts and 35% of three-point attempts. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 18% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

Xander Rice and Klemen Vuga led the scoring for Monmouth, each contributing 12 points. The transition game was a big factor in the Hawks’ success, as 24 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.18 points scored per possession on 54% true shooting.

• Monmouth scored a season-high 45 points off the bench
• North Carolina A&T was plagued by four unforced turnovers (6% of possessions)
• The teams combined to hit 16 threes

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 29. Monmouth takes on conference rival Hampton at the Convocation Center, where the Hawks will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, North Carolina A&T will be thankful to return home when they take on Towson at the Ellis Corbett Sports Center.

TENNESSEE STATE VS SIU EDWARDSVILLE

Tennessee State snapped SIUE’s three-game win streak on Saturday afternoon, handing it a 76-71 loss at Gentry Center Complex. The Tigers went into halftime with an 11-point lead. Despite being outscored 46-40 in the second half, they were able to fend off the Cougars and hold on for the win.

This win was led by a balanced scoring effort for Tennessee State. Michael Shanks led the scoring with 16 points. Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. added 15, while Kinyon Hodges also contributed 11 points. The Tigers made a concerted effort to absorb contact and convert it into points. They drew 25 fouls on the defense, which led to a season-high 29 points on 74% shooting from the charity stripe. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.99 points scored per possession on 60% true shooting.

SIUE was led by Damarco Minor, who scored 31 points while collecting 12 boards. As a team, the Cougars had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.92 points per possession on 36% shooting from the field. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 37% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• Tennessee State outran SIUE, outscoring them in transition 29 to 19
• The game pace (possessions per 40 minutes) of 76.7 was a season-high for SIUE
• Kinyon Hodges recorded a game-high +9 plus-minus

Tennessee State earned a good win against a tough OVC rival. The Tigers’ next test is a matchup with Little Rock, which also won its last game, at the Jack Stephens Center on Feb. 29. This loss was a rare slip-up for SIUE, which had been playing well recently. The Cougars’ next game is against an Eastern Ill. side that is also recovering from a recent loss. They will square off on Feb. 27 at Lantz Arena.

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WOMEN’S

ARKANSAS PINE-BLUFF VS ALCORN STATE

Arkansas Pine-Bluff recorded its fifth straight win in dominating fashion, handing Alcorn State an 80-57 loss at H.O. Clemmons Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Lions started by building up a 16-point halftime lead, and sealed the game by outscoring the Lady Braves 37-30 over the final 20 minutes.

This win was led by a balanced scoring effort for Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Zaay Green led the scoring with 18 points. Maya Peat added 12, while Coriah Beck also contributed 11 points. The transition game was a big factor in the Lady Lions’ success, as 23 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.0 points scored per possession on 50% true shooting.

Nakia Cheatham recorded 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the way for Alcorn State. The Lady Braves shot 22-of-55 from the field and 2-of-15 from behind the arc. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Alcorn State only mustered 0.7 points per possession on 45% true shooting.

• Arkansas Pine-Bluff outran Alcorn State, outscoring them in transition 23 to 9
• The game pace (possessions per 40 minutes) of 80.6 was a season-high for Alcorn State
• 2,306 cheering fans showed up to H.O. Clemmons Arena in attendance

Both teams take the floor again on Feb. 12. Arkansas Pine-Bluff takes on Jackson State at H.O. Clemmons Arena, where the Lady Lions will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Alcorn State will hit the road once again when they head to Harrison HPER Complex for a battle with Mississippi Valley State University.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN VS PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

Bethune-Cookman ended its two-game losing skid, defeating Prairie View A&M in a 74-61 contest on Saturday afternoon at Moore Gymnasium. The Wildcats got out to a 38-37 lead by halftime, and then came out and outscored the Lady Panthers again in the second half to come away with the victory.

Kayla White led the way for Bethune-Cookman, putting up a season-high 19 points. As a whole, the Wildcats were elite on the offensive side of the ball, racking up 1.12 points per possession on 57% shooting from the field. The transition game was a big factor in their success, 22 of the team’s points came on the fast break.

Ryann Payne led the way for Prairie View A&M, scoring 18 points. The Lady Panthers shot 24-of-53 (45%) from the field in this one, including 3-of-11 (27%) from the three-point line. That netted out to an average of 0.91 points per possession.

• Bethune-Cookman hit one three in the game, a new season-low
• Prairie View A&M recorded assists on 54% of attempted field goals
• The game had eight lead changes and six ties

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 12. Bethune-Cookman meets Texas Southern at Moore Gymnasium, where the Wildcats will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M will try to rebound when they take on SWAC foe Florida A&M at the Al Lawson Center.

FLORIDA A&M VS TEXAS SOUTHERN

Florida A&M handed Texas Southern its third consecutive loss in a 71-57 contest at the Al Lawson Center on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Rattlers went into the break leading by seven points, and then outscored the Lady Tigers 40-33 over the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Ahriahna Grizzle scored 31 points to lead the way for Florida A&M. Grizzle was particularly effective from three-point land, knocking down 4-of-7 attempts. The Lady Rattlers put a particular emphasis on generating easy looks close to the hoop, shooting 24-of-47 on two-pointers, including 40 points scored in the paint. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.04 points scored per possession on 51% true shooting.

Texas Southern was led by Jordyn Turner, who recorded 25 points and 10 boards. The Lady Tigers shot 23-of-60 (38%) from the field in this one, including 6-of-18 (33%) from the three-point line. A major factor in the loss was their subpar offensive efficiency. They scored just 0.85 points per possession on 45% true shooting.

• The 14-point differential was FAMU’s largest margin of victory this season
• Texas Southern scored zero points off the bench, a season-worst
• Peryonna Sylvester led all game players in plus-minus with a +27

Neither side will have much time to rest before its next game, as both play next on Feb. 12. Florida A&M meets Prairie View A&M at the Al Lawson Center, where the Lady Rattlers will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Texas Southern will hit the road once again when they head to Moore Gymnasium for a battle with Bethune-Cookman.

TENNESSEE STATE VS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE

Tennessee State falls to Southeast Missouri State in a 48-47 thriller on Saturday afternoon at the Show Me Center. The Redhawks went into halftime with a four-point lead, which was enough to survive the Lady Tigers’ second half push.

Indiya Bowen and Alecia Doyle led the scoring for Southeast Missouri State, each contributing 18 points. As a whole, the Redhawks were less than impressive on the offensive side of the ball, scoring just 0.7 points per possession on 30% shooting from the field. That offensive output included 3-of-20 shooting from beyond the arc and 13-of-15 shooting on free throws.

Zyion Shannon scored 17 points, while Eboni Williams added another eight to lead the way for Tennessee State. Collectively, the Lady Tigers were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 29% of field goal attempts and 33% of three-point attempts. From the free throw line, Tennessee State went 11-of-16.

• Southeast Missouri State scored a season-low zero points off the bench
• Tennessee State’s bench outscored Southeast Missouri State’s bench 12 to 0
• The game had eight lead changes and nine ties

Southeast Missouri State finally put an end to its recent struggles. The Redhawks will head to Charleston, Ill for their next contest, a Feb. 15 matchup with Eastern Illinois. Tennessee State’s record dropped to 7-15 with the loss. The Lady Tigers will take on Tennessee Tech, which is coming off a win, at the Eblen Center on Feb. 13.

GRAMBLING STATE VS ALABAMA STATE

Grambling State blew past Alabama State in a 65-48 rout on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Tigers started strong, and then left nothing to chance. They went into halftime with a 12-point lead and then put a bow on the victory by outscoring the Lady Hornets 28-23 in the second half.

Zayla Tinner led the way for Grambling State, putting up a game-high 17 points. As a whole, the Lady Tigers were less than impressive on the offensive side of the ball, scoring just 0.88 points per possession on 41% shooting from the field. That offensive output included 4-of-15 shooting from beyond the arc and 19-of-29 shooting on free throws.

DaKiyah Sanders recorded nine points and five rebounds, and Cordasia Harris contributed another eight points to pace Alabama State. As a team, the Lady Hornets had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.66 points per possession on 34% shooting from the field. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 33% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• 57% of GSU’s field goals were assisted
• Alabama State scored below 50 points for the 14th time this season
• The Lady Tigers led from start to finish; there were zero lead changes or ties

Each team has its next game on Feb. 12. Grambling State takes on a confident Alabama A&M squad at the FCH Assembly Center, where the Lady Tigers will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Alabama State will try to turn things around when they take on SWAC foe Southern at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

SOUTHERN VS ALABAMA A&M

Southern snapped Alabama A&M’s two-game win streak on Saturday afternoon, handing it a 67-60 loss at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. The Lady Jaguars went into halftime trailing 34-31 but outscored the Bulldogs by 10 points in the second half to come back and win.

Aleighyah Fontenot scored 15 points in an incredibly efficient 5-of-7 shooting performance to lead the way for Southern. The Lady Jaguars’ offense was able to overcome shooting struggles in this one, accumulating their 67 points on 41% shooting from the field. Their shooting woes were alleviated by a relentless pursuit on the boards. Their 11 offensive rebounds led to 14 big second chance points.

Kaylah Turner recorded 20 points and five rebounds to lead the way for Alabama A&M. As a team, the Bulldogs shot 43% (25-of-58) from the field and 25% (3-of-12) from distance. A major factor in the loss was their subpar offensive efficiency. They scored just 0.84 points per possession on 47% true shooting.

• Southern committed six unforced turnovers (9% of possessions)
• Alabama A&M was plagued by nine unforced turnovers (13% of possessions)
• The game had 10 lead changes and nine ties

Each team has its next game on Feb. 12. Southern meets Alabama State at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, where the Lady Jaguars will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Alabama A&M will try to rebound when they take on Grambling State at the FCH Assembly Center.

JACKSON STATE VS MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

Jackson State recorded its 10th straight win in dominating fashion, handing Mississippi Valley State University a 70-54 loss at Harrison HPER Complex on Saturday evening. It was even more one-sided than the score line indicates, as the Lady Tigers led by as many as 23 points.

This win was led by a balanced scoring effort for Jackson State. Miya Crump led the scoring with 13 points. Zakiya Mahoney added 12, while Andriana Avent also contributed 11 points. The Lady Tigers’ ability to generate opportunities at the charity stripe was crucial to their success. They drew 25 personal fouls on the defense, which led to 19 points (63% shooting) from the free throw line. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.98 points scored per possession on 51% true shooting.

Jaylia Reed scored 20 points, while Sh’Diamond McKnight added another 15 to lead the way for Mississippi Valley State University. Collectively, the Devilettes were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 29% of field goal attempts and 30% of three-point attempts. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 33% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• Jackson State outscored Mississippi Valley State University in the paint 32 to 18
• Mississippi Valley State University recorded assists on 61% of attempted field goals
• The attendance of the game at Harrison HPER Complex was 2,209

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 12. Jackson State takes on Arkansas Pine-Bluff at H.O. Clemmons Arena, where the Lady Tigers will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Mississippi Valley State University will try to turn things around when they face struggling Alcorn State at Harrison HPER Complex.

MEN’S

NORTH CAROLINA A&T VS HOFSTRA

North Carolina A&T handed their third straight loss by Hofstra in an 81-49 loss at the Ellis Corbett Sports Center on Saturday afternoon. The Pride started by building up a 19-point halftime lead, and sealed the game by outscoring the Aggies 47-34 over the final 20 minutes.

German Plotnikov was an efficient machine, contributing 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field to lead the way for Hofstra. As a whole, the Pride were elite on the offensive side of the ball, racking up 1.23 points per possession on 51% shooting from the field. Three-point shooting was clearly a significant component of the offensive gameplan, as they knocked down 11-of-22 attempts from deep.

Camian Shell scored 14 points, while Ahmad Hamilton added another 11 to lead the way for North Carolina A&T. As a team, the Aggies had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.76 points per possession on 27% shooting from the field. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 37% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• Hofstra committed five unforced turnovers (8% of possessions)
• NC A&T’s 27% field goal percentage marked a season-low
• Jaquan Carlos recorded a game-high +31 plus-minus

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 15. Hofstra takes on conference rival Drexel at the Daskalakis Athletic Center, where the Pride will look to continue their road success. Meanwhile, North Carolina A&T will try to rebound when they take on UNCW at Trask Coliseum.

HAMPTON VS UNCW

Hampton falls to UNCW in a 95-65 loss at the Convocation Center on Saturday afternoon. The Seahawks started by building up a 21-point halftime lead, and sealed the game by outscoring the Pirates 49-40 over the final 20 minutes.

KJ Jenkins scored 16 points to lead the way for UNCW. As a whole, the Seahawks were elite on the offensive side of the ball, racking up 1.41 points per possession on 60% shooting from the field. The transition game was a big factor in their success, 19 of the team’s points came on the fast break.

Kyrese Mullen recorded 23 points and nine rebounds to lead the way for Hampton. The Pirates shot 24-of-61 from the field and 7-of-24 from behind the arc. A major factor in the loss was their subpar offensive efficiency. They scored just 0.94 points per possession on 48% true shooting.

• UNCW outscored Hampton in the paint 46 to 30
• Hampton was plagued by eight unforced turnovers (12% of possessions)
• The Seahawks led from start to finish; there were zero lead changes or ties

Both sides have until Feb. 15 to rest up and practice. UNCW takes on conference rival North Carolina A&T at Trask Coliseum, where the Seahawks will look to continue their solid play in their return home. Meanwhile, Hampton will try to turn things around when they meet a Stony Brook side riding the momentum from a win in its last outing. That one will be played at Island Federal Credit Union Arena.

ALCORN STATE VS ARKANSAS PINE-BLUFF

Alcorn State ended its two-game losing skid, defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a 68-56 contest on Saturday evening at H.O. Clemmons Arena. The Braves got out to a 29-28 lead by halftime, and then came out and outscored the Golden Lions again in the second half to come away with the victory.

Jeremiah Kendall, Jeremiah Gambrell, and Dekedran Thorn led the way for Alcorn State, contributing 16, 13, and 11 points, respectively. The transition game was a big factor in the Braves’ success, as 12 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.99 points scored per possession on 48% true shooting.

Kylen Milton led Arkansas-Pine Bluff, recording 19 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. As a team, the Golden Lions shot 38% (19-of-50) from the field and 22% (6-of-27) from distance. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Arkansas-Pine Bluff only mustered 0.79 points per possession on 47% true shooting.

• Alcorn State recorded assists on a season-high 68% of made field goals
• UAPB’s 56 points marked a new one-game low for the season
• Four lead changes and two ties were recorded in the game

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 12. Alcorn State meets Mississippi Valley State University at Harrison HPER Complex, where the Braves will look to continue their road success. Meanwhile, Arkansas-Pine Bluff will try to turn its home stand around when they face a Jackson State team also coming off a loss. They will meet at H.O. Clemmons Arena.

TEXAS SOUTHERN VS FLORIDA A&M

Texas Southern recorded its fourth straight win in dramatic fashion, handing Florida A&M a 78-75 overtime loss at the Al Lawson Center on Saturday evening. The Tigers went into halftime trailing Florida A&M 29-22 but were able to tie things up by the end of regulation. Momentum was on the Tigers’ side, as they continued to outscore the Rattlers 16-13 in overtime.

Zytarious Mortle scored 24 points to lead the way for Texas Southern. That performance included an impressive 12 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. As a team, Texas Southern shot 14-of-33 from the field in the second half, scoring 1.17 points per possession on average.

Keith Lamar recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way for Florida A&M. The Rattlers shot 29-of-59 (49%) from the field in this one, including 6-of-20 (30%) from the three-point line. That contributed to their game average of 0.96 points per possession on 57% true shooting.

• TXSO’s bench outscored FAMU’s bench 36 to 16
• Florida A&M recorded assists on 69% of attempted field goals
• Kolby Granger recorded a game-high +13 plus-minus

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 12. Texas Southern takes on Bethune-Cookman at Moore Gymnasium, where the Tigers will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Florida A&M will try to turn its home stand around when they take on SWAC foe Prairie View A&M at the Al Lawson Center.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE VS CHICAGO STATE

South Carolina State were dominant in victory, powering past Chicago State by a final score of 78-55 at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs started by building up a 17-point halftime lead, and sealed the game by outscoring the Cougars 40-34 over the final 20 minutes.

Omar Croskey was an efficient machine, contributing 19 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field to lead the way for South Carolina State. As a whole, the Bulldogs were elite on the offensive side of the ball, racking up 1.29 points per possession on 57% shooting from the field. Three-point shooting was clearly a significant component of the offensive gameplan, as they knocked down 10-of-20 attempts from deep.

Chicago St.’s offense was led by Jahsean Corbett, who scored 20 points. As a team, the Cougars shot 42% (17-of-40) from the field and 31% (5-of-16) from distance. That netted out to an average of 0.91 points per possession.

• South Carolina State set a season-best in field goal percentage at 57%
• Chicago St. struggled on the boards with just 20 total rebounds, a season-worst
• Caleb McCarty led all game players in plus-minus with a +27

South Carolina State is now 9-15 thanks to the win. The Bulldogs will head to Norfolk for their next contest, a Feb. 17 matchup with Norfolk State. Chicago St.’s record dropped to 11-17 with the loss. The Cougars will look for an improved outcome in their next game, a Feb. 14 faceoff with Eastern Ky. at Baptist Health Arena.

GRAMBLING STATE VS ALABAMA STATE

Grambling State earned an impressive SWAC win on Saturday evening, taking down Alabama State by a score of 74-68. The Tigers went into halftime with a 12-point lead. Despite being outscored 44-38 in the second half, they were able to fend off the Hornets and hold on for the win.

Kintavious Dozier scored 21 points while grabbing a season-high seven boards to lead the way for Grambling State. The Tigers’ ability to generate opportunities at the charity stripe was crucial to their success. They drew 19 personal fouls on the defense, which led to 22 points (69% shooting) from the free throw line. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.07 points scored per possession on 49% true shooting.

Bama St.’s offense was led by Antonio “TJ” Madlock, who scored 22 points. The Hornets shot 25-of-65 (38%) from the field in this one, including 6-of-25 (24%) from the three-point line. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Alabama State only mustered 0.94 points per possession on 47% true shooting.

• 43% of GSU’s field goals were assisted
• Alabama State outscored Grambling State 20 to 10 on second chance points
• Jalen Johnson led all game players in plus-minus with a +23

Each team has its next game on Feb. 12. Grambling State faces Alabama A&M at the FCH Assembly Center, where the Tigers will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Alabama State will try to rebound when they meet a Southern side riding the momentum from a win in its last outing. That one will be played at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

SOUTHERN VS ALABAMA A&M

Southern recorded its fifth straight win, handing Alabama A&M a 69-62 loss at the F.G. Clark Activity Center on Saturday evening. The Jags went into halftime trailing 28-25 but outscored the Bulldogs by 10 points in the second half to come back and win.

Brandon Davis scored 20 points to lead the way for Southern. That performance included an impressive 18 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. Southern’s offense as a whole came out of the break with new energy. They shot 50% from the field in the second half, scoring 1.12 points per possession. This was a big improvement from their 24% shooting and 0.7 points per possession in the first half.

Cameron Tucker recorded 12 points and six rebounds to lead the way for Alabama A&M. The Bulldogs shot 21-of-52 from the field and 4-of-13 from behind the arc. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. Alabama A&M only mustered 0.82 points per possession on 49% true shooting.

• Southern recorded a new season-high seven blocks
• Alabama A&M recorded assists on 33% of attempted field goals
• The game had three lead changes and two ties

Both teams take the floor again on Feb. 12. Southern meets Alabama State at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, where the Jags will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Alabama A&M will try to rebound when they take on Grambling State at the FCH Assembly Center.

JACKSON STATE VS MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

Jackson State ended its four-game losing skid, defeating Mississippi Valley State University in a 77-69 contest on Saturday evening at Harrison HPER Complex. The Tigers went into halftime trailing 36-34 but outscored the Delta Devils by 10 points in the second half to come back and win.

This win was led by a balanced scoring effort for Jackson State. Jordan O’Neal led the scoring with 18 points. Ken Evans added 17, while Treyon Johnson also contributed 11 points. The Tigers’ ability to generate opportunities at the charity stripe was crucial to their success. They drew 17 personal fouls on the defense, which led to 19 points (79% shooting) from the free throw line. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.18 points scored per possession on 53% true shooting.

The Delta Devils played well offensively in this one. They averaged 1.05 points per possession on 42% shooting from the field. Rayquan Brown led the way, putting up 20 points to go along with six boards. Donovan Sanders also contributed, adding another 18 points.

• Jackson State recorded assists on a season-low 22% of made field goals
• Mississippi Valley State University scored a season-high 36 first half points
• Jordan O’Neal led all game players in plus-minus with a +16

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 12. Jackson State takes on conference rival Arkansas Pine-Bluff at H.O. Clemmons Arena, where the Tigers will look to continue their road success. Meanwhile, Mississippi Valley State University will try to turn its home stand around when they meet an Alcorn State side riding the momentum from a win in its last outing. That one will be played at Harrison HPER Complex.

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The post HBCU Hoops Recap: February 10th, 2024 appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE VS NORFOLK STATE — MEN

Maryland Eastern Shore took down Norfolk State, one of the MEAC’s top teams, by a score of 69-60 on Monday evening. The Hawks got out to a 28-27 lead by halftime, and then came out and outscored the Spartans again in the second half to come away with the victory.

Devon Ellis scored 20 points in an incredibly efficient 8-of-10 shooting performance to lead the way for UMES. The Hawks made a concerted effort to absorb contact and convert it into points. They drew 22 fouls on the defense, which led to a season-high 22 points on 73% shooting from the charity stripe. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.97 points scored per possession on 53% true shooting.

Tyrel Bladen put up 16 points to lead Norfolk State. As a team, the Spartans shot 40% (24-of-60) from the field and 20% (4-of-20) from distance. A major factor in the loss was their subpar offensive efficiency. They scored just 0.86 points per possession on 44% true shooting.

• UMES’s bench outscored Norfolk’s bench 17 to 6
• Norfolk State recorded assists on 38% of attempted field goals
• Devon Ellis led all game players in plus-minus with a +15

UMES will face Bryn Athyn at home on Feb. 10, where the Hawks will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Norfolk State will try to rebound when they host South Carolina State on Feb. 17 at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.

ALABAMA A&M VS BETHUNE-COOKMAN — MEN

Alabama A&M took down one of the SWAC’s top teams, Bethune-Cookman, in a back-and-forth 72-68 thriller on Monday evening. The Wildcats went into halftime with a one-point lead, but the Bulldogs would not go down without a fight. The sides exchanged the lead 11 times over the final 20 minutes, with Alabama A&M able to do just enough to come out on top.

Omari Peek scored 16 points to lead the way for Alabama A&M. That performance included an impressive 11 points in the second half to ignite the team down the stretch. Alabama A&M’s offense as a whole came out of the break with new energy. They shot 52% from the field in the second half, scoring 1.21 points per possession. This was a big improvement from their 40% shooting and 0.9 points per possession in the first half.

Jakobi Heady led the way for Bethune-Cookman, scoring 16 points. The Wildcats shot 22-of-53 (42%) from the field in this one, including 7-of-22 (32%) from the three-point line. That contributed to their game average of 0.97 points per possession on 54% true shooting.

• AAMU’s bench outscored BCU’s bench 44 to 16
• Bethune-Cookman struggled on the boards with just 24 total rebounds, a season-worst
• 2,019 cheering fans showed up to the Event Center in attendance

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 10. Alabama A&M takes on a confident Southern squad at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, where the Bulldogs will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman will try to rebound when they take on Prairie View A&M at Moore Gymnasium.

NORFOLK STATE VS MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE — WOMEN

Norfolk State recorded its fifth straight win in dominating fashion, handing UMES an 80-59 loss at the Hytche Center on Monday evening. The Spartans started fast, accumulated a 22-point lead into the break. They didn’t let up in the second half either, increasing their lead to as large as 23 points.

Diamond Johnson scored 29 points to lead the way for Norfolk State. Johnson was dangerous from three-point land, connecting on 5-of-6 attempts. Johnson was not the sole contributor though. The Spartans’ offense delivered from many fronts, pouring in 1.16 points per possession on 58% shooting from the field. That offensive output included 6-of-14 shooting from beyond the arc and 14-of-17 shooting on free throws.

Zamara Haynes led the way for UMES, scoring 14 points. The Hawks shot 22-of-53 (42%) from the field in this one, including 6-of-19 (32%) from the three-point line. Their shooting was part of larger offensive struggles that contributed to the loss. UMES only mustered 0.83 points per possession on 48% true shooting.

• Norfolk State set a season-best in field goal percentage at 58%
• UMES recorded a season-low zero blocks
• There were zero lead changes or ties, with the Spartans leading the entire game

Both teams take the floor again on Feb. 17. Norfolk State meets South Carolina State at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall, where the Spartans will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, UMES will hope for a better result on the road when they head to Hill Field House for a battle with Morgan State.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS MORGAN STATE — WOMEN

North Carolina Central recorded its third straight win, handing Morgan State a 66-65 loss at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Monday evening. The Eagles went into halftime with a nine-point lead. Despite being outscored 35-27 in the second half, they were able to fend off the Lady Bears and hold on for the win.

This win was led by a balanced scoring effort for North Carolina Central. Morgan Callahan led the scoring with 17 points. Aniya Finger added 15, while Kyla Bryant also contributed 12 points. The Eagles put a particular emphasis on generating easy looks close to the hoop, shooting 21-of-42 on two-pointers, including 38 points scored in the paint. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 0.96 points scored per possession on 51% true shooting.

Amari Smith recorded 15 points and six rebounds to lead the way for Morgan State. As a team, the Lady Bears shot 38% (25-of-65) from the field and 27% (4-of-15) from distance. That netted out to an average of 0.95 points per possession.

• North Carolina Central committed 11 unforced turnovers (16% of possessions)
• Morgan State was plagued by five unforced turnovers (7% of possessions)
• The game had five lead changes and three ties

Both teams have their next games on Feb. 17. North Carolina Central takes on a confident Howard squad at Burr Gymnasium, where the Eagles will look to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, Morgan State will be thankful to return home when they face an UMES team also coming off a loss. They will meet at Hill Field House.

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Zion Harmon scored 23 points to lead the way for Bethune-Cookman. Harmon was particularly effective from three-point land, knocking down 4-of-8 attempts. The transition game was a big factor in the Wildcats’ success, as 27 of the team’s points came on the fast break. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.06 points scored per possession on 59% true shooting.

Ken Evans led Jackson State, recording 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Collectively, the Tigers were inefficient on offense. They converted on just 36% of field goal attempts and 36% of three-point attempts. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 37% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

KEY METRICS

• Bethune-Cookman outran Jackson State, outscoring them in transition 27 to 7
• Jackson State collected 16 steals, a season-best
• The teams combined to hit 16 threes

Both teams have their next games on Jan. 29. Bethune-Cookman welcomes Alcorn State to Moore Gymnasium, where the Wildcats will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Jackson State will hit the road once again when they take on SWAC foe Florida A&M at the Al Lawson Center.

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Check out the stats, trends, and key metrics for the upcoming MEAC games on Saturday, January 27th, 2024.

SWAC WOMEN

Florida A&M vs. Alcorn State

Florida A&M and Alcorn State are set to battle in this SWAC head-to-head on Saturday afternoon at the Al Lawson Center. The Lady Braves got the better of the Lady Rattlers in the teams’ last head-to-head matchup in February 2023 at Al Lawson Center, winning by a score of 73-67.

Florida A&M | OVR 3-13 | SWAC 2-3 (9th) | HOME 2-3

Despite their efforts, Florida A&M has struggled to secure offensive rebounds at the Al Lawson Center, with an average of just 11.4 per game in its home contests.

After allowing a generous 45.5% from the floor in their last five contests, the Lady Rattlers will be looking to put forward a strong defensive effort.

Alcorn State | OVR 4-12 | SWAC 2-3 (8th) | AWAY 1-10

Securing second opportunities has been a challenge for Alcorn State on the offensive end, averaging only 9.8 offensive rebounds throughout its past five games.

The Lady Braves’ rim protection has been impressive on the road this season. As the visiting team, they are averaging 3.6 blocks per game.

Key Metrics

• Florida A&M averages 0.81 points per possession for the season. This ranks seventh in the SWAC (conference average is 0.82).
• Alcorn State has allowed (on average) 0.93 points per defensive possession thus far this season. That value puts them eighth in the conference (SWAC average is 0.93).

Prairie View A&M vs. Alabama State

William Nicks Building is the venue for a SWAC showdown between Prairie View A&M and Alabama State this Saturday afternoon. In their last head-to-head encounter in January 2023, the Lady Hornets prevailed over the Lady Panthers at Dunn-Oliver Acadome, winning by a score of 77-74.

Prairie View A&M | OVR 6-9 | SWAC 2-3 (7th) | HOME 4-2

Ryann Payne showed out for Prairie View A&M with 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting in the team’s last matchup against Alcorn State. Payne (first on the team in total points) will look to keep the scoring up against the Lady Hornets’ defense.

William Nicks Building has witnessed several block parties this season, with the Lady Panthers averaging an impressive 4.7 blocks per game on their home court.

Alabama State | OVR 1-15 | SWAC 1-4 (11th) | AWAY 1-11

Alabama State has struggled to make shots away from its home court. As visitors, the Lady Hornets are converting on just 32.8% of their field goal attempts.

The Lady Hornets have a season average of 3.6 blocks per game. They are led by Cordasia Harris, who has blocked 24 shots on the year (sixth in the SWAC).

Key Metrics

• Prairie View A&M averages 0.85 points per possession for the season. This ranks sixth in the SWAC (conference average is 0.82).
• Alabama State has allowed (on average) 1.1 points per defensive possession thus far this season. That value puts them 12th in the conference (SWAC average is 0.91).

Get ready for an HBCU women’s basketball matchup this Saturday afternoon as Bethune-Cookman takes on Jackson State. The Lady Tigers took down the Wildcats in their most recent face-off at Moore Gymnasium in February 2023. The final score in that one was 77-52.

Bethune-Cookman vs. Jackson State

Bethune-Cookman | OVR 12-6 | SWAC 3-2 (3rd) | HOME 6-2

Over its last five games, Bethune-Cookman has scored an average of 71.4 points per game, a figure in line with its season average of 70.3.

The Wildcats average 11.7 steals per game and 2.5 blocks per game. Kayla Clark and Kerrighan Dunn have been the team’s defensive leaders in the two categories, with Clark averaging 1.0 blocks per game and Dunn averaging 2.3 steals per game.

Jackson State | OVR 9-6 | SWAC 5-0 (1st) | AWAY 3-5

Miya Crump led Jackson State in the team’s last matchup against Texas Southern, scoring 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Crump now comes into this matchup averaging 10.6 points per game on 37.6% shooting for the season.

Opponents have averaged 25.2% shooting from beyond the arc against Jackson State this season, but the Lady Tigers have improved recently, only allowing 15.9% shooting on three-pointers over their last five contests.

Key Metrics

• Bethune-Cookman tends to start hot. The team averages 34.9 first-half points per game, third best in the SWAC (conference average is 29.7).
• Jackson State runs a deliberate, slow-paced offense. The team averages just 71.1 possessions per 40 minutes, which ranks as the second-slowest in the SWAC. The Lady Tigers score approximately 0.95 points per possession in their methodical offensive approach.

Southern vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Southern and Arkansas Pine-Bluff are set to battle in this HBCU head-to-head on Saturday afternoon at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. The Lady Jaguars got the better of the Lady Lions in the team’s last head-to-head matchup in March 2023 at Bartow Arena, winning by a score of 62-53.

Southern | OVR 5-11 | SWAC 3-2 (6th) | HOME 3-1

Bench production has been a major facet of Southern’s game of late. Over their last five games, the Lady Jaguars have averaged 28.2 bench points per contest.

The Lady Jaguars have delivered a series of impressive defensive performances at home this season. Southern has held visitors to the F.G. Clark Activity Center to just 48.0 points per game.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff | OVR 8-10 | SWAC 3-2 (5th) | AWAY 3-5

Arkansas-Pine Bluff does not need to be on its home court to light up the scoreboard. The Lady Lions maintain an impressive average of 75.0 points per away game.

Boxing out has been a recent focus for Arkansas-Pine Bluff. In their last five games, the Lady Lions have managed an average of 26.2 defensive rebounds.

Key Metrics

• Southern turns the ball over 16.3 times per game for the season. This is the third fewest per game in the SWAC (conference average is 19.1 turnovers per game).
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff is a great second half team. The Lady Lions average 40.1 second half points per game, which is best in the SWAC (conference average is 30.8).

Grambling State vs. Mississippi Valley State

This Saturday afternoon, Grambling State is set to take on Mississippi Valley State in an HBCU women’s basketball showdown in Grambling. The Lady Tigers took down the Devilettes in their most recent face-off at Harrison HPER Complex in January 2023. The final score in that one was 71-57.

Grambling State | OVR 10-6 | SWAC 4-1 (2nd) | HOME 7-1

Anijah Grant comes in trending upwards. Grant has averages of 8.6 points and 5.7 boards per game for Grambling State thus far this season and is ranked first on the team for total rebounds. Grant arrives off a 10-point, 9-rebound performance in the Lady Tigers’ last game against Southern.

In its most recent five games, Grambling State has encountered challenges in defending the three-pointer. During this period, opponents have been particularly accurate, shooting at a 35.5% rate from beyond the arc, which is an increase from a season-long average of 30.9%.

Mississippi Valley State | OVR 2-17 | SWAC 1-5 (12th) | AWAY 2-10

Recently, Mississippi Valley State has seen a rise in second chances. The Devilettes recorded an average of 13.6 offensive rebounds per game in their last five outings, marking an increase from their season average of 12.2.

The Devilettes have a season average of 3.7 blocks per game. They are led by Amberly Brown, who has blocked 28 shots on the year (third in the SWAC).

Key Metrics

• Grambling State tends to start hot. The team averages 39.8 first half points per game, best in the SWAC (conference average is 29.3).
• Mississippi Valley State averages 0.69 points per possession for the season. This ranks 11th in the SWAC (conference average is 0.84).

SWAC MEN

Bethune-Cookman vs. Jackson State

Moore Gymnasium will be the host for an exciting HBCU clash between Bethune-Cookman and Jackson State on Saturday evening. The Tigers outperformed the Wildcats in their recent face-off at Moore Gymnasium in February 2023, securing a 91-64 victory.

Bethune-Cookman | OVR 8-10 | SWAC 3-2 (5th) | HOME 6-1

Jakobi Heady showed out for Bethune-Cookman with 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting in the team’s last matchup against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Heady (first on team in total points) will look to keep the scoring up against the Tigers’ defense.

Defending the perimeter has been a struggle of late for the Wildcats. Opponents have averaged 37.1% shooting from three in Bethune-Cookman’s last five games.

Jackson State | OVR 8-10 | SWAC 4-1 (2nd) | AWAY 4-9

Jackson State does not need to be on its home court to light up the scoreboard. The Tigers maintain an impressive average of 68.7 points per away game.

Jordan O’Neal has been a leader for the Tigers this year protecting the paint. O’Neal has 30 rejections on the year (1.7 per game), ranking first out of all players in the SWAC.

Key Metrics

• Bethune-Cookman tends to start hot. The team averages 36.1 first half points per game, second best in the SWAC (conference average is 31.5).
• Jackson State averages 0.98 points per possession for the season. This ranks fifth in the SWAC (conference average is 0.96).

Florida A&M vs. Alcorn State

Don’t miss the action as Florida A&M and Alcorn State face off this Saturday evening in Tallahassee. The Braves emerged victorious against the Rattlers in their last meeting at Al Lawson Center in February 2023, with a final score of 67-64.

Florida A&M | OVR 3-12 | SWAC 1-4 (11th) | HOME 1-3

Shannon Grant led Florida A&M in the team’s last matchup against Mississippi Valley State, scoring 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Grant now comes into this matchup averaging 9.5 points per game on 61.0% shooting for the season.

Rim protection has posed a challenge for the Rattlers, even with a supportive crowd. They’ve averaged just 1.5 blocks per home game this season.

Alcorn State | OVR 3-15 | SWAC 2-3 (9th) | AWAY 1-14

The Braves do not let opposing crowds phase them, with an impressive 41.2% accuracy on field goal attempts on the road.

The Braves have a season average of 1.6 blocks per game. They are led by Jeremiah Kendall, who has blocked eight shots on the year (17th in the SWAC).

Key Metrics

• Florida A&M has allowed (on average) 1.16 points per defensive possession thus far this season. That value puts them 10th in the conference (SWAC average is 1.08).
• Alcorn State prioritizes taking care of the ball. The Braves average just 12.0 turnovers per game, which ranks as the second fewest per game in the SWAC this season (conference average is 14.1 turnovers per game).

Texas Southern vs. Alabama A&M

Health & Physical Education Arena will be the host for an exciting HBCU clash between Texas Southern and Alabama A&M on Saturday evening. The Bulldogs suffered a defeat at the hands of the Tigers in their last head-to-head encounter at Bartow Arena in March 2023, with a final score of 74-61.

Texas Southern | OVR 5-12 | SWAC 3-3 (7th) | HOME 2-2

Recently, Texas Southern’s offense has benefited from extra opportunities. The Tigers averaged 10.6 second chance points in their last five games, a notable increase from their season average of 8.0.

Visiting teams have let it fly from three at Health & Physical Education Arena. Texas Southern has allowed an average of 8.5 made three-pointers per home game this season.

Alabama A&M | OVR 3-15 | SWAC 2-3 (9th) | AWAY 2-9

Alabama A&M will hope this contest marks the end of its poor three-point shooting away from home. Opposing crowds have frazzled the Bulldogs into shooting just 24.4% from distance.

Opponents have averaged 38.3% shooting from beyond the arc against Alabama A&M this season, but the Bulldogs have improved recently, only allowing 34.0% shooting on three-pointers over their last five contests.

Key Metrics

• Texas Southern turns the ball over 12.1 times per game for the season. This is the third fewest per game in the SWAC (conference average is 14.0 turnovers per game).
• Alabama A&M averages 0.94 points per possession for the season. This ranks ninth in the SWAC (conference average is 0.97).

Southern vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Baton Rouge will be the host Saturday evening as Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff go head-to-head. The Jags fell short against the Golden Lions in their most recent head-to-head Pine Bluff clash in January 2023, losing by a score of 62-55.

Southern | OVR 9-9 | SWAC 3-2 (4th) | HOME 6-0

Trips to the charity stripe have been frequent for Southern. The Jags have averaged 22.8 free throw attempts over their last five contests.

Opponents have struggled to find their three-point range when visiting the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Southern has limited them to an average of just 4.5 made three-pointers per home game this season.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff | OVR 8-10 | SWAC 3-2 (5th) | AWAY 2-7

Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s second unit has had its struggles on the road this season. The Golden Lions have averaged a mere 9.8 bench points per game in away games.

Teams have struggled scoring against Arkansas-Pine Bluff as of late. In the Golden Lions’ last five games, they’ve only allowed an average of 76.4 points per game, a significant decrease from their season average of 85.7.

Key Metrics

• Southern is a great second half team. The Jags average 39.3 second half points per game, which is second best in the SWAC (conference average is 36.9).
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff tends to start hot. The team averages 39.6 first half points per game, best in the SWAC (conference average is 31.2).

Prairie View A&M vs. Alabama State

William J. Nicks Building will be the host for an exciting HBCU clash between Prairie View A&M and Alabama State on Saturday evening. The Hornets got the better of the Panthers in the teams’ last head-to-head matchup in January 2023 at Dunn-Oliver Acadome, winning by a score of 56-55.

Prairie View A&M | OVR 7-11 | SWAC 2-3 (8th) | HOME 3-0

Charles Smith IV was on fire from deep in Prairie View A&M’s last matchup against Alcorn State. Smith IV scored 19 points on 3-of-6 shooting from three. This points to a recent upwards shooting trend. Smith IV averages 13.4 points per game and 1.3 made threes per game and ranks second on Prairie View A&M and 17th in the SWAC in three-pointers made this season.

Rim protection has posed a challenge for the Panthers, even with a supportive crowd. They’ve averaged just 1.3 blocks per home game this season.

Alabama State | OVR 7-9 | SWAC 4-1 (1st) | AWAY 2-7

Dominating the offensive glass has been a hallmark of Alabama State’s play on the road. In their away games, the Hornets are securing an average of 13.3 offensive rebounds per game.

Ubong Okon has been a leader for the Hornets this year protecting the paint. Okon has 18 rejections on the year (1.1 per game), ranking third out of all players in the SWAC.

Key Metrics

• Prairie View A&M plays at the third fastest pace in the SWAC. The team averages 73.7 possessions per 40 minutes (SWAC average is 71.2) and scores approximately 0.96 points per possession.
• Alabama State prioritizes taking care of the ball. The Hornets average just 11.4 turnovers per game, which ranks as the fewest per game in the SWAC this season (conference average is 14.1 turnovers per game).

Grambling State vs. Mississippi Valley State

The FCH Assembly Center will be the host for an exciting HBCU clash between Grambling State and Mississippi Valley State on Saturday evening. The Delta Devils will look for a better result this time around. They lost to the Tigers in their last showdown in January 2023 at Harrison HPER Complex, with the score of that game 65-61.

Grambling State | OVR 7-11 | SWAC 4-1 (3rd) | HOME 5-1

Grambling State has gotten to the stripe more frequently in their last five outings, averaging 21.4 free throw attempts per game in that span, a marked increase from their season average of 18.4.

Rim protection has posed a challenge for the Tigers, even with a supportive crowd. They’ve averaged just 2.7 blocks per home game this season.

Mississippi Valley State | OVR 0-19 | SWAC 0-6 (12th) | AWAY 0-15

Mississippi Valley State’s second unit has had its struggles on the road this season. The Delta Devils have averaged a mere 12.9 bench points per game in away games.

The Delta Devils have improved their shot-blocking in the last five games, averaging an increased 3.2 blocks, up from their season average of 1.9.

Key Metrics

• Grambling State prefers to play methodically and execute in the half-court. The Tigers play at the second slowest pace in the SWAC. They average 67.8 possessions per 40 minutes, compared to the SWAC average of 71.8.
• Mississippi Valley State runs a deliberate, slow-paced offense. The team averages just 66.3 possessions per 40 minutes, which ranks as the slowest in the SWAC. The Delta Devils score approximately 0.79 points per possession in their methodical offensive approach.

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UCF | OVR 8-3 | Big 12 0-0 | HOME 6-2

UCF has excelled in obtaining second chance points in recent games, with an average of 12.4 per game over their last five.

Addition Financial Arena has witnessed several block parties this season, with the Knights averaging an impressive 5.8 blocks per game on their home court.

Bethune-Cookman | OVR 5-6 | SWAC 0-0 | AWAY 1-4

Dominating the offensive glass has been a hallmark of Bethune-Cookman’s play on the road. In their away games, the Wildcats are securing an average of 12.6 offensive rebounds per game.

The Wildcats have racked up impressive steal totals in their last five contests, averaging 10.4 per game in that span.

Key Metrics

• UCF plays at the second fastest pace in the Big 12. The team averages 71.5 possessions per 40 minutes (Big 12 average is 69.8) and scores approximately 1.06 points per possession.
• Bethune-Cookman’s defense stacks up with any team in the SWAC. The team allows just 0.94 points per defensive possession, which places them first in the conference (SWAC average is 1.14).

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Chanel Wilson scored a game-high 18 points to lead the way for Bethune-Cookman. As a whole, the Wildcats were less than impressive on the offensive side of the ball, scoring just 0.92 points per possession on 36% shooting from the field. They found an advantage on the fast break though, accumulating 12 points in transition.

Edyn Battle recorded 29 points and seven rebounds, and Saniyah Craig contributed another 14 points to pace Jacksonville. As a team, the Dolphins had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.86 points per possession on 36% shooting from the field. It was a forgettable game from three-point range as the team collectively shot 2-of-12 from deep.

• Bethune-Cookman committed 12 unforced turnovers (16% of possessions)
• Jacksonville was plagued by seven unforced turnovers (10% of possessions)
• Isamery Telleria recorded a game-high +12 plus-minus

Both teams play the same opponent for their next game. Bethune-Cookman matches up with FIU on Dec. 3, while Jacksonville faces the Panthers on Dec. 1.

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Jackson State leads the SWAC with nearly 30k. That’s an impressive number, but it is a significant drop from its 2022 number. Norfolk State got a slight bump as it led the MEAC. North Carolina A&T got another sellout it’s first season in the CAA.

Here are the numbers of attendance at each HBCU homecoming game. All numbers were taken from official box scores from each school’s athletic website.

MEAC

Norfolk State-24,976

South Carolina State-22,269

North Carolina Central-13,626

Howard-7,684

Delaware State-6,300

Morgan State-Canceled

SWAC

Jackson State-30,947

Alabama A&M-26,391

Florida A&M-22,338

Southern-21,492

Alcorn State-21,012

Alabama State-17,995

Prairie View A&M-14,224

Arkansas-Pine Bluff-13,469

Bethune-Cookman-9,458

Mississippi Valley State-8,752

Grambling State-8,657

Texas Southern-6,352

CAA

North Carolina A&T-21,500

Hampton-13,811

CIAA

Winston-Salem State-8,200

Virginia Union-5,250

Shaw-5,022

Livingstone – 4,501

Bowie State-4,395

St. Augustine’s-3,719

Fayetteville State-3,680

Elizabeth City State-3,579

Johnson C. Smith-3,452

Virginia State-3,409

Lincoln (PA)-2,117

Bluefield State-N/A

SIAC

Tuskegee-31,726

Clark Atlanta-19,597

Savannah State-12,723

Fort Valley State-12,113

Morehouse-10,213

Benedict-8,589

Albany State-8,371

Kentucky State-2,898

Edward Waters-2,472

Lane-1,753

Allen-905

Central State-N/A

Miles-N/A

Other

Tennessee State-13,975

West Virginia State-3,954

Lincoln (MO)-3,333

Virginia University-Lynchburg-1,753

Florida Memorial-1,200

Langston-N/A

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Aliyah Matharu scored 25 points while recording six assists to lead the way for Florida. The Gators put a particular emphasis on generating easy looks close to the hoop, shooting 24-of-40 on two-pointers, including 44 points scored in the paint. Efficiency metrics evaluated the offense at an average of 1.06 points scored per possession on 58% true shooting.

Bethune-Cookman was led by Chanel Wilson‘s 18 points and five assists, while O’Mariyah Tucker contributed another 16 points. As a team, the Wildcats had some offensive struggles, scoring just 0.9 points per possession on 35% shooting from the field. They were heavily challenged on field goal attempts in the paint, scoring just 35% of their total points on those shot attempts near the hoop.

• Florida outscored Bethune-Cookman in the paint 44 to 24
• Bethune-Cookman recorded assists on 55% of attempted field goals
• Aliyah Matharu recorded a game-high +18 plus-minus

Florida is now 2-0 thanks to the win. The Gators will welcome Florida St. to the Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Nov. 17 for their next game. This evening’s defeat was another tough result for Bethune-Cookman. It had lost in its last outing against UCF and was looking to rebound. The Wildcats will hope for a better result in their next game, a Nov. 15 visit by Iona to Daytona Beach.

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Bethune-Cookman (1-7 Overall, 0-5 in SWAC)

The Wildcats will look to improve their standing in the SWAC – East by adding another win to their 0-5 conference record. They are scoring an average of 18.1 points per contest, with a total of 19 touchdowns on the year. The Wildcats’ defense is conceding an average of 30.1 points per game.

Tailback Jimmie Robinson III will be leading Bethune-Cookman in this one. Robinson III has rushed for 284 yards this season, scoring two touchdowns on the ground.

Bethune-Cookman has a committee rushing offense. No one player accounts for more than 31% of its rush attempts.

The Wildcats’ record sits at 0-3 for their last three games, allowing over 20 points in each of those matchups. They are 1-1 at home so far this year, averaging 31.0 points per game in those games. Bethune-Cookman is looking for their first FCS HBCU win this year, as they’re currently 0-5 in DI HBCU match ups.

Mississippi Valley State (1-7 Overall, 1-4 in SWAC)

The Delta Devils’ performance this season has been uninspiring, both offensively and defensively. They’ve only been averaging 245 yards of total offense per game. To make matters worse, opposing offenses have been racking up 405 yards per game against Mississippi Valley State’s defense. They’ve had considerable trouble against the pass this year. Quarterbacks have had their way with this secondary, which allows 7.3 yards per pass attempt.

Tailback Jared Wilson will be leading Mississippi Valley State in this one. Wilson has collected 324 rush yards this season, scoring two touchdowns on the ground.

Mississippi Valley State loves to get their quarterback involved in the ground game, with 39% of their rush attempts coming from their signal caller.

The Delta Devils’ record sits at 1-2 for their last three games, averaging 289 offensive yards per game during those games. They are 0-3 on the road so far this year, averaging 7.3 points per game in those games. Mississippi Valley State is 1-5 in FCS HBCU games, averaging 12.2 points per game in those games.

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Grambling (3-4 Overall, 2-2 in SWAC)

The Tigers come into this contest with a 3-4 record on the season. They are scoring an average of 31.0 points per contest, with a total of 28 touchdowns on the year. The Tigers’ defense is conceding an average of 414 yards and 34.6 points per game.

Quarterback Myles Crawley will be leading Grambling in this one. Crawley has averaged 228.0 pass yards per game with season totals of 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Grambling’s offense is constantly looking to get their star receiver involved. Antonio Jones has been on the receiving end of 30% of the team’s passing yardage this season.

Grambling went 4-8 in 2022. They are 2-1 at home so far this year, averaging 39.0 points per game in those games. Grambling has lost three straight matchups against Bethune-Cookman since Sep 12, 2015.

Bethune-Cookman (1-6 Overall, 0-4 in SWAC)

The Wildcats’ record sits at 1-6 on the season coming into this game. They are averaging 18.7 points per contest, while accumulating a total of 17 touchdowns so far this year. Their defense allows an average of 400 yards and 30.4 points per game.

Keep your eyes on Omari Stewart downfield. Stewart showed out in Bethune-Cookman’s last game, collecting six receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown in the team’s loss.

Bethune-Cookman’s ground game is unique, with 33% of their rush attempts coming from the QB position.

The Wildcats’ record sits at 0-3 for their last three games, averaging 21.0 points per game over that span. They are 0-4 on the road so far this year, averaging 12.8 points per game in those games. Bethune-Cookman is looking for their first SWAC win this year, as they’re currently 0-4 in conference games this season.

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Alabama State fans looking for an explosive shootout, this was not the game. Alabama State out battled Bethune-Cookman in a defensive struggle to claim the ugly 19-14 win.

Isaiah Scott had four catches for 66 yards and one touchdown to lead Alabama State. Scott got help as well, particularly from Marcus Harris II and Damon Stewart. The Hornets found success in key moments as they collected 312 total offensive yards on the day.

Jimmie Robinson III starred in the ground game for Bethune-Cookman, rushing for one touchdown. The Wildcats had a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter, but couldn’t put together a full 60 minutes.

Key Metrics to Victory: Alabama State

• Play selection – leaned on the run game, with a 63-37 run-pass split with 39 rushing attempts and 23 passing attempts
• Possession – controlled the ball for 30:54 (51% of the game)
• Red zone efficiency – converted on 100% of red zone trips as opposed to Bethune-Cookman’s 67% efficiency

Both teams take the field again on Oct. 14. Alabama State faces Jackson State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, where the Hornets will look for a repeat of their success here this afternoon. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman will try to rebound when they meet a Texas Southern side riding the momentum from a win in its last outing. That one will be played at Daytona Stadium.

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Alabama State (1-3 Overall, 0-2 in SWAC)

The Hornets’ season thus far has resulted in a 1-3 record. Their offense has had its fair share of struggles this season. In total, they’re only scoring an average of 15.3 points a game. The Hornets’ defense is conceding an average of 19.3 points per game.

Marcus Harris II gears up after an impressive performance in Alabama State’s last game. Harris II rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown in the team’s loss.

Alabama State boasts a versatile ground game. Quarterback runs make up 32% of their rushing attempts this season.

The Hornets’ record sits at 0-3 for their last three games, allowing over 20 points in each of those matchups. They are 1-2 at home so far this year, averaging 17.0 points per game in those games. Alabama State has won two straight matchups against Bethune-Cookman since Sep 25, 2021.

Bethune-Cookman (1-3 Overall, 0-1 in SWAC)

The Wildcats’ offense and defense will both be hoping to make strides on Saturday. They’ve only been averaging 214 yards of total offense per game. To make matters worse, opposing offenses have been racking up 440 yards per game against Bethune-Cookman’s defense. Their passing game is especially weak, as they’re only averaging 5.4 yards per attempt.

Tailback Jouvensly Bazil will be leading Bethune-Cookman in this one. Bazil has collected 118 rush yards this season, scoring three touchdowns on the ground.

Bethune-Cookman loves to get their quarterback involved in the ground game, with 34% of their rush attempts coming from their signal caller.

The Wildcats’ record sits at 1-2 for their last three games, averaging 261 offensive yards per game during those games. They are 0-3 on the road so far this year, averaging 12.3 points per game in those games. Bethune-Cookman is 0-1 in SWAC games.

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Tailback Irv Mulligan led the way for Jackson State, accumulating 174 yards on 21 rushing attempts. Jason Brown contributed as well, completing 13-of-24 passes for 90 yards and one touchdown. The team committed to the ground game early and often (58 1st quarter rushing yards, 64-36 overall run-pass split). The strategy was successful as the Tigers wore down the defense with 260 total rushing yards.

Dacarri Allen-Johnson, Walter Simmons III, and Jouvensly Bazil were all contributors for Bethune-Cookman in the loss. Holding on to the ball was a big issue for the Wildcats offense, as they gave up three turnovers to the Tigers.

Key Metrics to Victory: Jackson State

• Play selection – leaned on the run game, with a 64-36 run-pass split with 45 rushing attempts and 25 passing attempts
• Possession – controlled the ball for 33:47 (56% of the game)
• Third down success – converted on 27% of third downs (4-15) while Bethune-Cookman converted just 0% (0-14)
• Turnover battle – turned the ball over one time while collecting three turnovers from Bethune-Cookman

Both teams take the field again on Oct. 7. Jackson State takes on Alabama A&M at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, where the Tigers will look for a repeat of their success here this evening. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman will try to rebound when they face an Alabama State team also coming off a loss. They will meet at ASU Stadium.

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Jackson State (2-2 Overall, 0-1 in SWAC)

The Tigers will look to add another win to their earned record thus far of 2-2. They are scoring an average of 27.0 points per contest, with a total of 14 touchdowns on the year. The Tigers’ defense is conceding an average of 31.5 points per game.

Tailback Irv Mulligan will be leading Jackson State in this one. Mulligan has rushed for 322 yards this season, scoring four touchdowns on the ground.

Jackson State’s offense is constantly looking to get their star receiver involved. Rico Powers has been on the receiving end of 29% of the team’s passing yardage this season.

The Tigers’ record sits at 1-2 for their last three games. Their defense has been struggling against the run, as they’ve allowed 6.1 yards per rush attempt on average over the last three games. They’ll want to capitalize on this opportunity, as this is the first time they’ve had the home field advantage all year. Jackson State has won two straight matchups against Bethune-Cookman since Oct 23, 2021.

Bethune-Cookman (1-2 Overall)

The Wildcats will look to add another win to the 1-2 record they’ve earned so far this season. They are averaging 17.3 points per contest, while accumulating a total of seven touchdowns so far this year. On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats’ defense is giving up an average of 36.7 points per game.

Tailback Jouvensly Bazil will be leading Bethune-Cookman in this one. Bazil has collected 100 rush yards this season, scoring two touchdowns on the ground.

Bethune-Cookman’s running game is by committee. No one player has taken more than 23% of rush attempts.

Bethune-Cookman enters after putting up a 2-9 campaign in 2022. They are 0-2 on the road so far this year, averaging 10.5 points per game in those games. This is the first SWAC game for Bethune-Cookman.

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Bethune Cookman was having a successful season.  A win over the Rattlers would be an emphatic cap to the season.  With the season’s only losses coming to Alabama A&M and Jackson State, the Wildcats tied with American International.   B-CU came into the game with consecutive wins over Delaware State and Morris Brown.

FAMU was rolling.  They were coming off an undefeated season in 1977 and had but one loss in 1978, a crushing 24-21 loss to Tennessee State.  They had defeated Tuskegee, Southern, and Alabama A&M leading up to the game.

The 1978 game was a turning point for both schools

The 1978 Florida Classic was a departure from what had been done in the past.  The rivalry game had long outgrown the home stadiums of B-CU and FAMU.  For a decade, the games had been moved around to accommodate the crowds.  FAMU had the luxury of access to Florida State’s Doak Campbell Stadium.  It was a large Division-I stadium able to accommodate the large crowds.  Bethune Cookman used various venues including a historic game in 1974 at the Daytona International Speedway. 

Visionary athletics directors Tank Johnson of B-CU and Hansel Tookes of FAMU agreed to begin the Florida Classic.  The impact of the idea set their legacies on a firm foundation.  It is one of the only classic games in the entire world that is completely owned by the two rivals.  The central Florida location made the game accessible for both fanbases.

40,868 attended the first-ever Florida Classic

It was a new and groundbreaking development for rivals to jointly agree to hold their game at a neutral site and the fans responded.  A crowd of nearly 41,000 loaded into Tampa Stadium to witness the birth of the mainstay for both schools.

Before the Florida Classic moved to Tampa, there had not been much success in Tampa Stadium.  The Buccaneers were 2-24 after their first two years, coming in as an expansion team along with the Seattle Seahawks in 1976.  Bringing in the Florida HBCU rivals meant a rejuvenation of the venue.

The first half was all Wildcats

Everything that could go wrong for FAMU in the first half.  Behind a field goal from Lynn Thompson, who would later become athletics director at Bethune Cookman, the Wildcats took an early 3-0 lead over the Rattlers.  They would tack on two more touchdowns before the half and go into the break with a 17-0 lead over the Rattlers.

Legend has it that FAMU coach Rudy Hubbard was so frustrated that he punched a hole through the chalkboard at halftime.  The room went silent and then he challenged his team to dig down and not let their hopes of making the inaugural NCAA I-AA playoffs go down the drain in Tampa.  The Rattlers would respond.

Rudy Hubbard and the Rattlers would catapult to winning the 1978 inaugural NCAA I-AA Championship

Chester’s heroics lead Rattlers to improbable Florida Classic win

Behind a heroic effort led by FAMU quarterback Albert Chester, the Rattlers would roll.  On a critical fourth down, Chester would weave through the Wildcats defense to give the Rattlers a crucial first down.  The FAMU offense would put up 27 points in the second half while the defense led by Joe Yates would shut out the Wildcats for the last 30 minutes.  It was a crushing blow to B-CU and a gasp of air for FAMU as they kept their playoff hopes alive.

In the end, the first Florida Classic ended in a 27-17 win for the Rattlers.  Since then, the game for years determined the MEAC champion and has also had NCAA playoff implications.  Season records don’t matter when it comes to this rivalry. Several upsets came at the hands of teams whose only saving grace for their seasons was to defeat their rival.  It has also become some lore and some fact that coaches of both teams feel that a homecoming loss and a Florida Classic loss in the same season are immediate grounds for firing.  Records have shown over time that this is more fact than fiction.

With over two million patrons since its inception, the Florida Blue Florida Classic is one of the most successful athletics events in the entire country. Set for Nov. 18, 2023 and with both the Rattlers and Wildcats sporting 1-1 records, this year’s Florida Classic is shaping up to be another classic matchup, this time with SWAC championship implications.

Future Major League All-Star Vince Coleman played For FAMU

In 1978, FAMU’s punter and placekicker was two-sport star Vince Coleman. He was an integral part of the Rattlers’ success. He played football for Hubbard and baseball for FAMU’s famed coach Costa “Pop” Kittles. After graduating from FAMU, he went on professionally to play his second sport, which was baseball.

Coleman would battle Ricky Henderson for the title of king of stolen bases. He ended his career with 752 steals. He would also score 849 runs while knocking in 346 RBI.

While at FAMU, Coleman was an All-MEAC kicker in 1980 and 1981. His biggest claim to fame at FAMU was kicking the game-winning field goal in 1979 as the Rattlers defeated the University of Miami Hurricanes 16-13.

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Jouvensly Bazil starred in the ground game for Bethune-Cookman, rushing for two touchdowns. Through the air, Dacarri Allen-Johnson was the Wildcats’ best option. Allen-Johnson finished with six receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats found offensive success throughout the day, outpacing the Tigers in total offensive yards 387 to 273.

Savannah State was led by quarterback Jadon Adams. He completed 15-of-29 passes for 184 yards. Adams leaned on receiver Da’Shun Mitchell, who recorded 64 yards on five receptions.

Key Metrics to Victory: Bethune-Cookman

• Play selection – recorded a fairly even pass-run split with 35 passing attempts and 29 rushing attempts
• Possession – controlled the ball for 30:47 (51% of the game)
• Third down success – converted on 50% of third downs (5-10) while Savannah St. converted just 8% (1-12)
• Penalties – recorded three penalties for 20 yards while Savannah St. had nine penalties for 95 yards
• Red zone efficiency – converted on 100% of red zone trips as opposed to Savannah St.’s 67% efficiency

Bethune-Cookman earned its first win of the year. The Wildcats’ next test is a matchup with Miami (FL), which also won its last game, at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14. Savannah State lost for the first time this season this evening. The Tigers will hope for a better result in their next game, a September 16 visit by Clark Atlanta to Savannah.

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Memphis put up an offensive clinic in this one, recording 56 points to Bethune-Cookman’s 14 to power past the Wildcats on Saturday evening.

Blake Watson starred in the ground game for Memphis, rushing for three touchdowns. Sutton Smith contributed to the rushing attack as well, accumulating 115 yards on 18 rushing attempts. As a team, the Tigers’ willingness to take risks on fourth down paid off. They converted each of their two attempts.

Bethune-Cookman was led by quarterback Walter Simmons III. He completed 10-of-18 passes for 18 yards. Omari Stewart and Jouvensly Bazil also contributed to the offense for the Wildcats in the losing effort.

Key Metrics to Victory: Memphis

• Play selection – recorded a fairly even pass-run split with 38 passing attempts and 43 rushing attempts
• Possession – controlled the ball for 36:43 (61% of the game)
• Third down success – converted on 33% of third downs (4-12) while Bethune-Cookman converted just 7% (1-15)
• Red zone efficiency – converted on 89% of red zone trips as opposed to Bethune-Cookman’s 0% efficiency

Both teams have their next games on Sept. 9. Memphis meets Arkansas St. at Centennial Bank Stadium, where the Tigers will hope their success follows them. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman will try to rebound when they take on Savannah St. at Municipal Stadium.

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Jalon Jones landed at Jackson State that fall, where he played in 11 games as a true freshman in 2019. He completed 54-of-111 passes for 882 yards and nine touchdowns that season. Jones also showed off his versatility, running for 395 yards on 93 carries while playing for head coach John Hendrick.

Just after SWAC postponed its 2020 season due to the pandemic, the course of the program and Jones’ career was changed when Deion Sanders was hired as Jackson State head coach. Jalon Jones started the first five games of the 2021 spring season under Deion Sanders before taking a backseat to Quincy Casey against Alabama A&M. Jones completed 55.6 percent of his passes and threw for 12 touchdowns to just three interceptions in those five games.

The Shedeur Sanders Era was clearly coming in the fall, so Jones left JSU and landed at Mississippi Delta Community College in fall of 2021. He then made his return to the SWAC, signing to Bethune-Cookman. B-CU had a forgettable 2022 season, but Jones was solid, completing 57 percent of his passes and throwing for 14 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He also showed off his legs, gaining better than 800 yards on the ground while running for five touchdowns. 

The end of the 2022 season saw Bethune-Cookman show Terry Sims the door, meaning that Jones would be playing for his fifth college head coach in five years. Meanwhile, Charlotte hired Biff Poggi as its head coach. Poggi coached Jalon Jones at St. Frances Academy in Maryland, and brought in the graduate transfer to help him re-configure the program. 

“Me and Coach Poggi stayed in contact since I played for him in high school,” Jones told Niner Times. “He’s always been a great man, somebody that I’ve always been able to call whenever I had an issue. He’s a great coach and somebody that’s going to critique you hard, but he’s also going to love you even harder.”

Jones and Poggi will look to take advantage of a South Carolina State defense that was totally overmatched in Week Zero vs. Jackson State. 

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Memphis (7-6 Overall in 2022)

The Tigers will enter this season after a 7-6 campaign last year. They averaged 35.3 points and 421 offensive yards per contest in 2022. Defensively, the Tigers conceded an average of 26.0 points per game.

It’s the first game of the season for Memphis. Players in all three phases: offense, defense, and special teams, will be looking to start the season off right.

Last season, Memphis’ offensive play selection split was 48% pass, 52% run.

Memphis went 7-6 in 2022. They’ll want to capitalize on this opportunity, as this is the first time they’ve had home field advantage all year. This is Memphis’ only game against an FCS HBCU opponent.

Bethune-Cookman (2-9 Overall in 2022)

The Wildcats will come into this season after securing a 2-9 record in 2022. They averaged 23.5 points and 365 offensive yards per contest in 2022. The Wildcats’ defense allowed an average of 39.5 points per game.

It’s the first game of the season for Bethune-Cookman. Players in all three phases, offense, defense, and special teams will be looking to start the season off well in this one.

Last season, Bethune-Cookman’s offensive play selection split was 51% pass, 49% run.

Bethune-Cookman enters after putting up a 2-9 campaign in 2022. They’ll want to capitalize on this opportunity, as this is the first time they’ve been on the road all year. This is Bethune-Cookman’s only game against an AAC opponent this season.

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