HBCU News, Commentary and Information
Wednesday
December 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Hampton University, Howard University, Sports, Virginia, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University
Brooklyn’s Barclays Center will be the host arena for the 2013 Big Apple Classic, featuring MEAC rivals Hampton University and Howard University, and CIAA rivals Virginia State University and Virginia Union University.
Thursday
March 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Norfolk State University, Sports
Norfolk State senior center Kyle O’Quinn added yet another impressive honor to his growing resume when he was named the winner of the 2012 Lou Henson Award as the nation’s top mid-major player on Wednesday evening.
The award – named in honor of former Illinois and New Mexico head coach Lou Henson – is awarded by CollegeInsider.com to the nation’s top player who does not compete in what are generally regarded as the country’s 10 best conferences: the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC, Conference USA, Mountain West, WAC and Atlantic 10. O’Quinn is the third winner of the award, following Butler’s Matt Howard in 2011 and Oakland’s Keith Benson in 2010.
Friday
March 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, Norfolk State University, Sports
As the final desperation heave fell well short for Missouri, adulation went up from a biased crowd chanting for Norfolk State. The Spartans, champions of MEAC and the lone-remaining Division I team from an HBCU conference, celebrated the 86-84 win in the fashion now customary for upsets orchestrated by MEAC teams.
Players dancing at half-court, a marching band in blaring jubilation, and the fray accompanied by HBCU fans around the world attempting to break the Internet with tweets, emails and Facebook updates.
The Spartans were paced by senior forward Kyle O’Quinn, who came up with timely scoring and stops en route to a 26-point, 14-rebound MVP performance for the game. Guards Chris McEachin and Pendarvis Williams added 20 points each, and combined for 8-12 three-point shooting and six rebounds.
Norfolk State never appeared outmanned or outsmarted in a wire-to-wire contest. Both teams shot over 50 percent for the game, but NSU held advantages in rebounding (35-23) blocks (3-1) and three-point shooting (52 percent to 44 for the Mizzou Tigers).
Norfolk State, which won 26 games and the MEAC regular season title to accompany its conference tournament championship now advances to face Florida on Sunday. The Spartans join the Coppin State Eagles and Hampton Pirates as MEAC basketball teams to advance in the NCAA as a 15th seed. The Eagles defeated South Carolina in 1997 and Hampton defeated Iowa State in 2001.
Sunday
March 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, Sports
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference today released its men’s and women’s basketball all-conference honors.
For the women, FAMU pulled in several accolades, including Conference Player of the Year Antonia Bennett, Defensive Player of the Year Qiana Donald and Coach of the Year LeDawn Gibson. Delaware State’s Tierra Hawkins was named Rookie of the Year.
Norfolk State’s Kyle O’Quinn was named MEAC men’s Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, while Delaware State’s Tahj Tate was named Rookie of the Year. Horace Broadnax, head coach of regular season champion Savannah State was named Coach of the Year.
Friday
March 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, Savannah State University, Sports
Savannah State University spent many years as a Division I independent, dwelling in a land where conference affiliation means everything in media attention and resulting post-season opportunities.
So in a sport built on Cinderella story lines, its only fitting that the Tigers make one of the biggest leaps in DI men’s basketball this season, capturing their first MEAC conference title in year one of their membership with a 73-54 road win over the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.
SSU (21-10, 14-2 MEAC) extended its winning streak to 13 games — its longest winning streak since the school began keeping records after the 1981-82 season.
“When we started the year, we were thinking maybe we could be among the top four and have a shot at winning (the conference tournament),” SSU coach Horace Broadnax had said Tuesday. “Playing in a league gives you those stepping stones.” (Savannah Morning News)
With the win, SSU will make its first post-season national tournament appearance in either the National Invitational Tournament, or in the NCAA national men’s basketball tournament, representing the MEAC as its tournament champion.
Tuesday
February 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, North Carolina A&T State University, Sports
At a school steeped in tradition for history-making moments, the North Carolina A&T community today celebrated another milestone in form, the 500th coaching victory for head women’s basketball coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. Cage-Bibbs and the Lady Aggies defeated Savannah State last night 88-74 for the hallmark win and ninth conference victory.
Bibbs is now the first head coach to win all 500 games as the head coach of a Division I HBCU program, and she will be the second MEAC coach to join the 500 club, after Norfolk State’s James Sweat. Bibbs became the 38th active head women’s basketball coach to capture 400 career wins during the 2007-08 season. She won No. 400 on Nov. 23, 2007 with an 88-62 victory over UNC Asheville in her third season with the Aggies.
“I mean for me to remain at an HBCU and do the things, it was always about my players. I wanted to stay at an HBCU for things like this to give kids an opportunity to feel the passion and the history-they’re a part of it,” Bibbs said.
Tuesday
February 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Delaware, Delaware State University, Headlines, Morgan State University, Sports
Delaware State fans celebrated what appeared to be a game-ending tip dunk to defeat Morgan State last night in Dover, DE. But a referee conference and 1.1 seconds later, the Hornets lost a heartbreaking game and chance at a regular season MEAC basketball title.
Most of Memorial Hall thought the game was over as fans and players ran on the court to celebrate. But the game officials conferenced, charged Delaware State with a technical foul for delay of game and set the clock back to 1.1 seconds remaining.
Aric Brooks made the two free throws for Morgan State and the Bears, awarded possession following the technical foul, ran out the clock for the win.
That spoiled what would have been a stirring comeback win for the Hornets (14-13, 11-4 MEAC), who trailed 41-24 at halftime and didn’t take the lead until Threatt’s three-point play with 1:05 left put them ahead 68-67. (Associated Press)
Tuesday
February 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, Howard University, Sports, Washington DC
The Howard University women’s basketball team won its eighth straight, 62-49, over the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore 9-16, 6-7 MEAC at Burr Gym on senior night. The Lady Bison, now 21-7 on the season, will finish the 2011-12 campaign with a 10-1 home record.
Three players reached double-figures en route to their 13th conference victory. Tamoria Holmes had a solid night with 22 points, five assists, three steals, and a career-best three blocks in 39 minutes of action. Saadia Doyle finished one board shy of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Zykia Brown tallied 10 points – just one shy of her 1,500th point – and pulled down six off the glass.
Read the full story at:
Eight Straight for HU with 62-49 Win Over UMES on Senior Night – Howard Bison
Tuesday
January 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Coppin State University, Headlines, Maryland, Norfolk State University, Sports
The Norfolk State men’s basketball team has never had a better season start in Division I play than their start to this season, but it was a slow start to last night’s home game against Coppin State that led to the Spartans’ first conference loss of the year, 87-82.
12 turnovers and poor 3-point shooting by NSU aided Coppin in building a 35-13 halftime lead. A 69-point second half burst by the Spartans was not enough to overcome the Eagles, who shot 62 percent from the field in the second half.
“It doesn’t take away any of our wins, it doesn’t take away our lead,” senior (Norfolk State) center Kyle O’Quinn said. “Almost no one makes it through undefeated. You build a lead in case this happens. This is why you play so hard early.” (Virginian-Pilot)
