JOYNER PICKS UP 100TH CAREER WIN AT AMERICAN
WASHINGTON, D.C. – When the Hampton University men’s basketball team defeated American 61-48 on Tuesday evening in Bender Arena, it gave head coach Edward Joyner Jr. the 100th win of his career.
Joyner, who has won two MEAC titles at Hampton, is now 100-97 in six-plus seasons.
The Pirates (1-1) got 19 points from senior guard Reginald Johnson, who went 7-for-17 from the floor and 4-for-6 from the free throw line. Senior forward Jervon Pressley added a season-high 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting, while Quinton Chievous finished one point shy of yet another double-double with nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
Hampton shot 46.9 percent (23-for-49) from the floor and made 13 of its 19 free throws (68.4 percent). Both teams grabbed 29 rebounds, and the Pirates scored 20 points off of 16 American turnovers.
Dionte Adams brought the game to its final margin with a fastbreak layup with four seconds remaining.
Fourteen of Johnson’s 19 points came after halftime.
American (0-2) shot 40.8 percent (20-for-49) from the floor and made just three of its 12 3-pointers.
The Pirates will face Appalachian State in their home opener on Friday.
For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com.
Harris leads Coppin State to victory over Goldey-Beacom
BALTIMORE, Md. – Terry Harris Jr. notched his third consecutive double-double to help Coppin State rally from a 15-point second-half deficit during an 80-73 victory over Goldey-Beacom College Wednesday afternoon at the Physical Education Complex in a non-conference men’s basketball game.
Harris finished with a career-high 26 points and 10 rebounds. He scored 20 of his points after intermission as Coppin State overcame a 41-29 halftime deficit to claim its first victory of the 2015-16 season.
Overall, Coppin State had four players reach double figures. Junior guard Christian Kessee scored 15 points for the Eagles. Trevon Seymore scored 11 points and Josh Treadwell added 10 points as Coppin State outscored Goldey-Beacom 51-32 in the second half.
Goldey-Beacom (0-2) got 18 points from Shakeem Wilson and 13 points from Sameen Swint.
For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com
Butler Leads NSU to 78-58 Win over Washington Adventist
NORFOLK, Va. – Sophomore Jordan Butler posted career highs of 19 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks to lead the Norfolk State men’s basketball team to a 78-58 victory over Washington Adventist on Tuesday evening
Butler hit 6-of-11 from the floor and all seven of his free throw attempts for the most productive outing of his career. He gave NSU its first win of the season after the Spartans opened up the year at South Carolina.
Senior Jeff Short added 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting for NSU, which hit just 26-of-66 (39.4 percent) for the game in the first of two home games in November and December.
Butler tallied 11 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in the second half alone.
Despite having just two less giveaways, NSU outscored the Shock 25-13 in points off turnovers.
Senior Charles Oliver added 11 points off the bench on 4-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range.
Senior D’Shon Taylor posted 10 points and seven boards as well for the Spartans. He made all six of his free throw attempts to help NSU finish 20-of-27 for the contest.
NSU will compete in the 2015 Paradise Jam beginning on Friday. The Spartans will face Indiana State at 8:30 p.m. EST from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com
Bernard Scores 29 to Lead Rattlers to 70-68 Win
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida A&M Rattlers (2-1, 0-0 MEAC) held off a late surge by the visiting Night Hawks of Thomas University for a 70-68 nail-biter in front of 1,071 in the Al Lawson Center tonight.
Malcolm Bernard had the hot hand for the Rattlers, carding 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and 10-of-14 shooting from the free throw line. Bernard’s play was key to the Rattler offensive assault, which was aided by guard Craig Bowman, who scored 13 points and Francois Lewis who chipped in 12.
Jordan Jackson wiped the boards for 10 rebounds. Lewis pulled down eight and Bernard grabbed seven.
Thomas was led by Adonai Rogers who carded 18 points to lead the night Hawks. Javoris Cooks was the only other Night Hawk in double-figures, with 13 points. Rogers led the team on the boards with eight rebounds on the night.
The Rattlers shot 35.7 percent from the field in the first half and 43.5 percent in the second half. The inconsistency from the free throw line is what kept TU in the game. FAMU shot 15-of-19 from the charity stripe in the first half, but an errant 10-of-18 in the second half, allowing TU to creep back into the game after big runs by the Rattlers.
The Rattlers will head to Houston, Texas for a road swing that begins with a visit to the Houston Cougars on Saturday and the University of Texas El Pasco on Tuesday.
For full story, visit www.famuathletics.com