Conference hoops races heatin’ up

The Texas Southern men and women got wins over Grambling State and Jackson State to both move to 5-0 in league play and atop their respective standings.

The men have four players scoring in double figures including Malcolm Riley (14.8 ppg.), Chris Thomas (13.9), Derrick Griffin (12.4) and David Blanks (10.4). The 6-7 Griffin, a standout wide receiver on the TSU football team is averaging 9.5 rebounds per game and would lead the SWAC but has played in just 11 games. The Lady Tigers boast three double-figure scorers led by Kiana Vines’ 12.3 points and team-best 7.6 rebounds per game. Brianna Sidney (11.8 ppg.) and Jazzmin Parker (11.4) are the other double figure scorers.

This week, TSU hosts Mississippi Valley State Saturday and Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday. In other key games, the Southern men (4-2) and women (4-1), who trail the TSU men and women in both races, host Alabama State Saturday and Alabama A&M Monday.

Defending tournament champion Hampton (6-0, 11-7) stayed unbeaten in men’s conference play and atop the league standings after a successful run thru North Carolina this week knock-oneing off N. C. A&T Saturday (79-62) and N. C. Central Monday (80-79). Senior guard Reginald Johnson averaged 28 points in the two wins. Three teams with one MEAC loss – South Carolina State (5-1), Norfolk State (4-1) and Howard (2-1) – are lurking behind the Pirates. Some of the leaders will tangle this week as S. C. State travels to Norfolk State on Saturday and Hampton Monday.

Savannah State (3-2), tied with Bethune-Cookman (3-2) in fifth, is at Hampton Saturday and Norfolk State Monday. Howard is hosting Florida A&M Saturday and B-CU Monday. B-CU and Hampton are tied for first in a tightly bunched women’s race with 4-1 marks.

A&T, FAMU and Morgan State are just a half-game back at 4-2. As mentioned before, Hampton hosts Savannah State (Sat.) and SC State (Mon.). B-CU is at UMES Saturday and at Howard on Monday. A&T is at Morgan State Monday after a Saturday date at Coppin State.

Miles dropped its first game in men’s conference play Thursday at home to Central State (79-76) but bounced back to win a close game Saturday over now second place Kentucky State (84-82). The Golden Bears are now tied with Stillman for first place in the West Division, both with 6-1 records.
Miles will host LeMoyne-Owen Thursday and then hosts third-place Lane (6-2) Saturday.
Stillman, who beat Central State last week, plays Thursday at Clark Atlanta and Saturday at Spring Hill.
East leader Benedict (6-2) hosts Fort Valley State Thursday and Albany State Saturday. Benedict and Albany State lead the ladies East Division with 7-1 marks. Kentucky State leads the West at 7-2. As stated above, Benedict hosts Albany State Saturday in a 1 vs. 2 E. Div. battle.

Virginia Union handed Virginia State its first CIAA men’s loss Sunday in a 70-68 decision. The VSU loss leaves Chowan and Lincoln tied atop the East Division at 1-0. Livingstone, J. C. Smith and Winston-Salem State got wins Saturday to get to 1-0 in South Division play.

Virginina Union, Chowan and Lincoln started 1-0 in N. Div. women’s’ play. Shaw, Fayetteville State and WSSU got S. Div. wins. Chowan travels to Bowie State Saturday and Lincoln Wednesday. Livingstone travels to JCSU Saturday and is at WSSU Wednesday.

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