11 The Voice, For Students, By Students SPORTS January 26, 2011 | www.fsuvoice.conn
Broncos struggle below .500
By Quinton Graham
Sports Editor
Fayetteville State University men’s basketball team has
been on shaky ground in their past two games against the Po
thers of Virginia Union whom they played last Thursday and
Saturday’s game against the Winston-Salem State University
Rams.
More than half way through the season the Broncos find
themselves with a 7-8 record, 3-4 in conference play. But if
you compare last year’s first 15 games with this year, the re
cord is a big improvement, with the addition to the Broncos
having a very young team.
The night started out slow for the Broncos last Thursday
with an early turnover and four quick baskets by Virginia
Union the Broncos found themselves down 11-0, with only
four minutes played in the first half
The Broncos first points came on a three-pointer from An
dre Best with 15:17 left to play in the first half Lenton Don
nell gave the Broncos their second basket with 13:20 remain
ing in the first half
Due to early foul trouble the Broncos found themselves in
the penalty, which left the Panthers to shoot fouls shots for the
remainder of half Towards the end of the first half the Bron
cos began to pick it up, with stellar defense and three-point
shooting from senior Ariel Robinson the Broncos fought their
way back into the game.
Going into the locker at the half the Broncos found them
selves down by 5,29-34. Ariel Robinson led the Broncos with
8 at the half
Sloppy play is what came out of the locker room with turn
overs by the Broncos and precise shooting from the Panthers.
The Broncos were down by ten early in the second half
Due to a horrific night from the foul line and shooting from
the field the Broncos found themselves down by as many as
23 in the second half Also, thanks to some outstanding play
from Virginia Union’s Braxton Byerson who scored 36 points
and grabbed a game high 16 rebounds, the Broncos was never
able to regain consciousness and ultimately lost to the Pan
thers 78-66.
photo by Dea Spicer
Ariel Robinson hits a 3 pointer en route to a Bronco
win (74-59) against the Lincoln (PA) Lions recently.
The Broncos were led in scoring against Virginia Union
last Thursday by Devin Thompson who had 16. Mr. Rob
inson added 8, all of which he scored in the first half, after
leaving with what looked to be an ankle injury.
Last Thursday the Lady Broncos won 76-63 against
Virginia Union. LaQuasha Jordan led the Broncos with 21
points.
The Broncos also took the floor again Saturday against
rivals, the Winston-Salem State Rams.
The game started out well for the Broncos with excellent
defense and shooting the Broncos found themselves with a
10-point advantage, leading 14-4 early in the first half. But
a 17-8 run by the Rams brought them within a point with
12:47 left to play in the first half
The Broncos came out with something to prove last Sat
urday, everything seemed to be going well in the first half,
with contributions from all the Broncos they looked like a
fine tuned machine. And the score at the half was 34-31.
The second half proved to be very different for the Bron
cos. The Broncos came out sluggush and over the next 10
minutes, WSSU used tenacious defense and precision to
gain control of a game in which they had fell behind by as
many as 10 points early.
The Rams scored 22 over the next 10 minutes to take an
11-point lead, 64-53, with just over six minutes left.
The Broncos made some valiant efforts to get back in the
game and at one point brought the game within 6 points in
the second half, but with fatigue setting in the Rams made
another push and the lead grew to 14 making the game end
ing score 76-62.
Tim Plummer led the Broncos in scoring with a season
high 22 points.
Midway through the season the Broncos find themselves
at 7-8 with 11 games left to play.
The leading scorer for the Broncos is Ariel Robinson
with a 12.1 pt avg. per game. The leading rebounder is Sid
ney Evans averaging 7.5 a game. Leading assist man is
Andre Best with 4.5 a game. Leader in steals is Tim Plum
mer with 1.7 a game.
The next game is tonight at home against Virginia State.
Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.
5 things to keep you in the sports loop
1. Auburn #1
Destroying their opponents all
season long, the Auburn Tigers took
home the Tostitos BCS National
Championship trophy. They played
the number two ranked, Oregon
Ducks and won 22-19. Not only
did they go undefeated, but their
quarterback. Cam Newton took
home the coveted Heisman Award
after much controversy this sea
son. The overall game for a lot of
viewers was an oflfensive let down,
with neither teams scoring over
30 points. It was more about great
defensive plays and trying to slow
down the opponent. Well, as they
say, “Offense sells tickets, defense
wins games.”
2. They’re already calling it a
classic Super Bowl
The Green Bay Packers and Pitts
burgh Steelers have both clinced
spots in Super Bowl XLV to be held
in Dallas on Feb. 6. For the Steel
ers, this is their third AFC Cham
pionship in six seasons. For Green
Bay (without Favre), this will be
their fifth Super Bowl. Will this
game live up to the instant hype,
or will it be a dud? Stay tuned for
more. And don’t forget the com
mercials.
3. NBA Standings
If you couldn’t have guessed
it, the Boston Celtics are leading
the Eastern Division 33-10, with
the Miami Heats in second place.
Though many see the Heats as
Duane Wade’s team, Lebron James
is leading the team in points, as
sists and steals. In the West, the
San Antonio Spurs are leading 37-
7. Yet, the most interesting story of
this NBA season (besides the Heats
Christmas win against the Lakers),
is the leagues free agents. Nuggets
small forward, Carmelo Anthony,
is going back in forth with differ
ent teams to see where he will play
next season. As long as it’s not the
Sacramento Kings, who are on the
list for lowest player salaries.
4. Tiger Woods drops his lowest
in Ranking
Tiger Woods dropped to number
three in the Official World Golf
Rankings on Jan. 23.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Champion
ship winner was Martin Kaymer,
who now holds the number two
spot. Golf fans are amazed that
this is the first time in a long time
(Pre-Tiger Era) since there were
two Europeans holding the top two
spots. Lee Westwood of the United
Kingdom is currently ranked num
ber one.
5. Shaq Overseas?
The question fans would like to
know is will NBA’s proclaimed
“Superman” going overseas next
season. As the leagues oldest active
player, Shaquille O’Neal has had
a great career, wirming such titles
as Rookie of the Year and MVP.
Not to mention, that he has been a
part of many successful teams and
won several NBA Championships.
His stint on the Boston Celtics has
many critics wondering whether
he can still play with the young
guys, especially since he missed
ten games this season due to inju
ries. Despite rumors, O’Neal says
that he is sure he will find a NBA
team to go to for next year. If not,
he could possibly be joining former
NBA star, Allen Iverson, who has
signed a two year deal to play in Is
tanbul, Turkey.
~ Charnell Harris