HBU Huskies to face Toledo Rockets in first round of WNIT

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

AKRON, OHIO (March 18, 2022) The HBU Huskies women's basketball team will face the Toledo Rockets at 6 p.m. CT at Akron's Savage Arena in the first round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). The Huskies were the Southland Conference regular season champions and had an early exit from the conference tournament to eventual champions Incarnate Word Lady Cardinals, dropping their semifinal game 54-33.

The Huskies were 16-10 for the 2022 season with a 12-2 conference record and will be facing a 26-5 Toledo team who was 19-1 in conference play before going 1-1 in the Mid-America Conference tournament. They dropped a 71-66 decision to Ball State. The WNIT first round match-up will be the first meeting between the two squads and the first NCAA post-season appearance for the Huskies. 

The Huskies are led by Southland Conference Player of the Year Timia Jefferson who averaged 12.7 points per game for the season. She was aided by N'Denasija Collins, who averaged 9.4 points per game while pulling in 6.4 rebounds and shooting 35 percent from the field. Marilyn Nzoiwu pulled down 7.4 rebounds per game to lead HBU. Abbey Sutherland is tied with Nzoiwu for the team lead in blocks with 32.

Toledo was led this season by Quenesha Lockett who averaged 17.5 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Rockets. Sophia Wiard drops in 12.8 points per game for Toledo and leads the rockets in assists with 137.

The game can be viewed on ESPN3.

HBU falls to UTSA in college baseball action

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 15, 2022) The HBU Huskies scored four runs in the fourth inning, but they were not enough to overcome a late UTSA surge and dropped a 10-5 decision to the Roadrunners at Husky Field on Tuesday.

The Huskies were paced by shortstop Diego Davila who went went 4-for-5 with two RBI along with leftfielder Connor Fremin walked, was hit by a pitch and scored twice. Junior catcher Parker Edwards was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and scored a run.

 
Daniel Garza (1-0) earned the win, shutting the Huskies out on two hits with four strikeout and no walks over the final three innings.
 
Flores' two-run homer put UTSA ahead 3-1 in the third.
 
HBU rallied for four runs in the fifth, including Edwards giving the Huskies the lead with an RBI single and senior rightfielder Lane Botkin getting hit by a pitch with the bases load for a 5-3 lead.
 
UTSA took advantage of five walks in the seventh, scoring on a sacrifice fly and a bases loaded free pass to tie it, 5-5. Poston then delivered a two-run, go-ahead single in the eighth and Bailey added a two-run triple in the ninth.
 
HBU returns to action when it travels to face Michigan State in a three-game series Friday through Sunday in East Lansing.

HBU downs UIW in first round of Southland Conference tournament

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly 

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (March 9, 2022) The No. 5 seeded HBU Huskies advanced to the second round of the 2022 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament with a 74-64 win over the Incarnate Word Cardinals at the Leonard E. Merrell Center.

The Huskies, who raised their season record 11-17, shot 59% from the field and was paced by Khristion Courseault, who put up 19 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the field. Fellow starters Darious Lee, Sam Hofman, and Brycen Long also tallied double digits, with Lee adding 17 points, while Hofman and Long adding 11 each. Lee also recorded his sixth double-double of the season; pulling down 10 rebounds. Hofman also has 10 RBs, earning his second double-double of the season.

The number 8 seeded Cardinals had four players scoring in double digits. Drew Lutz led the way with 18 points, followed by Josh Morgan (17), RJ Glasper (12), and Brandon Swaby (10). UIW shot 41% from the field, 93% from the line, and 36% from the arc.

HBU pulled out to its largest lead of the game, 13 points, with 3:17 remaining in the game. The Cardinals were able to cut the Husky lead, but it was not enough, with HBU winning by 10. The Huskies also led the game with the lead (22:22), points in the paint, 46-22, second chance points (8-2), fast break points (8-5) and bench points (8-7). 

Incarnate Word finished the season with a 7-25 record in their last game in the Southland Conference, Next season, they will be joining the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). 

With the victory, HBU advanced to the second round of the tournament on Friday, March 10 where they will face the winner of McNeese State Cowboys vs. Northwestern State Demons matchup.

HBU downs Prairie View A&M 9-1 in softball action

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 5, 2022) The HBU Huskies downed Prairie View A&M by the score of 9-1 in a shortened run-rule game at Husky Softball Field on Saturday. 

The Huskies started their scoring run in the first inning when Jasie Roberts tripled, sending two runners home, to give HBU a 2-0 lead. The score would remain at 2-0 until the fifth inning when the Huskies tallied RBIs from Baylee Chanmdler, Riley Martin, Justice Palmer, and Sarah Venker to push the score to 7-0. The Panthers scored a single run in the sixth inning, while HBU added two runs off a Martin triple to complete scoring.

The win pushed the Huskies to 9-7 while the loss dropped the Panthers to 0-17. HBU will finish the series on Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. CT first pitch against Brown.

HBU falls to New Orleans 81-65 in Southland Conference Tip-Off

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (January 7, 2021) Despite a strong comeback in the second half, the HBU Huskies dropped their second-round game in the Southland Conference Tip-Off Event by the score of 81-65 to the New Orleans Privateers.

The game, which is e Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, Texas saw the Huskies (4-7) shot 36% from the field, which was lower than their 42% prior to the match. Four Huskies
scored double figures; with Darius Lee leading the way with 18 points, followed by Zion Tordoff and Brycen Long (shown above) with 12 each. Rounding out the double-digit scorers was Khristion Courseault with 11. Lee also tallied eight rebounds.

The Privateers led the majority of the game with 38 minutes, 52 seconds of possession with three players scoring double figures; Derek St. Hilaire (17), Daniel Sackley (13), and Troy Green with 12. 

Next up for HBU is a 11 a.m. CT on Saturday (January 8) meeting with the loser of the Incarnate Word vs. Northwestern State, with the New Orleans facing the winner at 1:30 p.m. CT.

HBU Huskies fall to Oklahoma Sooners, 57-40

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (November 24, 2021) The HBU Huskies jumped out to a 27-22 lead over the Oklahoma Sooners at halftime but were unable to retain the lead in the second half and as a result, dropped a 57-40 decision at the Lloyd Noble Center.

The Huskies shot 57% in the first half but could manage only 5-of-27 (18%) in the second. That, in addition to the Sooners shooing 44% in the last 20 minutes, sealed the loss for HBU.

Starting forward Zion Tordoff tallied 11 points for the Huskies, followed by starting guard Jade Tse with nine points. Darius Lee pulled down eight rebounds with Za-Ontay Boothman recorded two assists. HBU largest lead was at the 2:49 point of the first half, where they recorded a nine point lead (27-18).

Turnovers played a major role in the loss, with the Huskies turning over the ball 21 times to the Sooners. The loss pushed HBU to a 1-4 record, with their only win coming on November 11 at home against Barclay, 122-44.

HBU will play their next four games in the friendly confines of Sharp Gymnasium in Houston, where they will face Southwestern Adventist on November 29, followed by Oral Roberts on December 4. They will take on Champion Christian (December 7), followed by a meeting with crosstown foe Rice on December 11.

Oklahoma, with the win, climbed to 5-1 on the season. They were led by senior Elijah Harkness with 13 points and nine rebounds. He was followed by senior Jordan Goldwire with 11 points.

HBU Huskies advanced in SLC Tournament with 74-60 win over McNeese State

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (March 10, 2021) Paced  by the 20 points of Jilija Vujakovic, the No. 8 HBU Huskies downed the number nine ranked McNeese State Cowgirls by the score of 74-60 to advance to the second round of the 2021 Hercules Tires Southland Conference  Women's Basketball Tournament.

Those in attendance at the Leonard E. Merrell Center saw three Huskies join Vujakovic, who hails from Bereldange, Luxembourg, connect for double digit scoring.   

N'Denasija Collins (Timberview HS, Mansfield, Texas) tallied 18 points, with Timia Jefferson (Timberview HS, Mansfield, Texas) adding 16, and Kennedy Wilson (Timberview HS, Mansfield, Texas) chipping in 10. Head coach Donna Finnie only played eight players in the game, with the four mentioned above accounting for 64 of the Husky's 74 points.

Divine Tanks  (Barbe HS, Lake Charles, LA) and Shaela Gardner (Chipola College, Memphis, TN) led the Cowgirls with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Next up for the Huskies, in the second round, will be the number five ranked Central Arkansas Sugar Bears. The Sugar Bears received a first-round bye in the tournament, with their last game being a 45-40 loss to Northwestern State on March 6. Central Arkansas and HBU did not play each other this season; having last played on January 1, 2020. In that matchup, the Sugar Bears came out on top by the score of 63-39.

SE Louisiana, HBU Huskies advance to 2nd round in SLC Tourney

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (March, 9, 2021) The No 8 Southeastern Louisiana Lions and No. 10 HBU Huskies advanced to the second round of the 2021 Hercules Tires Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy.

Game One
Southeastern Louisiana Lions: 71
McNeese State Cowboys: 68

The Lions edged the number 9 seeded McNeese State Cowboys by the score of 71-68.   Starting forward Gus Okafor led the Lions with 26 points followed by Startinbg guard Isiah Kirby with 14. Starting forward Nick Caldwell pulled down 13 rebounds.

For the Cowboys, starting forward Carlos Rosario scored 18 points with eight rebounds, while starting guard A.J. Lawson added 12 points.

Game Two

HBU Huskies: 80

Incarnate Word Cardinals: 68

The Huskies shot 50% from the field (27/54) from the field and 73% from the free throw line in the win. 

Starting guards Hunter Janacek and Pedro Castro scored 18 and 21 points to pace the Huskies, with Castro pulling down nine boards. Starting Center Zach Iyeyemi added 10 points.

For the Cardinals, starting guard Keaston Willis scored 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

HBU vs. TAMU-CC men's basketball game postponed

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 15, 2021) Monday's Southland Conference men's basketball game between the HBU Huskies and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scheduled to be played in Corpus Christi has been postponed due to inclement weather across the state impacting travel.

Information on rescheduling the game will be released in conjunction with the conference  office when a decision is made.

The Huskies are set to host Sam Houston on Saturday, February 20, in Sharp Gym at 5:00 p.m.

Southland, HBU Baseball Move to 40-Game League Schedule for 2021

Huskies will play 14 non-conference games, only two midweeks

FRISCO, TEXAS (January 17, 2021) The Southland Conference Board of Directors has approved a modified schedule format for the 2021 baseball conference season in which member institutions will play 40 league games. Each of the school’s 10 previously-scheduled weekend series will expand from a three-game series to four games.

In addition to the 40 conference games, HBU will play 14 non-conference games, with only two midweek games. The Huskies open the 2021 season on Friday, Feb. 19, first against Little Rock at 2:30 p.m., then against Rice at 6:30 p.m., with both games played at the Owls’ Reckling Park.

 

HBU will open its home schedule with a three-game series against Portland Feb. 26-28. The Huskies will then play five-straight non-conference games on the road with a Tuesday matchup against Texas A&M on March 2, a three-game series at Louisiana March 5-7, then the final Tuesday game of the season at Rice on March 9.

 

Southland Conference play begins on the road at New Orleans March 12-14, followed by a home series against McNeese March 19-21. HBU’s last non-conference games will be in a three-game home series against Oral Roberts April 9-11, then the Huskies are scheduled to play 24-straight conference games to close out the season. The Southland Conference Tournament has been moved back to an eight-team format at a site to be determined May 26-29.

 

The format for each conference series will include a nine-inning game on Friday and on Sunday and a doubleheader Saturday with game one played to seven innings and game two to nine innings. Should game one of the doubleheader go to extra innings, game two would become a seven-inning contest.

 

The presidents and athletic directors also approved a participation minimum of 24 student-athletes, which must include 13 pitchers and 11 positions players (two of which must be catchers). Should a team drop below the minimum, coaches have the discretion to play a four-game series or revert to a three-game series by mutual agreement.

HBU Huskies downs Northwestern State Demons to kickoff conference schedule

Darius Lee shown 
against Arizona State
 on Nov 23, 2021.
Photo courtesy of
HBU Media Relations
 Department.
Used with permission

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 2, 2021) Darius Lee hit two free throws with one second remaining in regulation to tie the score at 84 and send the HBU Huskies and Northwestern State Demons to overtime. The Huskies outscored the Demons 15-9 in overtime in route to a 99-93 win on Saturday night at Sharp Gymnasium. The win pushed the Huskies to a 2-7 record and 1-0 in the Southland Conference. The Demons fell to 1-11 and 0-1 in conference play. 

Two Huskies tallied double-doubles in the game; Daniel and Pedro Castro (shown right). Daniel put up big numbers against the Demons. He completed 9-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range and 10-of-11 free throws for 30 points. In addition, pulled down 10 rebounds. Castro tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds. Janacek Hunter and Boothman Za-Ontay added 16 and 13 points, respectively. For the Demons, Larry Owens put in 24 points, with Trenton Massner adding 22. In previous game between the two teams, the Demons hold a 7-5 edge dating back to 2007. 

The Huskies will next face Abilene Christian on Wednesday, January 6 at Sharp Gymnasium. The Demons will take on Incarnate Word in Natchitoches, also on January 6.

HBU Huskies fall to TCU 69-45 in season opener

Photo courtesy of
Blinn College Athletic Department
Media Relations
Used with permission

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (November 25,  2020) The HBU Huskies got off to a slow start and could not catch up to the TCU Horned Frogs late in the game; dropping their first game of the 2020-2021 season by the score of 69-45 at Schollmaier Arena. The Horned Frog jumped out to a 15-0 lead at the 13:58 mark of the first half before the Huskies could get on the scoreboard with a Zach Iyeyemi layup. From that point on, HBU battled the Horned Frogs tooth-and-nail, but it was not enough to overcome the early TCU lead.

HBU was led by Blinn Junior College transfer Pedro Castro (shown right), who shot 5-of-13 from the field, including one three-pointer, for 13 points. He also pulled down 10 rebounds for his first double-double as a Husky. Hunter Janacek also scored in double figures with 10 points.

The Huskies were 18-of-56 from the field, for 32% and were 6-of-7 from the free throw line. SMU, on the other hand, were 28-of-61 from the field for 46%.

SMU will next take to the road to face Tulsa in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Hall of Fame Classic. The Huskies will travel to Tempe, Arizona to take on No. 18 Arizona State on Sunday, November 29.

HBU Huskies women's basketball kicks off season with 83-54 loss to Rice Owls

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 25. 2020) The HBU Huskies women's basketball team led the Rice Owls after 10 minutes of play and trailed their cross-town opponents by four at the half, however a second half scoring drought left them short at the end of the game, as they dropped a 83-54 to the Owls at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston.

HBU jumped out to a 17-16 lead after the first quarter, with N'Denasija Collins accounting for seven of the Huskies' 1st quarter points. The Owls rebounded in the second quarter, outscoring the Huskies 14-9 to take a 30-26 lead at halftime. Then Rice got their bearings, outscoring the Huskies 20-18 in the third quarter and 24-10 in the final period in route to downing HBU.

The Huskies were led by Abbey Sutherland with 15 points, nine of them from three-point range. HBU head coach Donna Finnie stated after the game "I thought Abbey did pretty good defensively and offensively."

Sutherland was joined in double figures by Collins, with 10 points,. Marilyn Nzoiwu led HBU with seven rebounds.

Rice had four players in double figures; led by center Nancy Mulkey with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for the Owls was Arianna McCurry (12 points), Katelyn Crosthwait (12 points) and Haylee Swayze (11 points).

Finnie added, "We knew these were going to be two tough games to open the season (Rice and Texas Tech). We know basically what  we have to work on after today so we got to do a better job and keep looking for improvement. We are not going to see anyone in our conference that looks like this (Rice) or Texas Tech."

The Huskies will next face Texas Tech on Saturday, November 28 in Lubbock with a 2 p.m. tipoff.

HBU Huskies to face TCU Horned Frogs in first game of college basketball season for both schools

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 24, 2020) The HBU Huskies men's basketball team kicks off their 2020-2021 season with a Wednesday, November 25 meeting against the TCU Horned Frogs at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. The Huskies, who are led by head coach Ron Cottrell, are returned seven lettermen from the 2019-2020, where they posted a 4-25 record, along with a 4-16 mark in Southland Conference play.

TCU comes into the game with a 16-16 record last season, finishing in seventh place in the Big 12 Conference. The Huskies and Horned Frogs have faced off seven times previously, with TCU coming out on top in six of those games; including a 90-63 win on November 19, 2017 in Fort Worth.

The game will be televised on the Big 12 Now channel on ESPN+.  Audio can be heard on the Husky Sports Network ar  HBUHuskies.com/Husky Sports Network with Lonnie King behind the microphone. Live game stats can be followed at  GoFrogs.com.

HBU Huskies kick off 2020-2021 season against Rice Owls

File photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 23, 2020) The HBU Huskies women's basketball team kicks off their 2020-2021 schedule on Wednesday, November 25 against the Rice Owls. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CST at Tudor Fieldhouse on the campus of Rice University.

The Huskies, who are picked 11th in the 13th member Southland Conference pre-season poll, have previously played the Owls four times, dating back to 2010.  In that year, they faced off on December 21, when Rice coming out on top by the score of 82-46 at Sharp Gymnasium. They next met on November 16, 2011 at Tudor Fieldhouse, with the Owls again coming out on top, 75-42. It would be five years until they played again. On November 19, 2016, Rice again came out on top, 79-53 at Sharp. The final meeting was November 18, 2017, with the Owls winning at home, 67-45.

The Huskies return eight letter winners from 2019-2020 including all five starters; Timia Jefferson, Julija Vujakovic,  Marilyn Nzoiwu,  Abbey Sutherland, and Kennedy Wilson. Also returning for the 2020-2021 season are Patience Idoko, N’Denasija Collins, and Megan Valdez-Crader. Newcomers include Anna Maguire, Enya Maguire, Linda Brueckner, Naomi Pierce, and Armani Reed.

The Huskies will again be led by head coach Donna Finnie, who is in her eighth season at the helm at HBU. She will be assisted by Becca Allison and Anna Strickland.

HBU, Zappe "More Than Shine" in 35-33 loss to Texas Tech

File photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

LUBBOCK, TEXAS (September 12, 2020) In a game that they were slated as a 41-point underdog, the HBU Huskies fell to the Texas Tech Red Raiders by the score of 35-33 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. With the near loss, the Huskies dropped to 0-2 in the pandemic-shorten season, with a two week break until the face Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana on Saturday, September 26. The Tech win was the first in as many games for the HBU's Big 12 foe.

Husky quarterback Bailey Zappe (shown above left) connected on 30-of-67 apsses for 567 yards and four touchdowns. His frequent targets were the brothers Sterns. Jerreth caught 12 passes for  130 yards and one touchdown, with Josh having five receptions for 209 yards and two TDs. DJ Dormeus had three catches for 82 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Brennan Young tallied 13 tackles, 12 of them solo with Caleb Johnson also accounting for 13, eight of them solo. Isaiah Cash had the game's lone interception, which he returned for 15 yards.

Zappe, in twe games, has completed 73 passes on 111 attempts for 1.047 yards and seven touchdowns without throwing any interceptions. Against North Texas, on September 5,  his longest completed pass was 71 yards. Versus the Red Raiders, had-a 75-yard completion to Josh Sterns in the fourth quarter for the second of his scores.

The Husky's game against Louisiana Tech on September 26 will be broadcast on ESPN3 and on the Husky Sports Network (KKME Digital) with Lonnie King behind the microphone.

HBU falls to SHSU in final game of season

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 23, 2019) Wide receiver Ben Ratzlaff (shown right) scored two touchdowns but it was not enough to overcome an early 27-0 of the Sam Houston State Bearkats, as the HBU Huskies dropped a 37-14 decision in the final game of the 2019 season for both teams.

The Bearkats jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter and extended their lead in the second quarter before Ratzlaff (Westview HS, San Diego, CA) could get the Huskies on the scoreboard. At the 6:39 mark, he covered the final 17 yards of a 78-yard drive when Bailey Zappe (Victoria East HS, Victoria, Texas) connected with the junior wide receiver for his first touchdown. The Huskies added their second TD with the Zappe-Ratzlaff connection scoring on a 25-yard pass to complete a nine-play, 87-yard drive.

Zappe, who completed 29-of-64 passes for 367 yards, had trouble with the Bearkat defense; throwing two interceptions while being sacked three times. Ratzlaff caught 13 passes for 178 yards while Ean Beek (Taylor HS, Katy, Texas) carried the ball eight times for 33 yards. Defensively, Tra Fluellen (Gilmer HS, Gilmer, Texas) recorded 14 tackles with Philip Ossai (Oak Ridge HS, Conroe, Texas) and Cotton Manning (Allen HS, Allen, TX) accounting for eight.

The Huskies finished the season with a 5-7 record, with a 2-6 record in Southland Conference action. They will kickoff the 2020 season on September 5 against North Texas in Denton.

HBU head coach Vic Shealy, players speak at Southland Conference football media day

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyrightr 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 18, 2019) The 2019 Southland Conference football media day was held at the Hilton Post Oak in Houston with all 11 schools represented to discuss their upcoming season and field questions from the 50-plus media in attendence.

Houston Baptist University was represented by head coach Vic Shealy (shown left), who is in his sixth season at the helm of the Huskies. HBU returns 17 starters, nine on offense and eight on defense, along with exceptional talent on both sides of the ball. Senior defensive end Andre Walker, who enters the season as the Huskies' all-time sacks leader, is a preseason all-conference selection. Junior linebacker Caleb Johnson ranked fifth in the league in tackles per game, recorded 102 total stops on the year and tied for the league lead with four fumble recoveries to earn preseason all-conference honors. Sophomore wide receiver Jerreth Sterns led the conference in receptions in his rookie campaign and earned preseason all-conference honors. Junior quarterback Bailey Zappe tied for the league lead with 23 touchdown passes, while setting nearly every HBU single-game, single-season and career passing record.

Shealy discussed his view of the upcoming season;  stating to the press:

“These are good days at HBU with great things happening in our program. I can’t wait to see these guys. We play, in my opinion, in the best FCS conference in the country and I think this year, what makes it more difficult, is the strength from top to bottom. You look at the quality of teams that you have to play week-in and week-out, our league exposes areas where you are not very good. By the time you get to a playoff, you are a hardened team."

He added:

"I think this year will be one of the most fun years I’ve ever had as a coach. I believe in this football team we have, this is the best team we have had in our years here at HBU. The six years have gone by fast and what I see with this team, is that since we said goodbye to them before Christmas until they came back in January, they have not missed a step toward the expectations on their plate.”

In addition,

“Some of the success that we’ve seen, particularly on offense last year, the ability to generate points and do things with the football, are good indicators of where we are. This year we are going to be a fit for team’s in this league to handle, because both sides of the ball have the ability to trend up in incredible fashion.”

The Huskies open camp Monday, August 5 with a 7:30 p.m. practice at Husky Stadium. The 2019 season kicks off against FBS and Conference USA foe UTEP Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. CDT at the Sun Bowl in El Paso.

HBU drops hard fought match to Sam Houston; Taylor scores 20 for Huskies

HBU's Sophie Taylor (5) scored
20 points for the Huskies
against Sam Houston State.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS (February 23, 2019) The HBU Huskies fought the good fight, but could not contain the shooting of Sam Houston State's Jaylonn Walker as they dropped a 83-64 decision to the Bearcats at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville. With the win, Sam Houston clinched a berth in the 2019 Southland Conference Tournament to be held in Katy, Texas on March 14-17.

Walker was unstoppable for the Beatcats. The 5-7 junior chipped in 19 of the Bearcats 51 first half points and went on to tally 22 points for the game. Three other Bearcats scored in double-figures; with Lydia Baxter scoring 14, Kiera McKinney adding 13 and Amber Leggett with 12.

For the Huskies, Sophie Taylor put up 20 points, her second highest point total for the season. The 5-9 junior, who played her prep ball at Round Rock Westwood High School, was 6-of-16 from the field, including one three pointer, along with shooting 7-of-8 from the line. Sophomore Taylor Kollmorgen pulled down eight rebounds and scored nine points in 15 minutes of play.

The Huskies fell behind by the end of the first quarter 24-8, with Walker accounting for 13 of Sam Houston's first quarter points. Marilyn Nzoiwu chipped in four of HBU's eight points. The Bearkats increased their lead to 51-27 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Huskies outscored the Bearcats 25-18, but could only manage 12 points in the fourth quarter. Sam Houston led the entire game; pulling out to 31-point lead at the 3:28 mark in the second quarter.

Next up for the Huskies is a Wednesday, January 27 home match up against Lamar at Sharp Gymnasium. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. CST in Houston.

HBU QB Bailey Zappe off to great start after two games

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 14, 2018) Following a 51-34 lost to the No. 14 McNeese State Cowboys this past Saturday, in which HBU quarterback Bailey Zappe (shown left) threw for 348 yards, the Huskies will face the Abilene Christian Cowboys at Husky Stadium on Saturday, September 15, 2018. The Husky take a 1-1 record into the game, having defeated Southwest Baptist 49-7 in their opening season game on September 1. The Cowboys also bring a 1-1 record into Houston; having dropped a 55-27 decision to the Baylor Bears on September 1 and downing Angelo State 41-24 this past Saturday.

Zappe, who is on track to having a banner sophomore season, has completed 39 passes on 66 attempts for 552 yards and six touchdowns. In 2017, he appeared in 10 games, starting in nine, and completed 150-of-266 passes for 1,548 yards, including five touchdowns. He also rushed for 50 yards and two touchdowns. He set school records, as a true freshman in passing completions, attempts, and yards. In high school, he was at three-year letterwinner at Victoria East High School, passing for 3,370 yards and 37 touchdowns along with rushing for 650 yards and 15 touchdowns.

He will be facing a Wildcat defense that has given up 79 points and 878 yards in two games. HBU has played Abilene Christian each of the past four seasons; posting a 1-3 record. The lone win was a 27-24 decision in 2016, at home. The dropped their initial meeting, in 2014, by the score of 59-14. They followed that up with another loss in 2015 (49-21), along with 2017 (24-3).

Saturday's game is "Family Weekend" at HBU, with the game to be broadcast on ESPN3. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CDT.