BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Threats of heavy rainfall in North Mississippi forced a delay in Blue Mountain College's baseball home opener.

The Toppers were scheduled to play a three-game series Friday and Saturday against Tougaloo College at the New Albany Sportsplex but the games have all been postponed.

"We were looking forward to playing on our home field," said BMC coach Curt Fowler, whose Toppers lost a weekend series at Belhaven last week. "That's the thing about baseball this time of year, though. We couldn't ask Tougaloo to drive all the way up here from Jackson, then have them turn around and go back home.

"We might be able to play late next week," Fowler added. "We need to get with our athletic directors and figure out when, but we will make it up sometime."

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. –Freed-Hardeman won a pair of TranSouth Athletic games here Thursday night, knocking off Blue Mountain College 77-50 in the women's opener and 67-59 in the men's nightcap.

MEN'S GAME -- NAIA All-American Kyle Teichmann scored 25 points and FHU held off a stubborn BMC for the victory.

Teichmann and the Lions held a 39-32 lead over the Toppers early the second half, but BMC went on an 11-2 run to grab a 43-41 lead with 14:41 left.

The lead changed hands four times but FHU went ahead for good with 8:03 remaining when Mark Brown connected on a three-pointer for a 51-48 lead.

Shane Butler paced BMC, 7-14 overall and 0-9 in the conference, with 17 points and Jarvis Fisher had 10. For Freed-Hardeman, 16-7 and 6-3, Teichmann had 25, and Brown and Jonathan Milewski had 10 apiece.

WOMEN'S GAME -- Second-ranked Freed-Hardeman University took a 77-50 NAIA win from Blue Mountain College in TranSouth Athletic Conference action here Thursday night.

The Lady Lions turned 24 Lady Toppers turnovers into 30 points and improved their record to 20-3 overall and 8-1 in the TSAC. Freed-Hardeman shot 43.7 percent from the field and held Blue Mountain to 29.3 percent.

BMC, 3-17 and 0-9, was led in scoring by Jessi Hayles with 10 points, while FHU got 17 points from Hayley Newby, 14 from Natalie Shumpert and 11 from Brittany Montgomery.

Blue Mountain plays host to Trevecca-Nazarene at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Freed-Hardeman 77, Lady Toppers 50

Freed-Hardeman 67, Toppers 59

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Lyon College captured a pair of TranSouth Athletic Conference wins here Monday night, taking the women's game 68-50 and the men's game 62-58.

The Lady Toppers held a slim 21-20 halftime lead but the Lady Scots, fresh off a win over the NAIA's top-ranked Freed-Hardeman last week, went on a 9-point run early in the second half and pulled away for the win.

Lyon, 17-5 overall and 6-2 in the TSAC, outshot BMC from the field, hitting on 23 of 50 shots (46 percent) vs. 18 of 57 (31.6). The Lady Scots also controlled the boards, 41-30.

Jessi Hayles and Shaquinta Robinson each had 10 points for the Lady Toppers, who dropped their eighth in a row and fell to 3-16 and 0-8,

For Lyon, Debbie Onukwube had 21 points and Lauren Ramsey had 16.

In the men's game, 3-point shooting and turnovers did in the Toppers, who dropped their ninth in a row.

BMC outrebounded (39-28) and outshot Lyon from the floor (46.8 percent to 42.6 percent), but the Scots hit 8 of 22 deep balls while the Toppers connected on only 3 of 14. Lyon turned the ball over only 9 times while BMC let it get away 18 times.

For BMC, 7-13 overall and 0-8 in the conference, Toby Roelfsema had 14 points and Tyler Shaver had 13. It was also the eighth straight setback for the Toppers.

Lyon, which snapped a 9-game losing streak to go to 7-13 and 1-7, Brandon Cowart had 21 points and C.J. Blount had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

JACKSON, Miss. -- Belhaven made the best of big innings here Saturday and swept both ends of a doubleheader over Blue Mountain College.

In the first game, the Blazers pushed across 5 runs in the bottom of the second inning and took a 6-3 win from the Toppers, and came back in the second game to score 7 runs in the third and fifth innings for a 15-4 victory at Smith-Wills Stadium.

The No. 15 Blazers turned a 2-run double by Jonathan Thompson and 3 infield singles into all the runs they would need in the first game. In the second game, they scored 7 runs with two outs in the third inning and another 7 on 3 hits and 5 walks in the fifth to run their record to 3-0. BMC fell to 0-3.

BMC took a 1-0 lead in the opener in the first when Gardner Richey, who drove in 3 runs on the day, singled to score Seth Kennedy. Richey added a 2-run home run -- BMC's first of the season -- in the top of the sixth.

Belhaven's Allen Johnson picked up the win and the Toppers' Blake Jolly took the loss.

In the second game, the Toppers took a 4-0 lead in the top of the third on a 2-run single by Zack Scott, a sacrifice fly by Hunter Mize and a passed ball run by Dalton Kulas.

Brett Blaise got the win in the second game and Zane Tredaway took the loss.

Blue Mountain will play host to Tougaloo College in a Friday-Saturday series at the New Albany Sportsplex.

JACKSON, Miss. -- Three Belhaven pitchers held Blue Mountain to four hits here Friday afternoon at Smith-Wills Stadium and the Blazers claimed a 4-0 win in the season-opener for both NAIA teams.

The No. 15 Blazers scored one run in the second through fifth innings. Starter Geoffrey Thomas, a transfer from the University of Southern Mississippi, picked up the win after striking out five Toppers while allowing only one hit.

Belhaven first baseman Ryan Saunderes had two hits and second baseman Jason Hicks hit a solo homer.

For the Toppers, Dalton Kulas, Hunter Mize, Gardner Richey and Zack Scott all had singles.  Jon Paul Barber took the loss for BMC after allowing six hits through four innings and giving up three runs, all earned.

BMC and Belhaven play a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Smith-Wills Stadium.

BELHAVEN 4, BMC 0

MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Mid-Continent University overcame a 13-point halftime deficit here Thursday night to take an 83-77 TranSouth Athletic Conference win over Blue Mountain College in women's basketball.

The Lady Toppers led 45-32 at intermission and held a double-digit lead until midway through the second half when the Lady Cougars went on an 11-point run to take a 55-54 lead with 9:48 remaining. The two teams swapped leads and MCU went out in front to stay with 8:23 left.

BMC's Jessi Hayles led all scorers with 24 points, while teammates Brandy Walls had 11 and Kati Prince had 10. It was the seventh straight loss for the Lady Toppers, 3-15 overall and 0-7 in the TSAC.

For Mid-Continent, 7-13 and 2-5, Asia Grigsby, Chantiera Johnson and Stephanie Malone each had 23 points.

 IN THE MEN'S GAME, the Cougars held the Toppers to 37.8 percent from the field (25 of 58) while hitting 33 of 64 (51.6 percent) to taken 84-66 victory.

Marcus Bowins had 20 points and Steve McBurrough had 16 to lead MCU, 4-16 and 3-4. BMC, which dropped its seventh straight to fall to 7-12 and 0-7, was led by Jarvis Fisher and DeVante Pulliam with 10 each.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Curt Fowler is counting on a year of experience translating into more wins when his Blue Mountain College Toppers open their second season of NAIA baseball at 3 p.m. Friday against Belhaven University.

The Toppers travel to Jackson, Miss. to take on the No. 15 Blazers at Smith-Wills Stadium. A Saturday doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.

“I feel like we had a decent first season last year,” said the BMC coach, whose Toppers finished 16-35 and 4-20 in the TranSouth Athletic Conference. “It was an exciting time for all of us, but now all that is in the past and we’ve got something to build on.

            “We lost several close games last season and I feel like the year of experience will help us a lot. Maybe this year we can win some of those close games.”

            Fowler noted that most of last season’s offensive leaders are back, “and we’ve added more pitching.”

            “That’s what hurt us last year,” he said. “We just didn’t have enough arms.”

            Jon Paul Barber, a senior from Nettleton and Southwest Mississippi Community College, and Blake Jolly, senior from South Pontotoc and Itawamba Community College, will start the first two games for BMC. Either Zane Treadway from East Union and Northeast, or Taylor Clark, a senior transfer from Central Baptist College in Arkansas, will get the nod in Game 3.

Fowler can also call on returnee Sam Cruse, a junior from South Pontotoc and ICC, and newcomers Will Basil, a freshman from West Union, and community college transfers Matt Roberts from Olive Branch, Alex Arntfield from Goodman, Mo., and Dalton Kulas from Olive Branch.

On offense, the Toppers will be led by senior outfielder Seth Kennedy, senior infielder Ben Wallis, and senior outfielder and infielder Channing Walker.

Kennedy, a Northeast transfer from Iuka, earned second team all-conference honors last season after hitting .353 with 12 doubles, 3 home runs and 15 runs batted in;

Wallis, from Ripley and Northeast, earned honorable mention All-TSAC after hitting .337 and a team leading 36 RBI;

Walker, from Tupelo and ICC, hit .295 and drove in 19 runs while starting 43 games at 7 different positions.

Fowler said even though the Toppers have had only two outdoor workouts since returning from Christmas break, he was pleased with the progress the team had made.

“It might not have shown up in the record last year, but we got better as the season progressed,” he said. “Then this fall was good, and we’ve had a good spring so far. I think we’re all ready for the season to start to see how much progress we have made.

“Opening at Belhaven, one of the best NAIA programs in the country, won’t be easy but we need to play a tough non-conference schedule to get ready for our conference.”

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Union University, ranked No. 3 among the nation's NAIA women's teams, knocked off Blue Mountain College, 89-53, here Saturday afternoon.

In the men's game, the Bulldogs held off a strong rally from the Toppers to take a 75-63 win.

The Lady Bulldogs, 19-2 overall and 6-1 in the TranSouth Athletic Conference, got 18 points from Amy Philamlee and 17 from Shelby Ashcraft to grab their third straight win.

For BMC, 3-14 and 0-6, Brandy Walls had 12 points and Chelsea Hussey had nine points.

Union hit 58.2 from the field, including 12 of 26 3-pointers, while the Lady Toppers hit only 36.4 from the field and 3 of 18 from long distance.

In the men's game, BMC went on a 12-2 run midway through the second half and cut a Union 14-point lead to 52-48 with 6:42 remaining. The Bulldogs called time out, regrouped and ran off the next 10 points to lock up the victory and improve their record to 13-7 and a TSAC-leading 6-1.

Freshman Shane Butler scored 15 points to lead BMC, 7-11, 0-6. Tyler Shaver had 13 points, Jarvis Fisher had 2 and DeVante Pulliam had 10.

For Union, Antoine Hall had 19 points, David Lane had 12, Dani Marti had 11 and Skyler Vaden 10.

Blue Mountain travels to Mayfield, Ky., on Thursday to take on Mid-Continent University. Game time is 6 p.m.

UNION 89, LADY TOPPERS 53

UNION 75, TOPPERS  63

PULASKI, Tenn. -- Boardwork and ballhandling did in Blue Mountain College here Monday night as Martin Methodist College captured both ends of a TranSouth Athletic Conference doubleheader.

The Lady Hawks won the women's game 110-84 and the Red Hawks took the men's contest 82-47.

In the women's game, MMC jumped out to a 70-39 halftime lead and cruised to its victory. The Lady Hawks, 12-5 overall and 2-2 in the league, controlled the boards, 56-39, and forced BMC into 23 turnovers while commiting only 13.

Vee Young paced Martin with 23 points and Jessy Christopher had 22. For BMC, 3-12 and 0-5, Kyesha Clark scored 20 points, Brandy Walls 16, Jessi Hayles 12 and Samantha Burns 10.

In the men's game, the No. 9 Red Hawks jumped out to a 43-24 halftime lead and improved their record to 14-3 overall and 4-0 in the TSAC. BMC (7-10, 0-4) had 25 turnovers while MMC had 16. The Red Hawks out-rebounded the Toppers 42-26, 21-5 on the offensive end.

James Justice had 16 points to lead MMC, E.J. Kirby had 15 and Ree McCrory had 14. For Blue Mountain, Jarvis Fisher had 13 points and DeVante Pulliam had 12.

BMC returns home and on Saturday plays host to Union University. Game times are 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

MARTIN METHODIST 110, LADY TOPPERS 84

MARTIN METHODIST 82, TOPPERS 47

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Bethel University outscored Blue Mountain College 18-4 in overtime here Saturday to take a 79-65 TranSouth Athletic Conference victory.

BMC led 52-42 after a DeVante Pulliam jumper with 5:12 left in the game, but the Wildcats fullcourt press chipped away and they tied it in regulation 61-61 with three seconds remaining on a 3-pointer by George Coleman.

Coleman led Bethel, 11-6 overall and 1-2 in the conference, with 18 points, Sylvester Sipp had 17 and Caleb Hardy had 12 points and 11 rebounds. For BMC, 7-9 and 0-4, Jarvis Fisher had 19 points, and Shane Butler and Jermael Bingham had 10 each.

In the women’s game, Bethel ran off 13 unanswered points and cruised to a 70-48 win. The Lady Wildcats, 9-8 and 1-2, were led by Jana Roney with 21 points and 12 rebounds, Jasmine Taylor with 12 points, and Molly Wallsmith with 10 points.

Jessi Hayles had 22 points to lead the Lady Toppers, 3-12 and 0-4.

BMC travels to Pulaski, Tenn., on Monday to take on Martin Methodist College.

BETHEL 70, LADY TOPPERS 48

BETHEL 75, TOPPERS 65 (OT)

LEBANON, Tenn. -- Cumberland University took both ends of a TranSouth Athletic Conference doubleheader here Thursday night, knocking off the Blue Mountain College women 81-41 and the men 61-48.

The Lady Bulldogs hit nearly 51 percent from the field to capture their first league win of the season and held the Lady Toppers to only 19 percent.

Simone Ryan had 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead Cumberland (4-9, 1-2) while Casie Cowan and Courtney Atkinson each had 12 points, and Katie Smith had 11 points and 14 rebounds. The Lady Bulldogs outrebounded the Lady Toppers 52-35.

Kyesha Clark led BMC (3-11, 0-3) with 10 points.

In the men's game, the Bulldogs controlled the boards 47-37 and forced BMC into 15 turnovers while comitting only 10 to improve their record to 11-3 and 3-0. Lamar Brinkley led CU with 11 points.

For the Toppers (7-8 and 0-3), Tyler Shaver, Jarvis Fisher and DeVante Pulliam each 9 points.

BMC returns home and plays host to Bethel University in a conference doubleheader and 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Michael France poured in 38 points here Saturday afternoon to lead Trevecca Nazarene University to an 80-67 win over Blue Mountain College.

France was 12 of 21 from the field, including 7 of 12 3-pointers, for the Trojans, 10-5 overall and 2-0 in the TranSouth Athletic Conference. Marquise Rudolph had 17 points for Trevecca.

TNU connected on 56 percent of its field goals while BMC, 7-7 and 0-2, hit a chilly 39 percent.

Shane Butler and Jermael Bingham each had 15 points to lead the Toppers and Jarvis Fisher had 13.

In the women's game, six Trevecca players scored in double figures and the Lady Trojans knocked off BMC 84-62 to pick up their first TSAC win of the season.

Jessi Hayles and Kati Prince each scored 18 points to lead the Lady Toppers, 3-10 and 0-2, and Amber Johnson had 12 points. BMC connected on only 30 percent of its field goal attempts while Trevecca hit 50 percent from the floor.

For TNU, 5-9 and 1-1, Anisssa Ragland had 17 points, Rachel Raby and Kayla Biles each had 16, Rachel Bollinger 12, Anna Mitchell 11 and Hayley Felker 10.

BMC travels to Lebanon, Tenn., on Thursday to play Cumberland University.

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- No. 17 Freed-Hardeman ran off 18 unanswered points in the second against Blue Mountain half here Thursday night and the Lions captured an 80-66 win over the Toppers in the TranSouth Athletic Conference season-opener for both teams.

In the women's game, the No. 3 Lady Lions outrebounded the Lady Toppers 51-29 and forced BMC into 27 turnovers en route to their 85-40 win.

Junior All-American Kyle Teichmann poured in 31 points to lead FHU, 12-4 overall. The Lions led BMC 53-52 with 10:24 left in the game before going on their 18-point run that included 9 points from Teichmann. Jonathan Milewski scored 13 for FHU and Daniel Gravatt had 10.

For the Toppers, 7-6, Jermeal Bingham had 14 points and Toby Roelfsema had 10.

In the women's game, the Lady Lions' Hayley Newby was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field for 16 points and Grace Alonson de Armiano had 14 points. FHU improved its record to 13-2.

For BMC, 3-9, Amber Johnson had 13 points and Brittany Walls had 9.

Blue Mountain returns home to play host to Trevecca Nazarene University in a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.

FREED-HARDEMAN 85, LADY TOPPERS 40

FREED-HARDEMAN 80, TOPPERS 66

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – DeVante Pulliam scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds here Friday night to lead Blue Mountain College to a 68-63 win over Central Baptist College.

The Toppers opened the second half with a 20-8 run for a 52-38 lead, then held on for the win with clutch free throws from Pulliam and Corbin Harris.

BMC got 13 points and five assists from Harris and 11 points from Jarvis Fisher.

The Toppers finished their pre-conference schedule with a 7-5 record. For the season's first dozen games Pulliam has averaged 16.5 points a game and 8.6 rebounds, while Fisher has averaged 13.2 points a game.

BMC returns to action on Jan. 5 with they begin play in the Tran-South Conference at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Blue Mountain College reeled off the last six points of the game here Tuesday night to take a 61-60 win from Philander Smith College and snap a five-game losing streak.

In the men's game, BMC went cold in the second half and the Panthers claimed a 74-52 win.

Jessi Hayles scored 19 points to lead the Lady Toppers, 3-8, and Brittany Walls knocked down 15.

BMC trailed 60-59 in the final seconds when Samantha Burns scored on a put-back and Hayles hit a free shot. The Lady Toppers got a turnover and Bam Bam Robinson iced the game with two free shots.

Blue Mountain won the game at the free-throw line, canning 16 of 21 while PSC hit only 8 of 14.

The Lady Panthers, 1-9, were led by Latrice Walton with 18 points and CArnesha Hughes with 13.

In the men's game, the Toppers trailed 38-29 at the half and then their shooting went south. BMC hit only 5 of 22 from the field (23 percent) after intermission while the Panthers hit 31 of 65 shots (47.7 percent).

Jarvis Fisher led BMC, 6-5, with 17 points and DeVante Pulliam had 12 points. For Philander Smith, 3-7, Kenny Brown had 31 points.

The Toppers travel to Conway, Ark., on Friday to take on Central Baptist College and the Lady Toppers travel to Memphis on Saturday for 1 p.m. exhibition game against Christian Brothers University.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Heather Duley, who has led the Blue Mountain College cross country program for the past two seasons, has resigned as the Toppers’ coach.

Duley said her decision was a personal one based solely on the need to spend more time with her family, which includes husband Scott Duley, the Union County football coach, and four children from 8 to 15 years old.

“This was not an easy decision; I love Blue Mountain,” Duley said. “I want my children to go here someday, but for now they need my attention at home. With Scott and me both coaching a fall sport, it’s been really difficult and this truly is a family decision.”

Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward, BMC president, said she regrets but respects Duley’s decision.

“Coach Duley has been a tremendous asset to BMC,” Coward said. “She had some very high expectations for her student athletes and at the same time has been a great source of encouragement to them as they tried to meet those expectations.

“She has served as a role model for us all. She didn’t require any more of her athletes than she did of herself.”

Lavon Driskell, BMC athletics director, said much the same thing about Duley, who replaced Fred Smith, the program’s first coach, two years ago.

“Coach Duley continued to move our cross country program forward,” he said. “You can see that in the number of BMC runners (six) who qualified for the NAIA national championships in her two years.

“We appreciate all the work Coach Duley has done for BMC, not only as a coach but for her character and for the high standards she brought to the program.”

Duley led the BMC women to a pair of second-place finishes in the TranSouth Athletic Conference and the men’s program to third- and second-place finishes. Besides the six runners who competed in the NAIA national championships, seven BMC runners were named all-conference and four earned NAIA Academic All-American honors.

Duley recently qualified for the Boston Marathon by running a 3:34.56 in the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis, and raised more than $1,000 for St. Jude. The marathon team she was part of raised more than $25,000.

She said she would continue to serve as BMC’s coach until a new one is named.

Driskell said inquiries about the BMC position and applications should be made to him by mail or by email: ldriskell@bmc.edu.

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. -- DeVante Pulliam scored on a put-back at the buzzer here Saturday to give Blue Mountain College a 92-91 overtime victory over Williams Baptist College.

In the earlier women's game, the Lady Eagles knocked off the Lady Toppers 87-75

Pulliam, who scored 10 of his 19 points in the overtime period, grabbed the rebound off a Shane Butler field goal attempt with two seconds left and scored the game-winning bucket.

The Toppers, 6-4, trailed by six points midway through the second half, but came back to take a 76-74 lead wth 22 second left in regulation. Jake Veasley knocked down two free throws to tie it up, and both teams missed game-winning opportunities in the final seconds.

WBC's Zabian Sanders hit his second 3-pointer in the OT with 29 seconds left to give the Eagles a 91-88 lead, but Jarvis Fisher quickly canned a jumper to cut it to 91-90.

BMC got a break when Kyle Harvey, the game's high scorer with 28 points, missed two free throws with 16 seconds to go. Pulliam grabbed the rebound and the Toppers went to Butler for the jumper. He missed but Pulliam didn't.

Fisher led BMC with 23 points, Pulliam had 19 points and 9 rebounds, and Butler had 10 points.

For the Eagles, 4-5, Harvey had 28 points and Sanders had 25.

In the women's game, Jessica Shepard had 15 points and Kala Tyus had 13 to lead Williams, 6-3, to its win over BMC. The Lady Toppers, 2-8, were led by Brandy Walls with 20 points, Jessi Hayles with 12 points and Kati Prince with 10.

BMC travels to Little Rock on Tuesday to take on Philander Smith in a doubleheader. Tipoff is at 4 p.m.

WOMEN: Williams 87, Blue Mountain 75

MEN: Blue Mountain 92, Williams 91 (OT)

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Luke Hatcher, a 4-time all-state runner at Pontotoc High School, has signed a cross country scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

"We're excited to have Luke as part of our team," BMC coach Heather Duley said. "Year-in and year-out he's shown that he's one of Mississippi's finest runners, and he will make our team stronger right away.

"Luke knows what it takes to be a championship runner and he'll bring that attitude with him to BMC."

Hatcher has been a member of four Mississippi Class 4A championship teams at Pontotoc -- three cross country teams and one track team. While running for the Warriors, he was also a member of six division championship cross country teams and earned all-state honors four times. He won three divisional individual championships, one state championship, and was runner-up once.

He's also been a member of three district and three regional 4A championship track teams.

Hatcher also excels off the trail: he has been a Pontotoc scholar athlete six years, a member of the Pontotoc High Beta Club four years, a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is president of the PHS student body.

PARAGOULD, Ark. -- Blue Mountain College finished the first half strong and open the second half stronger here Thursday night and captured a 78-59 win over Crowley's Ridge College.

The Toppers, who snapped a 3-game losing streak and improved to 5-4, cranked it up the final five minutes of the opening period to open up a 35-25 halftime lead, then built a 20-point lead early in the second half and cruised to the victory.

Jarvis Fisher popped 16 points to lead BMC and DeVante Pulliam had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Jermael Bingham had 10 points and 7 rebounds, Tyler Shaver had 10 points, and Corbin Harris had 3 points and a game-high 7 assists.

"We got a really strong effort tonight," BMC coach J.D. Parker said. "We got that burst to finish the half and our defense played really well all night. It was a good win for us."

The Toppers will take off next week for final exams and return to action on Dec. 10 when they travel to Walnut Ridge, Ark., to play Williams Baptist College.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Cold shooting was too much for Blue Mountain College to overcome here Thursday night and William Carey University captured a 71-48 win at Tyler Gymnasium.

The Lady Toppers, 2-7, hit only 26.4 (14 of 53) from the field to drop their fourth straight game. Kati Prince and Bam Bam Robinson each had 10 points to lead BMC.

For William Carey, 5-4, Haleigh Arcement had 16 points and 9 rebounds, TeAnne Carter had 13 and Chelsea Combest had 11.

The Lady Toppers will take a break next week for final exams then on Dec. 10 travel to Walnut Ridge, Ark., to play Williams Baptist College.

WILLIAM CAREY 71, BLUE MOUNTAIN 48

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. --Rust College outscored Blue Mountain College 15-6 in overtime here Monday night to take a 97-88 win.

Markeith Wilson poured in 41 points to lead the Bearcats, 2-2. Wilson, who also had 10 assists and 12 rebounds, hit 13 of 23 from the field, including 8 of 16 3-pointers. Teammate Larry Veasley had 14 points.

Shane Butler came off the bench to lead the Toppers with 23 points. DeVante Pulliam had 21 points and 9 rebounds for BMC, now 4-4 after its third straight loss. Jarvis Fisher came through with 14 points.

BMC/s men travel to Paragould, Ark., on Thursday to take on Crowley's Ridge College at 7 p.m., while the Lady Toppers play host on William Carey University in a 6 p.m. contest in Tyler Gymnasium.

RUST 97, BLUE MOUNTAIN 88 (OT)

A quartet of Blue Mountain College cross country runners has been named 2011 NAIA Scholar Athletes:

Tuesdae Rowland, a senior from Ripley; Stephanie Dillard, a junior from New Albany and East Union High graduate; Beth Goolsby, a junior from Hickory Flat and Myrtle High graduate;and Austin Epting, a junior from Jericho and East Union High graduate.

Student-athletes are nominated by their institution's head coach and must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status in order qualify for the honor.

“This is a tremendous honor for them,” BMC cross country coach Heather Duley said. “It shows how dedicated and focused young people can be. They’ve set a standard for all of us, and we’re really proud of them.”

HATTIESBURG – William Carey University held off a furious second-half rally from Blue Mountain College here Tuesday night to claim a 67-63 victory. Earlier in the evening, the Lady Crusaders knocked off the Lady Toppers 80-53.

The Crusaders led by 21 points (39-18) at halftime and by as many as 17 points (57-40) with 7:17 left in the game. But the Toppers cut it to only two points (65-63) with 17 seconds left before DeVarus Walker scored his only two points of the night and iced the game.

DeVante Pulliam and Shane Butler each scored 13 points to lead BMC, 4-3, while Cody Garrett had 10 points.

For WCU, 4-3, Brandon Givens had 24 points and Roderick Little had 14.

In the women's game, Carey jumped out to a 14-0 lead and cruised to its win over BMC.

Brandy Walls led the Lady Toppers, 2-6, with 14 points. For WCU, 4-3, Megan Reynolds had 14, and Crystal Tucker and Erin Holifield each had 13.

WOMEN'S GAME

William Carey 80, Blue Mountain 53

MEN'S GAME

William Carey 67, Blue Mountain 63

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – DeVante Pulliam of Blue Mountain College was named the TranSouth Athletic Conference men’s basketball player of the week.

Pulliam, a 6-4 sophomore from Houston, averaged 20 points and 13.5 rebounds in two games last week. He scored 25 points and pulled down 18 rebounds in BMC’s 84-82 win over Philander Smith, and had 15 points and 9 rebounds in a 90-80 overtime loss to Victory University.

For the two games, Pulliam hit 17 of 20 from the field (85 percent), including 11-for-12 against Philander Smith.

"DeVante played really well for us last week," said BMC coach J.D. Parker. "He's a hard worker and a young man that's deserving of this honor."

JACKSON, Miss. -- LaGrange College won the battle of the second half here Saturday afternoon and captured an 82-73 win over Blue Mountain College in the consolation game of the Sleep Inn Downtown Jackson Tipoff Classic.

Heather Miller scored 24 points to lead LaGrange, 1-1, and Katie Covington had 17. The Lady Toppers and Lady Panthers were tied 42-42 at the half.

Jessi Hayles dropped in 19 to lead BMC, 2-5, and Brandy Walls had 11.

Louisiana College whipped Millsaps College 87-48 to claim the tournament championship.

Hayles, a junior guard from South Pontotoc who scored 34 points in 42 minutes during two games, was named to the 5-player all tournament team, along with:

Hunter Connel of LaGrange;

Velvet Johnson of Millsaps;

Danisha Allison of Louisiana College;

Shaina Howard of Louisiana College (Most Valuable Player).

BMC travels to Hattiesburg on Tuesday to take on William Carey University.

JACKSON, Miss. -- It all came down to the basics here Friday night in Millsaps College's 99-85 win over Blue Mountain College: the Majors made more shots than the Toppers.

In a remarkably close statistical game, the Majors hit 41 of 76 field goals (53.9 percent) while the Toppers hit 33 of 75, or 44 percent.

The difference sends Millsaps, 1-0, to the finals of the Sleep Inn Tip-Off Classic against Louisiana College, while the Blue Mountain, 2-4, will face LaGrange (Ga.) College in the 1 p.m. consolation game.  LC, 1-0, beat LaGrange, 1-1, 94-87 in overtime in the tournament's first game.

BMC and Millsaps each hit 14 free throws, the Toppers hit 5 of 9 3-pointers while the Majors were 3 of 8 from the arc. BMC outrebounded Millsaps 41-39 and had one fewer (23-24) turnovers.

After swapping leads numerous times in the first half, Millsaps went on a 12-1 run late in the opening period to build a 57-47 lead at intermission and never trailed again.

Kyeshia Clark, a sophomore from just down the road at Raymond, led the Toppers with 17 points. Samantha Burns had 16, Jessi Hayles scored 15 and Kati Prince had 14.

The Majors' Velvet Johnson led all scorers with 26 points and Shatoya White had 20. Natasha Mbenze dropped in11 for Millsaps while Brittnei Earl and Samantha Ray each had 10.

MILLSAPS 99, BLUE MOUNTAIN 85

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Victory University overcame a 10-point deficit Tuesday night in Tyler Gymnasium and dropped Blue Mountain College 90-80 in overtime.

The Eagles, 5-1, got 20 points apiece from Mike Davis and Mario Jones, 15 from Josh Guillory and 13 from Keron Jackson.

Shane Butler scored 19 to lead BMC, 4-2, while DeVante Pulliam scored 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, and Jarvis Fisher had 14 points.

BMC connected on 52.5 percent of its field goals (32 of 61) while VU hit only 45.1 (32 of 71). The Eagles, however, outshot the Toppers from 3-point range, canning 11 of 34 while BMC hit only 6 of 16.

VICTORY 90, BLUE MOUNTAIN 80 (OT)

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- DeVante Pulliam poured in 25 points and grabbed 18 rebounds here Tuesday night to give Blue Mountain College an 84-82 come-from-behind win over Philander Smith College.

In the first game, Jessi Hayles scored 20 points to lead the Lady Toppers to an 87-72 win over the Lady Eagles.

Jarvis Fisher also found his stroke, hitting for 25 as the Toppers, who trailed by 10 points midway through the second half, outshot and outrebounded the Eagles down the stretch. Pulliam and Tyler Shaver hit crucial buckets in the game's final minutes, and Shane Butler hit four straight free throws in the final 30 seconds to give BMC its fourth consecutive win.

The Toppers, 4-1, overcame 20 turnovers with their best shooting night of the season, canning 58.9 from the field, including 8 of 17 3-pointers, and outrebounded the Eagles 45-30. PSC, 0-2, hit only 42.7 percent from the field.

Shaver finished with 12 points and Butler had 10. For PSC, Bell and Brown had 23 and 21 points respectively.

In the women's game, BMC, now 2-3, also outshot PSC, hitting 25 of 57 (43.9) from the field while the Lady Eagles hit only 29 of 76 (38.2).

Brandy Walls had 13 for the Lady Toppers and Amber Johnson and Kyesha Clark each had 10. For PSC, 1-2, Caryan Jones had 22 and Myisha Johnson had 11.

JACKSON, Miss. -- William Carey University knocked off Blue Mountain College, 73-65, Saturday afternoon in round two of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Belhaven University.

Candace Davis and Jessi Hayles each had 13 points to lead BMC, now 1-3. Crystal Tucker had 17 and Megan Reynolds scored 15 points to lead the Lady Crusaders, who won their first game of the season to improve to 1-3.

BMC trailed 32-33 at the half before coming back to take a 58-56 lead with 5:23 remaining, but couldn't hold on.

The Lady Toppers return home and play host to Philander Smith College in a women's-men's doubleheader starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

JACKSON, Miss. -- Belhaven University pounded the boards here Friday night and took away a 78-60 win over Blue Mountain College in the first round of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

Led by Portia Tucker, the No. 25 Lady Crusaders dominated the boards 52-38 for their third straight win of the 2011-12 season. Tucker had 19 points and 9 rebounds.

For BMC, 1-2, Brittany Walls had 13 points, Brandy Walls had 10 points and Jessi Hayles had 12.

Blue Mountain returns at 2 p.m. Saturday to take on William Carey University.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Blue Mountain College put together a 20-8 run at the end of the first half here Thursday night to knock off Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) College 85-60, giving the Toppers their third consecutive win.

DeVante Pulliam paced the Toppers, now 3-1, with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Pulliam, a sophomore from Houston, canned 8 of 9 field goal attempts. Cody Garrett, a transfer from Northeast Mississippi Community College, dropped in his BMC high 12 points.

For CRC, Josh Longino led all scorers with 23 points and Quinten Fields had 13.

The Toppers dominated the Pioneers from the field, hitting 33 of 60 (55 percent) while CRC connected on only 16 of 54 (29.6 percent). BMC also hit 10 of 26 3-pointers versus CRC's 5 of 18.

BMC travels to Lorman, Miss., on Friday for an exhibition game against the Alcorn State Braves, and return home for a Nov. 15 game against Philander Smith (Ark.) College.

BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE 85, CROWLEY'S RIDGE COLLEGE 60

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Blue Mountain College captured both ends of a basketball doubleheader against Williams Baptist College here Tuesday night.

Brandy Walls poured in 24 points here Tuesday night to lead the Lady Toppers to their first win of the season, an 80-75 overtime victory over the Lady Eagles.

In the men's game, the Toppers held on for a 66-57 win over the Eagles.

Walls, a junior guard from Red Banks, Miss., and Northwest Mississippi Community College, racked up five of her points in the overtime period as the Lady Toppers, 1-1, overcame a four-point deficit. Walls canned a 3-pointer, her fifth of the night, with 2:02 left to put BMC up for good at 78-75.

The Lady Toppers' 3-point shooting was the difference in the game: they hit 16 of 43 (37 percent) while WBC made only 3 of 17. The Lady Eagles hit 39.7 from the field on 29-of-73 shooting while BMC hit only 29.8 (25 of 84). WBC also hit 14 of 18 free throws while the Lady Toppers hit 14 of 28.

Jessi Hayles had 12 points for BMC and Kati Prince had 8 points and 9 rebounds.

For the Lady Eagles, Becky Caldwell had 22 points, Kim Sutterfield had 12, Kimberly Wise and Kayla Tyrus 11 each, and Meagan Goza 10.

In the men's game, DeVante Pulliam knocked down 16 points for BMC, now 2-1, while Tyler Shaver had 15 and Shane Butler had 11.

The Toppers held a 59-47 lead with 4:04 remaining, but the Eagles whittled away and pulled to within 61-55 at the :42 mark. BMC put it away when Ethan Ellis, Jarvis Fisher and Pulliam canned five free shots down the stretch.

For the Eagles, 1-1, Zabian Sanders was the high-scorer with 20 points.

BMC plays host to Crowley's Ridge College at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The Lady Topers travel to Jackson, Miss., to play in the Belhaven Classic on Friday and Saturday.

BLUE MOUNTAIN 80, WILLIAMS BAPTIST 75 (OT)

BLUE MOUNTAIN 66, WILLIAMS BAPTIST 57

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- LaTifa Swims was named the TranSouth Athletic Conference Women's Runner of the Week for the second time this season.

Swims, a freshman from Carrollton and the league's cross country Newcomer of the Year, finished fourth in the NAIA Qualifying Meet in St. Louis last weekend with a 5k time of 19:14.

She was one of four runners from the TranSouth to qualify for the NAIA Cross Country National Championships in Fort Vancouver, Wash., on Nov. 19. She will join fellow conference runners Allison Martin and Audrey Hazelhurst of Union University, and Alex Belt of Union, the only male runner from the conference in the national meet.

"LaTifa has had a really good season for us this year," BMC coach Heather Duley said. "She has come in as a freshman and made an immediate impact on our program. I'm excited for her and really eager to see how she does in the national meet."

BLUE MOUNTAIN – Shane Butler had the perfect touch here Saturday afternoon and Blue Mountain College knocked off Central Baptist College 82-71.

Butler, a freshman from Tupelo, hit all five of his field goals – all 3-pointers – and both free shots for 17 points and led the Toppers to their first win of the season.

DeVante Pulliam knocked down 13 for BMC and Ethan Ellis had 10 points. CBC, 1-3, was led by Gavin McDaniel with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

The Toppers, who never trailed in the game, hit 59.8 percent from the field and while the Mustangs connected on 43.9 percent.

BMC plays host to Williams Baptist College in a doubleheader at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

BLUE MOUNTAIN 82, CENTRAL BAPTIST 71

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Belhaven University ran off 15 points midway through the second half here Saturday and grabbed a 91-73 win over Blue Mountain College.

The Lady Blazers, 2-0 and ranked No. 25 in the pre-season NAIA poll, led 42-37 at halftime, and the Lady Toppers, 0-1, kept it close the first three minutes of the second half. Belhaven then went on its hot streak and took control.

Amber Johnson led the Lady Toppers with 12 ponts and Jessi Hayles had 10 points.

For Belhaven, Portia Tucker led all scorers with 27 points, Sarah Carr had 18 and Regena Jackson had 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

The Lady Blazers hit 51.5 percent from the field, including 7 of 14 3-pointers. BMC shot 32.8 from the field and connected on 7 of 25 3-pointers.

BELHAVEN 91, BLUE MOUNTAIN 73

JACKSON, Miss. – Belhaven University knocked off Blue Mountain College, 67-63, here Tuesday night in the season opener for both NAIA teams.

BMC’s DeVante Pulliam, a sophomore from Houston, led all scorers with 15 points and also pulled down 6 rebounds. Chris Whitten, a redshirt freshman from Selmer, Tenn., had 12 points and 5 rebounds for the Toppers and Jarvis Fisher, a sophomore from Pine Bluff, Ark., had 10 points, all in the first half.

For the Blazers, Chris Cofield had 13 points and 6 boards and Jordan Butts had 12 points.

BMC outrebounded Belhaven, 41-31, and outshot the Blazers from the field, 49 percent to 37 percent, but also had 10 more turnovers (26-16). The Blazers also converted 24 of 42 free throws while the Toppers hit only 4 of 8.

Blue Mountain opens its home season at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Lady Toppers take on Belhaven, followed by the Toppers against Central Baptist College.

BELHAVEN 67, BLUE MOUNTAIN 63

JACKSON, Tenn. – Led by Austin Epting and Latifa Swims, Blue Mountain College captured a pair of second-place finishes in the TranSouth Athletic Conference cross country meet here Saturday.

Union University captured both team titles, followed by BMC, Bethel University and Freed-Hardeman University.

Epting, a junior from East Union, and Swims, a freshman from Carrollton, each finished second in the men’s and women’s races.

Swims was named the Newcomer of the Year among the TSAC women runners.

Epting ran the 8k men’s race in 26:97, second to Union's Alex Bett at 25:32, and Richard Feist of Saltillo was fourth at 26:97.

Swims ran a 5k 19:12 to finish behind Union’s Allison Martin in 19:02. BMC’s Kelsea Hendrix of Corinth was fifth at 19:56, and Tuesdae Rowland of Ripley was seventh at 20:34.

Epting and Feist were named to the men’s all-conference team, and Swims, Hendrix and Rowland were named to the women’s all-conference team.

BMC RESULTS (overall finish in parenthesis)

WOMEN 5k -- LaTifa Swims (2) 19:12; Kelsea Hendrix (5) 19:56; Tuesdae Rowland (7) 20:34; Emma Baxter (10) 21:01; Kacie Harris (15) 22:01; Beth Goolsby (18) 22:21.

MEN 8k -- Austin Epting (26:23); Richard Feist (26:47); Brian McDonnieal (12) 28:15; Hunter Flanagan (28:25); Jose Valle (14) 28:45; Riley Bennett (19) 29:17; Casey Bales (21) 29:20; Bryan Cook (23) 29:35; Derek Scott (26) 30:17; Nathan Young (27) 31:03; Zack Brock (30) 32:54; Drew Bruce (31) 33:41.

COMPLETE TRANSOUTH CONFERENCE RESULTS

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Continued progress is the theme for Blue Mountain College basketball this season as both men and women teams open their 2011-12 seasons next week.

The Toppers, who posted an 8-22 record a year ago after winning only three games the previous three seasons, begin their season Tuesday at Belhaven University in Jackson.

Both teams, members of the NAIA TranSouth Athletic Conference, open their home season on Nov. 5 in Tyler Gymnasium.

The Lady Toppers, 7-22 last season, play host to Belhaven at 2 p.m., followed by the Toppers against Central Baptist College at 4 p.m.

WOMEN’S OUTLOOK: The Lady Toppers return six players, two starters, from last year’s team and coach Lavon Driskell has brought in a group of talented newcomers to compete in arguably the toughest women’s conference in the NAIA.

“We’ve brought in four junior college transfers to go with two really strong freshmen, so that will give us some experience when we crank it up,” Driskell said.

BMC’s six returnees are juniors Samantha Burns (4.4 points a game and 6.3 rebounds per game) of Selmer, Tenn., Candace Davis (3.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg) of Ripley, Jessi Hayles (8 ppg, 3.1 rpg) of Pontotoc, Bam Bam Robinson (3.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg) of Starkville; sophomores Kyesha Clark (3.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg), and Chelsea Hussey (2 ppg, 1.3 rpg) of Mooreville.

“All of our returning players played a lot of basketball for us last year,” Driskell said. “We believe that will pay for us, particularly when we get into the conference season.”

The Lady Toppers’ newcomers include: freshmen Kati Prince from Waverly, Tenn., and Tera Hill from Oxford, who played high school basketball in Tampa, Fla., and juco transfers Amber Johnson from Rienzi and Northeast Mississippi Community College, Xenobia Lavender from Noxapater and East Central Mississippi CC, and twins Brandy and Brittany Walls from Red Banks and Northwest Mississippi CC.

“We’re going to be a lot more athletic this year – more than we’ve been in several years,” Driskell said. “The key for us will be how quickly our new players can mesh with our returnees. Our returning players are a lot more familiar with our system now, and once the new ones make the adjustments I think we’ll be OK.”

MEN’S OUTLOOK:  Toppers coach J.D. Parker, beginning his second season at BMC, is also looking for old and new coming together.

“We’ve got a good mix of guys whose skills should make us a better team,” Parker said. “With the new guys joining five returnees and three redshirts, I think once we mesh we’ll see a lot of improvement.”

Jarvis Fisher, a sophomore from Pine Bluff, Ark., was a member of the TranSouth All-Freshman team a year ago, after starting 26 games and averaging 10.4 points per outing. Fisher will be joined by returnees: Ethan Ellis, a senior from Gibson, Tenn.; DeVante Pulliam (4.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg), a sophomore from Houston; Corbin Harris (4.3 ppg), a sophomore from Fort Mill, S.C.; Tyler Shaver (7.8 ppg), a junior from Anderson, Mo., and redshirts Michael Chatham, a sophomore from Collierville, Tenn.; Chris Whitten, a freshman from Selmer, Tenn.; and Jake Keller, a sophomore from Cross Plains, Tenn.

BMC newcomers are: freshmen Shane Butler of Tupelo; Toby Roelfsema of Senaca, Mo.; Bruno Santana of Vitoris, Brazil; and Josh Williams of Redwater, Texas; and transfers Cody Garrett of Corinth and Northeast CC; Jermael Bingham of Selmer, Tenn. and Dyersburg State CC, and Jonathan Luster of Belmont and Itawamba CC, and Zach Carnell of Ecru and Delta State.

“Fisher had a great freshman year and he continues to get better,” Parker said. “Pulliam was solid and gives us a lot of leadership, as does Ellis. Shave worked hard this summer and it’s obvious when you watch him play.

“We’ll be a much more athletic team this year; we’re just ready for the season to get started.”

MADISON, Miss. -- Blue Mountain College fired a team-record -- and tournament low round -- 290 here Tuesday to move from fifth place to a tie for second in the Lake Caroline Intercollegiate.

Led by Adam Hall's 3-under-par 69 over the 6,800-yard Lake Caroline Golf Club, BMC closed out its fall season by improving 34 strokes over Monday's abysmal opening round of 324.

Hall, who finished tied for third place and earned a spot on the all-tournament team, answered a double-bogey on the ninth hole and 37 on the front side with a 4-under-par 32 on the closing nine. Hall had a two-day total of 79-69--148.

Brandon Robbins finished in 10th place with an 80-75--155; Daniel Singh shot an 80-76--156 to tie for 14th place; Grant Burns tied for 18th with his 85-73--158 that included a 3-under 33 on the closing nine; Michael Collie shot an 87-73--160 to finish tied for 22nd; and Bobby Parks, playing as an individual, had to withdraw with a thumb injury.

"This is the type of golf we're capable of playing," BMC coach Danny McKenzie said. "The opening round was totally uncharacteristic, and I'm really proud of the way the guys responded. We put ourselves into a pretty deep hole to start with and it was just too much to overcome. But we tried -- Lord, we tried."

TEAM RESULTS:

1. Millsaps College 308-299--607; T2. Blue Mountain College 324-290--614; T2 Mississippi College 309-305--614; 4. Freed-Hardeman 311-310--621; 5. Louisiana College 317-218--635; 6. Belhaven 329-322--651.

BMC RESULTS:

Adam Hall (T3) 79-69--148; Brandon Robbins (T10) 80-75-155; Daniel Singh (T14) 80-76--156; Grant Burns (T18) 85-73--158; Michael Collie (T22) 87-73--160; Bobby Parks 80-WD.

MADISON, Miss. -- Blue Mountain College played its worst golf in the two-year history of the program here Monday and found itself in fifth place among the six teams in the Lake Caroline Intercollegiate.

Adam Hall fired a 2-under-par 34 on the back nine of the 6800-yard Lake Caroline course for a 79 -- the only BMC golfer to break 80.  Daniel Singh and Brandon Robbins each fired an 80; Grant Burns posted an 85 and Michael Collie had a 36-51--87. Bobby Parks, playing as an individual, also had and 80.

BMC's 324 total is 16 shots behind Millsaps College (308). Mississippi College is at 309, Freed-Hardeman University is at 311, Louisiana College 317 and Belhaven at 329.

Freed-Hardeman's Travis Ross led the field with an even-par 72 and held a two-shot lead overe MC's Griffin Burk.

BMC wraps up its fall season after Tuesday morning's final round.

BATESVILLE, Miss. -- Bradi Beard, a standout player for the North Delta School Green Wave, has signed a basketball scholarship with the Blue Mountain College Lady Toppers for the 2012-13 season.

"I'm very excited about Bradi becoming a part of our program at BMC," Lady Toppers coach Lavon Driskell said. "She has the skills to help improve our program and has the character and academic standing that makes her a great fit for Blue Mountain College."

During her junior year at North Delta, Beard, a 5-7 guard, averaged 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals per game.

"To get someone of Bradi’s basketball skill level to sign this early is a real plus for our program," Driskell said.

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. -- Led by Brett Barry's 77, Union University captured the 2011 BMC Fall Invitational by one shot over BMC here Wednesday.

On a cold, blustery day at the 6700-yard, par 72 Kirkwood National Golf Club, Union posted a team score of 324, one shot ahead of host BMC. Bethel University finished third at 327 and Lyon College was fourth at 339.

Chris Yeater of Bethel captured medalist honors with a 76, while BMC's Daniel Singh and Brandon Robbins each had a 78. They were the only four players in the 29-player field to break 80 while winds were blowing up to 20 mph and temperatures were in the high 40s.

"We played well, considering the weather," BMC coach Danny McKenzie said. "Kirkwood is a very difficult golf course under the best of circumstances and today was really hard. Those four guys who broke 80 played some serious golf."

Noting that BMC finished second to Bethel by two shots at last week's Martin Methodist Invitational, McKenzie said, "We're getting closer. We've got some good teams in our conference (TranSouth) and we've just got to keep plugging. We'll get there."

BMC closes out its fall season with a visit to the Lake Caroline Collegiate Championship on Monday and Tuesday.

2011 BMC FALL INVITATIONAL RESULTS:

UNION 1 (324): Brett Barry 77, Kyle Long, 83, Steven Coffelt 81, Jesper Swedenberg 83, Ben Waits 84. (Individuals): David Hopper 84, Andrew Knight 86, Ruan Mantooth 95, Matthew McSwain 90

BMC (325): Daniel Singh 78, Brandon Robbins 78, Michael Collie 84, Grant Burns 85, Adam Hall 88. (Individuals): Austin Bynum 86, Bobby Parks 86, Rob Goodson 86.

BETHEL (327): Chris Yeater 76, Josh Thomas 84, Shane Peden 86, Reece Miller 81, Grant Frazier 88. (Individuals): Taylor Stricklin 93, Ronnie Gilbert 86.

LYON (339): Michael Shedd 80, David Pryde 84, Bret Bloodworth 89, Nate Whitlow 86, Dave Hartwell 109.

JACKSON, Tenn. – Blue Mountain College’s LaTifa Swims and Austin Epting have been named the TranSouth Conference Cross Country Runners of the Week for the week ending October 16, 2011.

LaTifa Swims, a freshman from Carrollton, Miss., posted a 12th place finish in the Fast Cats Classic in Owensboro, Ky. She ran a time of 19:24 in the 5K event that featured 107 runners.

Austin Epting, junior from Blue Springs, Miss., posted a sixth place finish in the Fast Cats Classic. He ran a time of 26:58 in the 8K event that featured 107 runners.

"Tifa and Austin are really deserving of this honor," BMC coach Heather Duley said. "They are both extremely hard workers and have had good seasons. To have two runners honored by the conference is a shot in the arm for our program."

BMC's men team finished fourth out of 11 teams in Owensboro and the women finished fifth among 13 teams.

Two weeks ago, Epting finished 13th out of 102 runners in the Rhodes College Invitational in Memphis, and Swims was 15 of 100 runners.

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Austin Epting and Latifa Swims led Blue Mountain College to respective  fourth- and fifth-place finishes in the Fast Cats Invitational here Saturday.

Epting powered his way to a sixth-place finish out of 107 runners with his 8k time of 26:58.73, and Swims cruised to a 12th-place finish in the 107-runner 5k field with a time of 19:24.38.

Austin Peay State University won the men's competiton and the University of Southern Indiana captured the women's title.

Southern Indiana took the top four spots in the women's race, led by Jackie Henderson at 18:26.60. In the men's race, David Baker, running unattached, led the field with a time of 26:01.99.

WOMEN: 1. Southern Indiana, 2. Univ. of Indianapolis, 3. Austin Peay, 4. Georgetown, 5. Blue Mountain College, 6. Asbury, 7. Brescia, 8. Campblesville, 9. St. Mary of the Woods, 10. Kentucky Wesleyan, 11. Fontbonne, 12. St. Louis College of Pharmacy, 13. Oakland City.

BMC WOMEN: (12) Latifa Swims 19:24.58; (34) Kelsea Posadas 20:16.65; (38) Tuesdae Rowland 20:31.72; (52) Emma Baxter 21:16.33; (73) Kacie Harris 22:37.30; (82) Beth Goolsby 23:01.59; (93) Keira Mayfield 23:56.86.

MEN: 1. Austin Peay, 2. Univ. of Indianapolis, 3. Brescia, 4. Blue Mountain College, 5. Campbellsville, 6. Fontbonne, 7. Georgetown, 8. Cincinnati Christian, 9. Asbury, 10, Kentucky Wesleyan, 11. St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

BMC MEN: (6) Austin Epting 26:58.73; (28) Richard Feist 27:59.03; (45) Hunter Flanagan 28:55.58; (48) Brian McDonnieal 29:00.91; (54) Nathan Young 29:15.80; (55) Jose Valle 29:17.0; (58) Riley Bennett 29:32.35; (62) Derek Scott 29:42.90; (65) Bryan Cook 29:52.12; (79) CAsey Bales 20:49.30; (99) Drew Bruce 33:50.99; (103) Zack Brock 35.00.92.

CLIFTON, Tenn. -- Blue Mountain College came oh-so-close yet again to its first tournament victory here Thursday, finishing second in the Martin Methodist Fall Invitational at scenic Ross Creek Landing Golf Course.

Adam Hall fired an even-par 72 to lead BMC to a 300 team total, three shots behind Bethel University's purple team.

Cumberland University finished third at 303, followed by Martin Methodist's red team at 308, Freed-Hardeman at 312, Bethel's gold team at 337, and Martin Methodist's black team at 353.

Hall and Bethel's Josh Thomas tied for second overall, behind the Wildcats' Chris Yeater, who posted a 2-under-par 70.

Yeater, Hall, Thomas, and Cumberland's Dustin Thomas and Austin Garrett made the all-tournament team with 74s.

For BMC, Hall was joined by Daniel Singh with a 75, Michael Collie 76, Brandon Robbins 77, and Austin Bynum 81. Playing as individuals, Grant Burns shot a 77, Bobby Parks 82 and Rob Goodson 96.

BMC plays host to 7 teams on Wednesday at Kirkwood National Golf Club in Holly Springs. Play begins at 11 a.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Allie Newby ripped a drive down the first fairway at Old Hickory Country Club at 11:20 a.m. Monday, launching the Blue Mountain College women's golf program.

While things sort of went downhill -- literally and figuratively -- from there for Newby at the Trevecca Nazarene Fall Invitational, the outlook for women's golf at BMC looked strong. Newby, a freshman from New Albany and West Union High playing as an individual, shot a 112 in her first competitive collegiate round.

Cumberland University grabbed the lead in the team competition after the first day with a 322. Lindenwood University was 15 shots back at 337, followed by Trevecca Nazarene at 344, Tennessee Wesleyan at 346 and Martin Methodist University at 357.

Marcella Ax of Lindenwood held the individual lead with a 77, one shot ahead of Allyson Agee of Cumberland and Lexi Stewart of Tennessee Wesleyan.

Tuesday's action begins at 10 a.m.

"Allie did fine today," BMC coach Danny McKenzie said. "I can't imagine the pressure she felt all day, knowing that she was the first female golfer at BMC. Now that we've got all that history stuff out of the way -- and we're both glad to have been a part of it -- we can concentrate on playing golf now. Allie is a much better player than that and she'll do a lot better.

"The thing that impressed me the most was that as soon as Allie turned in her scorecard she grabbed a Gatorade and headed to the practice tee. She was the only player in the field to do that, and that's tells me that she's willing to do what it takes to get better."

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Profile Products LLC has stepped up to the plate to help transform Blue Mountain College’s dream of a sports complex into a reality.

Profile and BMC have signed an agreement that will transfer 34 acres of reclaimed property to the college in exchange for the mining rights to 37 acres of school property. The two plots of land are across Tippah County Road 805 from each other, approximately one mile north of the BMC campus and west of Mississippi Highway 15.

The transfer will allow BMC to develop a sports complex that will include a baseball field, softball field, golf driving range, soccer field, sand volleyball court, and a walking/running track.

“This is a wonderful partnership,” said BMC president Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward. “This will allow us to use our land to enhance the college in a way that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”

Profile Products, at its plant approximately two miles from the BMC campus, manufactures and distributes the industry’s best-selling inorganic soil amendments for sports fields, golf courses and landscaping.

Its Turface soil conditioner is used on athletic fields across the country, including Major League Baseball stadiums and National Football League stadiums.

Profile also has plants in Tennessee and North Carolina, where it manufactures a comprehensive line of erosion and sediment control products, turf establishment products and complementary accessories to accelerate seed germination.

“This is a great opportunity to partner with Blue Mountain College and to contribute to the enhancement of the local community,” said John Schoch, president and CEO of Profile Products.

Coward said the school, as part of its timber management program, had already sold the trees on the 37-acre plot that is part of more than 100 acres. Removal of the trees has already been accomplished and mining has begun.

A completion date for the sports complex has not been set, but preliminary dirt work has also begun on the 34-acre site.

“This agreement with Profile will result in the college having facilities for our students and will bring visitors to our town and county which will be a benefit to the region,” Coward said.

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. -- Michael Collie led Blue Mountain College to a 9.5 to 3.5 victory here Thursday over Freed-Hardeman University in the first match play competition between the two NAIA TranSouth Athletic Conference teams.

Collie, who won three points for BMC in the two-day tournament, won the first eight holes and cruised to a 9 & 7 victory over FHU's Bryant Cashion in the individual matches at Kirkwood National Golf Club.  BMC led 4.5 to 1.5 after the team matches on Wednesday at Chickasaw Golf Club in Henderson, Tenn.

BMC also got wins from Daniel Singh, who knocked off Lincoln Stemler 6 & 5; freshman Austin Bynum, who came from 3 down to beat Jonathan West 3 & 2; Brandon Robbins who beat Carson Wiley 3 & 2; and Bobby Parks, who beat Darren Bart 1-up.

FHU won two matches: Travis Ross beat Adam Hall 2 & 1 and Grant James knocked off Grant Burns 2 & 1.

"This was a good win for our team," BMC coach Danny McKenzie said. "The final score looks like we smoked them but that's really deceiving. After the first nine holes today it was pretty tight.  Freed-Hardeman played some good golf, but our guys stayed focused and were able to pull it out.

"This was a great event and it's our plan to make it an annual competition between our two schools."

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- Blue Mountain College jumped out to a 4.5 to 1.5 lead over Freed-Hardeman University here Wednesday in the first match play competition between the two TranSouth Athletic Conference teams.

Played at scenic and long Chickasaw Golf Club, BMC won the morning alternat shot competition 2-1 and took the afterenoon foursome matches 3.5 to .5.

The two teams travel to Kirkwood National Golf Club in Holly Springs on Thursday for seven individual matches.

ALTERNATE SHOT:  Michael Collie-Grant Burns (BMC) def. Grant James-Lincoln Stemler (FHU) 7&5; Austin Bynum-Bobby Parks (BMC) def. Darren Bart-Bryant Cashion (FHU) 3&2; Travis Ross-Jonathan West (FHU) def. Brandon Robbins-Adam Hall (BMC) 3&1.

FOURSOMES:  Michael Colle-Adam Hall (BMC) def. Grant James-Carson Wiley (FHU) 4&3; Daniel Singh-Grant Burns (BMC) def. Darren Bart-Bryant Cashion (FHU) 2&1; Travis Ross-Jonathan West (FHU) AS Brandon Robbins-Rob Goodson (BMC).

MEMPHIS -- Latifa Swims and Austin Epting paced Blue Mountain College to a pair of seventh-place finishes in Saturday's 21st Annual Rhodes College Invitationa cross country meet.

Swims ran a 23:40 to finish 15th out of 100 runners in the women's 6k event, and Epting finished 13th of 102 runners with an 8k time of 26:39 in the men's race.

The University of Memphis won both team titles. The Tigers' James Maglasang won the men's title with a time of 25:05 and Rhodes' Maddie Harrigen captured the women's championship in 22:13.

"We had good races today," BMC cross country coach Heather Duley said. "Almost everybody on the two teams showed improvement and that's encouraging. We've got a lot of hard work in front of us, but I'm encouraged by our effort today."

BMC WOMEN (6k): Latifa Swims 23:40 (15), Tuesdae Rowland 25:14 (40), Kelsea Hendrix 25:25 (43), Emma Baxter 25:50 (46), Kacie Harris 26:51 (57), Beth Goolsby 27:32 (61), Keira Mayfield 31:07 (74).

BMC MEN (8k): Austin Epting 26:39 (13), Richard Feist 27:34 (28), Nathan Young 28:31 (42), Jose Valle 28:36 (43), Brian McDonnieal 29:02 (48), Riley Bennett 29:09 (50), Hunter Flanagan 29:15 (52).

WOMEN'S TEAM: 1. Memphis 34, Rhodes 69, 3. Central Arkansas 96, 4. Delta State 116, 5 Cornell College 120, 6. Arkansas Tech 152, 7. BMC 201, 8. Webster 206, 9. Univ. Texas Tyler 252, 10. Huntingdon 280, 11. Arkansas Pine Bluff 298, 12. Hendrix 333.

MEN'S TEAM: 1. Memphis 33, 2. Univ. Texas Tyler 88, T3. Cornell College 90, T3. Rhodes 90, 5. Central Arkansas 112, 6. Hendrix 127. 7. BMC 174, 8. Webster 224, 9. Huntingdon 258, 10. ARkansas Monticello 320.

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Blue Mountain College senior Brandon Robbins fired a 3-over-par 75 here Friday to lead BMC to a fourth-place finish in the Union University Fall Invitational.

Robbins finished second in the 57-player field, one shot behind Union's Andrew Knight.

Union captured the team title by three shots over Cumberland University and four over Bethel University. BMC finished seven shots back in the 11-team field playing in blustery conditions at the 7,011-yard Jackson National Golf Club.

In the team competition, BMC's Austin Bynum and Bobby Parks each shot an 82, Michael Collie posted an 84 and Rob Goodson had an 85. Playing as individuals, Grant Burns and Adam Hall each shot a 78 and Daniel Singh had an 84.

"We're continuing to make progress," said BMC coach Danny McKenzie. "Sometimes it's just not as fast as we'd like. We played against some strong teams today, but we can play better than we did. We've just got to keep working."

BMC and Freed-Hardeman University will laungh their intended fall match-play competition on Wednesday and Thursday. The two teams will play alternate shot and foursomes Wednesday at Chickasaw Golf Course in Henderson, Tenn., and then travel to Kirkwood National Golf Club in Holly Springs, Miss., on Thursday for individual match play.

UNION FALL INVITATIONAL RESULTS

1. Union 316, 2. Cumberland 319, 3. Bethel 320, 4. BMC 323, 5. Union B 324, 6. Martin Methodist 334, 7. Freed-Hardeman 335, 8. Cumberland B 340, 9. Bethel B 350, 10. Martin Methodist C 376. DNF Martin Methodist B.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Tanner Sparks, a standout golfer at Belmont High School and Meridian Community College, has signed a NAIA letter of intent with Blue Mountain College. Sparks will join the BMC program in January.

A 2008 graduate of Belmont, Sparks played on back-to-back Class 2A state championship teams in 2006 and 2007. Belmont was second in 2008.

Sparks then attended Meridian Community College and was a member of the golf program that finished sixth in the NJCAA Division I national tournament in 2009 and second in the national tournament in 2010. He compiled a 75.4 scoring average while lettering two years at MCC.

"Tanner is a really strong golfer and an even better young man," Danny McKenzie, BMC golf coach, said. "He's played at a championship level wherever he's been and we need that kind of experience.

"We've been able to get a pretty solid program started at BMC and Tanner will be one of those who helps take us to that next level. We're all looking forward to his becoming part of BMC in January."

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Athletes and coaches from Blue Mountain College’s eight athletic programs will be on hand Saturday, Oct. 8 for the third annual Meet the Toppers Day on the BMC campus.

The festivities begin with a 5k fun run at 10 a.m. in front of the Lowrey Administration Building in the heart of the BMC campus. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and there is a $15 fee for runners and walkers of all skill and age levels.

After the race, Topper Day festivities begin at the Tyler Gymnasium and on the tennis courts.  The different sports will host games and activities for all ages, and pre-sold plate lunches ($5) will be served from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Fans and supporters will meet the BMC athletes and coaches at 12:30 p.m. inside Tyler Gymnasium.

For more information, call 662-685-4771 extension 405, or email ldriskell@bmc.edu.

CLEVELAND, Miss. -- After playing its way among the leaders through 27 holes of the Derrall Foreman Invitational at Delta State University, Blue Mountain College faded down the closing nine and finished tied for sixth place in the nine-team tournament.

DSU slipped past the University of North Alabamaby one shot for the team title. BMC was in second place after the first day with its record team score of 290.

Michael Collie (69-78--147) and Adam Hall (73-74--147) tied for 14th place to lead the Toppers. Austin Bynum, playing in his first collegiate tournament, finished T21 after posting a 74-75--149. Grant Burns (76-75--151) was tied for 21st; Brandon Robbins (72-83--155) was tied for 34th; Daniel Singh (86-75--161) was 43rd; and Rob Goodson (83-86--169) was 46th.

"Obviously, we didn't do as well as we hoped," BMC coach Danny McKenzie said, "but overall it was a good experience for us. This was our first time to be among the leaders and I hope we learned what it takes to finish it off."

Zack Day of the University of Mobile (71-63--139) and Jake Greer of UNA (69-70--137) tied for medalist honors.

FINAL TEAM RESULTS:  1. DSU 291-286--577; 2. UNA 288-290--578; 3. Lindenwood 293-293-586; 4. UNO 294-296--590; 5. Lindenwood B 307-284--591; T6. BMC 290-302--592 and Mobile 300-292--592; 8. Centenary 303-304--607; 9. Belhaven 327-323--650.

CLEVELAND, Miss. -- Michael Collie fired a 3-under-par 69 at Cleveland Country Club here Friday to lead Blue Mountain College to a team record low round of 290 in the opening round of the Derrall Foreman/Delta State Intercollegiate.

BMC is in second place after the first round of its fall season-opener, two shots back of defending champion University North Alabama. Delta State University is in third place at 291.

Collie, a senior from Collierville, Tenn., had five birdies in his round of 33-36. Brandon Robbins opened with an even-par 72; Adam Hall had a 73, and Grant Burns had a 76 for the 290 team score on the 6,529-yard CCC course.

"This was an excellent way to start our season," said BMC coach Danny McKenzie. "We finished last year with records in our last two rounds, and then we went two lower today in our first tournament of the year.

"This is a strong tournament with some really good teams. To be playing in the last group Saturday with UNA and Delta State is unbelievable. I'm really pleased with the way we played, and that's an understatement."

BMC freshman Austin Bynum, playing as an individual, had a 74 to begin his college career. Seniors Rob Goodson and Daniel Singh had an 83 and 86 respectively.

Delta State senior Grant Goforth finished with a 68 to take the individual lead. BMC's Collie is tied at 69 with Paul Colditz of Lindenwood (Mo.) University and Jake Greer of UNA.

Lindenwood is in in fourth place at 293, followed by the University of New Orleans 294, University of Mobile 300, Centenary University 303, Lindenwood B 307, and Belhaven University 327.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Six new players have signed baseball scholarships with Blue Mountain College for the 2011-12 season:

Gardner Richey is an outfielder and pitcher from Tupelo who transferred to BMC from Samford University; Alex Arntfield is a pitcher and first baseman from Anderson, Mo.; and Taylor Clark is a pitcher from Marianna, ark., who transferred from Central Baptist University.

Seth Davis is a first baseman and outfielder from Poplarville, Miss.; Chance Praytor is an outfielder and pticher from Mobile Christian School; and Dalton Kulas is a shortstop and pticher from Olive Branch and Meridian Community College.

"All of these players are really good athletes who could make immediate contributions to our program," BMC coach Curt Fowler said. "Several of them have college baseball experience and that is an invaluable commodity."

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Beau Tillery has been named assistant men's basketball coach at Blue Mountain College.

Tillery, 25, was a three-year letterman for Toppers coach J.D. Parker at Ecclesia College in Arkansas and coached two years at Rogers (Ark.) High before joining the BMC staff as a men's housing resident director.

A native of Springdale, Ark., Tillery played a year at the University of the Ozarks before joining Parker at Ecclesia.

"Beau was a really good post player and team leader," Parker said. "He helped us start the program at Ecclesia and in his senior year we won 23 games. His leadership had a lot to do with our success."

Parker said Tillery, 25, would work with the BMC inside players, "but he knows our system inside and out."

"He's got a good coaching background and he knows about all aspects of the game," Parker said. "Since he played for me he knows how we want to play and he understands the dynamics of our system."

Tillery earned his bachelor's degree in sports management at Ecclesia and will pursue his B.S. in education at BMC.

"I plan to keep coaching and this is a great opportunity for me," Tillery said. "Working with Coach Parker will definitely help me as I decide whether I need to be coaching at high school or in college. Coach Parker is a great role model, and I'm lucky to be working with him."

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Brandon Berry, a steady-hitting shortstop for Colbert County High in Leighton, Ala., has signed a baseball scholarship to play at Blue Mountain College.

Berry hit .485 for the Indians in 2010 with a .581 on-base percentage last season with 13 doubles, a triple and 37 runs batted in. He was named all-area 1A-3A.

 “Brandon should be able to come in a help us out immediately,” BMC coach Curt Fowler said. “He’s a great defensive player and a solid hitter, and we’ll also use him on the mound sometimes. We’re really excited that Brandon is joining our program.”

BLUE MOUNTAIN – Zach Scott, a first baseman and outfielder for Itawamba Community College, has signed a baseball scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

“Zach is an excellent defensive player and a really good athlete,” BMC coach Curt Fowler said. “He had a strong high school career, and with his experience playing in a strong ICC program he’ll give us some much-needed depth.”

Scott, a multi-sport standout at Shannon High, played two years for the Indians, compiling a .209 batting average and scoring 23 runs.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. --  Chassey Barnes, an all-star for Kossuth High School, has signed a scholarship to play for Blue Mountain College.

Barnes, a catcher and infielder for the Lady Aggies, signed as an outfielder with the Lady Toppers.

"Chassey is a very versatile player who has a lot of speed and will really help us in the outfield," said BMC coach Kevin Barefield. "She's also an excellent hitter and baserunner who will add a lot to our offense."

Barnes, a two-time All-Division 1-3A and All-Alcorn County player, was selected to play in the Mississippi High School All-Star Game and the Northeast Mississippi Coaches Association All-Star Game.

As a senior at Kossuth she hit .348 with five doubles and two triples. In 2010 she hit .487, had four doubles and three triples, and scored 32 runs. She was voted team captain her final two years for the Lady Aggies.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Tera Hill, a former Oxford High hoops player who moved to Tampa, Fla., will return to North Mississippi and play for Blue Mountain College.

Hill, a two-year letter-winner at Robinson High in Tampa, is a 5-6 guard. Hill averaged 5.6 and 4.6 points a game in her junior and senior years, respectively. She also averaged 5.8 and 5.0 assists and 4.9 and 3.0 steals for the Lady Knights.

"Tera is a terrific ball-handler," BMC coach Lavon Driskell said. "She's got great speed and she is a really smart player. As she gets older and gains experience, she will be like having a coach on the floor."

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Aaron Waltman, a steady hitting middle infielder from Mobile (Ala.) Christian School, has signed a baseball scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

"Aaron is a really consistent player with a lot of speed," BMC coach Curt Fowler said. "He knows how to get on base and knows what to do when he gets there. He is a solid defensive player with a great pair of hands. He should be able to come in and help us right away."

In his senior year at MCS, Waltman hit .323 as a leadoff batter with an on-base percentage of .500. He scored 33 runs and also had a home run and 18 runs batted in. In 2010, he hit .400 batting second and had an on-base of .552 with 37 runs scored and 20 RBI.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Chelsea Lukens, an all-state pitcher for Itawamba Community College, has signed a sofatball grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

Lukens, from Saltillo, compiled a 25-14 record in two years for ICC and had a 2.78 earned run average.

"Chelsea was a solid pitcher for ICC; her statistics speak for themselves," BMC coach Kevin Barefield said, "With her experience she'll provide valuable leadership for us as well as some awfully good pitching. We're really looking forward to Chelsea being a part of our program."

Lukens was selected to the 2011 MACJC All-North first team and NJCAA Region 23 teams after her 2010 season in which she put together a 15-6 record that included 67 strikeouts and 28 walks in 133 innings pitched, and a 1.31 ERA. As a freshman she was 10-8 with 30 strikeouts and 18 walks with a 3.21 ERA.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Thomas Russell, one of Alabama's top high school baseball players, has signed a scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

Russell, from Danville, Ala., was named the 2011 Class 1A-3A Player of the Year by the Decatur Daily, after batting .565 with 3 home runs, 5 triples, 20 doubles and 31 runs batted in, his senior season. He had 78 total hits, scored 56 runs and had 13 stolen bases.

"We are blessed to have one of the top players in Alabama join our program," BMC coach Curt Fowler said. "Thomas had several different options after his outstanding high school days and he chose to come here. We are excited to have a player of his caliber on our team."

Russell was primarily a catcher his senior season but he also played second base and his seen time on the mound. Fowler said he'll play a similar role for the Toppers, who finished their innaugural season with a 16-35 record in the NAIA TranSouth Athletic Conference.

"Thomas will see time on the mound, behind the plate and at shortstop and second base," Fowlere said. "He's an extremely versatile player who will add a lot to our program right away."

Russell, who earned Alabama honorable mention Class 3A honors in both 2010 and 2011, hit .495 as a junior with one homer, 2 triples, 11 doublesl and 20 RBI. He had 52 total hits, scored 39 runs and had 21 stolen bases.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Matt Roberts, a crafty lefthanded pitcher from Mississippi Delta Community College, has signed a grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

"Matt is a really sound pitcher," BMC coach Curt Fowler said. "We had a need for a lefthander and Matt fills that role for us perfectly. He's not an overpowering pitcher, just a good solid pitcher with good command of his pitches. He has very good control of all four of his pitches so he'll be a big plus for us."

During his senior year at Center Hill High School in Olive Branch, Roberts earned All-District 1-4A and All-Chickasaw Conference honors. He was the CHHS male athlete of the year for 2007-08 and won the Mustang Award. He was an academic all-American at Mississippi Delta.

"Matt will not only add a lot to our team, but he'll be a strong presence on the BMC campus," Fowler said. "We're extremely happy Matt decided to continue his education at Blue Mountain."

NORTH CARROLLTON, Miss. -- Latifa Swims, a two-time Mississippi Class 2A cross country champion for J.Z. George High School, has signed a scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

"Latifa is one of the premier runners in Mississippi high schools," BMC coach Heather Duley said, "and we are thrilled that she's coming to BMC. Latifa is a very dedicated runner and hard-workier, and she will make us stronger right away."

Swims won the Mississippi 2A 4000-meter cross country championships in 2010 and 2011, as well as both North State championships.

In track, she won both the 3200 meters (11:51.23) and 1600 meters (5:26.65) 2A titles in 2011 and was second in the 800 meters (2:30.42). She also won the 3200 meters (11:51.75) in the Mississippi State Bulldog Invitational and was fourth in the 1600 meters (5:38.35). She also finished third in the 1600 meters (6:14.70) at the Clinton High Invitational.

As a junior, she won both the 1600 and 3200 meters state and north state titles.

BLUE MOUNTAIN -- Hilary Parrish, a five-time All-Division 1-4A outfielder at Pontotoc High School, has signed a softball scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

"Hilary is a natural outfielder who has great speed," BMC coach Kevin Barefield said. "She can also play shortstop and second base if we need her, and she is a great hitter with power and great bat speed. Hilary will be able to come in and help us in a lot of different ways."

Despite a season-ending broken ankle, Parrish hit .579 for the Lady Warriors and scored 21 runs. She had a .636 on base on base percentage and struck out only twice. The Pontotoc most valuable player was chosen for the Coaches All-Star Game despite her broken ankle.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Allie Newby made a little Blue Mountain College history Thursday when the West Union High School three-sport standout signed a scholarship to become the school's first woman intercollegiate golfer.

Newby, who also lettered 4years in cross country and 6 years in basketball, lettered in golf 4years for the Eagles. An all-Division 1A selection 3 years, Newby competed in the Mississippi girls state championship all 4 years at West Union and was the lady Eagles' most valuable player her junior and senior seasons.

"Allie is an outstanding athlete with a good work ethic," BMC coach Danny McKenzie said. "I really believe when she's able to concentrate on just one sport, and work on it like she knows she'll have to, that she'll be really good. She is an intense competitor, and that's always a plus. Allie is the perfect first signee for our women's program."

In cross country she was an all-division and all-state runner four years and a member of the West Union 1A state championship team in 2010-11.  In basketball, Newby was named the Lady Eagles best offensive player her senior season after scoring 296 points, won the Lady Eagle Award and named all-Union County.

BLUE MOUNTAIN – Zach Carnell, who led Ingomar High School to the 2010 Mississippi Class 1A championship, on Wednesday signed a basketball grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

“I’m extremely excited about the addition of Zach to our team,” BMC coach J.D. Parker said. “He had a great high school career for Coach (Norris) Ashley at Ingomar and I believe his best basketball is ahead of him. Zach has the potential to be a strong inside presence in our conference over the next three years.”   

The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Carnell averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds per game as a senior, leading the Falcons to the state title.  A dominating inside player, he collected several postseason accolades, including New Albany Gazette Player of the Year, MHSAA Division 2-1A Player of the Year, MHSAA All-State, All-Union County, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal All-Area first team and The Clarion Ledger honorable mention All-State.

Carnell, who will be a sophomore at BMC, signed with Delta State University out of high school and played one semester before transferring to Itawamba Community College in Tupelo.

BLUE MOUNTAIN -- Akeem Caddell of Horn Lake and Itawamba Community College signed with Blue Mountain College.

"Akeem is a tremendous athlete who can score and go to the boards," BMC coach J.D. Parker said. "He's an exciting player who will fit right into our program."

Caddell, a 6-foot-5 forward, averaged 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 63-percent from the floor as a sophomore to help the Indians advance to the semifinals of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

“I’m sure Akeem will be able to step right in at the post position next season,” said Cooper. “He’s a real tough and physical kid that has really meant a lot to our program over the past two years.”

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Josh Williams, a 6-foot-6 forward, at Redwater (Texas) High School, has signed a basketball letter-of-intent with Blue Mountain College.

“I am excited that we will have Josh with us in the fall," Toppers coach J.D. Parker said. "He has a nice set of offensive skills and I believe he is going to develop into a great player for us over the next four years.”

Williams averaged 16 points, 9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3 blocks per game at Redwater.

Parker said Williams will be used inside, "but he has the ability to step out and hit the jump shot," the coach said. "He's a good, all-around player who will give us some good depth."

BLUE MOUNTAIN – Austin Bynum of West Union High School, one of Mississippi’s top high school and junior golfers, on Wednesday signed a scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

“This is a big day for the BMC golf program,” said coach Danny McKenzie. “Austin is both well-known and well-respected around the state. He’ll make our program stronger right away.”

Bynum won the Mississippi Class 1A championship as a junior and finished fourth in this year’s state tournament, both at Beau Pre Golf Club in Natchez.

He won the District 2 1A championship four times while at West Union. In addition to several scholastic seasonal tournaments, Bynum also won the Coca-Cola Junior Championship in 2010 and finished in the top 10 at the 2010 Pros of Tomorrow Championship at Tupelo Country Club.

“Austin is talented in all aspects of the game and is an extremely hard-worker,” McKenzie said. “As he continues to improve so will the BMC golf program.”

BMC recently completed its first year of intercollegiate golf, finishing fourth in the NAIA TranSouth Athletic Conference.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Bobby Parks, a two-year letterman at Itawamba Community College, has signed a golf scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

“Bobby has a tremendous amount of potential and he’ll make it a much more competitive atmosphere,” said BMC golf coach Danny McKenzie. “He’s only been playing golf for less than four years and he’s made a tremendous amount of progress in that short period of time. He’s proven he’s a really hard worker, and I only see him getting better and doing it in a hurry.”

Parks, a football letter-winner at Saltillo High, recently finished 12th in the Mississippi Junior College state championship (76-79--155) at Deerfield Country Club in Ridgeland and tied for 16th in the NJCAA Region 23 tournament (78-78--156) at River Birch Golf Club in Amory.

Blue Mountain College recently completed its first year of collegiate golf in the NAIA TranSouth Athletic Conference. BMC finished fourth of seven teams competing for the TSAC championship.

GLEN, Miss. -- Cody Garrett of Alcorn Central and Northeast Mississippi Community College has signed a basketball grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

"Cody is a well-rounded player with good experience from Northeast," BMC coach J.D. Parker said. "He's a gym rat who plays extremely hard and he'll be a good fit for our program. He'll come in and help right away."

During his sophomore year at Northeast, Garrett, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 8.0 points a game, 4.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He hit 41.7 of his field goal attempts and 39.5 from the 3-point line.

"Cody can do a lot of things really well," Parker said. "I really like the way he rebounds, especially for a guard. He'll be a big help to our team over the next two years."

As a senior at Alcorn Central High, Garrett averaged 18 points and game and 8 rebounds, and hit 90 3-pointers.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Kacy Beavers, a hard-hitting catcher for Carroll Academy, has signed a softball grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

“Kacy has the potential to step right in and play a big role for us,” said BMC coach Kevin Barefield, whose Lady Toppers just completed their first season in the NAIA TranSouth Athletic Conference.

“She’s a very consistent hitter with good power and she’s an excellent defensive player,” Barefield added. “We’re really looking forward to Kacy being a part of our program.”

In 44 games her senior season, Beavers compiled a batting average of .420 with four home runs, 13 doubles and two triples. She also drove in 17 runs and scored 40. She had a .536 on-base percentage and a .420 slugging percentage. She led C.A. in runs, doubles, triples, homers, total bases, walks and slugging.

Beavers was named the Lady Rebels’ most valuable player three times, all-conference four times, team captain twice, MPSA District 2-AA most valuable player, and was the recipient of the Libby Miller Memorial Softball Scholarship.

“With Kacy’s dedication to both softball and academics, she’ll be a perfect fit for BMC,” Barefield said.

INDEPENDENCE, Miss. -- Blue Mountain College strengthened its pitching corps Tuesday when it signed Blake Witt of Independence High School.

BMC coach Curt Fowler said Witt, a left-hander, will give the Toppers, 16-36 in their first season, some much-needed depth in the pitching corps.

"Blake has good control of his pitches," Fowler said, "and the fact that he's a left-hander doesn't hurt at all. He's had success at every level so far and we see Blake continuing that pattern when he joins BMC in the fall."

Witt's statistical information was not available Tuesday.

ENTERPRISE, Miss. -- Will Basil, who led West Union to the second round of the Class 1A state playoffs, signed a baseball scholarship on Friday with Blue Mountain College.

"Will is an outstanding player who is only going to get better over the next couple of years," BMC coach Curt Fowler said. "He's a really good offensive player but his real value to us will be as a pitcher. He's got a good fast ball and good control of his breaking pitches. He'll be a big help to us on the mound next year."

Basil carried a 5-0 record into the second round of the playoffs where the Eagles were eliminated by Greenville St. Joseph and finished the season 16-14. Basil, a right-hander, had an 1.35 earned run average in 31 innings pitched with 52 strikeouts and only 16 walks.

At the plate, he hit .386 with six home runs, seven doubles and a triple, and drove in 22 runs.

RIPLEY, Miss. -- Zach Jones, who helped lead Ripley to the semi-finals of the Class 3A state tournament, has signed a baseball scholarship with Blue Mountain College.

Jones, a cacher, hit .318 for the Tigers, 20-9, with seven doubles, a triple and a home run, and drove in 22 runs. He threw out eight baserunners from behind the plate.

He also pitched in seven games for Ripley, going the distance in three and compiling a 4-2 record with 27 strikeouts and 24 walks.

"Zach is a good, solid baseball player who has a lot of potential," BMC coach Curt Fowler said. "We look for him to come and give us some depth right away behind the plate. He's a good addition for our team."

SENATOBIA, Miss. -- Brittany and Brandy Walls, twin sisters from Red Banks, Miss., have signed basketball letters-of-intent with Blue Mountain College.

BMC coach Lavon Driskell said the Walls twins, who played two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College after attending Bishop Byrne High in Memphis, would bring a much-needed level of athleticism to the Toppers program.

"Brittany and Brandy are extremely quick," Driskell said. "They're good, hard-nosed defensive players who will step up in the middle of things. They'll give give us another dimension, one that we haven't had in a while. Plus, they're strong academically and two really nice young ladies."

Brittany played in 19 games for Northwest last year, averaging 1.7 points a game with 13 steals. Brandy played in 20 games for the Lady Rangers and averaged 3.3 points a game and had 13 steals.

DECATUR, Miss. -- Xenobia Lavender, a 5-11 forward from East Central Mississippi Community College, has signed a basketball grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

BMC coach lavon Driskell said Lavender, who also played for Noxapater High School, will give the Lady Toppers some inside quickness.

"Xenobia has the ability to not just go up for a rebound but to go up quickly," Driskell said. "She'll make us much more effective on the inside. We're looking forward to Xenobia joining the Lady Toppers."

As a sophomore, Lavender played in all 23 of the Lady Warriors' games. She averaged 1.4 points a game and 2.5 rebounds.

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. -- Michael Collie blistered the Blytheville Country Club layout Friday with a 4-under-par 67 and led Blue Mountain College to a fourth-place finish in the TranSouth Athletic Conference Championship.

Collie, a junior from Collierville, Tenn., finished with a 219 total and tied for eighth in the 34-man field after posting opening rounds of 75 and 77.

Union University captured the team title by two shots over Cumberland University, 863-865, while Trevecca Nazarene was third at 868.

BMC, in only its first year of collegiate golf, posted rounds of 307-296-292 -- 895, and edged Martin Methodist College (901) for fourth place. Bethel University was sixth at 937 and host Lyon College finished at 967.

Dustin Thomas of Cumberland captured medalist honors with a 68-74-66--208, one shot better than Brett Barry of Union (71-70-68--209).

"This was a pretty impressive start for our program," said BMC coach Danny McKenzie. "These guys jumped right in, didn't flinch when they went up against some pretty talented players in a pretty strong conference, and did a great job. We're all looking forward to next year."

1 Dustin Thomas Cumberland Univ. 68 74 66 208 -5

2 Brett Barry Union University -TN 71 70 68 209 -4
T3 David Saldana Trevecca Nazarene U. 71 71 74 216 +3
T3 Grant Moffett Trevecca Nazarene U. 73 73 70 216 +3
T5 Micah Gentle Union University -TN 75 73 69 217 +4
T5 Paul Vaughn Cumberland Univ. 71 74 72 217 +4
7 Ryan Chandler Union University -TN 75 72 71 218 +5
T8 Joey Bradley Trevecca Nazarene U. 81 69 69 219 +6
T8 Guy Nardo Cumberland Univ. 74 74 71 219 +6
T8 Michael Collie Blue Mountain College 75 77 67 219 +6
11 Steven Coffelt Union University -TN 73 71 76 220 +7
T12 Joseph Rackley Martin Methodist Co. 76 74 71 221 +8
T12 Austin Garrett Cumberland Univ. 70 76 75 221 +8
T14 Josh Thomas Bethel College TN 74 75 74 223 +10
T14 Bobby Humburg Trevecca Nazarene U. 75 72 76 223 +10
T14 Blake Moore Martin Methodist Co. 74 74 75 223 +10
17 William Potts Trevecca Nazarene U. 77 73 74 224 +11
18 Chris Yeater Bethel College TN 76 76 75 227 +14
19 Brandon Robbins Blue Mountain College 74 81 73 228 +15

T20 Grant Burns Blue Mountain College 82 70 78 230 +17T20 D.J. Adcock Martin Methodist Co. 77 78 75 230 +17

T22 Daniel Singh Blue Mountain College 82 75 74 231 +18
T22 Taylor Springer Martin Methodist Co. 80 76 75 231 +18
T22 Matt Kelley Union University -TN 80 76 75 231 +18
T25 David Pryde Lyon College 77 78 77 232 +19
T25 Austin Smith Martin Methodist Co. 83 77 72 232 +19
27 Adam Hall Blue Mountain College 76 74 83 233 +20
28 Michael Shedd Lyon College 77 79 80 236 +23
T29 Ronnie Gilbert Bethel College TN 82 78 78 238 +25
T29 Ryan Gammons Cumberland Univ. 79 77 82 238 +25
31 Justin Long Lyon College 84 79 81 244 +31
32 Justin Rea Bethel College TN 80 85 84 249 +36
33 Gaston Orahood Lyon College 87 88 80 255 +42
34 Dave Hartwell Lyon College 99 95 99 293 +80

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. -- Adam Hall played steady all day Thursday and Grant Burns lit it up during the second round at Blytheville Country Club to lead Blue Mountain College into fourth place after the first day of the TranSouth Athletic Conference Championship.

The 18-hole final round will be played Friday, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Hall posted a 76-74--150 to lead BMC, while Burns, who opened with an 82, blistered the second round with a one-under-par 70 -- including double bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes -- for a school record. Hall is tied for 14th and Burns is tied for 18th with Michael Collie (75-77--152).

BMC shot a team score of 307-296--603 and trails Union University (294-286--580), Trevecca Nazarene University (296-285--581) and Cumberland University (283-298--581). Martin Methodist College is in fifth place (307-301--608), ahead of Bethel University (312-314--626) and host Lyon  College (325-324--649).

Brandon Robbins had a 74-81--155 (T21) and Daniel Singh had an 82-75--157.

Union's Brett Barry (71-70--141) holds a one-shot lead over Dustin Thomas of Cumberland (68-74--142) and David Saldana of Trevecca (71-71--142). Stephen Coffelt of Unioin posted a 73-71--144.

COMPLETE SCORES

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- Amber van Sandt drove home Sara Elizabeth Cousar with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning here Wednesday night to give Freed-Hardeman a 7-6 win over Blue Mountain College in the first round of the TranSouth Athletic Conference Championships and bring an end to the Lady Toppers' first season of intercollegiate softball.

Natalie Mosley and Haylei Plummer each had two hits for BMC and Shelby Jackson rapped a double to lead the Lady Toppers, who finished with a 5-39 record. Van Sandt, Brittany Johnson, Brittany Yates and Betsy Pickler each had two hits for FHU, 23-22.

Mid-Continent University took a 3-1 win from BMC in the opening game. Jackson had a double and pinch-runner Kaleigh Tackitt scored the Lady Toppers only run. MCU hurlere Molly Hargrove held BMC to only two hits.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Haylei Plummer and Samantha Sagely of Blue Mountain College have been selected to the All-TranSouth Athletic Conference softball second team.

Plummer is a junior shortstop from Pope and Sagely is a freshman outfielder from Corinth.

"Haylei and Sam had outstanding years and we're excited that they've both been selected to the all-conference teams," said BMC coach Kevin Barefield. "They're both certainly deserving of the honor. They're tremendous young women and have been great leaders for us in our first year of competition."

Plummer, who played for South Panola High and Northwest Mississippi Community College, hit .281 for the Lady Toppers with seven doubles, two home runs and 13 runs batted in and scored 13 runs.

Sagely, who played for Alcorn Central High, led the Lady Toppers in batting with a .324 average and in stolen bases with seven. She also scored 11 runs and had three doubles.

The Lady Toppers, in their first year of play in the NAIA, finished the season with a 5-37 overall record and 3-27 mark in the TSAC. They oopen conference tournament play at 9 a.m. Thursday.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Seth Kennedy, a junior outfielder from Iuka, was named second team All-TranSouth Athletic Conference.

Kennedy, a transfer from Northeast Mississippi Community College, played in 53 games for the Toppers in their inaugural season. He batted .353 with 12 doubles, one triple and three home runs, while driving in 15 runs. He also stole eight bases and compiled a .960 fielding average.

"I'm really proud that a young man of Seth's caliber is our first all-conference player," BMC coach Curt Fowler said. "He's a great young man and was easily one of our most consistent players and a real leader on our team. He's very deserving of the honor."

COMPLETE TRANSOUTH ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TEAM

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Fourteen Blue Mountain College players were recently named TranSouth Athletic Conference Scholar Athletes for the spring seasons.

To be considered a TranSouth Scholar Athlete, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be a sophomore or above in academic classification.

SOFTBALL -- Jessica Bumpus of Middleton, Tenn., Stgephanie Dillard of New Albany, Kristy Hurley of Corinth, and Lizzy Sherard of Southaven.

BASEBALL -- Cody Brownlee of Nettleton, Channing Walker of Tupelo, Corey Adams of Sherman, Sam Summerford of Fulton, Nate Bell of Guntown, Zane Treadaway of Blue Springs, Blake Jolly of Pontotoc, Ben Wallis of Ripiley, and Seth Kennedy of Tishomingo.

GOLF -- Rob Goodson of Ripley.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Amber Johnson, a 5-9 guard from Pine Grove and Northeast Mississippi Community College, has signed a basketball grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

"We are pleased and excited to have Amber join the Blue Mountain College family," BMC women's coach Lavon Driskell said. "Amber is a good ballhandler, shooter, and defender, plus she excels in the classroom as well."

Johnson averaged 11.4 points a game for Northeast this year, and pulled down 3.4 rebounds. She connected on 37 percent of her field goals, and was good on 36.1 percent from 3-point range. She also hit 76. 2 percent from the free throw line.

As a freshman for the Lady Tigers, Johnson scored 7.3 points a game and grabbed 3.6 rebounds. She also connected on 40 percent of her 3-point attempts.

"Amber brings a lot of positives to our team," Driskell noted. "She has been a part of two outstanding programs at Pine Grove and Northeast. Amber understands what it takes to win, has a great work ethic and will fit very nicely into our style of play."

PULASKI, Tenn. – Shelby Jackson singled in Jessica Bumpus with two outs in the top of the 10^th inning here Monday to give Blue Mountain College a 2-1 TranSouth Athletic Conference win over Martin Methodist College.

The win enabled the Lady Toppers to snap a 22-game losing streak in their first season.

Jackson and Haylei Plummer each had two hits for BMC, 5-33 overall and 3-23 in the TSAC. Meggin Nelson picked up the win, allowing six hits while striking out six and walking six.

In the first game, BMC scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning but their rally came up short. Plummer again led the Lady Toppers with a pair of singles, but Martin’s Kandace Christopher had two doubles and a triple, and drove in five runs to lead the Lady Red Hawks. MMC is 27-26 and 13-17 in the conference.

BMC plays host to Union University in a 4 p.m. doubleheader Thursday at the New Albany SportsPlex.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- Bruno Santana, a 6-5 guard-forward at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn., has signed a basketball grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

“We are excited about signing Bruno," said BMC coach J.D. Parker. "He brings additional length and athleticism to our roster for next year, and he will be a good player in our system. I look forward to his development as a student athlete in our program over the next four years.” 

Santana, a native of Brazil, averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds a game at Hamilton Heights his senior season. He was named an National Association of Christian Athletes Division III All-American and was the defensive most valuable player in the DIII national tournament.

"Bruno is a hard-working, tough, basketball player who will do all the dirty work that is required to help him and his team succeed," said Hamitlon Heights coach Duke Stone. "Blue Mountain is certainly getting one of the best players in our program's history."

MAYFIELD, Ky. – Tornado activity in the area and heavy rains brought an abrupt end to Blue Mountain College’s first baseball season here Saturday afternoon.

The Toppers lost 11-7 to Mid-Continent University in a TranSouth Athletic Conference game called off in the seventh inning because of severe weatherin the region .

Ben Wallis led BMC with three hits, including a double, and two runs batted in, and Hunter Mize had two hits and two rbi. Channing Walker and Dustin Lunn also had two hits apiece. William Ruthven led the Cougars with two hits and five rbi, including a trhee-run homer.

The Toppers scored all their runs in the top of the sixth inning. Cody Roberts and Nate Bell had run-scoring singles, Mize had a two-run single, Bell scored on a throwing error, and Wallis ripped a two-run double.

BMC finished its first season with a 16-35 overall record and 4-20 in the TSAC. Mid-Continent is 24-26 and 7-13.

MID-CONTINENT 11, BLUE MOUNTAIN 7

BMC   000  007  0 – 7  12  1

MCU   050  032  1 – 11 12  1

WP: Tomas Rodriguez. LP: B.J. Johnson.

Multiple hits: (B) Ben Wallis 3, Dustin Lunn, Hunter Mize, Channing Walker. (M) Daniel Edwards, Sam Cheng, Nathan Lawrence 3, William Ruthven.

2B: (B) Wallis. (M) William Brown, Edwards. HR: (M) Ruthven.

Records: BMC 16-35 (4-20). MCU 24-26 (7-13).

Note: Game called during 7th inning because of heavy rain and tornado warning.

UNION CITY, Tenn. – Blue Mountain College rolled to its third sixth place in as many tournaments this spring with a 302 Friday in the Union University Spring Invitational here at Wingfoot Golf Club.

BMC finished the 13-team, 54-hole tournament with a 921 team score, well behind host Union (875) and runner-up Lindenwood University (890).

Lindenwood’s Oscar Isacsson and Union’s Brett Barry tied for medalist honors at 220.

Brandon Robbins (79-74-75–228) and Adam Hall (79-73-76–228) tied for 23rd to lead BMC.

Blue Mountain closes out its first year of NAIA golf May 2-3 in the TranSouth Athletic Conference championships at Blytheville (Ark.) Country Club.

TEAM SCORES – Union A 875, Lindenwood A 890, Lindenwood B 891, Trevecca Nazarene 898, Lambuth 903, Blue Mountain 921, Martin Methodist 922, Lindenwood C 936, Union B 944, Lyon 946, Freed-Hardeman 955, Bethel 958, Lindenwood D 984.

BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE – Brandon Robbins 79-74-75–228, Adam Hall 79-73-76–228, Grant Burns 78-79-75–232, Daniel Singh 82-80-76–238, Rob Goodson 80-77-82–239.

MAYFIELD, Ky. – Seth Kennedy banged out four hits and scored three runs here Friday to lead Blue Mountain College to a 7-6 win over Mid-Continent University and snap a nine-game losing streak.

 Kennedy also banged a solor home run for BMC in the first game, but MCU claimed the second game of the TranSouth Athletic Conference doubleheader, 8-0.

 Parker James had three hits for the Toppers in the first game, and Dustin Lunn and Sam Summerford each had two.

In the nightcap, Nate Bell had a pair of singles to lead BMC, 16-34 and 4-19 in the TSAC.

UNION CITY, Tenn. -- Blue Mountain College struggled to a 619 during the first (36-hole) round of the Union University Spring Invitational golf tournament here Thursday and found itself in seventh place among the 13 team-field.

Adam Hall fired a 79-73--152 to lead BMC and is tied for 21st place going into Friday's final (18-hole) round. Brandon Robbins shot a 79-74--153 and is tied for 25th place. BMC had team scores of 316 and 303 in the opening two rounds during a cold, blustry day over the 6,835-yard par-72 Wingfoot Golf Club course,.

Union University shot a two-over-par 578 and grabbed a 12-shot lead over Lindenwood University, while Lindenwood's Team B is in third place at 595.

Union's Micah Gentle (73-71--144) is tied for the individual lead with Lindenwood's Oscar Isacsson (76-68).

TEAM TOTALS: Union A 293-285--578, Lindenwood A 301-289--590, Lindenwood B 299-296--595, Trevecca Nazarene 297-301--598, Lambuth 302-297--599, Martin Methodist 308-309--617, Blue Mountain 316-303--619, Union B 310-313--623, Lindenwood C 322-306--628, Lyon 311-317--628, Freed-hardeman 321-314--635, Bethel 329-315--644, Lindenwood D 336-324--660.

BMC SCORES: Adam Hall 79-73--152, Brandon Robbins 70-74--153, Grant Burns 78-79--157, Rob Goodson 80-77--157, Daniel Singh 82-79--161.

BATESVILLE, Ark. -- Lyon College's Kaitlyn Patterson ripped a grand slam home run in the bottom of the seventh inning here Wednesday to give the Lady Scots a 6-2 TranSouth Athletic Conference win over Blue Mountain College. Lyon captured the second game of the doubleheader, 5-2.

Kelsey Nelson had a pair of singles to lead the Lady Toppers in the first game, and in the second game Jessica Bumpus and Halley Beckham each had a double.

Lyon's Erica Whitaker had a home run in the second game. The Lady Scots are 21-22 overall and 13-15 in the TSAC. BMC dropped to 4-32 and 2-22.

The Lady Toppes travel to Pulaski, Tenn., on Monday to take on Martin Methodist University.

NEW ALBANY, Miss. -- Martin Methodist College dropped Blue Mountain College in a pair of TranSouth Athletic softball games here Tuesday. The Lady Hawks won the first game 9-1 and scored 3 runs in the top of the 7th to take the second game 4-2.

In the first game, Shelby Jackson and Natalie Moseley each had a double for the Lady Toppers, but MMC's Nicole McWhorter had a pair of doubles and Amber Kinsey had a home run.

BMC came oh-so-close to snapping its losing streak in the second game, but the Lady Hawks pushed across three runs in the last inning to extend the Lady Toppers' streak to 19.

Meggin Nelson had a pair of singles to lead BMC, now 4-30 overall and 2-20 in the league. MMC is 25-24 and 11-15.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Blue Mountain College's late rally came up short here Tuesday and William Carey University took both ends of a doubleheader, 8-2 and 8-4.

The Toppers scored three runs in the top of the seventh in the nightcap and the game ended with the bases loaded. Ben Wallis had three singles to pace BMC, 15-33, and Blake Jolly had two.

In the first game, the Toppers jumped out to a 2-0 lead but the Crusaders took a 5-2 lead in the third and improved their record to 25-21. Seth Kennedy had two hits, including a double, to lead BMC.

The Toppers, who have dropped their last nine games, travel to Mayfield, Ky., on Friday for a TranSouth Athletic Confernce weekend series against Mid-Continent University.

NEW ALBANY, Miss. -- Freed-Hardeman University pounded out 26 hits here Saturday afternoon to sweep both ends of a TranSouth Athletic Conference doubleheader against Blue Mountain College.

The Lions won the opener 10-0 and the second game 18-0. BMC, on a seven-game losing streak, is now 15-31 overall and 2-18 in the TSAC. FHU is 22-23 and 8-10.

Ben Wallis paced the Toppers in the first game with a single and a double, and B.J. Johnson had two singles in the second game.

Robert Prieto led the Lions with seven hits on the afternoon, including three doubles. Evan Mansell had three hits in the second game -- two homers and a double.

The Toppers travel to Hattiesburg on Tuesday for a doubleheader against William Carey University.

TUPELO, Miss. -- Shane  Butler, who helped guide Tupelo High School to a 28-4 record this year, on Thursday signed a basketball grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College.

"Shane is an outstanding player from a quality high school program," BMC coach J.D. Parker said. "Being part of a program like Tupelo will be a great help to him and enable him to make a smooth transistion into college basketball.

"He is a really good shooter who has the potential to make a big impact for us over the next four years."

During his senior year, Butler averaged 9.0 points a game for the Golden Wave, while connecting on 54 percent of his field goals, including 56 percent (42 of 75) from three-point range. He also shot 72 percent from the free throw line, averaged 5.5 assists a game and 2.8 rebounds per game..

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. -- Blue Mountain College improved a shot during the second day of the Natural State Spring Invitational but dropped a spot to finish in sixth place in the 15-team tournament field.

Daniel Singh fired a one-over-par 72 on Tuesday to lead BMC. Grant Burns fired a 76, Michael Collie a 78, Brandon Robbins a 79 and Adam Hall an 85. Blue Mountain put together team a team score of 306-305--611 for its sixth-place finish.

Rogers State University of Tulsa, Okla., won the tournament with a 287-296--583, five shots better than Delta State University.

Rowdy Garrett of Arkansas Tech (70-75--145), Graham Rudic of Arkansas Tech (73-72--145) and Tanner Owens of Rogers State (74-71--145) finished tied for medalist honors.

BMC SCORES: Daniel Singh 77-72--149, Michael Collie 75-78--153, Brandon Robbins 77-79--156, Grant Burns 86-76--162, Adam Hall 77-85--162.

TEAM SCORES: Rogers State 287-296--583, Delta State 300-288--588, Arkansas Tech 296-297--593, UA Ft. Smith 307-294--601, Harding A 303-305--608, BMC 306-305--611, Henderson State 309-304--613, UA Monticello 319-301--620, Harding B 313-312--625, Christian Brothers 316-314--630, Ouchita Baptist 326-307--633, Lyon 328-312--640, Southern Arkansas 319-327--646, Freed-Hardeman 329-321--650, Hendrix 335-334--669.

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. -- Blue Mountain College slogged its way to fifth place among 15 teams during Monday's rain-plagued opening round of the Natural State Spring Classic.

BMC posted a 306 in a steady downpour and trails leader Rogers State University of Tulsa, Okla., by 18 shots in the tournament comprised of 10 NCAA Division II teams and five NAIA teams.

Michael Collie led Blue Mountain with a four-over-par 75 over the hilly, 6,536-yard, par-71 Red Apple Inn course. Adam Hall, Brandon Robbins and Daniel Singh each had a 77 while Grant Burns struggled to an 86.

Michael Newton of Rogers State and Rowdy Garrett of Arkansas Tech shared the first-round lead with a one-under-par 70, and Landon Morgan of Rogers State posted a 72.

Rogers State holds a 13-shot lead over Arkansas State after posting a three-over-par 287. Delta State University is in third with a 303 and host Harding University is in fourth at 306.

NATURAL STATE CLASSIC

First Round Team Scores -- Rogers State 287, Arkansas Tech 296, Delta State University 300, Harding University A 303, Blue Mountain College 306, UA-Fort Smith 307, Henderson State 309, Harding University B 313, Christian Brothers University 316, UA-Monticello 319, Southern Arkansas University 319, Ouchita Baptist University 326, Lyon College 328, Freed-Hardeman University 329, Hendrix University 335.