Bulldogs Travel Up to Huntsville for Two Games in the Bill Penny Classic

HUNTSVILLE. Ala.— This weekend, the Fisk University Bulldogs will hit 1-65 south to the University of Alabama-Huntsville to take on Edward Waters College on Friday and the host UAH on Saturday. The Bulldogs (1-2) are coming off a 79-52 exhibition loss to NCAA Division One Austin Peay State University.

The game against Edward Waters will match them against a former Gulf Coast Athletic Conference foe. It will be their second HBCU opponent in as many games. This past Saturday, they defeated Wilberforce University 85-83 on a basket by Tyon Thompson with 5.7 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Bulldogs are playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Something that head coach Kenny Anderson is excited about.

"Our conference is a dogfight every night," said Anderson of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. "We put this schedule together to get guys prepared. We had Faulkner beat on the road but let them off the hook. TSU and Austin Peay got a run late in the first half that we couldn't overcome, and Wilberforce beat us last year. I want to see us compete. You must love tough competition. If not, you are on the wrong team."

Last season, the Bulldogs went 8-16, a five-game improvement from the previous season. Tyon Thompson is the leading returning scorer (13.5 per game). The junior will be supported by returning seniors Michael Ashley and Jayden Lockett. Sophomore Justin McNelkin will be called upon to help with scoring. Junior Chris Spears Jr. and transfers Rodney Wiley and Allan Powell will be asked to run the offense.

For more information on the Bill Penny Classic, visit Bill Penney Crossover Classic - UAH Athletics (uahchargers.com)

Game 4: Fisk University (1-2) vs. Edward Waters (0-2)

Date/Time: Friday, November 17 | 5:30 p.m. (CST)
Watch: https://flosports.link/3rWqAAT

Live Stats: https://uahchargers.com/sidearmstats/wbball/

Location: Kelly Court at Spragins Hall, Huntsville, Alabama

Game 5: Fisk University (1-2) at University of Alabama-Huntsville (1-1)

Date/Time: Saturday, November 18 | 5:30 p.m. (CST)
Watch: https://flosports.link/3rWqAAT

Live Stats: https://uahchargers.com/sidearmstats/wbball/

Location: Kelly Court at Spragins Hall, Huntsville, Alabama

Quick Hits

 New Athletic Director with Old Roots Bringing New Direction

 On October 6. 2023, Valencia Jordan was announced as the new Director of Athletics. Jordan returned to Fisk after playing basketball in 1981-82. She gained experience as the Assistant Athletic Director at Tennessee State University. She also coached volleyball and women's basketball there.

 Anderson's Tough Schedule Will Be Key When Conference Play Starts

With two NCAA D1 teams (TSU and Austin Peay) on the schedule, one might think that head coach Kenny Anderson is setting his team up for failure. Anderson scheduled them, and NAIA powers Faulkner (AL) University, Clark Atlanta, Freed-Hardeman University, Bethel University, Life University, and Wilberforce University to set his team up for success once the conference season rolls around.

 Spicy Wings

Anderson has some athletic wings at his disposal, in Jayden Lockett, Tyon Thompson, and Blake Goodman. Already this season, the three have shown up huge. Lockett, a former Mr. Basketball candidate in Tennessee, is filling up the scoresheet with "Scottie Pippen" type numbers. Against Wilberforce, he had a triple-double of 18 points, 12 boards, and 10 helpers. Thompson scored 22 points against Wilberforce, including the game-winning shot, and Goodman had 36 points against Faulkner.

 The Trees Are Growing Around Good Trouble U

 Anderson jumped into the transfer portal to get a much bigger lineup. Two transfer players will have to sit out until they are qualified. They are Brazilian import Hamilton Wallace is the tallest recruit for Anderson at 7'1, Tyree Martin is 6'9, and freshman Solomon Mustafa-Reid is 6'8. He played in his first game this season against Wilberforce.

"We now look like a college team," said Anderson. "These guys will help us in the paint on both ends."

 The Bulldogs will travel to Atlanta to play HBCU foe Clark-Atlanta on November 20.