October 2018, Sports

Two Falcons named to pre-season all-CIAA team

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 5) – Tyre Gathright (Sr./Wilmington, NC) and Kaaliya Williams (Jr./Richmond, VA) of Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) were selected to the Preseason All-CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams, respectively, on Friday. The Preseason All-CIAA teams and the predicted order of finish were announced online during CIAA Virtual Basketball Media Day, which took place in Charlotte, N.C.

Gathright was one of 12 student-athletes placed on the men’s squad. Last season, the Falcons’ 6-4 guard led the team in points per game (15.2) to earn All-CIAA honors in his first season at SAU. He scored 10 or more points 23 times including a season-high 31 points against Catawba College. One of the best perimeter scorers in the conference, Gathright shot 45.6 percent from the floor including 38.5 percent from three-point land as a junior.

Williams was one of 12 student-athletes to land on the women’s team. She ranked first for the Lady Falcons and fifth in the CIAA in points per game (15.5) last season. The Lady Falcons’ 5-10 forward had the best free throw percentage in the CIAA (91.5) and the fifth-highest nationally in Division II. An All-CIAA pick a season ago, Williams scored in double figures 22 of 26 games including 27 points against Winston-Salem State University.

In the predicted order of finish, the Falcons were picked sixth in the Southern Division and ninth overall. The Lady Falcons were picked seventh in the Southern Division and 13th overall.

Both the Falcons and Lady Falcons start their seasons in Raleigh, N.C., on Nov. 10. The Falcons take on East Stroudsburg University in the Shaw Challenge at Spaulding Gymnasium and the Lady Falcons host the University of Mount Olive at Emery Gymnasium. Both games begin at 2 p.m.

— Office of Sports Information