STIG Rock Diamonds, Alabama Omega Foundation Back XIXI Youth Development Mission Ahead of Montgomery Convention

Corporate sponsorship and a proposed mentoring partnership highlight efforts to expand opportunities for underserved young Black males as XIXI NOW Success Academy Worldwide prepares for its Nov. 12-15 gathering.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | As community organizations across Alabama seek new ways to strengthen youth development and expand access to mentorship, XIXI NOW Success Academy Worldwide is drawing support from corporate and nonprofit partners ahead of its four-day convention in Montgomery.

STIG Rock Diamonds has joined the initiative as a Presidential Sponsor, while the statewide Alabama Omega Foundation is lending its support through sponsorship and discussions about a potential mentoring collaboration.

The partnerships underscore XIXI's broader ambition to turn a convention centered on personal growth, leadership and community engagement into a platform for longer-term opportunities for young people.

The convention is scheduled for Nov. 12-15, 2026, in Montgomery, with a Mentorship Charity Golf Classic planned for Nov. 12 at Cottonwood Golf Club.

Arkansas women's basketball shatters scoring record in 127-48 rout of New Orleans

Ayianna Johnson scores 23 points, freshman Kyiah Prestridge delivers a double-double as Razorbacks set school records for points and forced turnovers in historic season opener.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. | Arkansas women's basketball opened the 2026-27 season with a record-breaking offensive performance Monday night, overwhelming New Orleans 127-48 at Bud Walton Arena while rewriting multiple entries in the Razorbacks' record book.

Senior forward Ayianna Johnson scored a game-high 23 points off the bench, and freshman guard Kyiah Prestridge delivered 22 points and 12 rebounds in her collegiate debut as Arkansas established a school record for points in a game and tied its largest margin of victory.

The Razorbacks (1-0) surpassed their previous scoring record of 115 points, set against Oral Roberts in 1987, and matched the program's 79-point victory margin established against Bartlesville Wesleyan in 1977.

Arkansas also forced a school-record 51 turnovers, eclipsing the previous mark of 43 against Murray State in 1990.

The Privateers (0-1) struggled to handle Arkansas' relentless defensive pressure, which produced 68 points off turnovers and helped turn the season opener into one of the most lopsided victories in program history.

No. 1 South Carolina survives No. 20 Maryland's furious comeback in Paris season opener

Joyce Edwards scores 23 points as Dawn Staley's Gamecocks squander most of a 31-point lead before holding off the Terrapins in a high-scoring women's college basketball showdown.

PARIS (AP) | Top-ranked South Carolina looked unstoppable in the first half of its season opener against No. 20 Maryland. By the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks were fighting to avoid one of the most stunning collapses of the early college basketball season.

Joyce Edwards scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and five South Carolina players finished in double figures Monday as the Gamecocks survived a furious second-half rally by Maryland in Paris.

South Carolina built a commanding 61-33 halftime lead and stretched its advantage to 31 points before Maryland mounted a comeback behind Addi Mack, who scored 31 of her career-high 35 points after halftime.

The Terrapins trimmed the deficit to 89-80 with 4:30 remaining, forcing South Carolina coach Dawn Staley to call a timeout. The Gamecocks responded with seven unanswered points, briefly restoring control before Maryland made one final push.

The Terrapins closed within 96-90, but Jordan Lee and Jerzy Robinson converted critical free throws in the closing moments to preserve South Carolina's season-opening victory.

The win showcased the Gamecocks' offensive firepower while exposing defensive vulnerabilities that nearly erased an otherwise dominant performance.

Illinois volleyball rallies past Ohio State for straight-set sweep, extends winning streak to four

Madi Miles ties career high with 15 kills as Fighting Illini overcome early deficits, dominate at the net and improve to 8-4 in Big Ten play.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. | Illinois turned two early deficits into a commanding straight-set victory Sunday afternoon, sweeping Ohio State 29-27, 25-23, 25-16 at Huff Hall to extend its winning streak to four matches.

Madi Miles matched her career high with 15 kills, while Sophi Randall delivered a career-best 33 assists as the Fighting Illini improved to 16-7 overall and 8-4 in Big Ten Conference play.

Illinois controlled the net with 10 team blocks and held Ohio State to a .149 hitting percentage, combining timely defensive stops with late-set rallies to secure its fourth consecutive victory over the Buckeyes.

The opening set tested Illinois' resilience almost immediately.

Ohio State surged to a 14-5 advantage, putting the Illini in a nine-point hole before the home team began its comeback. Illinois responded with six consecutive points to cut the deficit to three, then used another five-point run to move ahead for the first time.

Neither team could establish control down the stretch.

Illinois survived an Ohio State set point but struggled to close out the frame, failing to convert its first three opportunities. The Illini finally capitalized on their fourth set point to escape with a 29-27 victory.

The second set followed a similar script.