The Trojans rallied back to force overtime in their season opener but fell to the Rams of Shepherd University 73-71. Senior, Ibn Rassoull scored a game high 22 points.

In their 2011-12 season opener, at the Clarion Hotel Classic in Shepherdstown, WV against host Shepherd University the Trojans loss on a layup with 2 seconds left in overtime, 73-71. VSU shot 46% from the field and forced 18 turnovers to the Rams offense.

Senior guard, Ibn Rassoull led the Trojans in their first game of the season with a game-high 22 points. Rassoull played 56 minutes and grabbed 5 rebounds. Juniors, Kenny Mitchell and Daniel Awasanya both contributed to the Trojans' scoring. Mitchell had 14 points and a team-high 7 rebounds and Awosanya had 12 points and 2 rebounds.

The Trojans forced overtime on a layup by freshman, Devonte Williams with 12 seconds left in regulation. The Rams were unable to score at the end of regulation but scored a final second layup in the next period to give VSU their first loss of the season. Williams made 3 of 3 shots from the field scoring 7 points. The freshman guard also had 2 important steals late in the second half as VSU rallied back.

Senior, Justin Bess tied the game up at 71-71 with 4 seconds remaining in overtime. Bess scored 2 of his 4 total points after an offensive rebound and quick put back after a Rassoull miss. Shepherd's Marcus Pilgrim made the layup with no time remaining in overtime giving his team the 73-71 win.

The Trojans will face West Virginia State at 6 pm on Saturday, Nov. 12th in Shepherstown, WV on the second day of the Clarion Hotel Classic.