Senior Mariame Sylla led Virginia State with a career-high 23 points and 16 rebounds in a 62-45 win over Bluefield State College in Daniel Gymnasium on Wednesday, Nov. 23. With the win, the Lady Trojans won their have fifth consecutive home-opener over non conference opponents.

Sylla controlled the paint for the Lady Trojans by scoring on 11 of 16 shots from the floor. She grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds (7 offensive, 9 defensive) and had 3 steals. Senior Marquilla Evans dished out a team-high 6 assists while scoring 7 points. Evans made all four of her free-throws and nailed a three-pointer.

Virginia State and Bluefield State closed out the first half tied at 32-32.The Lady Blues made 4 of 8 shots from long range and the Lady Trojans shot 39 percent and had 17 turnovers at the break. The Lady Trojans opened the second half outscoring Bluefield State 30-13 behind great defense and scoring in the post. Sylla had 12 points during a 20-8 run for VSU in the second half. VSU's defense held Bluefield State to 13 total points on 21 percent shooting in the second half.

The Lady Trojans out rebounded the Lady Blues 47-32 and scored 25 points off of 35 forced turnovers. VSU's bench scored 20 points led by junior Shantel Crout's 7 points. Both LaMesha Deal and Brianna Holt scored 6 points, while Brittany Newby-Ellis added 4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists.

Bluefield State had two score in double figures. Both Dragana Tomic and Kelly Pawlowski scored 12 points each. Pawlowski made 4 of 8 from three-point land and grabbed a team-high 4 rebounds.

The Lady Trojans will host the Chic-Fil-A Classic in Daniel Gymnasium on Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26. Elizabeth City State and Augusta State will face each other at 5:00 pm and Virginia State and Mercy will follow at 7:00 pm on the first day of the holiday classic.