Box Score
Allen Harris (Jr./ Boston, MA) poured in 14 of his game-high 21 points in the second half as the Trojans defeated Newport News Apprentice School 86-74 in Daniel Gymnasium on Tuesday, December 11^th. VSU exploded for 56 second half points after trailing 33-30 at the half.

The Trojans jumped out to an early lead behind Kenny Mitchell's (Sr./ Atlanta, GA) powerful presence in the paint. Kenny Mitchell scored ten early points, shooting 5-7 from the field in the first half. The Apprentice School trailed the Trojans (7-4) at the 15:53 mark in the first half then went on a run of their own to claim the lead. The Apprentice School made three shots from three-point range in the first half as the Trojans were a cold 0-10. VSU's Jhamir White (Fr./ Patterson, NJ) converted on two free-throws, then on the following possession he gave the Trojans a 19-18 lead with 9:41 remaining in the half. That was the Trojans final lead in the first half due an offensive slump for both teams. Defense dictated the rest of the half as the Apprentice School held on to a 33-30 lead over the Trojans.

VSU quickly grabbed the momentum in the second half on several baskets. VSU's Shawn Porter (So./ Chesapeake, VA) and Christopher Grier (Jr./ Stone Mountain, GA) sparked a Trojans 10-4 run early in the second half to regain the lead. Shots began to fall in favor of the Trojans all through the second half.  Shawn Porter knocked down a jumper at the 15:29 mark putting the Trojans ahead (46-45). VSU's Christopher Grier and Allen Harris kept the Trojans' offense rolling as each went 5-7 from the field in the second half. Christopher Grier scored 12 of his 13 points in the second half and added seven rebounds with three assists. Allen Harris made four crucial shots from the free-throw line and had four rebounds with two steals.

The lead climbed to 14 (79-65) with 2:31 remaining in the game on a dagger from long range by Christopher Grier. VSU controlled the paint in the second half 30-6 and scored 22 points off of 12 Apprentice School turnovers. Virginia State outscored the Apprentice School 56-41 in the second half and rallied to win 86-74 at home.

Four Trojans scored in double-figures after shooting a team season-high 51% from the field. Allen Harris had a career-high 21 points with eight rebounds, Kenny Mitchell had 16 points with eight rebounds, Christopher Grier added 13 points with a career-high nine rebounds, and Shawn Porter had 10 points with seven rebounds. Devonte Williams (So./ Hampton, VA) dished out a season-high seven assists setting up his Trojan teammates.

VSU (3-3) heads to Erie, PA to compete in the Porreco Cup Tournament hosted by Gannon University. The Trojans face West Virginia Wesleyan College on Friday, December 14^th at 5:30 p.m. in their first game of the tournament.