The Trojans snapped a five game winning streak in a 61-49 loss to the Hawks of Chowan on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Murfreesboro, NC. Virginia State shot 40% from the field but took only four trips to the free-throw line.

Ibn Rassoull (senior/ East Orange, NJ) led Virginia State with 12 points on 5 of 11 shots from the floor. The Trojans went 7 for 19 from three-point range as Rassoull knocked down two of those seven three-pointers. Guards Justin Bess (senior, Landover, MD) and Mike Bynum (junior/ Norfolk, VA) also hit two treys each totaling 8 points on the night. Kenny Mitchell took only five shots for the Trojans, scoring 8 points and went a perfect 4 for 4 from the charity stripe.

Defensively, Mike Bynum led the Trojans in the rebounding effort with six and also in steals with two. Bynum's backcourt teammate DeVonte' Williams (freshman/ Hampton, VA) hit a trey from long range and led the Trojans dishing off four assists.

It was a frustrating night for the Trojans. Virginia State allowed the Hawks to score 28 points in the paint, compared to 14 by the Trojans and also was outscored in points in the paint 22-10.

Virginia State has clinched the fourth seed in the northern division. The Trojans will play on Wednesday, beginning their CIAA championship run.