By: James Scott, VSU Sports Information

LaMesha Deal (sophomore/ Norfolk, VA) poured in a career-high 22 points with 10 rebounds in a Lady Trojans victory over Fayetteville State 50-45, on Thursday, February 9 in Ettrick, VA.

The Lady Trojans got off to a slow offensive start with 19 total first half points. Fayetteville State shot 40% (10-25) while Virginia State shot 27% (8-29) from the field. The Lady Trojans struggled on the offensive end with 13 turnovers in the opening half. The Lady Broncos controlled the paint with 14 points and also had 12 points from their bench. Forward LaMesha Deal paced VSU with 8 first half points and guard Marquilla Evans (senior/ Norfolk, VA) added 5 points coming off the bench. The Lady Trojans went into the half down 22-19.

In the second half, Virginia State turned things around on the offensive end. Deal began to dominate the paint scoring 14 of her game-high 22 point in the second half. Virginia State's Quiana Kizer (junior/Woodbridge, VA) made two key free-throws with 7:36 left in regulation giving the Lady Trojans their first lead since the 3:58 mark in the first half. Once they seized the lead they held on to it. Guard Yashica Blackney (junior/ Greenville, SC) nailed a three-point basket to spark a Lady Trojans 13-3 run igniting the Lady Trojans.

The Lady Trojans rallied back by dictating the momentum and controlling the paint by out-rebounding the Lady Broncos 45-35.The Lady Trojans went on to defeat the Lady Broncos of Fayetteville State (50-45).