Box Score

By: Reshawn Garnett, VSU Sports Information Intern

Lamesha Deal scored a game-high 21 points as the Trojans earn a 54-50 victory over the Hawks of Chowan University on Wednesday, February 13th in Murfreesboro, NC.  The Trojans improve to 11-12 overall and 4-9 in CIAA play.  

Both ball teams were fighting for a higher seed on the first day of the upcoming CIAA Basketball tournament. With this win the Trojans came one step closer to claiming the third seed in the CIAA northern division. This is the second meeting between these two teams. The Trojans won the last meeting 60-51. The Hawks have never beaten the Trojans in women's basketball. The Trojans are coming off of a disappointing loss to Virginia Union, which ended their chances of obtaining a bye on day one of the CIAA tournament.

The Trojans played tight defense in the opening minutes of the first half.  VSU was able to swipe the ball a couple of times taking advantage of a Hawks team that had 25 turnovers in their previous match up. VSU's Yashica Blakney was the first Trojan to score. She netted a three-pointer giving the Trojans the advantage early. Chowan would eventually tie the score at five at about the 16:39 minute mark. That tie was snapped by a Lamesha Deal bucket for the Trojans.

VSU maintained a slim lead for most of the first half; until Chowan knocked down a three-pointer, giving them their first lead of the game. Then things got a little scrappy. The lead exchanged hands multiple times, before Chowan regained the lead late in the first half. VSU went into the locker room trailing by one (28-27). 

Lamesha Deal got off to a strong start after going scoreless in the first half of her previous game against Virginia Union. Nonetheless, Lamesha Deal led the Trojans in scoring with ten points; she scored most of her points from the free-throw line. She shot a perfect 5-5 as the Trojans combined for 85% for the first half. Despite the score head women's basketball coach, James Hill Jr. and his Trojans were confident heading into the break. In VSU's last meeting with the Hawks, the Trojans trailed by seven points at the half before rallying for a win late in the second half.     

Unfortunately for the Hawks "deja vu" struck in the opening minutes of the second half. Lamesha Deal's three-point play put the Trojans ahead, 30-29 opening up the second half of play. Alexandria Massado expanded the Trojans lead with two points from the free-throw line, 32-29. Massado netted six points on the evening. VSU opened up a 38-31 lead midway through the second half after a three from long range by Jasmine Stewart. Stewart finished with eight points. 

VSU held Chowan scoreless form the field in first ten minutes of the second half while opening up a seven point lead. The Hawks missed their first 13 shots to open the second half.  However the Hawks wouldn't go away quietly. Chowan managed to cut the Trojans' seven point lead down to one (42-41) with 5:46 left in the game. Two free-throws from Lamesha Deal were the dagger, as the Trojans defeated Chowan, 54-50.

Lamesha Deal led the Trojans with 21 points and nine rebounds. Jasmine Stewart had eight points with five rebounds, and three assists, while Brianna Holt also had eight points to lead the VSU bench.

The Trojans return home to go against the CIAA northern divisional leading Elizabeth City State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 6th in Daniel Gym.