PETERSBURG, Va. - The Virginia State University men's basketball team tamed the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bull with a 67-57 victory. The Trojans currently have a 9-7 overall record.

The Trojans started strong in the first half with a three pointer for the first play of the game from Lamar Kearse. Emilio Parks of the Golden Bulls came in with a dunk, but was showed up by the Trojans with a three pointer from Kahlil Tate. Virginia State kept Johnson C. Smith on their toes as they reached an 11 point lead with a little under eight minutes into the game. The Trojans worked together as they led the Golden Bulls in assists and recovered 22 total rebounds over the opponents' 17 total rebounds in the first half. Allen Harris of the Trojans landed a three point shot with 22 seconds left in the half. The halftime score was 34-29, with Virginia State in the lead.

Amiel Terry made the first basket of the second half with a good layup for the Trojans. After a shot from the Golden Bulls Antwan Wilkerson, the Trojans led by five. Kearse would step up and change the gap with an assist from Christopher Grier for a three pointer.  Seconds later, Wilkerson would duplicate his layup, but would once again be shut down by Kearse with another three point shot. For the remainder of the second half, the Trojans did not let the Golden Bulls get within a five point margin. As the clock ran down, Johnson C. Smith began to foul, giving Virginia State several advantages at the line. A few good free throw shots in the last seconds of the game gave the Trojans a 10 point lead for the win.

Kearse led the team with 16 points while teammate Harris came in with 11 points and six rebounds.

The Trojans will be back in action on Sunday, January 19 to take on the Panthers of Virginia Union at the Richmond Coliseum for the 2014 Freedom Classic at 7:00pm. Come out and support the "True Orange and Blue."