Box Score MOUNT OLIVE, NC- The Virginia State University Trojans men's basketball team defeated the no. 5 ranked University of Mount Olive Trojans in a 66-64 overtime win on day 1 of the Pickle Classic.

The Trojans are currently 3-1 on the season as the season chips away.

VSU shot 38.1 percent (24-63) from the field, 23.5 percent (4-17) from behind the arc and 82.4 percent (14.17) from the free throw line.

Junior Kevin Williams (Franklinton, NC) led VSU with 12 points while rookie Walter Williams (Richmond, VA) was close behind with 11 points.  Sophomore Tyler Peterson (Virginia Beach, VA) rounded out the double digit scoring for the Trojans with 10 points. Senior Te'Quan Alers (Fredericksburg, VA) had a team high of 7 rebounds.

VSU kept a steady pace in the first half against Mount Olive. The Trojans of VSU tied with Mount Olive twice in the half and took the lead once. As the clock ran down with 2 minutes left in the half, Mount Olive widen the scoring gap, setting VSU back with a score of 37-25. The VSU Trojans worked to regain focus and went into halftime with a score of 37-30.

Mount Olive got an edge on the Trojans at the beginning of the second half by taking an early lead. VSU pushed through and closed the scoring gap with a jumper from sophomore Waymond Wright (Raleigh, NC), tying the game 49-49. The VSU Trojans held the lead, until Mount Olive went to the line and secured 2 free throw shots, tying the game 60-60 with 1:28 left on the clock. VSU took a timeout with 12 seconds left in the game. A missed shot from behind the arc by VSU sent the game into overtime with a score of 60-60.

Although Mount Olive collected the first basket in overtime, the Trojans answered back with a three pointer from Kevin Williams bringing the score to 63-62. A foul by Mount Olive sent Kevin Williams to the line to secure 2 baskets. Mount Olive worked to stay in the game with a tip-in, closing the scoring gap 65-64, with VSU leading. A foul error by Mount Olive sent Peterson to the line to collect 2 good baskets with 3 second left on the clock. Mount Olive missed a final second three pointer to give VSU the 66-64 win over the no. 5 ranked Mount Olive Trojans.

"I'm extremely proud of our guys. We got off to really slow start and didn't play well the first half, but the second half we got going and played our game," said Heach Coach Lonnie Blow, Jr. "We continue to show a lot of toughness and togetherness through adversity."

VSU will take the court against Barton College at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21 for day 2 of the Pickle Classic.

The Virginia State Department of Athletics annual 1,000 cans, 1 goal campaign initiative is underway. The canned food items collected will be donated to the local food banks. The Department encourages all fans, alumni, faculty and friends to bring a canned food item to all of the home basketball games this season.

For more information on VSU Trojans women's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.