Box Score Ettrick, VA- The Virginia State University Men's Basketball team wrap up the VSU Day of Rivalries with extraordinary 83-80 win in double overtime against the Spartans of Norfolk State University. Many of those in attendance looked at this game as an exciting friendly HBCU matchup of Big state vs Little state and the CIAA vs MEAC.

The Trojans battled through 9 lead changes and the 9 ties to come out on top in their first home game this season. The contest was also the last of three exhibition games against Division 1 opponents to start this season.

"It was an exciting experience and it was totally a team effort tonight," shared Elijah Moore. "It's good to have a close game like that early on in the season so that later we will know what it takes to get those types of wins."

All-CIAA Forward senior Elijah Moore (Yorktown, VA) led the Trojans in scoring with 19 points. Junior forward Richard Granberry (Chester, PA) followed up recording 15 points. Senior guard Kevin Williams (Franklinton, NC) contributed 13 points and junior guard Waymond Wright (Raleigh, NC) rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Trojans with 10 points.

The Spartans were offensively pioneered by Zaynah Robinson who recorded 24 points. Johnathan Wade followed up with 12 points for NSU.

Granberry charged the Trojans defensive effort securing 18 rebounds and 2 blocks. Alex Long put in the work for the Spartan defense recording 8 rebounds. VSU out rebounded NSU 56-40 and was able to dominate in the paint.

The Trojans shot 40.6 percent (13-32) from the field, 40 percent (4-10) from behind the arc, and 50 percent (8-16) at the line in the first half while the Spartans shot 48 percent (12-25) from the field, 50 percent (7-14) from behind the arc, and 80 percent (4-5) at the line in the first half.

The Trojans went on a 6-0 run to take a 36-32 lead over the Spartans with 1:46 left in the first half, and a basket by senior Melvin Gregory (Weems, VA) gives the Trojans a 38-35 lead at halftime.
With 3:21 remaining in regulation the Trojans find themselves trailing the Spartans, but VSU maintained their composure and stuck to the game plan. Down 2 with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game Granberry goes up for a dunk and draws the foul, but can't complete the 3 point play. NSU took one last shot at ending the game in regulation, but the game clock expired.

Each team scored 8 points in what could be described as a very intense overtime. The Trojans trailed the Spartans down to the last 20 seconds when Moore would score to tie the game at 73-all and send it into double overtime.

The second overtime was a crowd pleasing nail-bitter, but the Trojans continued to fight. Once again Moore showed up, this time knocking one down from 3 point land to put the nail in the coffin and give the Trojans the victory.

Virginia State ended the night shooting 41.7 percent (30-72) from the field, 40.9 percent (9-22) from behind the arc, and 45.2 percent (14-31) at the line.

Norfolk State ended the night shooting 41.4 percent (24-58) from the field, 47.4 percent (9-19) from behind the arc, and 62.2 percent (23-37) at the line.

VSU  return to the court on November 11-12 for the Trojan Tip-Off Classic at the VSU Multipurpose Center. The Classic will tip-off at 6pm.

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