Winston-Salem, NC- The Virginia State University women's basketball team started off the year 2017 with a 21 point win over the Lady Rams of Winston-Salem State University. The Trojans 59-38 conference win on January 5 moves the team to a 11-2 overall record, 3-0 in the conference.

Leading the Trojans in scoring for the night was senior Nandi Taylor with 19 points, while she also snatching 6 steals. Rounding out the double digit scoring for VSU was junior Endia McKinney with 14 points. McKinney, along with senior teammate Taylor Daniels, lead the Trojans with 8 rebounds each. Helping the Trojans gain court advantage was senior Domonique Hagins, who also added 6 steals to the books.

The Lady Rams leading scorer was Kandace Tate with 9 points. WSSU's Tate and Taylor Boyd were equally match with 6 rebounds each.

Despite the Lady Rams taking an early lead in the first quarter, the excitement was short lived when McKinney landed a 3 pointer. Hagins followed suite securing an additional 3 point shot to give VSU a 6-4 lead with 6:27 on the clock. WSSU was scoreless for over 3 minutes, as VSU extended the soring gap. Free throws and layups would assist the Trojans in the 15-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was made up of several scoreless minutes, as both teams turned over the ball and missed valuable shots.  Although the Lady Rams outscored the Trojans in the second quarter, shots from behind the arc kept VSU ahead. The Trojans led at halftime with a score of 25-22.

Leaving the locker room with the drive to win, VSU stepped up their game in the final 2 quarters. Necessary jumpers and a 3 point shot by McKinney moved the Trojans into a double digit lead. Taking control of the court, VSU held a 42-29 lead to round out the third quarter.

Although WSSU secured a few baskets off of great plays, VSU kicked their game into high gear to leave the Lady Rams in their dust. Earning their highest lead of the night with 0:13 left in regulation, VSU took the victory with a final score of 59-38.

The Trojans had an edge on the Lady Rams in majority of the stats with second chance points (15-13), points off turnovers (25-9) and fast break points (6-2).

VSU ended the night shooting 28.8 percent (20-70) from the field, 29 percent (9-31) from behind the arc, and 76.9 percent (10-13) at the line, while WSSU ended the night shooting 28.9 percent (13-45) from the field, 27.3 percent (3-11) from behind the arc, and 69.2 percent (9-13) at the line.

The Trojans will take on the Lady Blue Bears of Livingstone College on January 7.  Tip-off is set for 2pm in Salisbury, NC.

VSU will continue to work hard to prepare for the 2017 CIAA Basketball Tournament on February 20-25 in Charlotte. NC.

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