Strong Second Half Performance Boost Virginia State Over The Newberry Wolves

Box Score NEWBERRY, S.C. (November 18, 2017) – The Virginia State University Men's basketball team secured a 90-85 victory over host Newberry College at the Newberry tournament and claimed the championship title.

Walter Williams finished the game with 17 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals. Fellow Trojan Richard Granberry (13), Waymond Wright (10), James Smith (10) and Andrew Corum (10) all finished with scoring in double digits for Virginia State.

Both teams exchanged leads from the start to set the tone early in the contest. Virginia State went 32-for-75 from the field. Newberry went 8-for-16 from three and posted a 53.6 percent field goal percentage to hold the lead throughout the majority of the first 20 minutes. Stepp drained his fourth three pointer of the half to give the Wolves the 13-point lead with 1:55 remaining in the first. Virginia State then went on a 6-0 run to trim the Wolves' edge to seven making it 49-42 going into halftime. There were five ties and 10 lead changes that occurred in the first half.

Virginia State had a hard time finding its groove offensively in the first half, only shooting 40 percent from the field.

Newberry's Stepp remained perfect from the floor going 5-for-5 from the floor. Virginia State responded with three quick baskets closing the gap within one to start the second half. The Trojans slowly chipped away at the Wolves' lead to tie it 63-63 with 10:19 remaining in regulation. A pair of free throws from Virginia State's William Vedder gave the Trojans the 65-63 advantage, one that VSU kept for the remainder of the contest.

Shooting from beyond the arc proved difficult for the Wolves in the second half with the team making four three-pointers on 20 attempts. Virginia State dominated in the paint with 50 points compared to 28 from the Wolves.

VSU's Walter Williams earned tournament MVP honors. Newberry's Lange and Stepp were named to the all-tournament team in a postgame ceremony.

The Trojans will return home for its 2017 home season opener as they host the Newport News Apprentice School Builders on Saturday, Nov. 25 in the VSU Multipurpose Center. Tipoff is slated for 4:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Walter Williams: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#1 Waymond Wright: G; 5' 11"; Junior

#25 Andrew Corum: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#32 Richard Granberry: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#20 William Vedder: F; 6' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Walter Williams
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#1 Waymond Wright
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

#25 Andrew Corum
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#32 Richard Granberry
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#20 William Vedder
: 6' 8"; Freshman
: F